Williams Seated on Du Quoin School Board, Valier returned as board president

Newly elected Karen Williams took her seat on the Du Quoin Board of Education Thursday afternoon. With the resignation of board president Mike Ward - who will soon serve as Du Quoin's new police and fire commissioner -- Supt. Gary Kelly found an opening to largely take back control of what has become a politically divided Board of Education.

With Ward's exodus, former longtime president Larry Valier was returned to his seat as board president on a divided 4-3 vote. Valier voted for himself along with members Sam Vancil, Karen Williams and Luke Davison. Board members Mike Ward, Paul Brock and Dennis Cole voted for Cole. Brock will serve as vice-president and Vancil as board secretary.

The meeting opened with remarks from Jean Ann Mathis asking that the board appoint defeated board member Zach McPherson to Ward's vacancy.

She and Du Quoin High School secretary Billie Stephens spoke on behalf of staff members in asking board members to consider three-year contracts instead of one-year contracts for building principals. With the newly seated board, the issue will be revisited.

But outgoing board member Ward accused Kelly of not being transparent about contracts and in granting only one-year contracts may target one or more employees who fall under the category of "administration" next year.

Board member Davison questioned why there was a blanket decision instead of considering each administrator separately.