Noxon School Board negotiates with teachers, plans to replace doors

NOXON – In a five hour board meeting, the Noxon School Board discussed topics ranging from teacher’s union negotiations to building maintenance and security.

The teacher’s union negotiations were just a starting point in discussions. According to Josh Patterson, superintendent of the Noxon schools, the union gave a presentation on how other Class C schools, as well as some Class B schools, operate in terms of teacher pay and other topics. The goal was to give the board an idea of how the Noxon School District compares to other districts on such issues.

“That was just something that they really wanted to point out,” Patterson said.

There were also several proposals for language changes in the contracts and handbooks. No specific proposals were given for what language to change, just the idea of making them.

The board members then gave their feedback on the ideas presented. According to Patterson, the teacher’s union is expected to return at the March board meeting with specific proposals and language to be changed.

The board also had a conference call to discuss the final plans for replacing the doors on the outside of the school. Patterson noted the wooden doors had been there since the school’s construction in the 1960s and were starting to wear out due to age. They have been making arrangements to get a grant to install new hollow metal doors.

The project is expected to begin in the first week of June and should be completed by the second week of July.

The board is also planning to put in a new vestibule in the front of the school. According to Patterson, this would create an air lock at the entrance and require people check in with the office to enter or exit the school.

“That would allow us a more secure entrance,” he said. “We’re basically trying to go to a one entrance, one exit facility.”