Farmington hires Mathewson as principal

By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post

FARMINGTON – The Farmington School Board voted unanimously to hire Clint Mathewson as elementary principal for next school year.

Mathewson is currently the assistant principal and will replace Missy Ryba, whose is resigning at the end of this school year.

Mathewson is a former social studies teacher within the district who has coached scholastic bowl, track and basketball in the past. The past two years he has served as assistant principal and technology integration specialist.

“The district is excited to see his career continue to grow with us and look forward to him advancing an already exceptional elementary school,” Superintendent Zac Chatterton said.

The board also approved Midwest Construction Professionals to help oversee an estimated $631,310 remodel of the elementary research and media center, with another $101,950 allotted for furniture and technology.

Chatterton noted that the remodel is slated to be completed for the 2023-24 school year and that estimated costs are based on current pricing.

“We’re just getting the drawings done and a tentative budget so we can be all ready to go when the bidding is right,” Chatterton said. “We could bid it as early as this fall or we may wait until winter.”

The board also approved DLA Architectural Services to assist in the remodel.

Since the resignation of Adam Powell as technology director earlier this year, Farmington has been working with CDS Technology Service to handle IT work in the district.

The board formalized that agreement Monday, agreeing to a short-term contract with CDS that will be reviewed and possibly extended in May or June.

“There’s just more money in the private sector with that skill set than we an ever offer in public education,” Chatterton said.

Based on declining enrollment and the ability to combine a bus route, Director of Student Services Toby Vallas recommended selling a 71-passenger 2020 Bluebird Vision bus. The board agreed.

The board also heard a presentation from Jason Koenig of the Farmington JFL, which is asking the district to sell the league the football field at the old high school. Koenig said the JFL, which last year had 162 players out for football, would handle mowing and maintenance. The school board is expected to discuss the request at a future meeting.

In other business, the board:
• Approved the 2022-23 Student Handbook.
• Approved the 2022-23 District Calendar, which shows a later start date of Aug. 17 to bring the district more in line with other nearby schools.
• Heard that Art Club students are planning to do a mural in Yates City.
• Approved hiring Ty Loveland as technology assistant and Dylan Hayden as a baseball assistant coach.
• Approved FMLA leave for Quincy Thompson and Amanda Collins.
• Acknowledged the resignation of teachers McKenzie Cooper and Dominique Pohl and cheerleading coach Kim Pillman.
• Acknowledged tenure for Lilybeth Mendez, Brian Littrel, Quincy Thompson and Donovoan Benson.
• Approved eight volunteer bass fishing coaches.