HCS board holds special session to discuss employee

The Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education held a special meeting Monday, with executive session to discuss the employment of a public employee as the only agenda item. 

The board met at 3 p.m. in the district's central office. Approximately six community members were in attendance. Board president Sam Barnhouse said that he wanted to explain that no action would be taken. 

"Before we vote to go into executive session, I want to explain that there will be no action taken while we are in executive session, and no action will be taken after. There will be no public participation. The next regular school board meeting is March 21," Barnhouse said. 

During the Feb. 15 regular school board meeting, several community members and relatives of a Hillsboro City Schools teacher who has been placed on administrative leave spoke out on his behalf. The individuals asked that the board make a decision and reinstate the teacher, who has been on leave approximately since November. 

The teacher was not in attendance at either meeting.

Rick Burns had spoken out during the Feb. 15 meeting, and he was also in attendance during Monday's meeting. 

"I'm here in support (of the teacher)," Burns said. "It has been too long. We're trying to get him reinstated."

The six individuals who spoke during the Feb. 15 meeting were informed by the school board that they would receive a written response within 10 days. Burns provided The Highland County Press with a copy of the letter, which stated: 

"As stated in the Hillsboro City School District Bylaws and Policies 0169.1, the Board of Education recognizes the value to the school governance of public comment on education issues and the important of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest. You addressed the board on 2-15-12. The matter to which you referred would be inappropriate for us to discuss while it is still under investigation. We thank you for your input. Our hope is that this situation can be resolved in a timely manner." 

Hillsboro Superintendent Rick Earley told The Highland County Press Monday that the board met in executive session for just over two hours, and that no action was taken following the session.