County auditor resigns to take position with school district

Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Sharon Porter wipes a tear away as Chris Porter accepts the plaque from Superintendent Bill Nance.

NEW MADRID - New Madrid County Auditor Brian Mauk will still be adding up the numbers but as of June 4 it will be for the New Madrid County R-1 School District.

The New Madrid County R-1 School Board hired Mauk as the new director of business and finance during its May meeting. Mauk, who has served as county auditor for six and half years, replaces Paul Northington, who left the district after serving in the post for 12 years.

New Madrid County Clerk Clement Cravens said the county received a copy of Mauk's resignation late last week. Mauk intends to begin his new job on June 4.

Cravens said he has notified the Republican and Democratic Central Committees of the resignation, beginning a nomination process for the job, which will be filled by appointment from Gov. Matt Blunt. As a second class county, New Madrid County is required by state law to have a county auditor.

Mauk offered his thanks to the voters and added: "I want to thank the Board of Education for giving me the opportunity to serve the New Madrid County R-1 School District. I look forward to working with the board and the administrators."

Also during the May meeting, the board agreed to provide approximately $40,000 in funding for improvements to the baseball and softball fields in New Madrid. The fields, which are used by the high school teams, were recently renovated, including new fencing, windscreens and back stop nettings, dirt and sod work and improvements to the batting cage among other items.

In addition to Mauk, the Board hired Paul Jamerson as building and trades instructor for the Technical Skills Center; Carol Crafton, Middle School math instructor; and Cashine Crafton, custodian for New Madrid Elementary.

Transfers approved were Cathy Gremore to child care careers at the Technical Skills Center from first grade teacher at Lilbourn Elementary; Courtney Boone to learning disabilities at the Middle School, moving from Central High School; and Gina Smith to secretary from aide at New Madrid Elementary.

Resignations were accepted from Peggy Cross, learning disabled program at the Central Middle School; Joella Jones, basic skills for the Technical Skills Center; and Lance Tollison, girls basketball coach for Central High School.

Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, students completing the three-unit nursing program will receive a waiver of one unit of academic credit of science.

Other actions by the board included employing Howard Tillman as the District's auditor, giving approval for the administration to enter into a contract with the Kenny Rogers Children's Center to provide occupational and physical therapy to students in the district, revising the District's purchasing policy and the hazing and bullying policy and a resolution was approved honoring the late Randy Porter, who served as a member of the board from 21 years, serving as president the past six years.

Superintendent Bill Nance noted graduation ceremonies are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 22 at the New Madrid County High School gymnasium.

"The school year is coming to an end," said Nance. "This has been a very successful year. We are looking forward to the 07-08 school year."

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