The Durant Board of Education hired a new director of athletics and activities during a meeting held at noon Monday.

Drew Young will be replacing Wesley Smithart who announced earlier this year that he was resigning. Young is currently the director of athletics for the Sherman Independent School District and head football coach since 2003.

In other business, the board approved a resolution to the Bryan County Excise Board for the approval of temporary appropriations for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Durant Schools Superintendent Dr. Jason Simeroth said the district’s estimates of needs will be completed later this year.

A contract with Yadon & Putnam to provide audit services for financial and compliance examination was approved. Simeroth said that company did a good job last year.

Board members approved the school district’s membership in the following organizations for the 2009-2010 school year:

— Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

— Oklahoma Technology Association

— Oklahoma State School Boards Association

— Oklahoma Curriculum Improvement Commission

— United Suburban Schools Association

— Texoma Association for Public School Improvement

— Bryan County Administrators Association

These are organizations that have ongoing dealings with the operations of the school district.

After meeting in executive session, the board approved the following personnel matters:

Resignations

Asia Willingham, DMS extra duty position only; Tonnie Harrison, DHS graduate assistant; Marion Ned, child nutrition employee; Donna Olive, transportation employee, and Cynthia Perdue, child nutrition employee

The board renewed Terry Bourne’s contract as district asbestos compliance coordinator for the 2009-2010 school year.

The following new hires were approved: Sherri Anderson, third-grade Summer Reading Academy instructor; Karen Rowland, WI kindergarten teacher, temporary one-year contract; Cassandra Deaton, WI first-grade teacher, temporary one-year contract; Tara Sheid WI third grade teacher, temporary one-year contract; Amanda Reynolds, DHS math teacher, full-time temporary position; April Clark, DHS teacher assistant for the vocal music program, and Billy Williams, custodian substitute.