The Durant Board of Education met in executive session during a meeting last week to evaluate and discuss the superintendent’s contract for the term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
Mark Moring took the reins as superintendent of the Durant Independent School District on July 1, 2024, following the retirement of Superintendent Duane Merideth. Moring was previously superintendent of the Davis School District.
No action was taken following the executive session and board President Jason Manous said, “During an executive session, the board met with the superintendent and discussed the following: Evaluation and discussion on contract of superintendent for the term beginning July 1 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. Nothing else was discussed and no votes were taken.”
During the board member comments part of the meeting, board member Joyce Northcutt thanked Moring for his six months of service as superintendent.
“I think it’s been a good six months and I’m looking forward to maybe another six years with you,” Northcutt said.
Board Vice President Paul Buntz said, “I would echo what Joyce said and to say that I think that we’re off to a good start in the new administration.”
Moring spoke of the Robinson family tragedy when girls basketball head coach Will Robinson and daughter Clara died after their car slid of the road during the rain and crashed into a drainage ditch.
“I just want to say how unbelievably supportive our community is when it comes to the needs of people in our community,” Moring said. “The obvious one is the Robinson family and how our community is absolutely falling over themselves to try to help and support that family and it so refreshing to see the support from people that don’t know them.
“It’s just so uplifting in the face of tragedy, what good can come out of this. So, I would just like to publicly tell how I appreciate that and let’s just always keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”
Clara still had not been found at press time this week and search operations have been turned over to Texas EquuSearch, according to the Sherman Police Department.
Thomas Seidel of Mid-Plains Construction, presented an update on construction of the agriculture building at the high school that is wrapping up.
“We’ve currently got the heat turned on and they’re hanging the welding hoods, exhaust system and that sort of thing and should be starting floor covering, Seidel said. “So, we’re really, really close. Of course, this snow slowed things down but anyway, everything’s really getting really close. Hopefully, here in the next few weeks, we’ll be wrapping things up and go from there.”
January is School Board Recognition Month and board President Jason Manous, vice president Paul Buntz and board members Chaz Polk, Joyce Northcutt and Janie Umsted received gift bags thanking them for their service.
Northcutt thanked the schools for presenting the board members gifts.
“They’re the ones that we should be giving to instead of them giving to us,” she said. “I feel like this job is easy. They’re the ones that are down in the trenches.”
Moring said school principals were talking to him in text messages and they were excited to present board members with the gifts.
“They really appreciate what you guys do as a board,” Moring said.
Umsted said she wanted them to know how much the board appreciates them.
“Without them, there would be no board,” Northcutt added.
The board approved employment of the following: Kalyn Stephens and Hanah Manous, licensed professional counselors, and Wilda Regina Brewer, fourth-grade teacher at NWH.
A contract with Lifetouch Photography was approved for students portraits at all campuses for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years.
