NEW PARIS —The National Trail Board of Education moved closer to completing its summer hiring process at a board meeting on Tuesday, June 23, when they hired six new teachers and a new guidance counselor for the district.

National Trail Superintendent Jeff Parker informed the board the school had openings for 18 positions going into the summer and only had one left to fill after the board meeting.

Parker said, of the 18 positions opened, seven were due to retirement. He said the teachers were in a position where if they didn’t retire this year they would lose significant money in retirement due to changes in the State Teacher Retirement System. Parker mentioned, most school districts have more openings this summer than during an average summer.

Parker also noted, of the 18 open positions, only four teachers left the district to pursue teaching positions in other school districts.

The six new teachers are, Tommy Brown as seventh grade language arts, Laura Gray as secondary English, Shana Nissenbaum as a third grade teacher, Danielle Rose as the middle school and high school art teacher, Carly Snider as a first grade teacher, and Megan Williams as a sixth grade language arts teacher.

Anna Duckro was hired by the district to be the new guidance counselor for grades 9-12.

The board also received an update on renovations being made to the roof on the building; sections over the lecture hall and room 201 were started but rain the week prior halted progress. The goal for completion is still Aug. 12.

Board members passed a motion to make minor changes to the valedictorian and salutatorian qualification process. Previously the honor was decided after the third quarter in the school year. This year the honor was determined in the middle of the final quarter.

Parker informed the board they will wait to determine the award until the last few days of the school year. Previously, students who were taking college classes did not receive grades until well after graduation for colleges on the quarterly system. Parker said most colleges are now on semester-based system, meaning the school district receives grades from colleges well before the end of the school year.

Parker said the students will find out who the valedictorian and salutatorian are at graduation practices, believing this provides the fairest system for the students.

The board approved a trip to Florida for the National Trail Marching Band. Some board members expressed concerns some students may not be able to afford the trip. High School Principal Robert Fischer informed the board the band will participate in fund raisers throughout the year in order to make sure all band members who want to go can afford the trip.

The board accepted five resignations: Katherine Franics resigned as high school guidance counselor, Travis Brown resigned as a third grade teacher, Michael Griffin resigned as a high school math teacher, Carolyn Bulach resigned as a first grade teacher, and Tammy Scholz resigned as the middle school special education intervention specialist.

National Trail Board of Education meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at National Trail High School, at 6:30 p.m.