The Nye County School Board conducted a variety of business at its regular meeting (held at the irregular location of Amargosa) last Thursday evening.

The board unanimously approved a request by the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson, of which the local Boys and Girls Club is under, to use the multi-purpose room at Manse Elementary School for its summer program.

The program will be eight weeks long from June 18 through Aug. 10.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, participants in the program will enjoy activities including arts and crafts, games, and leadership and life skill activities.

The cost of the program, open to children between the ages of 6 and 12, is $20 per child regardless of how many days they attend.

In light of recent problems with students submitting questionable on-line high school diplomas to the school district, the board unanimously approved not to accept on-line diplomas that do not require education.

A new disciplinary procedure, introduced by Superintentent of Character Development Dale Norton, was passed unanimously by the board. The new process basically streamlines the procedure for determining long-term suspension or expulsion of students. The new process officially ensures due process takes places for the student and places the board at the last stages of the appeal process.

Hoping to have more time to recruit teachers, a resignation incentive was also approved. A one-time offer of $250 will be given to teachers who agree to retire before April 1.

Assistant Superintendent Rob Pekarek announced to the board that there were only five teaching vacancies throughout the entire district.

"The principals have been very tenacious about trying to fill the vacancies," Pekarek told the board.

Clerk Tracy Ward said, "That's the lowest number since I've been here."

A fixed assets inventory, meaning inventory of physical assets in the schools such as desks, blackboards, or computers, may be completed a little sooner since the board approved hiring extra help to complete the survey.

Continuing to bolster staffing, the board also approved filling the vacant grant writer position for the district.

Bob Whimpey, head of maintenance and operations for the district, will enjoy having some additional help now that the board approved hiring a project manager for that department.