Students rally after board action

Students massed outside Bureau Valley High school in protest this morning. Superintendent John Bute said roughly 150 students were sitting on the bleachers of the football field in response to action at last night’s meeting.  BV school district board members voted against rehiring three teachers for the 2011-2012 school year: coach Eric Bryant, math teacher Lesley Banister, and English teacher Duane Price.  Physical education teacher Holly English was rehired in a unanimous vote.

Board officials said the staff was let go largely for performance reasons. In a special meeting last week the board voted against rehiring Principal Mike Patterson. He was then approved as the new curriculum/special education director for the Bureau Valley District. He will begin July first at the start of the new fiscal year.