WEST BRANCH | School board action

The West Branch Board of Education handled these matters at its last meeting of 2003 on Thursday night:
Heard a commendation given by Superintendent Louis Ramunno to the custodial staff, teaching staff and pupils for their efforts during the recent moves from the Maple Ridge elementary and Damascus junior high buildings into the new 16.8 million kindergarten through eighth-grade complex next to the high school.
Hired Harold Hunt, a retired West Branch teacher, on a long-term contract to replace Air Force Capt. Rodger Sharp, who has been called to active military duty. No salary figure was available.
Hired district resident Sherri Malloy as secretary at Goshen Center Elementary and special-education teacher Abbie Millard as a home instruction tutor. No salary figures were available.
Accepted the resignation of Jason Candle as ninth-grade girls basketball coach. The board hired district resident Jeff Martig, a substitute teacher, to replace Candle. His supplemental salary is $2,490.
Hired Nancy Willeman, high school guidance counselor, as co-assistant cross-country coach. Her supplemental salary is $1,155.
Approved a supplemental contract of $600 for Barbara Peters, a high school teacher, to serve as Students Against Driving Drunk adviser. The money comes from the district's drug-free fund.
Accepted the John L. Denny Memorial Scholarship Fund that will provide scholarships for West Branch graduates who plan to pursue college-level studies in agriculture or farm animal husbandry. The $10,084 in the fund will be under the direction of the Denny family and members of the high school faculty.
Purchased ninth-grade science texts from Prentice Hall Publishers for $12,818.
Set the 2004 organizational meeting for 7:30 Jan. 5 at the high school, when the board will elect officers and set meeting dates for the year.