The DeKalb County Board of Education met for their regular monthly meeting last Thursday, with a light agenda before them.

After dealing with some routine business and policy changes, including a program through Horace Mann to help teachers with student loan alleviation, DeKalb Director of Schools Patrick Cripps gave a personnel update, stating that Ethan Duke has been employed as a teacher at DeKalb County High School, while Smithville Elementary secretary Shawnnie Davis and Jayrah Trapp, a teacher at DeKalb County High School have resigned. Director Cripps wished them well as they move forward in future endeavors.

Director Cripps expressed condolences after a long-time teacher at Smithville Elementary School passed away recently. The board recognized Lynda Luna, a former kindergarten teacher at the school.

“We lost one of our former educators, Ms. Lynda Luna. She taught in our system for 30 plus years. She was also a fixture at Wilson Bank & Trust in Smithville. She was very nice and loved our students. We want to send our condolences out to her family and to thank them for allowing her to be part of our lives and affecting so many children’s lives in DeKalb County. She will be missed,” said Director Cripps.