Malta School Board Votes to Renew Elementary Principal's Contract

Chairman Kyle Kluck convened the Malta School District board for a special Sunday evening session on March 29, bypassing the district's regular Wednesday meeting schedule to cast a single vote: the renewal of Malta Elementary School Principal J.F. Hewitt's contract.

The 7 p.m. meeting drew the full board, including members Angel DeVries, Jessica Oyler, Katey Marquis and Katie Brown, along with Superintendent Steven Books and District Clerk Heather Ost. Hewitt himself attended the session.

In MPS, board meetings normally fall on the second Wednesday of each month in the Malta High School boardroom. Special sessions require separate public notice and are typically reserved for matters that can't wait for a regularly scheduled meeting. By calling a Sunday session, the board signaled it wanted to resolve Hewitt's employment status before the end of March rather than carry the question into April.

The board voted to renew the contract, though specific terms, including contract length, salary, and any performance benchmarks tied to the renewal, were not disclosed at the meeting. Parents and taxpayers wanting to know the financial cost to the district or the measurable goals Hewitt is being asked to deliver for the coming school year can request meeting minutes or direct questions to District Clerk Heather Ost at the district office.

The decision removes an open question that can quietly unsettle staff and families in a small district. Principal turnover in rural schools tends to disrupt instructional programs and strain teacher retention, and according to federal enrollment data, MPS employs roughly 93 staff members across its buildings. With the vote, the board has opted for continuity heading into the next school year rather than a search process.

No dissent was recorded during the session, and all four board members were present for the vote, a full-board showing that underscored the weight the district placed on the decision.