Moniteau super Samosky resigns
CHERRY TWP — Moniteau School Board accepted the resignation of superintendent Tom Samosky at Monday's meeting.
Samosky, who has been superintendent since early 2020, said during the meeting that he is leaving the district for personal reasons. The board will post the availability of the position as soon as possible as per the motion at the meeting.
“This is a very challenging decision for me,” Samosky said. “It's a great school district.”
Several board members voted “yes, with regret” on the motion, and most offered their respect for Samosky. Despite the approval of the resignation, Samosky said he is not immediately leaving the school district, and will remain for an undefined period of time during the search for a new superintendent.
“Hopefully I can work with the board to help make a smooth transition,” Samosky said.Board president Mike Panza commended Samosky for the work he's done as superintendent.“He's a wonderful guy,” Panza said. “We are really going to miss him. He has done a great job.”At the meeting, Samosky complimented some recent work of the district, including the implementation of agricultural mechanization and agricultural production and operations at the high school.“That gives us three vocational agricultural programs at the high school,” he said. “My hat is off to the high school administration for their efforts. That's not an easy process to get approval, and they did that.”The board also reviewed its COVID-19 mitigation policies of the district after several parents complained. Some said the frequent messages from the school were vexing, and others said they did not want to comply with the state mask mandate.Panza said the district received notice from the state Department of Education that said districts that don't comply with the state mask mandate can be held responsible if an individual gets sick.“None of us made the law,” Panza said. “Anybody who encourages anybody to not follow the law is personally liable.”
