[12/19/03]Discipline matters were again the primary topic in closed sessions of the Vicksburg Warren School District board of trustees Thursday.

The board voted unanimously to expel five students with District 1 Trustee Chad Barrett recusing himself from one of the votes.

It was the second time Barrett has declined to vote in a discipline matter. He recused himself from a vote in a closed meeting earlier this month, and four days later filed suit against his colleagues in a Warren County Circuit Court to appeal their apparent decision to expel his son from Warren Central High School.

Barrett has not talked about the case and referred questions to Mark Prewitt, his attorney who filed the one-page notice of appeal. The other four elected trustees and school officials have also declined comment.

The action followed a drug investigation in November at Warren Central and another student’s dismissal from the school district.

The appeal has been assigned to Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick, but no hearing date had been set.

While doors are closed for executive session deliberations, school trustees follow state law by revealing subject matter and votes.

In the executive session, the board also granted four student reassignments, denied one student transfer and authorized Superintendent James Price to handle a discipline matter involving an employee.

In regular session, the board:

Took under advisement the issue of hiring bus monitors after hearing from bus driver Wendy Hunt.

Requested more information, including a more specific job description, before authorizing Price to hire an office manager. The position would combine the duties of the personnel director and the budget director, which have both been vacant for some time.

Approved minutes from the special meeting on Dec. 4 and the regularly-scheduled meeting on Nov. 25.

Accepted donations from International Paper for programs at South Park and Dana Road Elementary schools.

Granted out-of-state travel requests.

Approved advertising for a five-year agriculture lease on 16th section land near Deer Creek.