The school board, voting on second and final reading of a proposed electronic attendance policy for board members they approved last month, did not adopt the policy Thursday night.
At the regular meeting of the board last week, member Billy Miller told the board that he felt the proposal should have gone to the policy committee before being brought before the board, and made a motion that the first reading be rescinded and the proposal be sent to the policy committee.
Miller said he was seeking clarification on some of the language in the plan.
Board member Doug Stephens seconded Miller's motion, and member W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, Miller and Stephens voted in favor, while board members Charles Robinson, John David Foutch, and Chairman Johnny Lattimore voted against the motion.
In the absence of member Kenny Rhody, who has been plagued with health problems recently, the four votes to pass the motion were not acquired.
Foutch then made a motion to adopt the policy on second and final reading, and Robinson seconded the motion. The vote again tied 3-3 with Foutch, Robinson, and Lattimore voting for the plan and Miller, Stephens, and Evils voting against it.
Miller then restated his motion to rescind the proposal and send it to the policy committee. This time, Lattimore joined Miller, Stephens, and Evils in voting for the motion to prevent gridlock.
Miller, Stephens, and Rhody are the members of the policy committee, but due to Rhody’s illness Lattimore appointed Robinson to the post. A meeting of the policy committee is set to meet to discuss the  policy on March 4.
According to the plan, board members who are prevented from attending meetings because of family emergencies, military service, or a work-related absence would be able to attend meetings of the board through electronic means.
Rhody may have utilized the program to participate in important upcoming votes, including the impending vote on Director Mark Willoughby's employment contract.
Meanwhile, board formally adopted the 2014-15 school calendar Thursday night.
• Registration for all students will be held on July 31, an abbreviated school day. (7:45-9:30 a.m.)
• Aug. 1 will be an administrative day for teachers only.
• August 4 will be the first full day of school for all students.
• Students will not attend school on  Labor Day, Sept. 1.
• Schools will close for the fall break Oct. 20-31.
• Students will not attend school during  Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, 27, and 28.
• Christmas break will be Dec. 22-Jan. 2. Dec. 19 will be the last day students attend before Christmas break, and that will be an abbreviated school day. Jan. 5 will be a stockpile day for teachers, and students will return after the holidays on Jan. 6.
• Schools will close for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Jan. 19
• Schools will close for President's Day, on Feb. 16.
•Schools will close for spring break March 30-April 3.
• Students will not attend school on Memorial Day, May 25.
• Aug. 29, Oct. 3, Feb. 13 and  March 6 are designated as early release dates.
• Students will not attend school on May 22, an administrative day. All teachers must attend.
• The last day of school will be May 26, an abbreviated school day. Report cards will be sent home.
• Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Oct. 7 and March 10 from 3-6 p.m. at DCHS.
• Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Oct. 9 and March 12 from 3-6 p.m. at DeKalb Middle School, Northside Elementary, Smithville Elementary, and DeKalb West School.
• DCHS report cards will be sent home on Oct. 6 and March 9, and at all other schools on Oct. 7 and March 10.
The director also presented his monthly update on personnel at the meeting.
Employed since last month were Deborah Cunningham as interim educational assistant at SES, Emily Phillips as music teacher, Jasmine Vazquez, as a certified substitute teacher, and Trent Vickers as a maintenance worker.
Transferred since last month were Rena Willoughby,  from the substitute list to education assistant at DWS
Audrey Russell, a DWS teacher, was granted a leave of absence as requested.
Amanda Johnson, a teacher at SES, was granted a leave of absence as requested.
Resigning from the school system since last month were Kealah Curtis, an SES educational assistant, Aaron Young, a maintenance worker, Lori Sexton, a music teacher, Kelli Bullard, a teacher at SES.
Dean Haugh, an educational assistant at DCHS, and Helen LaFever, a cafeteria worker, both retired.