The Gasconade County R-2 Board of Education met virtually on Thursday to approve the resignation and separation agreement of Owensville Elementary School’s (OES) Assistant Principal Megan Young with a 6-0 vote.

Young’s resignation is effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year. The position has been posted and will be filled as soon as possible.

During the 5 p.m. special board meeting on Oct. 3, posted at 3 p.m. the same day, the board conversed in closed session for 10 minutes, according to the meeting notes. In her resignation letter, Young requested paid personal leave beginning Oct. 1, which was approved according to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Staci Johnson.

“She did ask to resign for personal reasons,” Johnson said. “The resignation letter was approved in open session and (the details) were in the request.”

Young, who began as a teacher in the district, has been the OES assistant principal since the 2022-23 school year.

“We do have the job posted,” Johnson said. “We will keep it posted until we fill it. If we have applicants we will go through that process this month. It really just depends on if we have a good poll of high-quality applicants.”

As the board approved Young’s resignation timeline and personal leave as requested, the district will be paying for both her administrative salary and that of her replacement.

“If we hire somebody, that person will be paid as well,” Johnson confirmed. “It wouldn’t impact the approval of her resignation.”

When asked what circumstances would lead to the board’s approval of an eight-month paid personal leave, Johnson said it was a personnel matter.

“We want to respect the privacy of our employees even in circumstances like these,” she said.

Young was paid a salary of $71,107.50 as an assistant administrator with eight years of experience in the district. Along with her salary, she will continue to receive insurance benefits. Depending on her replacement’s experience, they could make more or less.

Staff at OES are working together to fill the duties of the position until a new administrator is hired.

“Currently, we have a team of admin on the Owensville campus that are helping to take care of some of the day-to-day operations at the building.”

The Oct. 3 meeting adjourned at 5:13 p.m. 

The next board meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21 at the Administration Building. A Board of Education Retreat is also scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the White Mule Winery.