The Newton School Board ended last night’s school board meeting in closed session, conducting Superintendent Tom Messenger’s quarterly review. Board members have extended Messenger’s contract another year, keeping him under a three year agreement through June 30th, 2028. Messenger has been the Superintendent in Newton for the past six years, and before he took the position, he served as the Superintendent in Red Oak.

The Newton Board of Education also received the latest information last night on the construction projects at Aurora Heights and Thomas Jefferson Elementary schools. Maintenance Supervisor Jack Suttek says the HVAC unit has been delivered and the footings have been poured for the addition onto Aurora Heights Elementary. At Thomas Jefferson Elementary, Suttek says walls are being painted in the new addition and demolition of the current office is underway, along with the demolition and replacement of the old HVAC units.