The school board filled its vacant seat Monday.

Leon Gatewood was selected from three candidates. Gatewood was not present at the meeting so the board said it would notify him of their decision.

The board also authorized a "reduction in force." A policy governing the reduction was passed at the board's June meeting.

Sixteen positions in the school system were eliminated Monday. However, up to 33 have been eliminated when retirement and attrition are taken into account.

"I don't think anyone here is real excited to do this," the Rev. Rob Rollins said.

Russell Sikes added the layoffs were particularly painful in light of the progress the school system had made this year.

"It's very possible" that more layoffs will follow, Michael Freeman, executive director for teaching and learning, said Tuesday.

Other employees, mostly teacher assistants, could see their hours reduced, he said.

The board discussed the Adequate Yearly Progress results of the schools. AYP is a measure of performance created by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Seven of the system's 11 schools made their AYP benchmarks. Last year, only three of them did.

Ansonville Elementary School, Morven Elementary School, Peachland-Polkton Elementary School, Wadesboro Elementary School, Wadesboro Primary School, Anson County Early College and Anson New Tech High School made all of their benchmarks. Lilesville Elementary School made 15 of 17 benchmarks.

Anson Middle School made 13 of 21 benchmarks.

Due to an "anomaly," Anson High School did not meet any of its 13 benchmarks.

The AYP in high school is based on the 10th grade reading and math scores on standardized tests. One of those reading scores is the English I EOC.

This year's sophomores did not take the English I EOC as freshmen, so this significantly affected the school's target.

The board extended the day for Ansonville Elementary School and Peachland-Polkton Elementary School. AES will now dismiss at 2:45 p.m. for bus riders and 2:40 p.m. for car riders, 30 minutes later than previously. Teachers will continue to dismiss at 2:55 p.m. PPES will now dismiss bus riders at 2:30 p.m. and car riders at 2:35 p.m., 10 minutes later than previously. Teachers will still leave at 3 p.m.

At AES the changes will allow more students to be exposed to literacy programs. At PPES the extra time will be used to improve literacy and to maintain physical education.

The board passed a policy outlining the rules governing travel compensation for school employees. The policy was passed in light of the budget constrictions the school system faces.

Rollins abstained from the vote. All of the other board members, save the absent Daniel Wilson, voted for the measure.

Compensation will only be made for required business travel and travel to educational conferences for staff development.

Personnel must first acquire approval from their immediate supervisor. The immediate supervisor has the responsibility to approve appropriate travel within the county and shall then recommend to the appropriate superintendent or division director which method of compensation is most efficient.

For out-of-county travel, the principal, assistant superintendent, director or an employee's immediate supervisor shall have the authority to approve compensation within budgetary limits. Each request requires the approval of the employee's principal or immediate supervisor and the assistant superintendent.