The Marked Tree School Board approved the retirement of a long-time Marked Tree High School teacher and accepted the resignation of three other district teachers last week at its monthly meeting.

Joan Smith, well-known social studies teacher, will retire at the end of the school year. Three teachers, math teacher Lisa Gray, aid Charles Jackson and Antonio Hister, elementary aid, resigned effective at the end of the 2007-2008 school year.

The board met with President Mike Dabney presiding. Marked Tree School Superintendent discussed various issues with the board. Board members present were Dale Smith, Carolyn Wages and Ira Lee Whitfield. Board Vice-President Robert Boxley was absent from the Monday night meeting.

The board was scheduled to discuss a change in grant writing policy for the Marked Tree School District. The issue was tabled and moved to the May school board agenda. Two local women who assist in grant writing were unable to attend last week's meeting.

Board member Dale Smith said he was fine with postponing the discussion until next month. He also told the board that he felt whatever percentage of money was paid to outside grant writers should also be paid to district teachers who submit grants.

In other issues, the board:

*Approved the district's 2008-2009 technology plan.

*Discussed personnel issues in executive session.