Another chapter was written Monday night in a book debate involving a third-year eighth grade English teacher.

The Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School Board voted 6-1 at a special meeting not to renew the contract of Jenna Lanter. David Hand was the only board member to oppose the motion. Voting in favor of the non-renewal were board president Cynthia Edgerle and members Ashley Bohl, Jake Svaty, Darin Holecek, Brian Rush and Gina McGowan.

This week’s final action came after a five-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.

At another special meeting a week ago, the board signaled its intent not to renew Lanter’s contract. Holecek and Hand opposed the earlier action.

Lanter attracted the ire of two fathers, who objected to her use of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” in their children’s classroom. They said the book, a coming-of-age story by Stephen Chbosky, was not “age appropriate” for students in junior high school. They also demanded that Lanter be dismissed from her job.

Lanter has not talked to the I-R; however, in a statement several weeks ago to the board she said, “If a third year teacher can lose her job over a book and maybe a couple of missed e-mails, then anyone can essentially lose their job over anything.”

In other action Monday night, the school board approved $227,593 in capital outlay projects for the summer.

Included was a $91,190 bid for part of the Ellsworth Junior-Senior High School roof from Stanfield Roofing of El Dorado; $85,178 to Van Lintel Refinishing of Hays to replacement of the gymnasium floor at the junior-senior high school and $51,225 to Kyler and Son of Kanopolis for concrete work behind the high school stadium.

The purchase of a bus was approved at a previous meeting.

Other projects that do not fall under the bid law will be completed as the district decides.

Board members also conducted an executive session with board attorney John Sherman to discuss teacher negotiations. No action was taken.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School Board will be at 7 p.m. Monday, April 11, in the district office.