The board halted its April 14 meeting to meet with Brenner, her spouse and Britt Hanson of the Cochise County Attorney's Office for an hour in an executive session that was closed to the media. Grim-faced members of the board emerged from the session and voted unanimously not to renew Brenner's teaching contract for fiscal year 2010-11.

Brenner's conflict-of-interest objection to Mike Hayhurst serving as coach and board member led to his resignation Jan. 13. He continues to coach the football team, which includes Brenner's son.

Brenner said she couldn't comment on the confidential proceedings of the executive session, but she did read from the termination letter she was given. It stated that she "exhibited inappropriate and unprofessional behavior," but that the non-renewal of her contract is not disciplinary.

The board went into executive session over the objections of Hayhurst, who argued he should be allowed inside the closed meeting because he believed he would be a subject of the talks. After debating with their attorney, board members denied his request, assuring him he would not be the focus of the discussion.

Brenner was ordered not to return to THS to finish out the current school year, but she will be paid. She said she hasn't decided whether she'll take legal action against the district.

Calls to Karl Uterhardt, school superintendent, seeking comment on the cost of paying a substitute teacher to finish Brenner's classes were not immediately returned.

In other board news, the district will move fifth- and sixth-grade students, including three teachers, from Walter J. Meyer to Huachuca City School. Only grades K-4 will be taught at Meyer.

Uterhardt said the move would more evenly distribute per-pupil spending and enable the district to close one building at Meyer. But it will mean a 26-mile, 40-minute bus trip for students.

Several HCS parents turned out at the meeting to lobby for a 6 p.m. start time for eighth-grade promotion ceremonies, set for May 20. Principal Tom Yarborough prefers a 1 p.m. ceremony to ensure maximum student attendance.

Parents complained they couldn't take time off work to attend a daytime event. The board split the difference and settled on a 4 p.m. start.

The board also learned that the state's School Facilities Board approved plans to fix a series of nagging issues at Tombstone High School. Work will begin in early June to an improved water system, drainage issues, cafeteria equipment and door locks and security. THS Principal Robert Devere expects the work, which should be completed over the summer, to cost about $250,000. The School Facilities Board will pay for all repairs.