At the Amador County Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday night, thanks and gratitude were expressed to trustees PJ Karnaze and Chuck Anderson, both serving at their last board meeting after years of service.

Newly elected members Janelle Redkey and Wally Upper will be sworn in at the next meeting on Dec. 10. Karnaze came in fourth in voting in the Nov. 2 election for the three available seats. Anderson decided to step down several months ago.

Karnaze expressed his appreciation for "the great teachers who work with our children every day, our district employees and the support I always got from the staff." Karnaze and Anderson received a standing ovation and cheers from an audience of more than 40.

Schools Superintendent Dick Glock awarded the High 5 Academic Award to Kevin Atkinson and Block "A" Community Block Service awards to Sharly Grandon and Elyse Haedrich, each of whom volunteered more than 130 hours to community service.

Millie Butler and Nick Ragusano of the Amador Schools Arts Foundation presented a slide show demonstrating the fundraising events the foundation has presented in the past, and the French Cabaret coming up Nov. 22 featuring a mime troupe, scenes from "Grease" and art, food and flower arrangements by students.

Maja Johnson was given a gift of appreciation for benefit band concerts.

Representatives from Pine Grove Elementary School, the Amador County Sheriff's Office and Office of Emergency reported on the results of drills designed to evacuate students in the event of fire.

Glock said a drug testing program and other campus safety measures discussed at previous meetings were ready to be implemented immediately.