Four area school boards held meetings Monday night, discussing after-school care, test results and building projects.
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Four area school boards held meetings Monday night, discussing after-school care, test results and building projects.
Pleasant View R-6
Pleasant View R-6 board members discussed the establishment of a preschool committee and the possibility of providing after-school care for students during its meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Lynn Kowalski said the board discussed the establishment of a preschool committee, which would provide a means to get information to the parents about the preschool program and their children’s development, act as a forum for ideas and encourage parental involvement. Information about the committee will be sent home to parents.
Also discussed was the possibility of providing after-school care for students in grades kindergarten through eight. A survey is being taken to determine the need for such services and the proposed program will be discussed at this Friday’s R-6 Community Club meeting. After-school care would be provided for a fee until 5:30 p.m.
In other business, the board approved a field trip for kindergarten and first grade students and considered new resources for services such as school board training, policy updates and legal services. Work is continuing on the basketball schedule and the search for a coach.
Dr. Kowalski also discussed a new professional development grant that will provide money in addition to the funds already provided. This year, the district will focus on literacy (reading and writing) and teachers will be attending staff development sessions on ways to increase literacy.
The board is scheduled to meet again at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14.
Laredo R-7
At the Laredo R-7 meeting, board members heard a Parents as Teachers report, reviewed the student handbook and heard a report on test results from the 1998-99 school year.
Principal Gary Henry said he gave a report on participation in the PAT program, which showed 19 families were involved last year and the same amount is expected this year. Henry also presented the student handbook, which was reviewed by board members and approved for distribution to parents and students.
Test results for the state test, MAP, and the McGraw-Hill Terra Nova test were reviewed. The results, which were for the 1998-99 tests, showed good scores overall, especially on the Terra Nova, Henry said. The MAP test showed a few areas of concern and Henry and teachers will be meeting to discuss possible adjustments in curriculum to improve the scores.
In other business, the board heard an investment report and looked at the work done so far on the cafeteria roof. Henry was asked to check on several technology concerns and report back to the board at a future meeting.
While an executive session had been listed on the agenda, Henry said it was not necessary to hold a closed meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 11.
Princeton R-5
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education continued work in preparation for the April bond election during its meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Darrell Smith said the board voted to hire ACI/Franghiser & Hutchens of Kansas City as architects for the elementary school construction project, on which patrons will vote in April. Dr. Smith said the architects will begin work on the project immediately.
The board also agreed to include air conditioning the high school/junior high complex in the construction project. Dr. Smith noted that the district has money in its capital projects fund to pay for the air conditioning work and the board wanted to include that work when the elementary project is being done.
In other business, the board hired Kami Stark as an assistant teacher in the second grade. The board also approved the evaluation and professional development program.
The next meeting of the board will be on Oct. 11.
Tri-County
The Tri-County Board of Education heard test reports and accepted a resignation during its meeting.
According to information provided by Superintendent Ron Garber, Tri-County Counselor John Lickteig presented results of Missouri Assessment Program and MMAT tests, which showed that most students falling in the nearing proficient level. The four other testing steps – Step 1, Progressing, Proficient and Advanced – were also discussed. Garber said the district wants to see at least a 3 percent increase in math, communication arts, science and social studies each year.
The board approved the purchase of a walk-in freezer from Lady Baltimore Foods at a cost of $6,693.89, which includes freight and installation. Bus routes were approved as were the science and math curriculum and formation of a Spanish Club. The board also set graduation for May 14, 2000.
Garber distributed the list of members who will be serving on long-range planning committees. Eric Rosentreter, high school principal, presented a copy of the Internet usage policy and also gave each board member a copy of the technology grant the district has submitted. The grant is for $50,000, with $29,000 being used for capital outlay of the project.
Elementary Principal Toni Cox reported that screening is under way for three-year-olds in the preschool, adding that there is not enough participation for two four-year-old pre-school classes. She said that there seems to be a lot of interest in the Parents as Teachers Program and that the district looks forward to a very beneficial year for all involved in the program.
The board accepted the resignation of board Machelle Rageth, who is moving from the district. Ms. Rageth’s resignation will be effective after the October board meeting.
The next meeting of the board will be Oct. 11.