The Laredo R-7, Princeton R-5 and Tri-County R-7 boards of education met Monday night, discussing health insurance, graduation requirements and administrative contracts.
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The Laredo R-7, Princeton R-5 and Tri-County R-7 boards of education met Monday night, discussing health insurance, graduation requirements and administrative contracts.
Laredo R-7
The Laredo R-7 Board of Education approved a health insurance bid and discussed several items during its meeting.
Superintendent Shawn Schultz said the board accepted a bid from Coventry Health Care of Kansas for employee health insurance. The board provides health insurance for its employees as well as a term life insurance policy and also offers an option for dependent coverage, which is paid by the employee. Schultz said that while there is an increase in the cost to the board, the benefits provided are also increasing with the new company.
Schultz reported that the school is writing a grant in an effort to secure funding for renovations at the school. The federal grant is being administered through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The district is seeking up to $100,000 and plans to use the money to replace the school?s heating system as well as add air conditioning. Jan. 31 is the application deadline.
Schultz reported that work is nearly completed on repairs to the playground fence, which he said has become a safety concern. He also announced the students who were named to the honor roll as well as who achieved perfect attendance.
The board discussed required training for school board members. Schultz said that three current board members have filed for re-election and include Jim Marsh, Kendall Foster and Brad Tolson. Schultz also discussed activities for School Board Appreciation Week, which is next week.
The board discussed a request to take students to a literature program at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. No decision was made and the matter will be discussed further at the February meeting.
The annual percentage report was reviewed and Schultz said the Laredo district is meeting six of the seven standards required.
The next meeting of the board will be on Friday, Feb. 15, which is later in the week. The change is being made because of a scheduling conflict.
Princeton R-5
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education approved an open lunch for seniors on a temporary basis, approved a change in curriculum/graduation requirements and hired the superintendent for another year during its meeting.
According to Superintendent Dr. Darrell Smith, the board approved an open lunch hour for seniors on a trial basis, beginning Feb. 1. The issue will be re-evaluated at the next board meeting to see how it is going.
Board members approved the curriculum/graduation requirements as presented. The board approved the addition of an 11th grade social studies class to meet the American Government requirement and eliminated the one-half year government class now offered. Board members also increased the social studies graduation requirement from 2.5 credits (one American History, one World History and one-half credit of government) to three credits (one American History, one World History and one government).
The curriculum change was made because the district had no students scores in the proficient category in social studies standardized testing and only two students scores in the advanced category in social studies testing. It was felt that this is a curriculum program and should be addressed by adding the requirement, as other school districts have done. The graduation requirement was changed because post-secondary schools that stipulate a social studies requirement, stipulate three credits rather than 2.5. The actual number of credits needed for graduation, which is 24, will not change. Students will now have one-half less elective to fill.
Board members approved the career ladder program evaluation and the ITV program evaluation, as well as the preschool program evaluation. The board tabled a discussion concerning the preschool program in regard to the three-year class, with concerns about the ability of the district to continue financially supporting the program. The issue will be discussed at the next meeting.
Board policies were also approved in relation to support services and facilities development.
In final action, the board offered a contract to Dr. Smith for the 2002-2003 school year, with the salary to be determined at a later date.
The board will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 21, which is a change in the regular date.
Tri-County R-7
The Tri-County board accepted the resignation of a board member, approved a change in who can sign legal documents and offered administrative contracts during its meeting held at Jamesport.
According to information provided by Superintendent Dr. Ron Garber, the board accepted the resignation of board member John Lisle and agreed to hold the junior/senior prom at the Grand River Inn at Chillicothe. The board voted to take bids for tuck-pointing the high school building, which was constructed in 1914 and will seek bids for installation of propane lines outside the facilities. Board members also heard reports from Mary Sullenger on the Early Childhood/Parents as Teachers program and Robyn Elliott on the Gifted/Talented and At-Risk programs.
The board passed a resolution that allows three of the four board officers to sign financial and legal documents. The offices include president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.
In personnel matters, the board offered contracts to Elementary Principal Toni Cox, High School Principal Troy Clawson and Superintendent Ron Garber for the 2002-2003 school year.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 11.