The Spickard R-2 and Tri-County R-7 boards of education held meetings Tuesday evening, discussing personnel, a meeting with DESE officials and expansion of a program.
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The Spickard R-2 and Tri-County R-7 boards of education held meetings Tuesday evening, discussing personnel, a meeting with DESE officials and expansion of a program.
Spickard R-2
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education agreed to extend one teacher’s contract by five days, discussed the possibility of paying off the school bonds early and heard a report on recommendations to ensure the district is moving in the right direction.
According to information provided by Principal Danny Johnson, he informed the board that a contract extension of at least five days is needed for Margaret Szucs to ensure that she will have enough time to complete her duties as special education instructor. Following an executive session, the board voted unanimously to approved five additional days for Mrs. Szucs.
The board heard a report from Johnson on the possibility of paying off the school bonds early. They were told that the holder of the bonds has stated that only under unusual circumstances can their particular type of bond be called up and paid off early. The board asked Johnson to find out what those circumstances are and if the district meets them. The issue will be discussed again next month.
Johnson also reported on a meeting he had with Larry Price, area supervisor for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Becky Baldwin, a staff member with Northwest Regional Professional Development. Johnson said he was told by Price that he feels the district might qualify for a partial waiver on its next Missouri School Improvement Review. Addition-ally, Price said he feels the district is heading in the right direction in terms of professional development by spending time this year ensuring that the district’s curriculum is aligned directly with the state’s Grade Level Expectations. Both Price and Ms. Baldwin told Johnson that they feel the district needs to look at becoming more specific on the details of its Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. As a whole, it was noted by the two that the district is moving in the right direction to ensure that it will be prepared for future MSIP reviews.
In other business, the board agreed to allow Aquila to remove several trees that could possibly cause damage to power lines and agreed to pay for a health fair screening for all staff members. The board also heard an attendance report which indicates that second quarter attendance was 94.98 percent and first semester attendance was 95.57 percent.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 21.
Tri-County R-7
The Tri-County R-7 Board of Education approved plans for the senior trip, approved the expansion of the preschool program and offered contracts to administrators during its meeting.
According to information provided by Superintendent Mary Kish, the board approved the senior trip to the Lake of the Ozarks, with the class paying for a substitute bus driver and gas for the bus.
The board also approved the expansion of the four-year-old preschool program from four days a week to five days a week. The three-year-old program will be expanded to a three day a week program. Hilary Skinner currently is the preschool teacher and also does Parents as Teachers, however Judith Stith, a retired teacher who is the Winston PAT program director, will take over the Tri-County PAT program. In a related issue, the board discussed the need for a building for the preschool program. Due to the quality of the program it is very popular and continues to grow. It was noted that Title I funds could be used to lease a building for the preschool program.
Board members voted to renew contracts for district principals during the meeting. High School Principal Bob Evans and Elementary Principal Melissa Finley were both offered contracts for the 2006-2007 school year.
Also discussed were maintenance and repair items for the high school building and the need to include these items in the 2006-2007 budget as it is being prepared. A new phone system is being considered for both the elementary and high school buildings as the current system is outdated and cannot be expanded. A new system would allow for expansion in addition to allowing every room to be connected during an emergency. A new system would also allow for voice mail.
In other business, the board discussed a Fire Cadet program, with final details still to be worked out, and approved the 2006-2007 school calendar, which shows classes beginning on Aug. 21 and ending on May 17. The 2007 graduation is set for Sunday, May 20. The board also discussed implementing the Title I program in grades seven and eight. Board members also discussed the possibility of contracting the summer mowing of the district grounds and the possibility of contracting district transportation.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 16.