Monday was a reorganizing night for area school boards as the oath of office was administered to those elected in the April 5 election and new officers were elected. Personnel items were also on agendas, including the resignation of a long-time area superintendent.
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Grundy R-5
New board members given the oath of office at the Grundy R-5 meeting included Larry Cook, Dennis McDonald and Tim Schroeder. Officers were elected and include Eric Gann, president; Randy Radcliff, vice president; Melody Shipley, secretary; and Kelli Alley, treasurer.
According to R-5 Superintendent Rob Deaver, board members voted to allow certified staff members to move one step on the salary schedule and to pay an additional $20 per month for the employee health insurance. The district will now pay $320 per month per certified employee toward their health insurance costs with the remainder to be paid by the employee. The total monthly health insurance cost will be $433 for the next school year with the cost being $398 per month for this academic year.
The board also approved a 1 percent raise for non-certified staff members and administration. The total cost to the district for the increases in salaries and benefits will be $17,457.
In other business, board members discussed the district’s participation in sending students to the Grand River Area Vocational Technical School for the 2011-2012 school year, approved membership with the Missouri School Boards Association for the 2011-2012 school year, approved signatures for banking activities and approved the evaluations for the elementary and secondary special education programs.
Secondary Principal Randy Huffman reported that the year-to-date attendance is 95.45 percent at his building. He also recognized the ag judging teams and updated the board on several upcoming events and activities.
Following a closed session, the board voted to hire Jenny Gann of Galt to fill the head cook’s position at the high school in Galt for the 2011-2012 school year. The board also voted to re-hire all non-certified employees for the 2011-2012 school year and to offer extra-duty contracts for the 2011-2012 school year.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 12.
Spickard R-2
Recently-elected board members taking the oath of office at Spickard were Roger Bonnett, Lindsay Glenn and Amanda Coffman, with Mrs. Glenn elected president, Ms. Coffman elected vice president, Ginger Terhune elected treasurer and Angela Johnson elected board secretary.
Principal Mike Garrett reported to the media that an executive session was held to discuss personnel and student matters, with no announcement made.
The board will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 18.
Laredo R-7
Receiving the oath of office at Laredo were Jason Meeker, Jim Marsh and Stephen Lowrey. Officers were elected and include Brad Wilford, president; Matt Foster, vice president; Meeker, treasurer; Mona Loyd, secretary; and Marsh, MSBA delegate/alternate.
Board members voted to accept the Blue Cross Blue Shield proposal for employee health insurance as presented by Jeannie Cunningham of Mike Keith Insurance. The board also approved a $100 increase to the base salary and gave its approval to allowing certified staff to move one step on the salary schedule. The 2011-2012 preliminary budget was approved and, in order to comply with a state mandate, the board voted to increase breakfast and lunch prices for the 2011-2012 school year from $2 to $2.05.
Board members also voted to not give the Terra Nova test this year, which will save the district approximately $2,500. An update to a health policy was approved.
Superintendent Dr. Kirk Mallette updated on the board on the KCPL Light Replacement Project and the annual state bus inspection. He also discussed the budget and a visit to the school by author Jane Halley. He said the food service inspection was conducted on Friday, April 1 and the Distinction in Performance Banquet will be held April 18 in Maryville. He also said the sports banquet will be held at 6 p.m., May 3.
Board members held an executive session to discuss personnel and a legal issue. Following the closed session, the board voted to re-hire all non-certified staff for the 2011-2012 school year, with their salaries to be determined at the May board meeting. The board also accepted the resignation of Ashley Jones, who has served as third/fourth grade teacher.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 9.
Newtown-Harris
Board members taking the oath of office in Newtown included Chris Gibson, Jack Wells and Steve Peterson, with Peterson elected president, Gibson elected vice president and Mike Otto elected secretary.
The board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Andy Anderson, effective June 30. Anderson, who is retiring, has served as superintendent for the past 15 years.
According to information provided by Anderson, the board approved a 1.86 percent increase in pay for non-certified staff and K-12 Principal Misty Foster. Board members also heard teacher reports from Susanne Crawford and Stephanie Oaks, approved the 2011-2012 school calendar and gave its approval to a cooperative agreement between the district and North Mercer for girls softball for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school year.
Four students – April Johnson, Krista Hague, Taylor Coltrain and Kevin Gates – were approved to work at the school this summer and the board recognized sixth grader Ben Henry on being selected as the Elementary Student of the Month. Two students were also approved to attend the North Central Career Center in Bethany for the 2011-2012 school year. It was noted that the board is still interested in pursuing a wind turbine plan.
Upcoming events were discussed and approved, including FFA trips to the state convention in Columbia on April 14-15 and April 19 for the area FFA banquet in Atlanta. MAP testing will be held April 11-14, with End-Of-Course testing set for May 2, 4-6. The National Honor Society induction has been set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday, May 9.
Princeton R-5
New board members receiving the oath of office at Princeton were Stan Johnson, Gene Anderson and Dr. Larry Letner, with new officers including Dr. Tammy Hart, president; Johnson, vice president; Ron Parsons secretary; and Dirk Schwartzkopf, treasurer.
Superintendent Terry Mayfield said outgoing board members were recognized for their service, including Linda Siemer, six years, and Dale Kellen, three years.
Several items were approved by the board, including the health services program review, the Federal Programs review, the technology plan, the cost for the 2011-2012 sports passes and bid specifications for a lighting project.
Following an executive session, the board approved Christine Greenlee as Parents as Teachers instructor, Patty Stark as speech coordinator and Nancy Cavanah as speech implementer. In addition, the extra-duty contracts for 2011-2012 were approved.
The board is scheduled to meet again May 9.