Personnel items topped the agenda of the Trenton R-9 Board of Education during its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday night.
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Resignations were accepted from six individuals, including elementary instructor Gene Schelker. Also resigning were speech pathologist Gail Young and paraprofessionals Troy Bruner, Micah Knapp, Susan Moffitt and Sarah Hamilton.
Following an executive session, several hires were also announced. They included Kabel Oaks as ag teacher and FFA advisor at the high school, Amanda Pickett as physical education/health instructor at the middle school as well as the assistant high school girls basketball coach, Katelin Gann as first gade teacher at Rissler Elementary School, Travis Mullenix as a paraprofessional at the Success Center and Makenzie Weaver as a paraprofessional at Rissler. Jeremy Austin was named the girls golf coach and Jackie Hoffman will be the middle school girls softball coach.
A 5 percent increase for renewal of employee health insurance with Blue Cross/Blue Shield was presented to the board. The cost per month for individual employees increased to $422.38, which is paid for by the school district. Employees can pay and additional $66.03 a month for the “buy-up” plan that provides additional coverage. Coverages for employees and spouse, employee and child(ren) and family were also listed, however, the additional individuals covered by insurance is paid for by the employee if they choose that option. The renewal takes affect on July 1.
A $100,000 grant application has been made to AT&T and, if approved, would provide funding to update the existing Success Center facilities with upgraded technology, infrastructure and furnishings as well as expand the PLATO Learning elective choices library. No match from the district is required. The district should know if it is successful in late June or early July.
The board approved retaining membership for one more year with the Missouri School Boards Association at a cost of around $4,900. Approval was also given to MSBA policy updates.
Trenton Middle School Principal Jamie Oram, who will serve as the summer school co-administrator with E’Lisha Gass, gave an update on summer school, which begins on Monday, May 15 and continues through June 15. Classes for students in kindergarten through eighth grades will be held at the Rissler Elementary School. There are 192 students enrolled for the summer session.
High school driver’s education classes are being offered in June and 15 have signed up so far.
Technology Coordinator Kris Ockenfels gave a report on the technology plan for the R-9 District, which recently received approval from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education through 2012. Along with the discussion of what the district has accomplished thus far regarding technology as well as future plans, Superintendent Becky Albrecht talked about the use of wireless technology in the classroom in regard to classwork through the use of iPad-related technology.
Mrs. Albrecht outlined the pros and cons of such a step and said it is something the district should consider. She noted that it would have a large start-up cost, especially in the purchase of hardware and support services and that there would be several other areas which would need to be worked out before such a move could be made. She said training of staff would be a key element in the success.
Mrs. Albrecht presented the Title programs evaluation, which addressed the Title I, Title IIA and Title 6B programs. THS Principal Dan Wiebers announced there will be 100 graduates from THS this year, with graduation ceremonies set for 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Ketcham Community Center.
Prior to the start of the meeting, the board honored retirees Bill Hill and Connie Hoffman, who have 61 years of combined service to the district (33 for Mrs. Hoffman and 28 for Hill). Each one received a bell and first-year paid membership in the Grundy County Retired School Personnel organization from the board, presented by President Kevin Bailey.
Also recognized was junior Katie Ireland, who was named the outstanding student in collision auto repair by the Grand River Technical School.