Princeton, Newtown-Harris Boards Meet

Meetings of the Princeton R-5 and Newtown-Harris R-3 boards of education were held on Monday night.
Princeton R-5
Bids on several projects were addressed by the Princeton Board of Education at its meeting.
A bid for $39,285 was accepted from Vernon Yoder of Seymour, IA for concrete work at the elementary school playground. The project includes a sitting wall, a 200-foot by eight-foot sidewalk as well as a 40-foot by 60-foot basketball court. The Yoder bid was the lowest of three received.
Also accepted was a bid for playground equipment from Miracle Recreation Equipment Co., which was the only one received. The bid of $67,234 includes large structures and a bid of $14,875 was submitted for a supplemental equipment package. It is hoped installation can be finished before the start of school in August.
Approval was also given to updates to all school hand books for next year as well as the financial disclosure policy for the Missouri Ethics Commission. The board discussed, but took no action regarding its contract for bus services with Durham. The district would like to transfer payment of utilities to the tenant (Durham) for the next contract. Utilities have been a large expense to the district the past few years. Princeton currently has one year remaining on its existing contract with Durham, with the new contract to be up for bid soon, beginning with the 2017-18 school year.
The board heard an update regarding the HVAC project as well as an updated cash flow report for the month of May. Superintendent Jerry Girdner updated the board on the average daily attendance numbers, which is being monitored closely in regard to the hold-harmless protection the district currently has for its small schools grant.
Becci Shew presented artwork of a possible new logo at center court of the gym for consideration by the board. The logo will be painted on the court this summer.
The board set a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 to close out the current year and two take action on next year’s budget.
Following a closed session, the board voted to increase the salary of high school principal Tammie Miller by $739.11, making her salary for the next school year at $66,000. The board also accepted the resignation of Parents as Teacher coordinator Kelly Cowan.
Newtown-Harris
During its meeting, the Newtown-Harris Board of Education approved the budget and heard end of the course exam results.
The board approved the 2016-17 budget, which shows estimated revenues at $1,557,000 while expenditures are anticipated at $1,535,408. Superintendent Kim Johnson said the district’s assessed valuation will be increasing for next year, which should result in even higher revenues. She anticipates the budget to be amended in July once those numbers are known.
Approval was also given to amend the budget for 2015-16 to show actual expenses and revenues for the year. It was announced the district audit will take place on July 29.
Overall EOC results showed 67 percent of high school students tested were in either the proficient or advanced categories. By class, 88 percent scored in those categories in Algebra I while Biology numbers were at 57 percent. English II was at 57 percent and Government had a 60 percent achievement rate. Mrs. Johnson congratulated the students and staff on the accomplishment.
Paula Simpson was hired as the new business and family and consumer science teacher in grades seven through 12 for next year. Also approved was a policy update outlining compensation and benefits for all certified staff, department heads and non-certified staff who work 10 months or more. The policy also lists the type of insurance coverage provided to staff members.
Mrs. Johnson and K-12 Principal Dustin Freeman attended the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education training held in Moberly, which provided information regarding state-required dyslexia screenings, CPR instruction during health classes and the daily Pledge of Allegiance. Mrs. Johnson, Freeman and his wife, Stacy, who is also the school counselor, will be attending the Northeast Missouri Summit on June 20 in Kirksville, which focuses on concurrent enrollment and state policy changes for high schools.
A summer maintenance update was given with recognition of Tim Johnson for having volunteered to do rewiring to help improve the district’s technology connectivity.
Extracurricular trips were approved for the FBLA chapter, which will be going to national competition in Atlanta, GA; and the FFA, for trips to Sedalia and Macon.
Due to a resignation, the board has one opening that needs to be filled. Qualified candidates interested in filling the position are asked to contact Karen Otto at the school regarding filing guidelines. Letters of interest will be received from June 14 to Aug. 1.
The next meeting of the board will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 11.