R-9 Board OKs Summer School Contract

The Trenton R-9 Board of Education has agreed to contract with Catapult Learning to continue operating the district’s summer school program following a review of information during Tuesday night’s board meeting.
Catapult Learning was used this past summer to operate the program, which saw the district generate $70,192 in profit during the 24-day session. The $70,192 is what the district receives after all expenses are paid and is determined based on the average daily attendance through the state foundation formula. According to Superintendent Dan Wiebers, it has been eight years since the district has realized profits that large.
Wiebers noted that both parents and staff seem pleased with this year’s summer school, which saw average daily attendance at 246.33. Math and communication arts (reading/language arts) were emphasized in this year’s program, which saw gains of 44 percent and 36 percent, respectively, in grades three through eight based on pre-session and post-session testing.
The contract with Catapult Learning will be for three years and will be for the same services as were included in this year’s agreement.
An agreement with the Trenton Park Department for use of Burleigh Grimes Field during the school’s spring baseball season was approved. Wiebers said the district has eight home games scheduled this year and would pay a cost of $200 per game for preparation of the field. The district also has other responsibilities for use of the facilities, including cleanup and maintenance. There would be no charge to the district for use of the field for practices. The agreement is for two years.
The board approved a grant application by Spanish instructor Amy Currie, who is seeking $600 through the GEC Foundation. The money would be used to purchase books for students to read during class as well as items to help students practice their Spanish skills.
Updates were approved regarding the bullying, hazing and student discipline policies to align the district with new state regulations that go into effect on Jan. 1.
The board heard reports from Director of Special Services/Testing Coordinator Kristi Davis regarding the district’s special education and testing programs, including meeting DESE requirements for implementation of the IDEA and continuation of having no dropouts for students with disabilities. Mrs. Davis also reviewed a list of student tests conducted during the year.
Rissler Elementary Principal Jennie Boon announced that a recent fundraiser by the PTO raised $9,500 and that the McTeacher Night held last week raised just over $500 for school projects.
Wiebers announced the schedule for parent-teacher conferences on Thursday and noted there would be no classes in the R-9 District on Friday and Monday due to the Missouri Day Festival.
Following an executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Mrs. Davis, effective at the end of the school year, as well as preschool paraprofessional Shelby Bagley, who is resigning at the end of December. To replace Ms. Bagley, the board hired Amanda Spears, who will begin work after the first of the year. Also approved were Bev Croy, Laurie Bonta and Jeff Binney as substitutes.