R-9 Board Offers Contract Extension To Superintendent

Trenton R-9 Superintendent Dan Wiebers has been afforded a little extra job security with the R-9 board of education offering Wiebers a one-year contract extension during the board’s regular meeting held Tuesday.
Wiebers, who is in his third year as superintendent, now has a contract through the 2020-2021 school year. His salary will be determined at a later date.
Wiebers told board members that he has been notified by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that the district has been classified as accredited under the Missouri School Improvement Program 5.
Special Education Director Tara Hoffman presented a report on the Early Childhood program, which serves 148 three- and four-year-old children, and the Parents as Teachers program, which serves a total of 52 children representing 38 families, including 16 high-needs families through home visits. Mrs. Hoffman said the budget for the early childhood program, which has 11 faculty and staff members, is $550,291, including the cost of transporting students to the preschool building located at Rissler Elementary School. The PAT budget is $28,813, with two staff members employed.
Trenton Middle School Principal Daniel Gott gave a health services evaluation report, telling board members that there were a total of 7,398 health office visits during the 2016-2017 school year at Rissler Elementary School, with an additional 355 visits by preschool students. Trenton Middle School had a total of 2,669 visits and the high school had 387 visits. staff members indicated they are starting to see some influenza cases in the district and board member Brooke McAtee said it might be beneficial to look into offering flu shots to students next year, with parental permission.
It was announced that two persons, Dr. David Whitaker and incumbent Cliff Roeder have filed for positions on the board subject to the April 3 election. The term of Martha Roberts is also set to expire. Those wishing to file for a seat on the board may do so during regular hours at the district office until 5 p.m. Jan. 16. The office will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Board members were recognized for School Board Member Recognition Week, which is Jan. 21-27.
Wiebers also informed the board that the district has received a $2,785.30 donation from Citizens Bank and Trust, which represents a five-cent per swipe donation from the Bulldog debit card. The 2017 total donation was $10,372.45, bringing the seven-year total to 893,891 swipes resulting in a total donation of $44,694.55 since 2011. Wiebers thanked the bank for the donation as well as Wesley United Methodist Church, which provided a meal to all staff members on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Rissler Elementary School Principal Jennie Boon presented a written report, which shows enrollment of 386 students in grades kindergarten through four. Average daily attendance in December was 95.1 percent. She noted that the 100 Days of School celebrations are planned for Jan. 24, unless that date changes due to weather issues. Wiebers noted that the late start times due to cold temperatures on Jan. 4 and Jan. 8 will not result in makeup days being used.
Gott presented a written report for TMS, noting that enrollment is 337. The report included upcoming TMS events, including MAP recognition assembly for proficient and advanced scores, Jan. 12; school spelling bee, Jan. 17; ice skating trip for seventh and eighth grade students who scored proficient or advanced on MAP, Jan. 29; and the ice skating trip for fifth and sixth grade students who scored proficient or advanced on the MAP, Jan. 30.
The TMS Students of the Month were recognized, with those attending including fifth graders Leilah Gonzalez and Riley McLean, seventh grader Jadlyn Colston and eighth grader Connor Crawford.
In his report, THS Principal Ron Franklin said enrollment at the high school is 345 students. He discussed how an incentive program for attendance and grades is working and told board members that the ACT will be offered for free to all THS juniors on April 3. While that is a school vacation day, Franklin said there are other activities going on that afternoon after the test and more than 50 of the approximately 80 juniors have registered. Information received by the school indicated that the deadline to sign up for the test is Friday, Jan. 12.
Franklin also announced that the THS Band has been notified it is has been selected to perform as a pep band at the Missouri State High School Activities Association State Basketball Tournament. The band, under the direction of Tim Gilham, will perform Saturday, March 17 during the 4A-5A games. The band was chosen through an audition process.
Franklin also outlined upcoming events, including the THS Courtwarming Dance, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 19 and ASVAB testing in the media center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, which is also FCCLA Region 2 STAR Events at the First Baptist Church in Trenton.
In action items, the board approved a payment of funds to the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library in the amount of $1,696.93. The funds will come from the Frank Drake Library Fund, of which the R-9 District is the steward, and represent interest from the account.
In addition to offering a contract extension to Wiebers during the executive session, the board approved Rebekah Wiggins as a substitute teacher.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the district office.