R-5 Board OKs Employee Insurance Plan

Salaries and insurance topped agendas of meetings held this week involving the Grundy R-5 and Newtown-Harris R-3 boards of education.
Grundy R-5
An insurance plan was approved and action was taken on personnel during a meeting of the Grundy R-5 Board of Education on Wednesday.
Superintendent Rob Deaver said the board voted to keep the same employee health insurance plan for next year, which will be going up 9.8 percent for the 2018-19 school year. The monthly premium will be $536 per employee and 100 percent of that cost will be paid for by the school district. The current rate is $487. The district coverage is provided by Midwest Public Risk.
Following a closed session, the board approved employment of all non-certified staff for next year. Reggie Grindstaff and Mike Herrold voted no on the contract for Gene Schreffler. Grindstaff abstained on the vote for Jolene Grindstaff and Alex Peterson and Randy Radcliff abstained on the vote for Megan Peterson. Board member Danny Berry was absent from the meeting.
The board also approved extra duty contracts for next year and offered a contract to an individual for the K-12 guidance counselor position. The name of that individual will be released once a signed contract is returned. The board accepted the resignation of part-time music instructor Bobbie Novak, effective at the end of the year.
There was discussion concerning certified and non-certified salaries, but no action was taken. The board approved a bid from Peyton-Roberts Roofing for $33,195 to put a new roof on the new gym at the school. The bid followed all specifications and was the lowest of five received.
A bid from Chris Novak was approved for mowing services. The $110 per mowing bid incudes the high school and elementary lawns and was the lowest of six received.
The board approved the 2018-19 school calendar with the first day of classes being Thursday, Aug. 16. The final day will be Tuesday, May 14.
Several reports were presented by the elementary and secondary principals, including recognition of several individual students and groups for their accomplishments. Year to date attendance was listed at 95.97 percent at the junior/senior high school and 94.2 percent at the elementary school. MAP assessment will begin on April 24.
Jessica Gannon of the Galt Ball Association visited with the board regarding improvements to the ballfield. No action was taken. A report was heard from the special education director.
Following the certification of election results, the oath of office was given to Alex Peterson and Mike Herrold. Peterson was elected president of the board and Herrold was elected vice president. Other officers are Abe Carver, treasurer; and Tyson Christy, secretary.
The next meeting of the board will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 7 at the high school.
Newtown-Harris
The Newtown-Harris Board of Education approved salary increases for personnel during its meeting on Monday night.
According to information provided by Superintendent Dr. Kim Johnson, the base salary for certified staff will be increased by $1,500, with non-certified employees being given a 3 percent increase.
The district will be providing health care insurance to its employees through Midwest Public Risk, which will be increasing the district rate for next year by 9.8 percent. The Cigna-Choice Fund 2500 plan will cost the district $506.26 per month/employee. The board also agreed to make a $10 per month/employee into the Health Savings Account.
The board accepted the resignations of fifth and sixth grade teacher Beth Williams and seventh through 12th grade science teacher Joe Newman, effective at the end of the current school year. The copier agreement was approved for 2018-2023 at a cost of $173.69 per month.
Approval was given to the senior class trip to Branson, which will take place May 6-10 as well as the list of graduating seniors (pending completion of district requirements) and eighth graders who will be promoted to high school. The list of students attending vo-tech school next year was also approved.
It was announced that Newtown-Harris will be providing transportation for students to attend the North Mercer Summer School if at least five students are signed up. Summer school classes are scheduled from May 29 to June 8. Applications for students to attend summer school will be available later. High school credit recovery classes will be offered at the school from June 4-22 and July 14-Aug. 3.
Upcoming events were shared by Principal Dustin Freeman and Dr. Johnson gave a legislative update as well as reported on meetings she has attended. She announced that Northeast Missouri Legislative Lobbyist Leroy Huff received the “Friend of Education Award” from the Missouri Association of School Administrators and said she would be attending an education advisory council meeting in Trenton on April 20.
Information was presented on the district special education compliance plan, the HOSA fundraising efforts and progress on the yearbook.
Justin Oaks and Mike Otto were given the oath of office. Jeanie Faulkner was elected board president. Other officers elected were Mike Otto, vice president; and Joni Oaks, secretary.
The next meeting of the board is scheduled for Monday, May 14.