The Gallatin R-5 Board of Education named a new middle school principal and athletic director during a meeting Wednesday evening that also found the board voting to increase the base salary for the 2022-23 school year.
Following an executive session, the board voted to hire Chris Wever as middle school principal for the 2022-23 school year, filling a position left vacant when Dr. Justin Collins was recently named the district superintendent to replace Dr. Bryan Copple, who is taking the top job in the Richmond School District. Wever, who has been the seventh and eighth grade social studies instructor at Gallatin, was also named the assistant golf coach for this spring.
Chad Sullenger, a current high school special education teacher in the district, was named the activity director for the 2022-23 school year, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Barron Gann.
Several resignations were accepted by the board, including Amy McNeely, seventh and eighth grade math/computers; Shelley Elbert, elementary paraprofessional; Aaron Lewis, sixth grade math; Sheri Croy and Sariah Williams, second grade teachers; and Nichole Gregornik, library aide/paraprofessional. Volunteer junior high basketball coach Jeff Donovan also resigned from that position.
Gretchen Brashear and Teri Robinson were hired for teaching positions for the 2022-23 school year, with Kelsey Greene and Drew Prindle hired for special education paraprofessional positions and Nikki Berry hired for the library aide paraprofessional position.
All probationary and tenured teachers were hired for the 2022-23 school year, as well as both guidance counselors. Carly Talbert was approved for tenure.
Carrie Cook was offered a part-time special education coordinator position, while Debbie Cross and Julie Rains were offered part-time teaching positions and Stephanie Lollar was offered the food service director spot. Other contracts approved were Philip Berry, transportation director; David McLey, head custodian; Carol Walker, Missy Chadwick, Terri Feiden and Karen Johnson, secretaries; Vicki Corwin, bookkeeper; and Jennifer Bottcher, nurse.
The board approved an $800 increase to the certified salary schedule, which sets the base at $33,000 for the 2022-23 school year. That amounts to a 2.5 percent increase and Dr. Copple said with a step movement on the schedule, employees will see a salary increase of $1,200 to $1,500 depending on where they fall on the schedule. The district had approved a $700 increase to the base last year.
Dr. Copple also told board members that employees will be receiving a benefit statement, outlining the benefits that are paid for by the district. During the meeting the board voted to accept the health insurance renewal rates from MEUHP. The premium will increase from $641 to $664 for the base plan, setting the annual cost per employee at $7,968. That’s an increase of $22,643 over the current year. The board pays 100 percent of the premium for employees.
In other action items, the board approved the latest substitute teacher list and gave approval to a request from GHS Principal Brent Burke to open a savings account and certificate of deposit for the “Major General Homer S. Long, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund.” The scholarship is in the process of being funded by Mr. Long’s son and will eventually be available for seniors who are planning some sort of military career. Board President Jeff Donovan as well as Mrs. Corwin and Dr. Collins, will be authorized signers for the accounts.
Dr. Copple reported on a recent meeting with legislators concerning two main items – the House Bill currently under consideration to allow open enrollment and the push for a $38,000 base teacher salary for all districts in Missouri. Dr. Copple said that while he would like to see a base salary at that level, the funding isn’t there to increase the base as well as make the increases across the salary schedule that would be needed for equity between first-year and other teachers.
In addition to discussing the Long Scholarship, Burke updated the board on numerous activities and honors in the high school and reported on the high school trip to the Auschwitz Exhibit in Kansas City that took place on Wednesday. He also discussed activities and honors and awards for FFA and FCCLA and said the student council will hold a courtwarming dance on March 25.
In his report, Dr. Collins reported on the third quarter PBS reward day, which was held Wednesday. He said 85 percent of students were involved in the reward day, a number he would like to see increased in the fourth quarter.
In her report, Elementary Principal Nicole Thogmartin shared information on the STAR Math Growth scores, which shows improvement in math for students in grades second through fourth. She also gave a summer school report, noting there are 111 students enrolled to date, with a second round of enrollment to take place in April. She said 16 teachers and eight paraprofessionals have signed up to teach summer school.
All of the principals, as well as Dr. Copple discussed parent-teacher conferences, which were scheduled for Thursday.
Activities Director Gann told the board they need to be thinking about the possibility of including sixth grade students in middle school sports next year, with the exception of football and track. He said he will have a better idea of the number of students who could be involved in middle school sports at the April meeting, but wanted the board to be thinking about that possibility. Gann also gave an update on spring sports participation numbers, which include eight for high school boys track; nine for high school girls track; 15 for boys golf; 15 for middle school boys track; six for middle school girls track; and 12 for baseball (played cooperatively with Tri-County).
Gann also recognized district athletes who have been recognized with post-season honors for the winter season as well as those who placed at state wrestling.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13 at 6 p.m.
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