Changes are ahead at Trenton High School following the resignation of the building principal on Tuesday.
R-T Photo/Ronda Lickteig
Trenton R-9 Board of Education members elected on April 5 were given the oath of office during Tuesday’s R-9 board meeting. They include, from left, Jeff Spencer, three-year term; Jason Hostetler, one-year unexpired term; and Dorothy Taul, three-year term.
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Listed among action taken in an executive session at Tuesday’s meeting of the Trenton R-9 Board of Education was the resignation of THS Principal Kasey Bailey. Bailey has served in the position since the 2019-2020 school year and before that was the assistant principal for THS and Trenton Middle School. He had previously been a teacher at TMS. He has accepted the position of Regional Director of College and Career Advisors, a position with Ozark Technical Community College that will be housed at North Central Missouri College in Trenton.
Resignations were also accepted from third grade teacher Marcie Stegman and eighth grade social studies instructor Joel Hultman.
Three new elementary teachers were hired, including Kaylee Myers, Andrew Pauley and Chelsea Coe and new coaches taking on positions include Jon Guthrie, who will be the varsity boys basketball coach, as well as Guthrie and Kevin Hixson, who were hired for summer weights; Adam Clark, who will be the assistant middle school girls basketball coach; and Zane Robinson, who will be an assistant varsity football coach.
Robinson, along with Angela Gutshall, Robin Wilson and Nicholas Covey, were hired as substitute teachers. Also named was the staff for the 2022 R-9 Summer School, which includes teachers Andrew Pauley, Anna Muselman, Emily Voorhies, Joy Bettis, Madison Stahl, Shelby Bagley, Jessica Golden, Pam Bowden, Heather Epperson, Tammy Ockenfels, Michelle Lynch, Alexis Whitney, Jenny Otto, Brenda Thorne, Amos Dickson and Sarah Pauley; paraprofessionals Briana Smith, Libby Hall and Tammy Leafgreen; and cooks Ruth Blackburn, Robin Burkeybile, Tawnya Farmer, Tami Corbin, Carol Leeper, Vicki Williams, Lori Shuler and Sarah Porter.
R-T Photo/Ronda Lickteig
Marcie Cutsinger, who chose not to seek re-election to the Trenton R-9 Board of Education, was recognized for her service to the board during Tuesday’s board meeting. She is pictured with R-9 Superintendent Mike Stegman.
Extra-duty assignments and sponsorships were approved and include Emma Novak and Amber Sprague, Rissler yearbook sponsors; Sheridan Mounce, TMS yearbook sponsor; Taya Ray, Builder’s Club; Joy Bettis, TMS FCCLA; Derek Bloom, THS Scholar Bowl; Tyler Busick, vocal music; Sarah Pauley, National Honor Society; Amy Currie, Spanish Club and Key Club; Greg Dalrymple, yearbook, junior class sponsor; Tash Dowell, Drama Club; Lori Duff, prom; Christy Gibler, colorguard; Kabel Oaks and Sadie Roy, FFA; Taylor Ormsby, senior class sponsor; Emily Rardon, FTA/freshman class sponsor; Brian Sager, science club; Kayce Terhune, FBLA and sophomore class sponsor; Brenda Thorne, Student Council; Anthony Webb, instrumental music; and Jaya Loyd, THS FCCLA.
During the open portion of the meeting the board certified the results of the April 5 board election and gave the oath of office to Jeff Spencer and Dorothy Taul, who were elected to three-year terms and Jason Hostetler, who was elected to fill a one-year unexpired term. Marcie Cutsinger, who chose not to seek re-election, was recognized for her service to the district.
Officers were elected, with Ms. Taul re-elected as president and Brandon Gibler re-elected as vice president. Melissa King will serve as treasurer and Susan Leeper was re-elected to the board secretary post. Ms. Taul will be the MSBA delegate, with Gibler to serve as the alternate.
Superintendent Mike Stegman gave a safety report, which included information on the incident on March 30 that resulted in the TMS/THS campus being evacuated after a “suspicious package” was reported. Stegman said several schools faced the same situation that day, with some choosing to evacuate and others choosing not to. He noted that he was out of town at a superintendent’s meeting and commended Bailey for his handling of the situation,
Board members approved an employee health insurance plan through Missouri Educator’s Trust. The board will continue to pay $602 toward the base plan, with four options for buy-up plans.
Board members also:
• accepted the low bid of $71,000 from Fisher Tracks for repair, structural spray and striping of the track at C.F. Russell Stadium. Director of Supportive Services Kris Ockenfels told the board that tracks should be re-sprayed about every 10 years and the R-9 one is on year 13. He said the life of a track is about 30 years so another spray will be needed in about eight to 10 years and in about 16 years, the district will need to look at replacing it.
• approved a budget amendment for Title Funds to reflect the amounts that will be received from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• approved grant requests from two teachers to the GEC Foundation. TMS Art Instructor Sheridan Mounce is submitting a grant request for $837 for a Brent Ware Cart that will be used to dry three-dimensional art products. TMS Computer Instructor Charley Crimi is requesting $600 to purchase several items that will be used to teacher a coding unit for fifth and sixth grade students.
• learned that the district has received two grants, including one in the amount of $6,782 to help offset learning loss in homeless youth and one for $9,209.75 that will be used to help offset the cost of items needed for students who are taking CTE courses.
• learned that the district’s contract with Rapid Removal for trash service increased from $860 per month to $4,000 per month beginning in April. Stegman said he attempted to negotiate with the company, but that was unsuccessful so bids were sought and the district will now have trash service through GFL Environmental at a cost of $2,000 per month.
• learned that Rachael Rongey, fifth grade science teacher at TMS, has been named the district’s teacher of the year and will have her name submitted for consideration as Northwest Teacher of the Year.
• heard a report on the At-Risk program and from building principals. Instructional Coach Dr. Jill Watkins said there have been three applications for the “Grow Your Own” Program, with interviews to be conducted with the applicants.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10.