The final report on construction projects was given and the recently-received Distinction of Performance award was discussed during a meeting on Tuesday night of the Trenton R-9 Board of Education.
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Director of Supportive Services Dennis Gutshall said closeout documents have been received and a final payment made to the contractor for construction work. Brooner Construction of St. Joseph was paid $70,000 to close out the project, which included an addition on the Rissler Elementary School, an addition on the Trenton High School and renovations to the high school and the middle school/high school music building. Board President Kevin Bailey gave special recognition to Gutshall and Superintendent Becky Albrecht for their efforts is making sure the project “ran as smoothly as it did.”
Bailey also addressed the Distinction of Performance Award received by the district, noting that this is the second year in a row that Trenton has received this honor from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. He called the award “a big deal” and congratulated administrators, teachers and staff for their work in earning this recognition, calling it “a job well done.”
Mrs. Albrecht recognized Trenton Municipal Utilities and the Trenton Fire Department for the efforts in putting out a transformer fire during a football game at C.F. Russell Stadium on Oct. 27. She noted their quick response time and said she was impressed with the way they handled the situation.
Mrs. Albrecht recognized senior Chanel Pash, who on Tuesday was named to the Class 2 All-State softball first team as a pitcher. Mrs. Albrecht also reported that the fall bus evacuation drills have been completed.
Several curriculum reports were heard. Director of Curriculum Barb Cox reported on the Gifted Program, which involves 47 students in grades 2 through eight. She reported that the middle school students are involved in a study of flight and will be attending special aviation events on Dec. 6, courtesy of local Southwest Airlines pilot Gary Hooyman, who has been working with the students. The classes will also host a public presentation of their work, “Into the Wild Blue Yonder,” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 in the middle school media center.
Director of Special Services Marcia Gutshall reported on the English as Second Language and Special Education programs. She noted there are seven students involved in the ESOL program and 201 students receiving special education services in grades preschool through 12.
THS Principal Dan Wiebers presented the At-Risk report, pointing out that there are currently 30 students enrolled at the Success Center, including three middle school students. Of those 30, 20 are involved in credit recovery, three are in the Missouri Options program and seven are receiving homebound services. He also reported that implementation the recovery room at the Rissler School has resulted in a 34 percent decrease in student office referrals and that the high school graduation rate last year was 91.8 percent. Wiebers said that there are 626 parents signed up for the Parent Portal, with the numbers in the upper 80 percent at the middle school and high school while around 65 percent of parents at Rissler School are signed up.
The board approved a list of voluntary insurance products which are available to school personnel through the district’s insurance carrier, but are paid for by those individuals. The list includes dental insurance, vision insurance, cancer, hospital, indemnity, life and accident insurance and a cafeteria plan allowing personnel to have money withheld from their checks, pre-tax, for daycare and medical expenses.
An executive session for personnel and student matters was held with no announcement made.