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R-1 School Board: New Madrid Elementary to add after-school tutors
Staff report
NEW MADRID - A successful pilot program at Lilbourn Elementary School will be expanded.
New Madrid County R-1 School District Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Sharp-Amick reported during the fall, the district began an after-school tutoring program at Lilbourn Elementary School.
The program provides a teacher for each grade level for one hour after school. During the hour, the teacher reviews the materials the students covered during that day's class and provides more one-on-one attention to students.
"We have had eighth hour tutoring in the past but last fall we began grade-specific tutoring," said Amick. "We have had a great turnout."
More importantly, she continued, the program has resulted in a significant increase in scores by those taking part.
Because of the success, a similar after-school tutoring program will begin at New Madrid Elementary School.
Transportation is provided for students, Amick added.
Also the Superintendent reported the District is working to increase its surveillance systems and will soon purchase walk-through metal detectors for use at events.
Currently the district uses hand-held metal detectors. The walk-through metal detectors will be quicker, Amick explained.
"The machines are smart enough that they will not detect coins and when they do detect metal each will light up to show where the metal is," she said, adding, "Safety is our No. 1 concern for our students and patrons."
Representatives from Beussink, Hey, Roe and Stroder L.L.C. presented their 2013-14 audit findings to the Board during the December meeting.
Amick described the audit report as positive with no significant findings. "Basically they left here saying they were happy," she said.
Among highlights from the report, the R-1's capital assets spending for the 2013-14 was $669,000. This included $64,819 for building trades houses; $29,975 for building improvements, $169,599 for regular equipment; $163,458 for instructional equipment; $195,994 for bus lease payments; and $45,000 for school vehicles.
The total revenue was $19,033, 687. This is a decrease of $279,895 from the previous year.
Amick advised the Board that the winter snow/ice day on Nov. 17 was a "built-in" day on the calendar and will not have to be made up. However, this is the only built-in day and any other days lost to snow or ice will have to be made up
The Board was informed the district's enrollment is down 24 students from this time last year. This includes 15 fewer students at New Madrid Elementary; eight less students at Matthews Elementary; four fewer at the Central High School and one less student at the Central Middle School.
Overall, attendance has improved from last year, Amick reported. Currently absences are at 9.03 percent which meets the district's goal of 10 percent or less. Last year at this time the absence rate was 11.77 percent.
Action in brief
Other actions during the New Madrid County R-1 Board Meeting included:
* The Board approved the District's bank depository bid for the next two calendar years beginning Jan. 1. The Bank of New Madrid was the sole bidder and was awarded the bid.
*The Board approved minor adjustments for the 2014-2015 school year budget.
*Jenna Machiran was selected the District's candidate for the MSBA John T. Belcher Scholarship.
*Policies involving professional staff short-term leaves and absences and support staff short-term leaves and absences were revised.
*The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's review of the comparability of services showed the District is in compliance and has a good student-teacher ratio, according to Cynthia Sharp-Amick, R-1 superintendent. The review is based on the October 2014 MOSIS/Core Data information in computing pupil/teacher ratios, she said.
*The Singing Eagles provided "an outstanding performance" for the Board, who also heard from the librarians about their programs and services. Cindy Jones provided an update on the special education, John Garner advised board members about the construction of the house in the St. Rose Subdivision by the Building Trades Class and Pate Hogan gave an update on technology in the District.
*In her report on curriculum/assessment, Bridgette Masterson noted currently 95 Central High School juniors are taking the ACT prep class offered by We Teach Solutions of Sikeston. The end-of-course exam for students taking the fall semester American government class will be scheduled this winter. Masterson said the scope and sequence of social science department is under review in an effort to increase social science scores across the District.
* Resignations were accepted from Col. Jim Green, JROTC instructor, and Hillary Evans, special education aide.
*Board members were reminded about the Middle School Band Concert, scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday.