New Madrid Co. R-1 school board sets filing dates for school board

Saturday, November 19, 2016

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Filing will open Dec. 13 for three openings on the New Madrid County R-1 School Board.

During the Board's November meeting, filing for the openings was set for Dec. 13 through Jan. 17 at the Board office. Candidates can file from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. any day school is in session and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 17, according to Dr. Sam Duncan, R-1 superintendent.

The three-year terms of Board members Danny Parker, John Palmer and Kay Rebstock will expire next April.

The district received an "absolutely perfect" audit report from the representative from Beussink, Hey, Roe and Stroder LLC, who presented the 2015-16 audit findings to the Board.

"He went on at length how rare it is that he has an audit that is crystal clear," Duncan said.

The district's property/ fleet/ liability insurance contract was renewed with the Missouri United School Insurance Council for 2016. Duncan reported the contract calls for coverage of the district's property and equipment, buses, workers compensation, general liability and other liability at a cost of $260,000 annually.

With the success of the District's 21st Century Learning Community grant-funded after-school school program, the Board approved an addendum to the agreement detailing the price per after-school reimbursable snack charged by Opaa, the District's food service provider.

Currently some 400 to 450 students across the District are taking part in the two-hour after-school program which provides homework and enrichment activities. As part of the program, Duncan explained, students are provided a snack and a drink.

Duncan said the cost of the snack is about 8 cents per participant a day, however the District has received donations from area businesses to cover the costs.

A representative with the American Heart Association spoke with Board members about the recent recognition by AHA of New Madrid Elementary.

Jennifer Chaney commended the students and teachers at New Madrid Elementary noting the group raised more than $6,000 for the charity earlier this year. The school was presented with a plaque in honor of the effort.

Chaney said the American Heart Association will partner with the District's elementary schools at Lilbourn and Matthews as well as New Madrid in the future.

Duncan said it is important for students to learn about philanthropy and the importance of giving back by taking part in fundraising events. With many people in the region struggling with heart disease, he continued, it is also important students learn about the disease and its prevention and to share this information with their families.

In other action by the Board:

District updates were provided by several school officials including John Garner, who reported to the Board about transportation safety efforts, such as the District's ability to now monitor the location of all buses while traveling routes.

Bridgett Masterson, who oversees special education, discussed professional development efforts under way.

"Throughout the district 25 percent of student body has special education needs," Duncan said. "So it is a big deal for us that classroom teachers use the latest instructional practices and the administration is doing its utmost to make sure their needs are met."

Angie Hanlin and Kate Hampton spoke about the data team meetings which are conducted by grade level for elementary school teachers and by subject area with middle and high school educators. Describing the meetings as a "collaborative dialogue," Duncan said teachers are able share information about what they have done that has worked well in the classroom.

During the superintendent's report, Duncan advised he and Board President Ryan Eddy will meet with the various city councils in the district over the next month.

The Board employed the following individuals: Ariel Long, special education assistant teacher at Matthews; Theresa Harris, special education assistant teacher at New Madrid County Central; Havis White, part-time custodian at Matthews Elementary; and Montrez Smith, substitute bus driver. The resignation of Shannon Jimerson, special education assistant teacher at New Madrid County Central was accepted.