New Madrid County R-1 CTE expands offerings

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Students in the New Madrid County R-1’s Career and Technical Education Program have a new option next year.

Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the school offering Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician program for the 2023-24 school year.

Dr. Sam Duncan, superintendent, said the Board is excited to offer students another option.

“The name of the course doesn’t exactly tell what all will be happening. Radio and television is only part of it,” Duncan said. “This will be a broad program and begin with digital media then roll into the other aspects of broadcasting.”

Today as more and more news and information is broadcast digitally, Duncan said the course will teach students how to function in the changing world. Pointing out the District has already approved the purchase of two new digital boards for the school’s gymnasium, students in the course will use the software programs and curriculum available through those boards to learn how to put digital media together.

The Superintendent noted this was the first new course added to the CTE Center since the Electrician Pathway Program was introduced four years ago.

“While we have not added a lot of new programming, we have worked to be much more efficient and more in line with industry standards in every one of our technical skills programs. We try to be selective with what we add and be really good at what already do,” he said.

During the June 29 meeting, final approval was given to the 2022-23 school year budget. The year ending operating balance was 47.06 percent, which Duncan said was well above the minimum operating balance of 16.67 percent, or two months of operating expenses.

“Our balances continue to be strong and our budgets balanced while we continue to do great things,” Duncan said. “We try to make good use of all the sources of revenue available and good stewards of that money. That speaks highly of the School Board.”

In a related budgetary matter, the Board approved a transfer of $561,543 into what Duncan termed the District’s rainy day fund. He said the money would be accessed, for example, if there was a roof issue or an emergency.

During a previous meeting the Board approved the addition of a female weightlifting program for Central High School students and students at the Middle School. At the June 29 meeting the Board hired Danna Woods, who currently serves as a physical education instructor and basketball coach, to head the new program. Duncan pointed out the District now has two state-of-the-art weightlifting facilities with one located at the High School and the other at the Middle School. The High School facility is used primarily by the male students while the Middle School will be primarily used by female students.

“I believe in a good weight training program if students are going to be confident in their sports,” Duncan said. “I am proud with what the coaches have done and we want to provide a similar level of opportunity for the female athletes as the male athletes.”

Other hires approved during the meeting were Jordan York as Middle School Student Council sponsor, Jacob Keene, Central High School assistant football coach, Sherry Rosson and Christina Hodges, Central High School Student Council sponsors, Chelsea Gammons, special education assistant, Traci Wescoat, special education aide, Taylor Polk, Middle School school nurse and Jonathan Hays, school resource officer for Matthews Elementary.

Ann Weeks was transferred from teacher assistant to lead interventionist for Lilbourn Elementary and Jordan York from fifth grade teacher at New Madrid Elementary to computer literacy at Central Middle School. Also the resignation of Madison Sprouse as a special education assistant was accepted.

The Board set the tax rate hearing for 10 a.m. Aug. 31. Duncan said he expects the tax rate will remain the same.

A review of policy and procedures as recommended by the Missouri School Board Association to keep the District in line with state requirements was conducted. Policies reviewed ranged from reporting and investigating child abuse to cash management to virtual courses. Duncan noted Policy IGAB which involved instructional interventions was already being met by the District.

“We have interventional processes in every one of our schools that have been working well for some time. Now the state of Missouri is saying all schools should do that. I am proud that we already have these policies in place,” he said.

Following the meeting, Duncan commended the District’s custodial crews for their work throughout the summer, adding: “They have put in countless hours and dedication to ensure everything is ready when school starts again.”