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Search gets underway to find new superintendent to lead New Madrid County R-1
NEW MADRID, Mo. —Newly elected Board members were sworn in and the search began for a new superintendent during the April meeting of the New Madrid County R-1 School Board.
Following the acceptance of the official results of the April municipal election, incumbent Mary Kay Davis and new board member Aaron Griffin were sworn into three-year terms. Kathy Daniels, who was appointed earlier to the Board and ran unopposed in April, was sworn into an unexpired term.
Dr. Sam Duncan, superintendent, described the Board as exceptional.
“The Board of Education is where it all starts,” he said. “I can’t imagine a better group to lead our District.”
A consultant with the Missouri School Board Association discussed the search to replace Duncan, who announced his retirement as R-1 superintendent in March. The District has already received several applications and will continue to receive applications through May 5. On May 6 the Board will review applications with the first interviews to begin May 13.
The contract with OPAA Food Management was renewed.
According to Duncan, under the terms of the new contract, OPAA will continue to feed students breakfasts and lunches at no cost to the students or their families.
Duncan said while there is a nominal increase in costs, the District will not lose money by feeding students at no charge.
“We do work closely with OPAA representatives and the director,” he said. “The Board has spoken with them when there were concerns and they are doing a really great job with everything that we have asked of them. They continue to be a great service for our students.”
In other actions during the meeting.
• Approval was given to move ancillary benefits from Sun Life and American Fidelity to Colonial Life and Renaissance. The District’s employees will continue to be able to purchase a variety of supplemental policies depending on their needs.
• The Board approved the renewal of the five-year lease on the 13 copiers placed throughout the District’s school buildings with Novatech. Duncan praised Novatech noting they have worked closely with the District in tracking the use of the copiers and supplies in order to keep costs down.
• Leslie Moore addressed the Board regarding a wrestling coach.
• The CD investments were reviewed.
• In personnel matters, Whitney Tidwell was employed as a special education assistant effective immediately while the following were employed for the 2024-25 school year: Brittany Myers, special education assistant; Erin Smith, teacher at New Madrid Elementary; Cathy Knight, mentorventionist at Lilbourn Elementary; Jeff Mansfield, Central High School secondary math teacher; Dawn Plunkett, Central High School science teacher; Amelia Walls, health occupations at the Technical Skills Center; Christy Martin, seventh grade science teacher; Shayna Curtsinger, instructional technology coordinator; Rae Jean Roach, Central Middle School volleyball coach; and Michael Morgan, special education teacher/wrestling coach.
The following resignations were accepted: Janet Stafford, special education assistant (effective March 31); Christina Hodges, Central High School secondary math teacher; Gloria Houston, TSC health occupations teacher; and Rebecca Johnson, special education teacher at Matthews Elementary.
Following the meeting, Duncan noted that curriculum work will continue this summer.
During the second week of June staff will enter curriculum into computerized format that will be easy to access. Also it will ensure what the District’s teaching matches state standards.
Through federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding, the District has purchased a new math series for students in kindergarten through eighth grades. Duncan said that in the past five year’s the District’s has worked steadily to improve and update its curriculum.
“On the academic side, things have solidified. I am excited about all the work done on the curriculum,” he said. “Educating kids has to be our No. 1 priority.”
School year is extended to May 23
NEW MADRID, Mo. - The final days of the New Madrid County R-1 school year are rapidly dwindling down, however the school year will be just a bit longer.
At the April meeting of the New Madrid County R-1 School Board, the last day of school was extended to noon May 23 for students and a full day on May 23 for administrators, faculty and staff. The extra day was added due to the dismissal of school for the Boys Basketball State Championship on March 8.
Other important dates coming up include:
Senior Decision Day – 8:30 a.m. May 2
Senior Awards - 6:30 p.m. May 13
Graduation - 6:30 p.m. May 14
8th grade graduation - 8:30 a.m. May 22