New R-1 Board member sworn in

NEW MADRID - The newest member of the New Madrid County R-1 School Board took the oath of office at the October meeting.

Ryan Eddy was sworn in by Kay Rebstock, Board secretary on Thursday. In September Eddy was selected to fill an opening on the board due to the resignation of Jason Redden.

"We are really excited to have Ryan Eddy on board," said Dr. Cynthia Sharp Amick, superintendent. "He has a great desire to provide the best possible education for all of the students in our district."

Ryan's first meeting was an opportunity to learn about a range of issues addressed by the School Board.

During an update on curriculum and assessment, Bridgett Masterson, director of elementary education, reviewed upcoming changes in the Missouri Assessment Program and End of Course exams for the 2014-15 school year.

Masterson explained the tests will now all be taken on computer. Also the length of many of the tests is being reduced.

According to the superintendent, previously the tests to determine what students had learned over the past school year would be three to four hours in length and would be given over a three to four-day period, in segments. Under new provisions by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the English/ language arts test and the math test for the third, fourth, sixth and seventh graders will now be 30 minutes.

She noted the science and social studies testing will continue to be two hours in length.

High school students will begin taking a new physical science EOC exams. However, according to Amick, the EOC exams will also have less time allotted.

The Superintendent expressed concerns whether students could be fairly evaluated.

"Can 30 minutes worth of a testing describe a year's work? Are they going to have the data they need by evaluating these students in much less of a time frame?" Amick questioned.

She noted the data will also be used to determine the district's annual yearly performance toward its accreditation and expressed concerns if the shortened testing would give an accurate picture of the school system.

The Board opened bids from four different bidders on two school buses, declared surplus property. The winning bid of $806.75 each was made by Brandon Townley.

After reviewing the tuition charged non-resident students to attend school in the district and the amounts charged by other school districts, the Board decided to keep the rate at $5,000 per year. The Superintendent said the district's tuition rate compared to surrounding school districts is the second lowest in the area.

Currently there are no non-resident students attending school in the district, Amick said.

Enrollment is down just slightly from this time last year. According to Amick, the district currently has 1,403 students compared 1,419 at this time last year.

She noted efforts to have 90 percent of the students in attendance 90 percent of the time has improved substantially from this time last year. The current absentee rate is 8.01 percent compared to 11.77 percent at this time last year, Amick said.

ACTION IN BRIEF

NEW MADRID -- Other action by the New Madrid County R-1 School Board during the October meeting included:

Policy revisions and adoptions. Revisions were made to policies involving the family and medical leave; evaluation of professional staff; test integrity and security; compulsory and part-time attendance; admission of students; and public information program. Policies adopted related to food service management and free and reduced-price food service. According to Dr. Cynthia Sharp Amick, superintendent, the changes mainly involved new wording recommended by the Missouri School Board Association.

CD investments: The Board reviewed the certificate of deposit investments.

Building Status Report: Members of the administrative staff shared brief reports regarding the opening weeks of school with the Board. Amick described the first few weeks of the school year as very smooth overall.

MSBA regional meeting: The MSBA regional meeting will be Oct. 20 at Rebecca Sharp's in New Madrid. Registration is at 6 p.m. and the welcome is at 6:30 p.m.

Disability History and Awareness Month: The Board was informed of the provisions of disability history and awareness instruction (House Bill 555). Posters will be placed in buildings in the district this month to help raise awareness.

Community Teachers Association: Members of the CTA requested the superintendent issue a memo on the protocols for teachers when school is delayed.

District nurses: The district nurses informed the Board on the nurse duties, responsibilities and programs, such as Red Ribbon Week. Currently the R-1 District employs five registered nurses, with one located at each school building in the district.

Technical skills/transportation: John Garner updated the Board about the new culinary arts and screen printing classes offered by the district. Also the house constructed by the building trades class should be ready for bids next month with construction to begin soon on a new house.

Technology: Pate Hogan provided information about infrastructure improvements.

Early Childhood Special Education: Cindi Jones advised an open house is being planned for Oct. 14 for the new Early Childhood Special Education classroom at New Madrid Elementary. The district now has two ECSE classrooms.

Employment: The Board hired Donnie Brown as New Madrid County Central High School assistant boys basketball coach.