New Madrid County R-1 School Board: Missed school days lengthen school year

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

NEW MADRID - Inclement weather and a stellar basketball season will make the spring break much shorter and the school year a little longer for students in the New Madrid County R-1 School District.

During the March board meeting, the New Madrid County R-1 Board of Education revised the 2014-15 school calendar.

A total of eight days were missed due to inclement weather. According to Dr. Cynthia Sharp-Amick, seven of those eight days must be made up.

Because the District cancelled classes to enable students to travel to Columbia as the New Madrid County Central Eagles played for the Division 3 state basketball championship last Thursday and Friday, those days must also be made up, resulting in a total of nine attendance days.

The Board approved using March 30-31 and April 1-2 of spring break and May 18-22 as make-up days. School will not be in session on April 3, originally designated as part of the Spring Break.

Graduation for the class of 2015 was moved to May 19 with the last day of classes for the rest of the students set for May 22.

According to Amick, staff members who previously scheduled vacation or doctor appointments on the days now designated as make-up days can use sick/personal days.

As the District gears up for its Missouri Assessment Program and End of Course testing this spring, the Board approved providing all students with free breakfast on the days of testing.

"Research shows students do better if they eat breakfast," Amick said. "We are doing this to assist our students to do better on their tests."

During the March meeting, New Madrid City Administrator Chad Eggen met with the Board. Eggen advised the board that the electrical transformers purchased by the School District have arrived and are being stored by the city. The transformers will be available should one used by the school go out, according to the Superintendent.

A Missouri College Advising Corps Memorandum of Agreement was approved between the School Board and the University of Missouri curators. The agreement provides for a second year of the Missouri College Advising Corps at New Madrid County Central High School.

The program is designed to encouraged students to further their education by placing a college counselor on site.

Amick noted in its first year, the program has done very well and praised first year MCAC adviser Mykesha Jackson for her efforts at New Madrid County Central High School.

The New Madrid County Central High School choir will sing "God Bless America" at the St. Louis Cardinals' ballgame at 1:15 p.m. April 18. This is a Yadier Molina bobblehead giveaway day, according to Amick.

In order for the choir to perform, students must sell 300 tickets. The tickets are $12 each and are located in the Left Field Pavilion area (above Big Mac Land). The top four sellers will be able to go on the field during batting practice and have the opportunity for autographs as well as a picture on the field.

"This is the second year for the choir students to participate and we think it is a wonderful opportunity," Amick added.

In her report on attendance and enrollment, Amick said the district's enrollment is currently 1,437, which is down by 17 students from this time last year. Overall, she said, enrollment is up at the District's three elementary schools but down for the Middle School and Central High School.

Recent absences due to illness has put the district's attendance goal below the desired goal of 90 percent of the students in attendance 90 percent of the time, Amick said. Currently overall attendance is 88.04 percent.

According to Amick, more effort will be made to reach out to students who are homebound due to illness.

ACTION IN BRIEF

NEW MADRID - In other action by the Board during its March meeting:

**Reorganization:

Following the April 7 election, the board's reorganizational meeting is set for April 9. Currently four people are seeking the two three-year terms open on the board and one has filed for the one-year unexpired term.

Baseball and Softball Field update: Kevin Rone is working on the baseball and softball fields on Scott/Davis streets in New Madrid. Green fencing will be placed around the fields and additional signage, according to Dr. Cynthia Sharp-Amick, superintendent.

Driver's Education:

The Board approved the offering of Driver's Education this summer.

Lilbourn Elementary half-time bus route:

To shorten the wait for several students residing at the western edge of the district, the Board approved an additional bus route for Lilbourn Elementary. Amick said the additional route will make their trip home faster and more convenient for students.

Personnel: The job descriptions of athletic director and director of elementary education were approved. The Board agreed to the transfer of Megan Davidson to fifth grade at New Madrid Elementary from first grade at Matthews Elementary.

Agreement and release of contract:

Following approval in February of the sale of the house constructed by the Technical Skills classes, the Board approved an agreement and release document for property on 1021 St. Christopher Lane in New Madrid.

Section 125 Provider:

Forrest T. Jones has changed the Section 125 (cafeteria plan) third party provider from Allstate to American Fidelity. The Board approved New Madrid County R-1 to use American Fidelity to provide the employees with their ancillary benefit

Community Teachers Association: CTA members discussed in-service evaluations with the board. Also a request to start a monthly newsletter was approved.

Dates to Remember:

Spring Break, April 3,

HS Musical Little Women, 7 p.m. April 10 and 11;

H.S. Prom (Grand March), 7 p.m. April 25;

Junior ACT, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28;

Honor's Banquet, 6:30 p.m. May 11;

Spring "Pop" Concert, 7 p.m. May 5;

Athletic Banquet, 6 p.m. May 12;

Seniors Last Day, 2:55 p.m. May 15;

8th Grade Graduation, 9 a.m. May 22; and

Last day of school, May 22.