Salary increase, school calendar change approved at May meeting

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

NEW MADRID - The New Madrid County R-1 Board of Education members adopted a salary schedule for the 2015-16 school year reflecting a 3.1 percent across-the-board increase for personnel.

According to Dr. Cynthia Sharp Amick, superintendent, the Board arrived at the amount after deciding its calendar options for the coming year. She explained the state requires 1,044 hours of instruction but gives each district three options on how the hours are accrued.

New Madrid County R-1 Board members selected the option allowing the district to have a school year of less than 174 days to accumulate 1,044 instructional hours. Any half-days of school must have at least four hours of instruction using this option.

"We are cutting five days off the end of the school year," Amick said by using this option.

With fewer school days, those employees who are paid by the hour, such as bus drivers and aides, would have a reduction in pay. However, Amick explained, to make up for the loss, the Board approved the 3.1 percent increase which will provide those staff members with equivalent in salary with five fewer days to work.

Approval was given for improvements and purchases to be made during the summer.

Leading the list is the purchase of $206,000 in new technology for Central High School students and for the fifth graders. The district is purchasing Chromebooks for these students as it implements the One-to-One initiative providing all students with necessary technology for classroom instruction, homework and curriculum assessment.

Also during the summer, surveillance cameras will be installed on buildings throughout the district and recording devices added to buses. There will be new LED lighting put in place on the Central campus, also.

Amick described the remaining projects needed due to "wear and tear," including painting, repair of doors, new carpeting and tile for some classrooms and some equipment purchases. Pointing out the Central Middle School is now 18 years old, Amick said one wing of the building's air conditioners will be replaced during the summer and new chairs purchased for the cafeteria.

With the One-to-One Initiative beginning this fall, Jerry Winberry was hired as the new instructional technology coordinator. Winberry will assist in the implementation and delivery of technology.

"He will be the go-to person for teachers with questions and concerns, help the teachers with software problems and the students with issues with their Chromebooks," said Amick.

School Board action in brief

Roofing Maintenance Agreement: The Board approved Garland Roofing Company to annually inspect all district roofs and perform necessary caulking, cleaning roof drains and other necessary minor maintenance as well as inspections on the roofs.

Kenny Rogers Children's Center Contract: The administration was authorized to enter into a contract with Kenny Rogers Children's Center to provide occupational and physical therapies to students.

Three Rivers College Precision Ag: Michael Barrett from Three Rivers College made a presentation on the Three Rivers College Precision Ag Program and asked Board members if they would be willing to enter into a cooperative agreement to offer the program.

"The Board gave its 100 percent approval," said Amick. "We want to work with them. We want to see the precision ag program soar ... We will do what we can do to ensure it will succeed so we can provide this opportunity for the adults and our students in the community."

While the details of the agreement are still being determined. Amick said it could such things as allowing Three Rivers to conduct precision ag program labs on the school's ground and use of the district's facilities.

" We are offering to help," she said. "We want to be a part of it."

Extended School Year: An extended school year summer program for students who have an individual education plan was approved.

Fred's Pharmacy Request: Approval was given for Fred's Pharmacy to come to the schools in September to provide flu shots to the staff.

Proposition C Tax Levy Rollback Compliance: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education notified the district it is in compliance with Section 164.013, RSMo, for the 2014-15 school year.

Personnel: Resignations were accepted from Martha Miller, bus driver; Gloria Wilderness, elementary music teacher for New Madrid and Lilbourn elementary schools; Christy Hodges, Academic Team coach; and Donny Brown, high school assistant boys basketball coach.

Employed were: Dennis Young, part-time law enforcement; Dontre' Jenkins, assistant teacher, high school assistant boys basketball and high school assistant football coach; Linda Bell, extended school year teacher; Joy Johnson, assistant teacher and extended school year bus driver; Jake Baehr, school resource officer for New Madrid Elementary; Bridget Heiser, Academic Team coach; Roy White Jr., maintenance Middle School; and Sylvetri Ray and Mike Hucklebery, bus drivers.

The following transfers were approved: Carl Kimball from special resources officer at New Madrid Elementary to Central Middle School; Whitney Gorton to sixth grade teacher; Destiny McSpadden to third grade instructor at New Madrid Elementary from high school geography and government; Abby Herring from kindergarten at Lilbourn Elementary to in-school suspension/response to intervention at Lilbourn Elementary; BJ Stone from At-Risk/ Alternative High School to At-Risk Credit Recovery High School; Chris Nance from in-school suspension high school to At-Risk/ Alternative High School; Joseph McClarty from physical education at Lilbourn to in-school suspension at high school; and Jake Kimball to physical education at Lilbourn Elementary.