The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, December 16, 2019, 6:00 pm, at Mark Twain Elementary. Present were Board members Jeff Jones, Lee Elliff Pound, Niki Cloud, Tony Diggs, Elizabeth Streich, Bill Lasley, and Wayne Jones. Mr. Jeff Jones, Board President, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Due to inclement weather, Mark Twain’s second grade student performance and December’s Student Artists of the Month award presentations were cancelled.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, policy updates, financial report, Change Order #4 Tiger Activity Center, contracts for the Sixth Grade Center restroom remodel, electrical remodel, and HVAC remodel projects.
Mrs. Sammy Esposito, Adult Education Coordinator, provided an evaluative report on Adult/Community Education, Missouri School Improvement Program Area G-6. Carthage Technical Center works with different community agencies and area businesses to provide a variety of community education classes.
Certifications and licensing are offered in various fields and financial aid is available for those who qualify. The Practical Nursing Class of 2019 will graduate 28 students in December. The program has already accepted 28 students for 2020.
Mrs. Bonnie Schaeffer, Adult Education/Literacy, provided an evaluative report on Adult Education/Literacy, Missouri School Improvement Program Area G-6. Over 225 individuals each year acquire skills through English as a Second Language (ESL) and High School Equivalency (HSE) classes offered at North Technical Center.
Carthage AEL earned a $25,000 bonus during the 2018-19 school year for having plus 58% Measurable Skills Gain (MSG), meeting the MSG target, staying within 20% of the state average of cost per pupil, having an over 75% persistence rate, and having over an 70% post-test rate.
Ms. Beth Hunt, Mark Twain Assistant Principal and part-time Curriculum Director, provided an evaluative report on Curriculum, Missouri School Improvement Program Area I-5. Target areas include academic achievement, college readiness, career readiness, attendance, and graduation rate.
The State of Missouri recently released science data which indicates a need for increased rigor to bridge the gap with the state average.
A review of the 2019 Annual Performance Report (APR) indicates the graduation rate of 94.1% continues to exceed the state graduation rate of 93.3%.
Anne Lanyon was selected as our Missouri School Boards’ Association John T. Belcher Scholarship nominee. Anne will compete for a regional scholarship; one regional winner will be awarded a statewide scholarship.
Mrs. Elliff Pound provided an R-9 Foundation update. Major Saver checks are in the process of being distributed to schools. Foundation scholarship applications will begin in February.
Dr. Baker discussed Carthage 2020 and Beyond topics to expand Technical Center programs, improve preparedness post-high school, and add classrooms to South Technical Center.
Dr. Holley Goodnight, Technical Center Director, spoke about the need to expand programs to build the workforce.
Mr. Mark Elliff, President Carthage Chamber of Commerce and CEO, Carthage Economic Development, discussed opportunities for students in local business.
Gregg Wolf, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided architectural renderings of the proposed South Technical Center expansion.
A sample ballot language for this proposed expansion was provided for review by the Board.
Dr. Baker updated the Board regarding the following items:
Congratulated the high school football team for winning the state championship and informed there were several positive comments received from opposing teams and fans during the playoff season regarding their display of good sportsmanship.
Dr. Goodnight discussed the Technical Center Carpentry Program will implement the building of tiny houses that will be sold at a later date.
The Technical Center received a Pathways Grant from DESE which allows teachers to job shadow various local industries bringing back ideas to utilize in their class rooms. Dr. Goodnight discussed the positive opportunity given to our teachers.
The District will be hiring a Counseling Specialist (Licensed Professional Counselor) for 2020- 2021 school year to meet the growing mental health needs of students and staff.
Dual Language Program, EL Plan, and a Newcomer Center will be Carthage 2020 and Beyond topics of discussion in January’s board meeting.
Kirby Newport, MNEA spokesperson and high school social studies teacher, asked the Board to support changes to the MSIP 6 language referencing the amount of teacher planning time. He feels the language should be less vague and more specific in nature.
Practical Nursing Program graduation will take place Tuesday, December 17, Fairview Christian Church, 7:00 pm.
January 20 and February 17 will be makeup days due to inclement weather.
Christmas break begins December 21. Teachers will return January 6 and students January 7.
Recognized the generosity of the Carthage Nazarene Church for their recent $5,000 donation to the district. In addition, a donation from the Presbyterian Church to pay unpaid student lunch balances at the Early Childhood Center and eventually other schools is yet another heartwarming example of the support our students receive within our community.
The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss legal, personnel, and student matters in compliance with Section 610.021 (1), (3), and (6) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.
In closed session, the Board approved the following personnel actions:
Employment
PN Staff Contract Renewals:
Jessica Cooper Instructor PN-Tech North
Kerenza Crane Instructor PN-Tech North
Jennifer D. Huston PN Coordinator PN-Tech North
Support Staff:
Angel Garcia Instructor AEL
Veronica Gregory Paraprofessional Pleasant Valley
Kelly Hartley Admin Asst./AD & A+ Program High School
Substitute Teachers:
Kari Bertalotto
Stephanie Rodgers
Lindsey Schram
Substitute Support Staff:
Gene Toney Substitute Custodian
Transfer:
Lori Harter Principal Columbian (Former-Asst Principal Columbian and Fairview)
Beth Hunt Curriculum Director District (Former-1/2 Mark Twain Asst. Principal/1/2 Curriculum Director
Hannah McCully Attendance Secretary Intermediate Center (Former-Registrar Intermediate Center)
Resignations/Retirement
The Board accepted the resignation of Stephanie Caster, Special Education, Intermediate Center, effective January 6, 2020, and released her from her 2019-20 contract.
The Board also accepted the retirement/resignation of the following certified staff, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year:
Retirement (effective end of 2019-20 school year)
Chally Armstrong Special Education Steadley
Candee Clinkingbeard Title 1 Steadley
Cheryl (Sherry) Cowgur Process Coordinator Pleasant Valley/Steadley
Joan Stevens Process Coordinator Mark Twain/Jr. High Resignation (effective end of 2019-20 school year)
Gretel Pendergrass Fifth Grade Intermediate Center
No comments:
Post a Comment