State audit reveals $2 million in potential inaccuracies for Department of Labor

(From State Auditor Nicole Galloway)

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has issued a report revealing millions in potential inaccuracies by the Department of Labor related to unemployment insurance program financial activities. The report also found a continued failure by the state to properly account for federal dollars used for several state programs.

The report details issues resulting from changes to the Unemployment Insurance system at the Department of Labor, which is used to pay unemployment benefits. Incorrect calculations and inconsistencies resulted in $2 million in potential inaccuracies. The inadequate system affected several functions within the unemployment program, including at least $134,000 in overpayments to claimants who had exceeded their maximum unemployment benefit. These errors went undetected for approximately a year.

"Businesses throughout Missouri pay millions into the unemployment system, which is why it is so disconcerting to find that there are funds being managed without proper oversight or accountability," Auditor Galloway said. "Even simple checks and balances have not been implemented, leaving the Department of Labor unable to accurately provide basic financial information."

The new system, which cost more than $40 million, was not fully developed or tested before implementation. As a result, the Department delayed generating financial reports and ultimately provided inaccurate information on required state and federal filings.

The annual audit also noted an increasing number of concerns throughout state agencies and identified hundreds of millions of dollars in questionable costs in social safety net programs, like Medicaid. The 2016 report had six findings, while this year's report found 17 areas of concern.

The review identified a lack of accountability in two additional agencies that administer federal funds: The Department of Mental Health and the Department of Social Services. Multiple findings included in the report related to these two departments were repeat issues identified in prior year audits.

"The state spends billions in federal dollars each year that must be managed properly and spent appropriately on programs and services Missourians depend on," Auditor Galloway. "Failing to properly account for that money can put those dollars, and the programs they support, at risk. "

The Statewide Single Audit annually identifies weaknesses in the state's financial reporting and reviews the management and spending of $12 billion in federal funds.

A complete copy of the audit report is available online.

Josh Depoe named Irving Elementary principal

(From Joplin Schools)

Mr. Josh Depoe has been named the new Irving Elementary School principal. Mr. Depoe currently serves as assistant principal at Irving Elementary School, a position he has held for the last two years.

“Irving has consistently improved under the leadership of Ms. Sarah Mwangi and Mr. Josh Depoe. The two have worked lockstep alongside one another in service to Irving’s students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Moss, Superintendent. “ 

As Sarah transitions her talents in service to the entire district, I am pleased with the depth of leadership in Josh. This allowed us to promote from within and keep Irving’s positive momentum through consistent leadership” Moss added.

Prior to joining Irving Elementary School, Mr. Depoe served as a classroom teacher for six years and a physical education teacher for four years in Neosho. In addition to his classroom experience, he served as a Neosho football, basketball, and track coach for ten years.

Mr. Depoe earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Missouri Southern State University, a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Southwest Baptist University. He is currently pursuing an Educational Specialist in Administration from William Woods University (December 2018).

Joplin R-8 Board hires nine teachers, renews probationary contracts, accepts seven resignations

During a March 27 closed session, the Joplin R-8 Board of Education renewed contracts of probationary teachers, hired nine teachers and accepted seven resignations.

The board also hired Joshua Depoe as principal at Irving Elementary.

Renewal of Probationary Teachers: Ariel Adams,Sara Adcock, Nicole Allen, Elizabeth Alsenz, Misti Ard, Elizabeth Arnold, Miranda Ash, Kristen Bagby, Shantel Barker, Randi Barkley, Douglas Barto, Heather Bennett, Brianne Berry, Samantha Bevis, Eric Blackford, Marissa Blevins, Michelle Blevins, Cynthia Bonds, Kasondra Boone, Amy Boore, Cynthia Boren, Rachel Bowyer, Katie Bozarth, Kate Brinks, Nash Brodsky, Patrick Bromley Cody Brooks, Shawna Brooks, Bailey Brown, Katie Brown, Christina Brown, Kevin Burgi, Calvin Burr, Jessica Burroughs, Brad Byers, Shelby Campbell, Donald Carey, Meg Carlisle, Elisabeth Carroll, Adrienne Carson, Andrea Chirafisi, Alyvia Christensen, Amanda Christy, Ryan Clark, Sarah Clemens, Justina Clopton, Anne Compton, Brock Compton-Hamiel, Tonya Conn, Courtney Cook, Amber Cooney, Brendan Cooney, Shanon Cooper, Bradley Cox, Brian Danner, Benjamin Davis, Todd Delph, Kari Dietrich, Megan Dillahay, Doug Donnel, Brad Douglas, Morgan Doyle, Shelly Dunn, Brandan Durbin, Erica Durossette, Dora Eastin, Jennifer Eckhardt, Shannon Elias, Christopher Enslow, Courtney Escoto, Michelle Espinosa, Brian Evans, Heidi Fenske-Hodges, Anthony Ficken, Karen Fitzsimmons, Stacy Flora, Joseph Flynn, Linda Foxwell, Lauren Frieden, Hannah Fuller, Makayla Fuller, Casey Funk, Zachary Gibson, Melinda Gibson, Tarryn Gilbert, Vickie Gilbert, Miranda Glaser, Emily Golden, Linda Gooch, Charity Goode, Kerri Goucher, Shelly Greniner, Janet Hackney, Jennifer Hancock, Lori Hannon, Makenzie Harp, Nicole Hart, Sara Hart, Machelle Hartley, James Hartzfeld, Holly Hasty, Vivian Hays, Laura Hensley, Kristen Hermann, Marina Hicks, Candace Hill, Jennifer Hill, Marcia Himes, Racritia Hobson, Heidi Hodges, Audrey Hogan, Emily Holder, Kelly Holt, Katherine Honeywell, Kylie Hurrell, Carrie Hutter, Krista Ideker, Brooks Jackson, Andrea James, Cutis Jasper, Julie Jasper, Charles Jenkins, Nisha Jewsbury, Lisa Jolley, Michael Juergens, Chelsey Junker, Melissa Kendall, Amanda Kent, Tabitha Lackey, Teresa Lamberson, Christina Landburg, Jessica Lawyer, Jinger Lee, Gina Lee, Morgan Lenhart, Christina Leonard, Alexis Leonhart, Ellen Letterman, Drew Long, Olivia Lotven, Jinnifer Loum, Miranda Malin, Louis Manders, Stephanie Markes, Hanna Martin, Jennifer Matson, Karalee McDonald, Kimberley McIntire, Misti Meads, Chelsea Meyer, Teresa Meyers, Melissa Miller, Rebecca Miller, Carli Miller, Hollie Miller, Jennifer Mock, Kristen Moore, Katie Moore, Elsie Morris, Alexandria Murray, Cindy Myers, Robin Nelson, James Newman, Elizabeth Nichols, Kathryn Nicodemus, Brooke Nicoletti, Ashley Ohlman, Alexia Ohnemus, Noelle Ott, Victoria Overton, Mary Pace, Cheyanna Padilla, Julie Pagan, Amy Paige, Kelly Painter, Lydia Palmer, Carrie Patton, Luis Percovich, Eryn Perryman, Annette Peterson, Sonni Potts, Jaclyn Prater, Joseph Raffurty, Levi Reed Nicholas Reid, Joshua Reitz, Nicole Reynolds, Sandra Rhoades, Lacy Rice, Kathleen Rivers, Allison Rogers, Jessica Rogers, Angela Sanborn, Christina Sargent, Amanda Sauer, Shannon Schlessman, Katie Schmidt, Brenden Schneider, Kathleen Schrader, Kristi Schwab, Jacqueline Scott, Terrence Scott, Brookli Scott, Andrew Seavy, Carmen Seeley, Jesica Sewing, Logan Shaw, Bethany Shultz, Amy Sims, Marc Smallwoood, Luke Smith Catilan Smith, Amanda Smith, Alex Smith, Sherry Spaeth, James Spencer, Joy Stafford, Whitney Stahl, Ali Staufffer, Jodi Stewart, Aimee Stinnett, Dana Stokesbary, Maria Stuart, Karlee Talent, Logan Taylor, Jamie Taylor, Elysha Thomas, Joshua Thompson, Nicole Thorn, Courtney Throener, Jaylee Todd, Jordan Toscano, Stacey Tracy, Ashley Trotnic, Travis Trueblood, Patricia Tufts, Angela Turner, Tyler Vanleave, Katie Virden, Quentin Virden, Mary Vu, Emily Wade, Bethany Walles, Shela Ward, Shelby Washburn, Michael Wassenaar, Randi Watson, Crystal Weltha, Casee Wheeler, Lisa Whitaker, Mary White, Aaron White, Grace White, Kelsea Whitten, Samantha Widmar, Connie Wilkinson, Cassandra Williams, Jennifer Williams, Katherine Wilson, Kyle Wolf, Sharla Wood, Jessica Woods, Cheri Wright, Hillary Youngblood, and Holly Yust. 

Certified Employments: Samantha Beeson, Deborah Brill, John Juarez Garcia, Taylor Kaempfe, Olivia Nolting, Cheryl Sieber, Kaycee Spaugh, Vashti Stevenson, and Kelsey Vene.

Classified Employments: Marline Bryan, Spenser Clayton, Sarina Corey, Jannette Ebb, Hunter Goode, Johnny Osborne, Ariel Patton, Erin Rakes, James Rumble, Kelsey Vene, and Michaela Willis.

Substitutes: Cindy Brubaker, Meme Calhoun, Jennifer Cleeton, Karrington Garvin, Joshua Harp, Alice Haverly, Melissa Heilbrun, Emily Keeter, Rodney Marable, Paige Milner, Hunter Miner, Christina Myers, Joshua Sheikh, Georgine Smith, and Mackenzie Strycker.

Stipends: Maleigha Bailey Calhoun, Kathleen Rivers, Katie Schmidt, and Alexis Woods.

Resign (Certified): Paige Buchmeueller, William Holland, Lindsay Schossow, Elizabeth Shannon, Melissa Shrimplin, Brandy Stegall, and Crystalie Tatum.

Principal of Irving Elementary: Joshua Depoe 

Is this your school? Ten signs your child is in a failing school district

I originally wrote this for the Huffington Post and also published it on the Turner Report June 30, 2015, but considering some of the things I have heard from people who have contacted me about problems in their schools, I thought it was worth revisiting.

In these days of Common Core State Standards and continuing attacks on public education by billionaires and their bought-and-paid-for legislators, parents need a few guidelines on how to tell if their child is in a failing school district.

It has nothing to do with low scores on state-mandated standardized tests and more to do with the culture in the school district.

Here are 10 signs that your child is in a failing school district:

1. The large majority of your teachers have less than five years of experience- The best schools have solid veteran teaching forces, mixing in talented newcomers each year as teachers retire or move into administration or other job opportunities. When you run off your veteran teachers, you not only do not have teachers who can mentor the younger staff members and help them reach their full potential, but you also are increasing the odds that you are going to hire some less gifted teachers just to fill the vacancies. That makes it that much harder to understand why so many state legislatures are appropriating millions for inexperienced Teach for America instructors instead of spending that money to keep their best teachers in the classroom.

2. Teachers are overwhelmed with requests for data- Any time teachers are spending more time providing data for the bean counters in administration, it is a good indication that your school has gone astray. Most of that data is supplied through the use of one practice standardized test after another. In recent years, the situation has grown worse with many school districts adding costly practice tests given multiple times during the year. These not only take away from instructional time, but they also strip the children of any love of learning and they provide overly generous fees to the testing companies. What is worse, the expensive practice tests, whether students do well on them or not, provide no guarantee of success on the high stakes test at the end of the school year.

3. Teachers receive no support from administrators on discipline issues- In our ravenous quest for more and more data, one of the worst things that has occurred was the decision to measure a school's safety by its numbers of incidents, referrals, and suspensions. It was a natural progression for administrators, both at upper and lower levels, to find ways to game the system and avoid climbing statistics. In some schools, this has been done by encouraging teachers to handle every kind of situation in their classrooms and not involve the principal's office. Teachers receive the message that they are the ones who will suffer if students are given referrals. Because of that, behavior that would have been met with an instant office referral only a few years ago, is allowed to continue in the classroom and creates even more distractions for teachers and students.

4. Professional development is limited to indoctrination and data- An alarming trend the past few years has been the transition of professional development from learning techniques that will help the teacher to improve teaching and classroom management techniques to attempts to forcefully install a culture that would seem more desirable in a business than in an institution of learning. Much of this has come from the proliferation of consultants and motivational speakers who latched on to public schools after the implementation of No Child Left Alive and have yet to loosen their grip.

5. The message is tightly controlled, eliminating constructive criticism- At one time, the top administrators in public school districts were invariably educators who worked their way through the system, spending years in the classroom before going into administration. Nowadays, many top administrators have only spent three years or less in the classroom and are more like CEOs and executive vice presidents than educators. This had led to a culture shift with an overemphasis on public relations. Anyone in the school district or in the community who dares to question a decision is accused of trying to "hurt the children" or "attack teachers."  When administrators surround themselves with yes-men and strictly control the message, it makes it much more likely that mistakes are going to be made, at a cost to the children and to the taxpayers.

6. School Board members serve as rubber stamps- Over the past few decades, the role of boards of education has changed dramatically. In many communities, the board of education acts more like the board of directors of a Fortune 500 company, rubber stamping whatever the superintendent or top administrator does without question. That is not what voters expect when they elect school board members. Obviously, you do not want to have board members looking over administrators' shoulders every minute of every day, but when the board of education places blind trust in anyone it increases the odds that something disastrous will happen. One of the major criticisms lodged against board members is that they "have an agenda," as if that is something bad. If the agenda is to stop out-of-control spending, or place more emphasis on education, what is wrong with that? When boards serve as rubber stamps for any administrator, they are effectively taking away local control of our school districts.

7,. The community is not involved in its schools- In many school districts, the community is kept at arm's length until it is time to pass another bond issue or tax levy increase. Or the community involvement is restricted to a carefully selected group of business and civic leaders or the spouses of those leaders. A successful school district is one in which the involvement is organic and comes from all segments of the community, not just the ones who are needed when it comes time to ask for money. In some school districts, the community is asked for its input and then guided to give the input the administrators are seeking so they can say whatever initiative they have has the support of the community. That is not community involvement; that is pure spin.

8. The district is top heavy with administrators- While there is certainly a need to have strong, capable administrators directing a school district, administration tends to grow far more than is necessary, using funds that could be spent much better in the classroom. Rule of thumb, the more executive directors of anything that you have, the more problems your school district is going to have.

9. An overemphasis has been placed on technology- While it would seem that the more emphasis placed on technology in this day and age the better, that is simply not the case. With many schools adding laptops, iPads, and other devices that students can take home with them, districts have begun a push to incorporate the technology into every lesson, complete overkill that works against the student in the long run. While it is vital that students are able to handle technology, it is just as important that they are able to participate in discussions, listen to lectures (schools are eliminating these and that creates a problem for students when they go on to higher education), and take notes. If your school district is pushing the idea that everything can be learned by consulting Google then your child is being shortchanged.

10. Not enough emphasis is being placed on civics and citizenship- In the push to make sure everyone is "college and career ready," many schools are depriving children of some of the most important knowledge they should receive- how to participate in their society as an informed voter, who has the understanding of what this country is all about. While it is important that students be ready to work, the idea that they should be doing so during their high school years at the expense of learning about government, history, and the things they need to know to be a full participant in our society is ludicrous.

This list leaves off other important factors- poverty, crime, and how many billionaires you have who are trying to force privatization of education down your throat, but for those who want to make a difference at a local level, these are the danger signs that your district is failing.

Reader on Neosho R-5 PR director: Consider her workload before you criticize how much money she makes

A comment received on Monday's Turner Report post on the power the Neosho R-5 School District has given to 26-year-old public relations director Meagan Spangler and her $65,000+ a year salary offers a different point of view and insists that she deserves the money she is receiving because of all of the responsibility she has been given.

The comment is printed below:

In regards to compensation, perhaps it's worth considering for a moment the workload and stress being asked of a person in her position. 

That role, for that district, is not an easy job. Not even a "kind of challenging somedays" job. Yes, she is relatively young. And yes, the market rate of educators has traditionally and unfortunately been low, and that sucks. We all know that. But look at the scope of the projects she has been asked to manage in addition to her full-time duties.

The district's administration has clearly put some big projects on her shoulders and entrusted her to carry them out. Top that off with the fact that she's in a role in which everything she does is open to public scrutiny like this. (Everybody has tough stuff at work - now imagine your challenges, especially as a young professional, splashed all over the web on a regular basis along with your photo and glaring headlines reminding everyone of how old you are and what you make. Sounds like a dream job.)

If these former/current personnel have an issue with the administration - which this article really seems to be about - then why isn't this post focusing more on the admins and their relationships with the teachers?

Previous Neosho R-5 Posts

Under Douglas-Decker stewardship, 26-year-old PR director takes lead role in Neosho R-5 School District

Preparing for bond issue, Neosho R-5 hires public relations director

Neosho R-5 Board President's response to allegations: I believe in the greatness of the Neosho community

Allegation that five-year-old Neosho boy inappropriately touched, threatened kindergarten classmate at center of possible legal action against school district

Neosho R-5 Board President: Central Office wasn't aware board had to approve change orders on Junior High building project

Carver Elementary principal's administrative leave, removal of Finance Department illustrate toxic atmosphere at Neosho R-5

Neosho Superintendent signed non-disparagement contract, agreed to $150,000 "donation" from architectural firm

Former Neosho R-5 accountant: Finance Department told to keep quiet about Junior High project funding errors

Neosho R-5 administrators say there are things they can't tell staff, but they will be transparent about it

Neosho Daily News on junior high investigation: We report news, not speculation or gossip

Neosho R-5 School Board President: There was no trickery with our lovely junior high

State investigators examining discrepancies, lack of transparency in Neosho Junior High building project

Under Douglas/Decker stewardship, 26-year-old P.R. director takes lead role in Neosho R-5 School District

During a time when veteran teachers and administrators have been leaving the Neosho R-5 School District in sizable numbers, one employee has been able to establish a position of power within the district.

When R-5 Board of Education President Steven Douglas needed someone who could massage the district's failure to bring in the junior high building under budget and wanted to make the entire project it look like a success, he turned to this employee.

When Superintendent Dan Decker needed someone to take charge of the Community School Improvement Plan, a major state requirement, it was this employee who was asked to perform the task

And when Decker wanted someone to talk with all of his building principals and find out if they had any problems with central office or district leadership, it was this employee who answered the call.

The employee's name is Meagan Spangler, she is 26 years old and makes more than $65,000 a year as the public relations director for the Neosho R-5 School District.

Spangler has been with the district since January 2015, 13 months after she graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a bachelor of arts in communication with an emphasis in public relations.

The Neosho job was the second Spangler held following her graduation. Before entering the world of education, she served as an administrative assistant and sales associate at Downstream Casino.

Nothing symbolizes her rise to prominence within the district hierarchy more than her work with the CSIP plan, a responsibility that is almost always given to upper level administrators, curriculum directors, or committees headed by upper level administrators and curriculum directors, people with a background in education.

On her website, Spangler explained her CSIP duties:

To streamline our collective effort, we took on the task of revamping our Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP), or what is commonly referred to in the corporate world as a master plan or strategic plan. We started in early 2017 with the first step of discovering and honing in on our values as an organization.

To keep communication open and safe for all, myself and the administrative assistant to the superintendent visited all of our buildings and departments for listening posts. The listening posts were free-flowing, confidential discussion to see what was going well, going poorly, good and bad about Neosho School District. 

Through these discussions we were able to pinpoint norms, values, and dislikes. After gathering the data, we created what we call the Black and Gold Convictions, using the term convictions because we felt it had a stronger sense of accountability and loyalty to who we are as an organization. Some of the convictions are things that our organization is already skilled at, while others are areas where we want to be in time. The convictions were presented to the school board and school administrators in July 2017 and will be presented to District personnel at the back to school meeting in August 2017.

District personnel and former employees have told the Turner Report that the "confidential discussion" portion of Spangler's explanation was something they never believed. Spangler and Decker's secretary, Tonya Patterson, conducted the sessions and many of them felt any criticism they shared they would immediately be reported to Decker or Board President Douglas, who has worked closely with Spangler.

That belief has further been strengthened by the requirement that all principals meet individually with Spangler. The principals knew better than to make any negative comments, so all answers were either vague or positive.

In the past, criticisms of the central office have nearly automatically led to grievances against the employees who made them and in most cases that has led to their departures.

The presence of Spangler, her sizable salary and her involvement in educational matters despite her lack of any background in education is a criticism Douglas has heard on a regular basis since she was hired.

Douglas has said Spangler reminds him of his daughter and has reportedly discussed district business with her on a frequent basis both at her office and off campus. District sources tell the Turner Report Douglas consults the 26-year-old for advice about district personnel, including the superintendent.

After a recent board meeting when Spangler presented a directional sign showing the traffic flow at the new junior high, Douglas used that as an example of her earning every penny of her salary.

"When people ask me why we have Meagan," Douglas said, "this is the reason why. Look at that sign. It looks great. That’s why we have her."

It appears that in the Neosho R-5 School District, the best way to communicate with the Board of Education president is through sign language.

Previous Neosho R-5 Posts

Neosho R-5 Board President's response to allegations: I believe in the greatness of the Neosho community

Allegation that five-year-old Neosho boy inappropriately touched, threatened kindergarten classmate at center of possible legal action against school district

Neosho R-5 Board President: Central Office wasn't aware board had to approve change orders on Junior High building project

Carver Elementary principal's administrative leave, removal of Finance Department illustrate toxic atmosphere at Neosho R-5

Neosho Superintendent signed non-disparagement contract, agreed to $150,000 "donation" from architectural firm

Former Neosho R-5 accountant: Finance Department told to keep quiet about Junior High project funding errors

Neosho R-5 administrators say there are things they can't tell staff, but they will be transparent about it

Neosho Daily News on junior high investigation: We report news, not speculation or gossip

Neosho R-5 School Board President: There was no trickery with our lovely junior high

State investigators examining discrepancies, lack of transparency in Neosho Junior High building project

Jasper County detective acknowledges Devyn Kyle's mention of McPherson treated differently than Jalen Vaden's

Only two adults were in the home at 405 Meadow Lake Drive the night the abuse occurred that caused the death of three-year-old Jayda Kyle.

When Devyn Kyle asked if she could call her dad, attorney Judd McPherson, Jasper County Sheriff's Office Det. Jason Hutchins asked "clarifying questions" to determine if she was invoking her right to an attorney.

When Devyn Kyle's live-in boyfriend Jalen Vaden asked, "Is Judd here," Hutchins said no and the December 6 interrogation that led to his arrest on charges of second degree murder and felony child abuse continued without delay.


During an approximately 45-minute hearing this morning in Jasper County Division 3 Court, Vaden's lawyer Tracey Martin presented evidence that McPherson acted on Vaden's behalf with the Jasper County Children's Division to allow him to be able to be with Jayda while she was being treated at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City prior to her death on December 2.

Martin called one witness, Britnay Kirkland of the Children's Division, who said that McPherson had said nothing about acting as a lawyer during his conversations with her, but when asked if the Children's Division ever allowed grandfathers to have that kind of input on decisions, it became apparent that McPherson's profession played a key role.

"Never," Kirkland said.

Hutchins acknowledged during his cross-examination by Martin that he was aware McPherson had been dealing with the Children's Division.

Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney Theresa Kenney argued that the only thing that mattered was that Vaden had acknowledged his Miranda rights after they were read to him and had never invoked his right to an attorney.

Having the Jasper County prosecuting attorney handling the hearing was a sign not only of the high profile nature of the case, but also of a different approach by the office.

During the time when Kenney's predecessor was in the office, it seemed that Jasper County had more Sasquatch sightings than credible reports of Dean Dankelson standing before a judge.

Hutchins was Kenney's only witness. During the examination, Hutchins said Vaden never indicated McPherson was his attorney at any time during the approximately 90-minute interview.

As Martin questioned him, Hutchins said he treated Vaden's mention of McPherson differently from Devyn Kyle's because "It was a different circumstance with a different party."


Hutchins said Valen was not in custody when he was questioned and could have left at any time, but acknowledged under Martin's questioning that he had been brought to his questioning by the sheriff's office and handed over his cell phone before the interview began.

Judge David Mouton was provided with a DVD of Vaden's questioning, which Kenney noted would show that at no time did Vaden ask for an attorney.

Martin argued that it did not matter what Vaden said after the point about five minutes into the recording when he asked, "Is Judd here??


McPherson, who had been subpoenaed, was not called as a witness.

Vaden, in Jasper County Jail orange and handcuffed attended the hearing,

Mouton said he would take the motion under advisement.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Monday, April 16.

Nancy Hughes: I've read the book

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.”
Isaiah 46:9-10 (NIV)

“Come watch a movie with me, Grandma,” my granddaughter pleaded. “It’s a really good one!” She added that last statement to try to entice me to join her, knowing that for me to sit and watch a movie, it truly has to be “a really good one.”

I gave in and joined her on the sofa with a blanket, sodas and popcorn. Before I knew it I was caught up in the action of the characters and the mystery that surrounded them.

One twist after another caught me by surprise, making me jump and Ella giggle. “That detective is going to bite it,” I commented. “Any minute he’s going to disappear and we won’t know who got him.” 

Ella disagreed. “He’ll be okay. He’s a main character.” And she was right.

“That’s the killer!” I yelled. “She has to be the one because she’s hiding the gun!” But once again, Ella shook her head “no.” And once again she was correct.

I glanced at my granddaughter. “Have you seen this movie before because you always seem to know the outcome of every scene and what’s coming next.”

“Nope,” she grinned.

I turned to look at her. “Then how do you know that the detective is going to be okay and the hair dresser is not the killer?”

Ella gave me a huge smile. “Because I’ve read the book, Grandma! I already know what’s coming and how it’s going to turn out!”

Now it was my turn to smile. Because, my friends, WE have that same confidence in “what’s coming and how it’s going to turn out” in our lives.

Read today’s Scripture from Isaiah 46:9-10. God tells us clearly that He knows all things, beginning to end. And we can too.

We have the Bible. God has allowed us to see what happened in the beginning in Genesis and He has shown us what will happen in the end in Revelation. We, too, can know the ending if we have read the Book.

I know this world is full of pain and heartache, struggles and failures. There are unanswered questions and unending grief. But please don’t lose hope! Hold tight to the truth of God’s Word!

In the end good wins over evil. The bad guy (Satan) loses, Jesus has the victory, and we will live with Him for eternity.

How do I know that? I’ve read the Book.

Father, thank you for giving me hope through your Word. Thank you for being in control of all things in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

* Have you ever looked at the back of a book to find out the ending? Have you done that with the Bible? Why or why not?

Application

*Ask a prayer warrior/study friend to partner with you in reading the Bible together weekly and lifting up prayer requests to the Lord.

*Write in your journal “I know the One who wrote the Book, beginning to end. He will never let go of me.” Text that message to your prayer warrior when the tough stuff hits, to encourage each other to hold on to God’s Word.

Power Verses

*Isaiah 46:9-10 (NIV) “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.”

*Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “’For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’.”

*Revelation 22:13 (NIV) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing and information about her books, check out her blog, Encouragement from the War Room.)

Kim Frencken: That dirty seven-letter word

Testing. We've all shuddered at the very mention of testing. One or two stressful weeks of intense testing that is supposed to tell what we've taught our kids in the previous 7.5 months. Minus snow days, holidays, and student absences. Mornings where the routine is completely renovated to accommodate the best time to test. Days where our educational instruction time, that has been so critical all year, is suddenly thrown out the window.

Testing. What we teach all year - either consciously or subconsciously. The objectives that drive our curriculum choices. The standards that a business consortium decided kids needed to learn - age appropriate or not. The skills that we cram into every precious minute. Even if you are a teacher that hates tests. Even if you insist that you "Do not teach to the test!" Yes, even you. You are teaching to the test every day- like it or not.

Testing. "Let's base teacher salaries on student scores," said no teacher EVER. Sure. And while we're at it, why don't we judge parents on their skills for the number of days their child was sick, absent, or fell asleep in class. Sure. Why not? After all test performance depends not only on retention of skills, but also on physical and mental well being. Test performance also requires that a student be present to learn. Wow! You mean the kid has to actually be in school? Ummmm... that would help. Personally, I loved being evaluated on my scores when 4 new students moved into our district the week before testing started, 7 of my kiddos were chronically absent, 2 didn't live in English speaking homes, and only 25% of my parents were actively involved in their child's education. That's fair. Not!

Testing. Ruins the beauty of spring. Dashes a child's hopes of running and screaming at recess. They have to be quiet because the big kids aren't finished yet. Specials? Well, they've been canceled so math skills can be tested. Lunch is now a solemn affair interrupted only by whispers from staff. The hallways have also been littered. With posters of encouragement for everything from eating a good breakfast (forget the kid whose mom leaves for work at 4 am and they only eat dry cereal), getting a good night's sleep (what about the kid who has to stay with a sitter until their parents get home from the late shift), and doing your best (the teacher has told them all year that they are doing their best and now the test is telling them that Basic isn't Proficient).

Testing. Reduces kids to labels and teachers to nervous wrecks. Alters a normal routine into a quiet chaos. And. For. What? State scores. Funding. Ability grouping. Newspaper articles.

And... after testing. Kids are finished and yet school continues. So... if we've only been going to school to learn what we need to learn so that we can perform well on a test why are we still in school weeks after testing is over? Good question. Maybe a guy in a suit could answer it!

(For more of Kim Frencken's writing and information about her educational products, check out her blog Chocolate For the Teacher.)

March for Our Lives, Emma Simon post top Turner Report list for week, links provided

The fallout over last Saturday's March for Our Lives continues in the Turner Report's top 10 posts for the week.

Had it not been for much of the readership for Joplin High School senior Emma Simon's first-person account of the march coming just before this week's measuring, her post would have been number one for the week. Instead, it comes in at number four, and the number one post is my message to those who decided to avoid any reasonable discussion of the issue of gun violence by posting every cliche they have ever heard from those who think the Second Amendment covers everything from handguns to nuclear weapons and those who thought it was clever to berate Emma and the other teenagers across the country who participated in the march, claiming they were brainwashed and perhaps even Nazis.

Coming in at number two and making the list for the fifth straight week was Rob O'Brian's announcement that he was thinking of running for the 32nd District State Senate set currently held by term-limited Ron Richard. He eventually filed for the seat.

In addition to the top posts from the Turner Report, Inside Joplin and Inside Joplin Obituaries. I have included the top five posts for the Inside Springfield blog, which had its best week ever this week, and had its most visited post of all time with the horrific story of a Miami, Oklahoma man who allegedly came to a Polk County motel and sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl.

Also included this week is the top post from the Turner Resports blog, detailing the accomplishments from high school archers from Carl Junction, Sarcoxie and Lamar.

Thanks, as always, to those of you who have supported the Turner Report/Inside Joplin blogs and this alternative area news source. For those who have not subscribed to the Turner Report or made any contribution recently, PayPal buttons are included below the links to this week's top posts or you can send your contributions to Randy Turner, 2306 E. 8th, Apt. G, Joplin, MO 64801

The Turner Report

1. Message to Turner Report and KZRG trolls: Students are not using their First Amendment rights to take away your Second Amendment rights

2. The man who brought us Wallace Bajjali wants to take his leadership to Jefferson City

3. Joplin woman pleads guilty to role in meth conspiracy

4. Emma Simon: March for Our Lives comes to Joplin

5. Hawley: Obama and the Hollywood elites are out to get me

6. Webb City Democrat files for 32nd District Senate

7. Judge rejects motion to lower former Sonic supervisor's bond

8. Hearing scheduled for motion to suppress Jalen Vaden's statement

9. Preliminary hearing set for men accused of Christmas Eve murder at 627 S. Byers

10. Mayor Seibert: Forget Wallace Bajjali, look where Joplin is now

Inside Joplin

1. Joplin Police need help identifying woman connected to Joplin YMCA thefts

2. Skimmer device found on pump at Joplin convenience store

3. Jasper County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

4. U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions- Joplin

5. Joplin Police Department Weekend Arrests

6. Neosho toddler injured when car backs over him

7. Joplin Police Department arrests driver who damaged parking lot poles for DWI, blood alcohol three times legal limit

8. Newton County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

9. Joplin Police Department Arrests March 29-30

10. Joplin Police Department Arrests March 27-28

Inside Joplin Obituaries

1. Willie Lasiter

2. Justin Mitchell

3. Daniel Bazal

4. Darron Hanson

5. Brad Valdois

6. Tony Schmidt

7. Cathy Beard

8. Robert Stump

9. Maria Gutierrez

10. Dave Blackford

Inside Springfield

1. Oklahoma man arrested at Polk County motel with 10-year-old girl, charged with kidnapping sexual battery

2. Springfield man found shot to death in abandoned vehicle at 1026 W. Florida

3. Southwest Honkeys gang member pleads guilty to operating meth conspiracy from his prison cell

4. Springfield man identified as pedestrian killed in Thursday accident

5. U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions- Springfield

Turner Resports

1. Carl Junction, Sarcoxie, Lamar archers fare well at state tournament

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