Notes from February 9, 2017 Work Study Session & Regular Meetings of the Rock Port R-II Board of Education
President Rich Dewhirst called the work study session to order at 6 p.m., Thursday, February 9th. Other members present were Afton Schomburg, Jeremy Davis, and Dan Lucas. Member Harold Lawrence entered the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Members Rochelle Henagan, and Clay Vogler were absent. Also present were Superintendent Craig Walker, Board Secretary Debbie Young, and Bruce Johnson, Brad Wegman, and Morgan Fox with L.J. Hart & Co. Elementary Principal Steve Waigand entered the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
The agenda was adopted. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Wegman, and Ms. Fox presented the board with a preliminary financial analysis regarding refinancing options for the district’s 2014 general obligation bond issue. Following questions from the board members the representatives from L.J. Hart left the meeting. Following a brief discussion the work study session was adjourned.
President Rich Dewhirst called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Other members present were Afton Schomburg, Jeremy Davis, Harold Lawrence, and Dan Lucas. Members Rochelle Henagan and Clay Vogler were absent. Also present were Elementary Principal Steve Waigand, Superintendent Craig Walker, Board Secretary Debbie Young, Kari Amthor, Sheena Roup, and Ken Miller.
The agenda was adopted, and the minutes of the Special & Regular Meetings of January 12, 2017 and the special meeting of February 2, 2017 were approved. Mr. Walker reviewed the financial information for the month ending January 2017. The transfer of funds, the January final check register, the February check register to date, and the activity account checks were approved. Mr. Walker read thank you notes from Jen Geib and CTA.
Mr. Waigand stated that Mrs. Roup would be reporting on the upcoming preschool enrollment process and scheduling for next year, and Mrs. Amthor would be giving a report from the Math Textbook Committee. Following their reports Mrs. Roup and Mrs. Amthor left the meeting. Mr. Waigand reported January attendance for the elementary was 95.86% (182 students). Third Grade led the way with 99.17%!
Instructional walk-through count for January – (Goal 40) had 36. January’s Character Word was Tolerance.  Blue Jays of the Week will receive a pizza party from Chris Shimmel and Grace Church. The MAP Testing Committee met on February 1st. The Math Committee met on January 18th and February 1st to continue work on textbook selection process. Teachers have narrowed the search to three resources. The Committee will look in depth at each one of these resources on February 8 and 15.
We celebrated the 100th day of School on January 30th!  Teachers had special activities throughout the day and students earning perfect attendance and meeting their first semester AR goals were put into a drawing for prizes. Half day Preschool celebrated their 100th day on February 2nd.
The Maradi Mifflin Spelling Bee was held in the library on January 24th for grades 5-8. Congratulations to the following students who will represent Rock Port at the Atchison County Spelling Bee – Aubrey Watkins, Johnny Davis, Alexa VanSickle, RyAnne Herron, and Riley Walker (alternate). Representing Rock Port at the 275 Conference Spelling Bee for 5th & 6th Grades – Riley Walker, Abby Minino, and Taylor Pruett (alternate), 7th & 8th Grades – Aubrey Watkins, Johnny Davis, and Alexa VanSickle (alternate).  A special thanks to Mrs. Skillen (pronouncer) and judges Mrs. Farmer, Mrs. Sierks, and Mrs. Ellis.  The county spelling bee will be on February 15 at Rock Port.  The conference spelling bee will be on March 29 at Mound City. Our SPED 3 Year Review was submitted to DESE on January 18; a huge thanks to Mrs. Burke, Mrs. Bebb, Mrs. Owen, and Mrs. Cox.  All K-6 students attended the movie “Moana” at the Auburn State Theater on January 13.  Students received a drink and popcorn for the show.  This was our Academic Excellence Celebration for their hard work and effort on last year’s MAP Tests as well as a kick-off for this year’s assessments! Thank you to Mrs. Sierks for completing the Accelerated Reader labeling project in the Library!  A special thanks to Mrs. Cook as well for her determination to help finish the project. The elementary will be completing a trial run of WATCH D.O.G.S. in February. WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is a nationwide program to encourage the involvement of positive male role models in schools.  Mrs. Ellis has been working with area counselors that currently have WATCH D.O.G.S. in their schools in preparation for bringing the program to RPE. Staff Professional Development: Mr. Waigand attended a Northwest Principals Meeting on February 3. Legislators were invited to speak to the group and we were able to provide questions, comments, and concerns regarding issues we are facing in education right now. Our monthly staff meeting was held on February 1st.  Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Gaines, Mrs. Jenkins, Mr. Walker, and I traveled to Liberty on January 27th to view the PLTW Gateway program at Heritage Middle School and South Valley Middle School. Collaboration meetings (grades PK-2 and 3-6) were held on January 25. Mrs. Mertens attended a Dyslexia Workshop on January 24 in St. Joseph.  Collaboration meeting was held on January 10 for grades PK-6.  Teachers were asked to schedule a time this month or next month for an observation.
Mrs. Kemerling’s report was reviewed in her absence. Several upcoming dates and activities were noted. She reported that January attendance for the high school was 94.74% and attendance for the year is 95.65%. There are 158 students in grades 7 – 12. January was a busy month.  Wrestling and basketball both took up a large part of the calendar including both sports’ Homecoming nights.  For Homecoming week, students in grades 7-12 enjoyed decorating different areas around the school representing different regions of the world.  Students and staff did a great job. At the end of January, various teachers had opportunities to attend conferences.  Mrs. Palmer attended the annual Music Conference in Tan-Tar-A.  Kerri Acton, Megan Bebb, Stevie Eickhoff, Shauna Farmer, and Amy Skillen all attended the Powerful Learning Conference.  We appreciate the commitment that these educators have to their profession, students, and school. Coming up in February, the staff will have professional development on the 17th.  On this day, we will have Dr. Jackie Kibler here to share a coping/stress/resiliency model that includes how people (kids/teens included) can venture down a path toward unhealthy coping.  Teachers will also spend time on this day completing a Needs Assessment Survey.  There will be no school for students on this day, as well as no school on Monday, Feb. 20, for Presidents’ Day. Classroom reports were received from Mrs. Gaines and Mrs. Miller.
Mr. Walker reported on the work being done at the school farm. He stated Mark McMahon is in the process of placing new signage around the interior of the school to direct visitors and to assist in case of emergency. New signs are being planned for outside the buildings as well. Mr. Walker discussed future transportation needs of the district and reported on his upcoming Superintendent’s meeting.
The board members noted improvements have been seen in the updates to GradeWatch.
The board then proceeded to address items of new business. Consideration was given to an underwriting agreement with L.J. Hart & Co. as well as a resolution authorizing the general obligation bond refunding. It was the consensus of the board members that more time is needed to gather information therefore the agenda items were tabled to a future meeting. Action was taken to schedule a special meeting for Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. provided all board members will be in attendance. Consideration was given to board policy and regulation updates provided by Missouri Consultants for Education. No action was taken thus allowing additional time to review the information. The calendar committee submitted two versions of the proposed 2017 – 2018 school calendar for the board to review. Mr. Walker stated the calendar hearing will be scheduled prior to the March regular meeting. Action was taken to approve amendments to the 2016 – 2017 budget as presented by Mr. Walker, and to accept the resignation of Kayla Sierks effective at the end of the 2016 – 2017 school year. The board adjourned to executive session for personnel matters. Upon returning to open session action was taken to extend the contract of Superintendent Craig Walker by one additional year through the 2018 – 2019 school year. The meeting was then adjourned.