The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held an organizational and regular meeting April 11, 2019.

Superintendent Ethan Sickels called the meeting to order. Others in attendance were Jeremy Davis, Afton Schomburg, Ken Miller, Richard Dewhirst, Harold Lawrence, Dan Lucas, and Clay Vogler. Also present were High School Principal Donnie Parsons, Board Secretary Debbie Young, and Riley Vogler.

The agenda was adopted. Superintendent Sickels administered the Oath of Office to Dan Lucas and Afton Schomburg. Jeremy Davis was elected to serve as board president, and Clay Vogler was elected vice-president.

The minutes of the calendar hearing and regular meeting of March 14, 2019, were approved. Mr. Sickels reviewed the financial information for the month ending March 2019. The transfer of funds, the March final check register, the April check register to date, and the activity account checks were approved.

It was noted that Elementary Principal Steve Waigand was supervising at the track meet. The Elementary Principal’s report was reviewed in his absence. March attendance was 96.21% (190 students). The March attendance championship goes to 6th grade with 97.92%. April’s character trait is perseverance. Kindergarten and preschool round-ups will be Friday, May 3. The 275 Conference Spelling Bee was held April 3. Representing our school were Mya Welch (3rd-4th division), Bracton Cook (5th-6th), Bannack Skillen (7th-8th), and Darius Skillen (high school). Congratulations to Darius Skillen on winning the high school division. Sixth grade Shadow Day was on April 4. Students had the opportunity to walk in the shoes of our junior high students for a day. Thank you to Mrs. Farmer and Mrs. Ellis for arranging this day. D.A.R.E. graduation was held at Fairfax on April 2 with 6th grade classes from Rock Port, Fairfax, and Tarkio participating in the event. Congratulations to Jayme McEnaney and Payten Shrader as they were recognized for top D.A.R.E. essays in their respective classes. A special thanks to the Rock Port D.A.R.E. Role Models for their time and mentorship throughout the year. Battle of the Books competition was held at Tarkio on March 29. Rock Port had seven teams compete in the competition. Congratulations to Excellent Elephants on making it to the finals and representing RPE well. Ryan Lucas was again named top reader (by pages) in the county with over 8,500 pages read. Thank you to Mrs. Skillen for organizing for students to read and discuss the books. Thank you to all who have supported school and community members in need. Mr. Waigand has heard numerous stories of kindness and generosity toward others during this difficult time. Between the elementary and high school staff members over $600 was raised through a jeans day that will go to help families in need. Several upcoming dates were shared as well as the monthly report on professional development.

Mr. Parsons reviewed several upcoming dates and activities. April attendance for the junior high/high school is 96.15% with enrollment at 153. It’s been incredible to see the patience and generosity of our staff, the willingness of parents to let their kids help others, and the determination of our students to help all those affected by the flood. In all, Rock Port had 25 displaced students. Several have been able to return to their homes. MAP and EOC testing start this month. The third quarter honor roll results are: High Honor Roll – 57 students and Regular Honor Roll – 55 students. Overall, 112 out of 153 students, 73% on one of the lists. This year’s high school play is “No Sign of Intelligent Life” which will be performed May 3. The Scholar Bowl Team was the 275 Conference regular season and tournament champions as well as the District 16 champions. Ethan Lucas was named 1st team All-Conference and received All-District honors. Ayden Wilroy was named 2nd team All-Conference. They will advance to sectionals against North Andrew on April 14 with the winner advancing to state competition. Track and golf seasons are up and running. Thanks to those who helped at the Blue Jay Relays. The FFA Farm Management Team of Lauren Kelly, Ethan Lucas, Trey Peshek, and Fischer Tharp qualified for state; and Rebekah Lucas and RyAnne Herron were selected to perform in the FFA State Choir. State-bound band and choir soloists are Josie Watkins, vocal, and Alivia Baucum, tuba. The high school band received a II rating on prepared pieces and a I rating on sight reading at the large ensemble contest. Josie Watkins, RyAnne Herron, and Rebekah Lucas performed in MWSU’s honor choir on April 8. Darius Skillen is the 275 Conference spelling bee champion in the high school division.

Mr. Sickels gave the monthly program evaluation report on compensation and benefits. He also reviewed the available MAP data from last year’s testing cycle. The parking lot gravel is down and discussed plans for work on the dome drainage. Mr. Sickels gave an update on the pending wind farm legislation in Jefferson City. The progress on the superintendent growth plan was reviewed. Mr. Sickels reviewed the annual teacher recognition awards to be presented at the end-of-year staff luncheon. He stated the district in very thankful to receive a gift from the Curnutt Trust of $50,000 to be used toward STEM education. The Board Policy Committee reported on their April 2 meeting.

The board proceeded to address several items of new business. Action was taken to certify the graduating class of 2019, to approve the 2019-2020 PDC Committee goals, to approve an increase of $5,000 to the board-paid life insurance benefit, to approve amendments to the 2018-2019 budget, to approve the 2019-2020 MSBA membership, to approve the transition to MSBA as the board policy provider beginning in 2019-2020, to approve the ACES social worker contract for 2019-2020, to approve updates aligning regulation 2920 with the current MSHSAA rules, and to accept the letter of resignation from Stevie Eickhoff, effective at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. Employment contracts for the 2019-2020 teaching vacancies were approved for Jeremy Palmer as the HS Vo-Ag teacher, Jennifer Rueckert as the Art teacher, Michelle Hogue as the HS Math teacher, and Jennifer Vogler as the HS Special Education teacher. The list of non-certified staff members was reviewed and employment agreements for the 2019-2020 school year were approved for Debbie Clodfelter, Andrea Cook, Georgia Criger, Richard Fentiman, Danny Fischer, Cindie Gaines, Michelle Garst, Steve Grossman, Valeria Grossman, Wendy Hays, Kristi Herron, Tisha Jackson, Katey Kroeger, Mark McMahon, Richard Morgan, Dawn Niles, Sandi Riley, Debbie Sly, Dixie Teten, and Debbie Young. Mr. Parsons presented the 2019-2020 extra-duty contracts for approval. Extra-duty contracts for 2019-2020 will be extended as follows: Donnie Parsons, athletic director; Shauna Farmer, MOSIS coordinator; Dalton Jones, head HS FB; Thomas Herron, head HS VB; Jim Skillen, head HS girls BB; Shawn Shineman, head HS boys BB; Jacob Erdman, head HS wrestling; Thomas Herron, head HS boys track; Rachel Jenkins, head HS girls track; Rachel Jenkins, head cross county; Angela Mace, assistant cross country; Shawn Shineman, head girls’ and boys’ golf; Jacob Erdman and Alec Hendrickson, assistant HS FB; Ciara Armstrong, assistant HS VB; Gary Davis, assistant HS girls BB; Mark McMahon, assistant HS wrestling; Stephen Gaines, head JH FB; Rachel Jenkins, head JH VB; Stephen Gaines, head JH boys’ BB; Gary Davis, head JH girls’ BB; Jacob Erdman, head JH wrestling; Alec Hendrickson, head JH boys’ track; Thomas Herron, head JH girls’ track; Tiffanie Gaines, technology coordinator; Shauna Farmer, HS FB and BB cheer sponsor; Jennifer Vogler JH FB and BB cheer sponsor; Jeremy Palmer, assistant JH FB, Thomas Herron, assistant JH VB; Ethan Sickels, assistant JH girls BB; Mark McMahon, assistant JH wrestling; Phil Vogler, head summer weight program; Dalton Jones, assistant summer weight program; Jeremy Palmer, FFA sponsor; Crystal Goins, FCCLA sponsor; Shauna Farmer, concession stand manager; Thomas Herron, student council sponsor; Trudy Herron, HS scholar bowl; Abby Palmer, instrumental and vocal music; Thomas Herron, JH scholar bowl; Kerri Acton, HS play; Tiffanie Gaines, FBLA sponsor; Amy Skillen, yearbook sponsor; Abby Palmer, marching auxiliary; Jennifer Vogler, dance team; Amy Skillen, Kristi Herron, and Michelle Garst, website management; Jackie Miller and Megan Bebb, NHS sponsors; Shauna Farmer and Tawni Ellis, peer counselor sponsors; Shauna Farmer, Rachel Jenkins, and Shawn Shineman, junior class sponsors; Richard Fentiman, Tiffanie Gaines, and Thomas Herron, senior class sponsors.

After reviewing the master activity calendar it was noted there are scheduling conflicts with the May regular meeting. The May meeting was rescheduled to Monday, May 13, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.