The Rock Port R-II Board of Education held a regular meeting November 12, 2019. President Jeremy Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Other members present were Afton Schomburg, Ken Miller, Harold Lawrence, Rich Dewhirst, and Dan Lucas. Member Clay Vogler was absent. Also present were Elementary Principal Steve Waigand, High School Principal Donnie Parsons, Superintendent Ethan Sickels, and Board Secretary Debbie Young.

The agenda was adopted and the minutes of the regular meeting of October 10, 2019, were approved. Mr. Sickels reviewed the financial information for the month ending October 2019. The transfer of funds, the October final check register, November check register to date and the activity account checks were approved. Under communications the board received the monthly OPAA newsletter.

Mr. Waigand reported October attendance for the elementary was 96.67% (183 students). Second grade takes the monthly championship with 98.61%. November’s Energy Bus Principle was “Drive with Purpose.” Students are behind the wheel of their bus (responsibility) and have a direction (setting goals); they need to put in the work to get there. The focus this month is on work ethic. An Energy Bus assembly was held November 4. Students who were creating a positive vision were recognized. Congratulations to Mrs. Hughes’ kindergarten class, Mrs. Gilson’s 4th grade class, and Mrs. Weber’s 6th grade class on being the outstanding cafeteria classes for October. The Red Cross presented the Pillowcase Project to all elementary students during discovery classes on November 1. The emphasis was on being prepared during winter storms. The Fall Festival was held October 31 and included a costume parade through the elementary halls and at Pleasant View Nursing Home as well as games and activities provided by the Elementary PTO. Officer Sherwood and the Rock Port Police Department supplied every student with a treat bag that included a safety light for Halloween. Students in preschool, first, and third grades made 911 simulation calls with Deputy Sons, Karen Miller, and the Atchison County Sheriff’s Department October 30. The high school student council is working on a schedule for juniors and seniors to mentor an elementary student once a week. To date 18 high school students have expressed interest. The school’s 13th STEM Showcase was held October 24 highlighting first quarter projects from PLTW classes. Rock Port Elementary’s PLTW Launch story will be highlighted at the national PLTW Summit in Kansas City November 10-12. Community reading volunteers can be seen in the hallways each morning reading to and listening to lower elementary students read to them. A special thank you for their time each week in supporting Rock Port’s young readers. Parent-teacher conferences were held October 17. United Methodist Church is sponsoring a book for every child in the elementary, every month. This is a generous donation and support for students. Several upcoming dates were noted as well as reports on staff professional development.

Mr. Parsons reviewed several upcoming dates and activities. He reported that high school attendance through November 5 was 96.38%. There are 155 students in grades 7-12. Parent-Teacher Conferences were held on October 17; out of 153 students 56% were represented. The high school staff continues DCI curriculum work with NWRPDC. A vaping prevention assembly was hosted by West Nodaway for junior high and high school students. The student council has formed an elementary mentorship program. Interested high school students can participate during dual credit and study hall times. Fall sports post-season: Volleyball – District 16 and 275 Conference champions; Cross Country – Rebekah Lucas and Aubrey Watkins qualified for state. Preliminary winter sports participation numbers were reported. ACT results for 2018-2019 were reviewed as well as the five-year trend for the average ACT scores. Mr. Parsons noted the following: Missouri no longer requires the test; Rock Port still tests 100% of juniors; numbers do not reflect improved scores upon retake; Missouri beat the national average in four of five categories, and Rock Port beat Missouri in the same four of five categories.

Mr. Sickels reported on the meeting of the Football Stadium Steering Committee, and discussed the district’s transportation needs. He stated the district’s audit will be available in December, and he is planning for the auditor to present it at the next meeting which will be December 12 at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Sickels then presented the updated nine-year facility plan along with estimated budget numbers. The monthly evaluation reports were Facilities & Grounds and Assessment Data. He reviewed the 2018-2019 MAP and EOC scores along with the comparison to state and national averages. Mr. Sickels also presented information on the district’s 2019 MSIP5 supporting data. He stated these reports are in a different format from previous years, so more time will be needed to interpret all the data.

Ken Miller reported on items discussed at the quarterly TABS meeting. Dan Lucas reported on the harvest of the school farm and reviewed a website where comparative data is stored for future use by Mr. Palmer and the Vo-Ag classes.

The board proceeded to address several items of new business. Action was taken to approve the final state and federal reports, and to establish December 17, 2019, to January 21, 2020, as dates for filing as a candidate for the Board of Education with the terms of Jeremy Davis, Clay Vogler, and Ken Miller expiring in April 2020. Consideration was given to bids for technology purchases with action taken to approve the purchase of a MacBook Air in the amount of $1,397.00 from Midwest Data Center for the business department. Consideration was given to the purchase of a van for district transportation with action taken to approve the purchase of a new 10-passenger Ford Transit from Tri-State Ford Lincoln in the amount of $31,996.00. Consideration was given to bids for facility maintenance and improvement projects with action taken to approve the quote from Christiansen Painting for bus barn gutters in the amount of $2,865.00, and action was taken to approve the bid from KC Bin & Equipment for 142 high school student lockers in the amount of $19,925.00 delivered and installed. Action was taken to approve amendments to the 2019-2020 budget as presented by Mr. Sickels. Board members reviewed future topics for discussion and the meeting was then adjourned.