The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held a regular meeting January 14, 2021. President Jeremy Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of the elementary building. Other members present were Joanna Burke, Rich Dewhirst, Regan Griffin, Harold Lawrence, Dan Lucas, and Afton Schomburg. Also in attendance were Superintendent Ethan Sickels, High School Principal Donnie Parsons, and Board Secretary Debbie Young.

The agenda was adopted and the minutes of the regular meeting of December 10, 2020, were approved. Mr. Sickels reviewed the financial information for the month ending December 2020. The transfer of funds, the November final check register, the December check register to date, and the activity account checks were approved. Mr. Sickels presented a certificate from MSBA to Joanna Burke for completing the required new board member training. 

It was noted that Mr. Waigand was supervising the high school basketball games. His report was reviewed in his absence. December attendance was 95.45% (180 students). Reading screening meetings for grades K-4 were held on January 5. Mrs. Mertens, Mrs. Dougherty, Mr. Waigand, and classroom teachers met to review reading data and make changes to services as needed. It is powerful to see the growth in student skills . . . a testament to the hard work daily by teachers and students, even in a year like this one. Teachers returned to school January 4-5. Professional development on dyslexia signs/symptoms and suicide intervention was scheduled. Teachers prepared for the upcoming weeks in class and the NWEA winter assessment session. CSIP subcommittees also met to draft goals for the overall plan. Ms. Rains, Mrs. Pankau, Mrs. Herron, Mrs. Robertson, and Mrs. Ellis attended the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training on January 5 that was hosted at Rock Port R-II School. A staff meeting was held January 5. Items discussed were S.T.A.R. (Smile, Take a deep breath, And Relax) breathing technique, continuation of the mask mandate, 2021-22 draft calendar, and beginning conversations on K-12 discipline terminology/expectations. Upcoming dates were reviewed. 

Mr. Parsons reported high school enrollment and attendance through 1/8/21 is 93.96% (152 students). Total enrollment is down three students. At the end of the first semester two students moved out, but two new students moved in. Three seniors graduated in December. MSHSAA updates to wrestling, basketball, and scholar bowl were noted. Several upcoming dates and events were reviewed.

Mr. Sickels reviewed the monthly program evaluation report on transportation. He presented the 2021-2022 school district calendar for the second reading. Mr. Sickels noted the third reading of the 2021-2022 calendar would occur at the February board meeting after which it will be presented for approval. Since state statute no longer allows school districts to set the first day of school more than 14 days prior to the first Monday of September, no calendar hearing will be required. Mr. Sickels reminded the board that the next meeting is set for noon on February 11, 2021, with board members scheduled to visit classrooms prior to the meeting. He will be preparing a schedule for the board members who are available that day. Mr. Sickels reported on information he received at the monthly superintendent’s meeting including information on additional ESSR Cares funding to be distributed by DESE. He will keep the board updated when he receives additional information regarding the amount and timing of the revenue.

The board proceeded to address several items of new business. Action was taken to set May 16 at 1:30 p.m. as the date and time for the 2021 graduation ceremony, to approve 2020-2021 budget amendments, and to approve Makenna Farmer as the district’s MUSIC Scholarship applicant. Consideration was given to mowing bids for the 2021 mowing season. Mr. Sickels stated he received one bid and action was taken to approve the bid from Ron Owen. Consideration was given to Category I and II E-Rate service/equipment providers. Mr. Sickels presented the bid evaluation worksheets and action was taken to approve the bids from Midwest Data Center. Action was taken to extend the contract of Superintendent Sickels by one additional year through the 2022-2023 school year. Following a brief discussion of future business items, the meeting was adjourned.