The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held a regular meeting February 11, 2021. President Jeremy Davis called the regular meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. in Mr. Moore’s room of the high school building. Other members present were Joanna Burke, Rich Dewhirst, Regan Griffin, Dan Lucas, and Afton Schomburg. Member Harold Lawrence was absent. Others in attendance were Superintendent Ethan Sickels, High School Principal Donnie Parsons, Elementary Principal Steve Waigand, Board Secretary Debbie Young, and Jared Meyerkorth.

The agenda was adopted, and the members moved to the high school computer lab for a presentation by Mr. Parsons and Mr. Waigand on NWEA student testing and reporting. Following the presentation, the members returned to the meeting room where the minutes of the regular meeting of January 14, 2021, were approved. Mr. Sickels reviewed the financial information for the month ending January 2021. The transfer of funds, the January final check register, the February check register to date, and the activity account checks were approved. During communications, members received the Opaa! newsletter, and Mr. Sickels presented certificates to the board members from MSBA and from the Missouri Legislature in honor of School Board Recognition Week.

Mr. Waigand reported January attendance was 96.42% (179 students). A Energy Bus Rally was held February 8 (virtually) and recognized students who were “fueling their rides with positive energy.” February’s Energy Bus Principle is “Transform Negativity.” Global School Play day was on February 3. Students got the opportunity to participate in free play throughout the day with the goals of strengthening their ability to collaborate, work in a team, problem solve, think critically, and use positive communication skills. NWEA Winter Assessments were taken January 11-22. There was great improvement overall and they are gaining ground on the months lost last year. The Maradi Mifflin Spelling Bee was held on January 22 for students in grades 5-8. Congratulations were extended to the winners: Ryan Lucas, 1st; Emma Teten, 2nd; Avery Meyerkorth, 3rd; Bracton Cook, 4th; and alternates Lily Wilroy and Westyn Amthor. The top four spellers go on to the Atchison County Spelling Bee in Tarkio. Robotics Club has started up on Monday afternoons with Mrs. Hunter. Staff professional development as well as several upcoming dates were reviewed.

Mr. Parsons discussed the current science curriculum order of study and shared information from Mrs. Herron regarding Intro to Chemistry, Biology, and Advanced Chemistry and the math proficiency required for each level of study. The end-of-course testing requirements were also reviewed. Mr. Parsons reported high school enrollment and attendance through February 5, 2021, is 94.03% (152 students). COVID protocols are being maintained and no new students have been added to quarantine since returning from break. NWEA testing was completed in late January with good, useable data now available to educators with dozens of report options. New American Government texts are being proposed and a report on recommendations is attached. Winter sports and activity updates were available for wrestling, basketball, scholar bowl and band. Rock Port R-II will be hosting Class 2, District 8 Scholar Bowl on April 17, 2021. Several other upcoming dates and events were reviewed.

Mr. Sickels thanked the board members who were able to participate in the classroom visits prior to the meeting. He reviewed the monthly program evaluation report on Parents as Teachers. He reported the 2021-2022 school district calendar would be presented in March giving the professional development committee and the calendar committee time for discussion prior to presentation of the final calendar. Mr. Sickels reported on pending state legislation and the potential impact on public education. He noted additional CARES-ESSR funding would be available to address the district needs related to responding to COVID-19 as well as addressing student-learning loss and employing or retaining teachers with the deadline of September 30, 2023, to obligate the funds. Mr. Sickels attended the ACES meeting this month where it was announced three new school districts would be joining the co-op. He discussed the remaining inclement weather days built into the 2020-2021 calendar and noted the district will need to begin utilizing AMI days in the near future. Mr. Sickels reviewed the current district salary schedules along with comparisons to other school districts in northwest Missouri. He explained the district currently has salary schedules for classified and administrative positions in the district, although not legally required, and he proposes moving to a minimum salary schedule for each position in the district (excluding certified), with annual raises calculated using the percentage allocated to certified staff raises. Mr. Sickels stated he will have salary recommendations for the March meeting and discussed the various scenarios under consideration. It was noted the TABS meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, at 7:15 a.m.

There were no board member reports.

The board proceeded to address several items of new business. Action was taken to approve the purchase of two cafeteria tables from School Specialty, to approve the purchase of high school American Government textbooks from Savvas Learning Company, and to approve the purchase of a 65” ActivPanel from Haddock for the business department through the 50/50 FV4 grant program. The board moved to executive session for the purpose of principal evaluations. Upon returning to open session, action was taken to extend the contracts of Donnie Parsons and Steve Waigand for one additional year through the 2022-2023 school year.

Following a brief discussion of future business items, the meeting was adjourned.