Superintendent Ethan Sickels administered the Oath of Office to new board members Reven Herron, left, and Jared Meyerkorth, right.

The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held organization and regular meetings April 15, 2021. Superintendent Ethan Sickels called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of the elementary school building. Board members in attendance were Joanna Burke, Jeremy Davis, Regan Griffin, Dan Lucas, Afton Schomburg, Reven Herron, and Jared Meyerkorth. Also present were High School Principal Donnie Parsons, Elementary Principal Steve Waigand, Board Secretary Debbie Young, and W.C. Farmer with the Atchison County Mail.

The agenda was adopted.

Superintendent Sickels administered the Oath of Office to Reven Herron and Jared Meyerkorth. Following pictures, W.C. Farmer left the meeting.

Jeremy Davis was elected president and Dan Lucas was elected vice-president.

The minutes of the regular meeting of March 11, 2021, were approved, and Mr. Sickels reviewed the financial information for the month ending March 2021. The transfer of funds, the March final check register, the April check register to date, and the activity account checks were approved. During communications, Mr. Sickels read a thank you note from the family of Deene Lawrence, and presented letters of resignation effective at the end of the 2020-2021 school year from Jacob Erdman, Shelby Garst, Alec Hendrickson, Sydney Rains, and Megan Rainey.

Mr. Waigand reported March attendance was 94.44% (178 students). The MAP testing schedule was reviewed. This month’s Energy Bus Principle is “Love Your Passengers.” Students sharing love and kindness to others were recognized on April 12 during the virtual Energy Bus Rally. May’s Energy Bus Principle is “Enjoy the Ride.” The school’s special education compliance review for the year is complete and in compliance. Mr. Waigand extended a special thank you to the special education team on a job well done. Preschool screenings were held March 18 and 19. Kindergarten screenings were held March 25 and 26. Kindergarten and preschool round-ups will be Friday, April 30. Good luck to Leah Meyerkorth and Lily Wilroy at the 275 Conference Spelling Bee competition in Oregon on April 26. Several upcoming dates and activities were reviewed as well as staff professional development.

Mr. Parsons reported high school enrollment and attendance through April 9, 2021, is 93.92% (146 students). The following staff positions are open for the 2021-2022 school year: JH Social Studies, JH Math, and a Special Education Paraprofessional. He also reported on prom activities. Graduation is scheduled for May 26, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. in the south gymnasium of the high school. Graduates are allowed to bring guests and masks will be required. The graduation will be live-streamed on RPHS YouTube. The high school drama department will be presenting “Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare” on May 5, 2021. The play will also be livestreamed on the RPHS YouTube. Athletic/Activity updates: High School Scholar Bowl ended their regular season undefeated with an 18-0 record and are the 275 Conference Champs with Ethan Lucas and Bannack Skillen named to the All 275 Conference first team; High school track districts will be held at St. Joseph Christian and sectionals will be held at Higginsville; the FFA Entomology Team of Joey Herron, Ethan Lucas, Gabriel Abbott, and Lauren Kelly qualified for state; Stevie Pritt and Anneliese Clauson were inducted as Area FCCLA officers; and Ryan Lucas and Angylena Owens will represent RPHS as the 275 Conference Spelling Bee. Several upcoming dates and events were reviewed.

Mr. Sickels stated the monthly program evaluation report is Student Athletics/Activities. The years of service recognition awards for certified staff were reviewed. Graduation was discussed. Mr. Sickels reported ACES would be adding the services of a certified teacher for the visually impaired for the 2021-2022 school year. He stated the current mask protocol seems to be working well for the students and staff and will remain in effect until the end of the school year. Mr. Sickels updated the board on the status of pending state legislation affecting public education, and reported on the ESSER III allocations. MSHSAA by-laws regarding cooperative sponsorships were discussed during board member reports.

The board proceeded to address several items of new business. Action was taken to certify the graduating class of 2021 pending the completion of all requirements per board policy IKF; to approve the 2021-2022 Professional Development Committee goals; to approve the group medical insurance renewal and plans offered for the 2021-2022 school year; and to approve the 2021-2022 MSBA membership renewal. Consideration was given to the purchase of a new elementary phonics program with action taken to approve the bid from Really Great Reading for $14,797.08 for preschool through third grade. Consideration was given to the purchase a school bus with action taken to approve the purchase of a used 2018 Blue Bird school bus for $62,000.00 from Central States Bus Sales. Consideration was given to the substitute teacher pay rate for 2021-2022 with action taken to approve an increase of $10 per day. Substitute teacher pay for 2021-2022 will be $90 per day with an increase to $100 per day for long-term substitute assignments.

Consideration was given to employment of personnel. Recommendations were presented and action was taken to extend 2021-2022 teaching contracts to Kendall Carpenter for the Grade 2 vacancy and to Dalton Jones for the JH Social Studies vacancy. Action was taken to approve offers of employment to the non-certified staff members as presented with employment agreements for the 2021-2022 school year to be extended to Debbie Clodfelter, Patricia Crawford, Georgia Criger, Richard Fentiman, Danny Fischer, Cindie Gaines, Michelle Garst, Emily Graham, Steve Grossman, Valeria Grossman, Mary Hale, Wendy Hays, Carol Herron, Kristi Herron, Tisha Jackson, Mark McMahon, Richard Morgan, Debbie Sly, Dixie Teten, and Debbie Young. Action was also taken to approve employing Trejan Criger as a temporary summer custodial worker for 2021. Recommendations were presented and action was taken to extend 2021-2022 extra-duty contracts as presented by Mr. Parsons as follows: Shauna Farmer, MOSIS/PowerSchool coordinator; Shauna Farmer, concession stand manager; Tiffanie Gaines, technology coordinator; Amy Skillen, Kristi Herron, and Michelle Garst, website management; Shauna Farmer and Tawni Ellis, peer counselor sponsors; Kerri Acton, HS play; Jeremy Palmer, FFA sponsor; Crystal Goins, FCCLA sponsor; Tiffanie Gaines, FBLA sponsor; Abby Palmer, instrumental and vocal music; Abby Palmer, marching auxiliary; Thomas Herron, student council sponsor; Amy Skillen, yearbook sponsor; Megan Bebb, NHS sponsor; Jennifer L. Vogler, Megan Bebb and Jeremy Palmer, senior class sponsors; Trudy Herron, Dalton Jones, and Jenny Rueckert, junior class sponsors; Rachel Jenkins, high school football and basketball cheer sponsor; Angela Mace, cross country; Dalton Jones, head high school football; Shawn Shineman, assistant high school football; Ethan Sickels, girls’ golf; Thomas Herron, head high school volleyball; Rachel Jenkins, assistant high school volleyball; Sheena Roup, junior high football and basketball cheer sponsor; Stephen Gaines, head junior high football; Jeremy Palmer, assistant junior high football; Rachel Jenkins, head junior high volleyball; Thomas Herron, assistant junior high volleyball; Aaron Carpenter, head high school boys’ basketball; Dalton Jones, assistant high school boys’ basketball; Emily Graham, head high school girls’ basketball; Gary Davis, assistant high school girls’ basketball; Mark McMahon, head high school wrestling; Ethan Sickels, assistant high school wrestling; Shauna Farmer, dance: Stephen Gaines, head junior high boys’ basketball; Sammantha Giddinge, assistant junior high boys’ basketball; Maddy McPhillips, head junior high girls’ basketball; Gary Davis, assistant junior high girls’ basketball; Thomas Herron, junior high scholar bowl; Chris Gebhards, head junior high wrestling; Shawn Shineman, boys’ golf; Rachel Jenkins, head high school girls’ track; Emily Graham, head junior high girls’ track; and Dalton Jones, summer weight program. The remaining vacancies are to be filled in the near future.

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