The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held a regular meeting May 13, 2021. President Jeremy Davis 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, Reven Herron, Regan Griffin, Dan Lucas, Jared Meyerkorth, and Afton Schomburg. Also present were Superintendent Ethan Sickels, High School Principal Donnie Parsons, Elementary Principal Steve Waigand, and Board Secretary Debbie Young.

The agenda was adopted, and the minutes of the organizational and regular meeting of April 15, 2021, were approved. Mr. Sickels reviewed the financial information for the month ending April 2021. The transfer of funds, the April final check register, the May check register to date, and the activity account checks were approved. During communications, Mr. Sickels read a thank you note from Steve Proctor, a thank you note from Jenny Rueckert, and letter from John Davis, President of Tarkio Technology Institute.

Mr. Waigand reported April attendance was 95.90% (178 students). Students in grades three through six finished with MAP tests this week. Several upper elementary students competed in the annual Battle of the Books competition in Tarkio on April 30. He thanked Mrs. Skillen for leading the Rock Port teams in competition again this year. Preschool and kindergarten round-up days were held April 30. Mrs. Gaines, Mrs. Hughes, and Mrs. Lawrence planned many great experiences for the kids that morning. The final Energy Bus Principle #7 “Enjoy the Ride” was celebrated with a virtual video honoring the students selected. Several upcoming dates and activities were reviewed as well as staff professional development.

Mr. Parsons reported high school enrollment and attendance through May 7, 2021, was 93.93% (146 students). MAP and EOC testing is complete with only make-up tests remaining. Teacher appreciation was celebrated the first week of May. Spring sports update: Boys golf competed in districts at Excelsior Springs, and 16 athletes qualified for sectional track at Higginsville on Saturday, May 15. The plan for 2021 commencement was finalized with the location set for the south gym, no attendance limits, and masks required for entry. Results of the recent MSHSAA balloting were reported: beginning in 2022-23 schools will be allowed to add grade six to junior high sports, but grade nine will only be allowed to play at the high school level; a path has been created that allows individuals without 60 college hours to coach; new limits are defined for out-of-season sports practices; and for volleyball the number of nightly sets allowed has been increased from five to six. Several upcoming dates and events were reviewed.

Mr. Sickels stated the monthly program evaluation report was Professional Development. Due to the new CDC guidance, the administration recommended the current mask protocol be dropped for the last week of school. Mr. Sickels updated the board on the status of pending state legislation affecting public education, and reported on the state budget for education. He stated they were waiting on approval for Rock Port’s ESSER II funding, and the ESSER III allocations are still being finalized. He will keep the board informed as additional information becomes available.

The board proceeded to address several items of new business. Action was taken to approve the 2020 – 2021 audit engagement letter from Marsh, Espey & Merrill, P.C.; to approve the 2021 – 2022 Tarkio Technology Institute agreement; to approve the 2021 – 2026 CSIP plan; to approve MSBA board policy updates; to set the 2021 – 2022 preschool tuition at the same level as last year; to approve the five-year subscription quote of $17,287.50 from Really Great Reading for the elementary phonics program; to approve 2020 – 2021 budget amendments; to approve the 2021 – 2022 preliminary budget; and to approve technology equipment purchases for the 2021 – 2022 school year. Mr. Sickels stated he had advertised surplus shop equipment for sale by sealed bid, and he received a response from one individual. He proceeded to open the bid from Louis Bywater, and action was taken to accept the bids of $18, $25, and $35 for three Dewalt Drills and the bid of $47 for a scroll saw.

Consideration was given to employment of personnel. Recommendations were presented and action was taken to extend 2021 – 2022 teaching contracts to Tricia Crawford and Mikaela Sons for elementary special education and to Ashley Grossman for junior high math; to extend a 2021 – 2022 employment agreement to Megan Rainey as a part-time paraprofessional; and to extend 2021 – 2022 extra-duty contracts as follows: Steve Proctor, assistant junior high wrestling; Amy Skillen, high school Scholar Bowl; Chris Millsap, head baseball; Ethan Sickels, assistant baseball; Thomas Herron, head high school boys track; and Dalton Jones, head junior high boys track.

Mr. Sickels announced the June regular meeting scheduled for June 10, 2021 will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the board room. Following a brief discussion of future business items, the meeting was adjourned.