The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held a regular meeting September 16, 2021.

President Jeremy Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the board room. Others in attendance were Joanna Burke, Regan Griffin, Reven Herron, Dan Lucas, Jared Meyerkorth, and Afton Schomburg. Also present were Elementary Principal Steve Waigand, High School Principal Donnie Parsons, Superintendent Ethan Sickels, Board Secretary Debbie Young, and the following guests: Kendall Carpenter, Dalton Jones, Maddy McPhillips, Brittany Paris, Mikaela Sons, Jennifer Welch, and Carrie Driskell.

The agenda was adopted and the minutes of the tax rate hearing and regular meeting of August 12, 2021, were approved. Mr. Sickels reviewed the financial information for the month ending August 2021. The transfer of funds, August final check register, the September check register to date, and the activity account checks were approved. During communications, Mr. Sickels read thank you notes from Ciara and Jeff Hunter and Molly and Andy Spiegel. During scheduled audience time, the new staff members for the 2021-2022 school year were introduced. Following the introductions, the guests left the meeting.

Mr. Waigand reported elementary attendance for August was 96.3% (202 students). It was a great start to the school year by students and staff. While continuing to utilize physical distancing measures and other means to limit exposure they have been able to return to some normal routines and structures within the building. Mr. Sickels commended the staff on their continued effort, flexibility, and collaboration to support these measures. September’s Energy Bus Principle is “You’re the Driver.” This means taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions. The first Energy Bus assembly will be on September 15 to review the seven leadership principles and introduce some year-long student incentives for math and reading goals. Classroom teachers (grades K-3) are finishing up with early fall reading screenings using the new phonics/phonemic awareness program – Really Great Reading. Classroom teachers, Mrs. Mertens, and Mrs. Spiegel will meet to discuss the results the week of September 20-24. These results help determine Title and tutoring services for the first quarter. Last week they confirmed plans for Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to visit fourth and fifth grade classes on September 21. NWEA Assessments in reading, math, and language for grades 1-6 will begin this week. The final version of the elementary daily schedule was reviewed. Several upcoming dates were noted along with staff professional development.

It was noted that Mr. Parsons was supervising the volleyball match. His report was reviewed in his absence. High school attendance through September 10, 2021, is 96.4% (147 students). The school currently has only one student enrolled in MOCAP. Based on current high school enrollment, Rock Port’s MSHSAA placement will be Class 1 for fall sports. The MSHSAA out-of-season sports practice rules were reviewed. The final junior high/high school daily schedule was reviewed as well as several upcoming dates and events.

Mr. Sickels reviewed the monthly program evaluation reports on the preschool program and on the career/tech education programs including Vo-Tech, Agriculture, Business, and FACS. He reported the food service contractor, OPAA! is currently experiencing supply chain issues with their vendors due to a shortage of drivers. They are supplying the cafeteria through alternate vendors while the issue is being resolved, but the menu options will be limited in the meantime. Mr. Sickels reviewed the current information on COVID from the Atchison County Health Department. Future options for a girls’ softball program were discussed.

The board proceeded to address several items of new business. Action was taken to approve the 2021-2022 bus routes, to approve the 2021-2022 ACES Annual Cooperative Contract Renewal Agreement, and to approve the 2021-2022 Agreement for Special Education Services with the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Consideration was given to TABS committee meetings with members signing up to attend the quarterly meetings scheduled for the 2021-2022 school year. Consideration was given to the greenhouse bids for the career education enhancement grant with action taken to approve the bid from Stuppy, Inc. Consideration was given to bids for the greenhouse concrete foundation with action taken to approve the bid from Gary Davis. Sealed bids for the sale of surplus property were considered with action taken to approve the bid from Michael Goins for the 2009 Dodge van. Action was taken to approve the employment of Tyne Chaney as an elementary paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. Following a brief discussion of future business items, the meeting was adjourned.