The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held a regular meeting Thursday, March 14, 2024. President Regan Griffin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the board room. Other board members present were Afton Schomburg, Joanna Burke (via Zoom), Troy Cook, Jared Meyerkorth, Kayla Sierks, and Reven Herron. Also present were Dr. Bollinger, superintendent; Donnie Parsons high school principal; Dr. Stephen Waigand, Elementary Principal; and Jennifer Welch, board secretary. Guests present were Jennifer Geib, Sheena Roup, Carrie Driskell, Monica Bailey, Chris Horn, and Joshua Haise.
The agenda was adopted and the minutes of the regular meeting February 13, 2024, were approved.
Dr. Bollinger reviewed the financial information. The transfer of funds, February final check register, and the March check register to date were approved.
During communications, Dr. Bollinger presented the board with certificates in honor of School Board Appreciation Week. He also read thank you letters from the family of Mark Cretsinger and the family of Stan Harmon.
Mrs. Carrie Driskell and Mrs. Monica Bailey addressed the board.
Dr. Waigand and Mr. Parsons went over the elementary and high school principals’ report.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Bollinger went over his monthly program evaluation report. This month’s report was over compensation and benefits and was covered in new business.
Kayla Sierks went over the TABS report from the February 21, 2024, meeting.
Chris Horn and Joshua Haise gave a construction update to the board.
Board members took action to approve the Opaa! renewal request, approve the addition of 30 lockers, and approve the snow make-up day to be April 29, 2024.
New Business
Members of the Rock Port Park Board addressed the board regarding a contract for mowing and rent.
Board members voted unanimously to approve the 2024 – 2025 preliminary budget.
Dr. Bollinger discussed the budget projections for the 2025- 2026 and 2026- 2027school years.
Board members approved the 2024 – 2025 certified salary schedule, which includes a 2.84% salary increase to all staff except for the superintendent.
The 2024 – 2025 administrator and non-certified minimum salary schedule and the extra duty pay schedule were approved.
The 2024 – 2025 employee work calendar was also approved.
Executive Session
At 9.14 p.m. board members voted to move to executive session in accordance with RSMo.610.021 Sub-section (3, 13) Personnel Matters. Mr. Parsons left executive session at 9:45 p.m. Following his departure, the high school principal salary was discussed. Mr. Parsons returned to executive session at 9:55 p.m.
The meeting returned to open session at 10:10 p.m.
Board members voted to approve the HR form as presented. The HR form included the retirement of Mrs. Lynn Hunter from Elementary Music and the resignation of Melissa Comstock as elementary custodian.
The HR form also included the hiring of Jordan Christian as the elementary custodian, Thomas Herron for head girls’ track, Dalton Jones for assistant high school boys’ track, Sam Giddinge for assistant junior high boys’ track and assistant high school girls’ track, and Melissa Pierpoint for assistant junior high girls’ track.
Board members voted unanimously to employ the following tenured teachers for the 2024 – 2025 school year: Kari Amthor, Megan Bebb, Shauna Farmer, Crystal Goins, Thomas Herron, Rachel Jenkins, Jeremy Palmer, Kerri Rodriguez, Kymm Bredensteiner, Tawni Ellis, Stephen Gaines, Tiffanie Gaines, Jennifer Geib, Jill Gilson, Leigh Ann Lawrence, Rachel Stanton, Tabitha Waigand, Lisa Weber, Abby Palmer, and Amy Skillen.
The board also voted to employ the following tenured teachers for the 2024 – 2025 school year: Trudy Herron (Reven Herron abstained), and Shawn Shineman (Jared Meyerkorth abstained).
Board members voted unanimously to employ the following non-tenured teachers for the 2024 – 2025 school year: Christin Dush, Dalton Jones, Stephanie Parsons, Katarina Robertson, Kendall Carpenter, Tyne Chaney, Danyal Coon, Laura Forehand, Betsy Larson, Sydney Rains, Sheena Roup, Jennifer Vogler, Jayme Wood, and Jenny Rueckert.
Reven Herron made the motion and Regan Griffin seconded for the renewal contract for Carrie Driskell. Vote was 0 “aye” and 7 “nay.” The motion failed.
Board members voted unanimously to give Mr. Parsons, high school principal, a 12% raise.
Future business was discussed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:29 p.m.
