The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held a regular meeting February 13, 2020. President Jeremy Davis called the regular meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. Other members present were Afton Schomburg, Ken Miller, and Rich Dewhirst. Members Harold Lawrence, Dan Lucas, and Clay Vogler were absent. Others in attendance were Superintendent Ethan Sickels, High School Principal Donnie Parsons, Elementary Principal Steve Waigand, Board Secretary Debbie Young, Jill Gilson, Ciara Armstrong, Kaitlea Hastert, and Thomas Herron.

The agenda was adopted and the minutes of the regular meeting of January 16, 2020, were approved. Mr. Sickels reviewed the financial information for the month ending January 2020. The transfer of funds, January final check register, February check register to date, and the activity account checks were approved. During communications certificates were presented to the board members in honor of school board recognition week. Mrs. Gilson, Ms. Armstrong, and Mrs. Hastert presented on the 4th – 6th grade English/Language Arts curriculum, and Thomas Herron presented information from the DESE EOC writing workshop he attended in January.

Mr. Waigand reported January attendance in the elementary was 94.93%. Enrollment is 189 with the addition of two new students in January. An Energy Bus Rally was held February 10 and recognized students who were “Transforming Negativity.” February’s Energy Bus Principle is “Love your Passengers.” Elementary dance camp is going after school the week of February 3-7 and February 10. They will perform at half-time of the girls’ basketball game on February 11. Two powerful forces happened to collide in the elementary world on February 5 – Global School Play Day and the 100th Day of School. 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. “It is amazing to watch our older students interact with younger students,” said Mr. Waigand. The Maradi Mifflin Spelling Bee was held on January 29 for students in grades 5-8. Congratulations to Ryan Lucas (first), Bannack Skillen (second), Brady Cox and Ella Meyerkorth (tie for third). These students represented Rock Port at the Atchison County Spelling Bee on February 5 in Rock Port. Good luck to Bannack Skillen, the overall champion, as he competes at sectionals in St. Joseph on March 7. We participated in the Super Bowl Spirit Week on January 27-31. It appears that helped the Chiefs overcome a fourth quarter deficit to win! Upcoming dates and activities and staff professional development were reviewed.

Mr. Parsons reviewed several upcoming dates and activities. Attendance through February 7 is 95.65% with 162 students in grades 7 – 12. Mr. Parsons commented, “We have blown past mid-term and have our sights set on finishing with a strong third quarter!” Winter sports are winding down; March 2 is the first allowable spring sports practice. RPDC continues to support the school’s curriculum development through DCI. They will be here February 12 for support of core teachers, and Mr. Parsons said they look forward to their assistance with expanded PD days for 2020-21. Athletic Director updates: Osborn will co-op with Stewartsville for all sports starting 2020-21, Rock Port will host District Scholar Bowl on April 18, and we will take track volunteers for meets on April 14 and April 23. Classroom reports were received from Mrs. Gaines, Mrs. Skillen, Mrs. Jenkins, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Miller, and Mr. Herron.

Mr. Sickels presented the monthly program evaluation on the Talented & Gifted Program. He presented the draft of the 2020 – 2021 calendar for a second reading. The calendar hearing will be scheduled prior to the March regular meeting. Mr. Sickels reviewed the MSTA salary table for Northwest Missouri and noted certified contracts would be on the March agenda. He reviewed pending legislation discussed at the last NWMASA meeting. The superintendent growth plan for the 2020-2021 contract year was reviewed.

The board then proceeded to address items of new business. Board policy and regulation updates were considered with action taken to adopt policies 1210, 2640, 4871, and regulation 4871. The board then moved to executive session for personnel matters. Upon returning to open session action was taken to approve contract extensions of one additional year through the 2021-2022 school year for High School Principal Donnie Parsons, and Elementary Principal Steve Waigand. Following a brief discussion of future business items the meeting was adjourned.