Ethan Sickels, Rock Port R-II Superintendent, left, presented Dan Lucas, right, with a plaque in appreciation for his six years of service to the Rock Port R-II Board of Education. His efforts and dedication to the Rock Port School District have been of great service to the community.

The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held a regular meeting  March 10, 2022. Vice-President Dan Lucas called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the board room. Others in attendance were Joanna Burke, Regan Griffin, Reven Herron, and Afton Schomburg. President Jeremy Davis and member Jared Meyerkorth were absent. Also present were Elementary Principal Steve Waigand, High School Principal Donnie Parsons, Superintendent Ethan Sickels, Secretary Debbie Young and the following guests: Kayla Sierks and Katey Kroeger.

The agenda was adopted and the minutes of the regular meeting of February 10, 2022, were approved. Mr. Sickels reviewed the financial information for the month ending February 2022. The transfer of funds, February final check register, the March check register to date and the activity account checks were approved. During Communications Katey Kroeger addressed the board with concerns regarding the sixth grade students participating in junior high MSHSAA sponsored activities next school year. Mrs. Kroeger then left the meeting. Mr. Sickels presented certificates to the board members in recognition of School Board Appreciation Week, and a plaque was presented to retiring board member Dan Lucas. Mr. Sickels reviewed the OPAA monthly newsletter, and presented the following letters of resignation: Megan Rainey, effective March 17, 2022, and Michelle Hogue, effective at the end of the 2021 – 2022 school year.

Mr. Waigand reported elementary attendance for February was 93.9% (203 students). The Energy Bus Rally was held February 28 and students who were transforming negativity were recognized. This month students will be learning more about Principle #6 – Love Your Passengers. They are focusing on the T.H.I.N.K. motto. (Before we speak, ask ourselves if what we are about to say is: True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and/or Kind?) Students earned 1,119.2 points in February and were at 6,072.6 points through the end of February. The school wide goal for the elementary is 9,000 AR points. When the goal is met bounce houses will be brought in for a day of fun. Gideon Hogue won the grades 3-4 spelling bee competition and will represent Rock Port at the 275 Conference Spelling Bee in April. Archer Meyerkorth was the runner-up. Read Across America Week was celebrated with a book character dress-up day and parade. In addition, upper grade levels were paired with lower grade levels to read books with a partner. March 11 marks the end of the third quarter. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday, March 17. Mr. Palmer and the FFA members were thanked for hosting several activities and events for National FFA Week. The petting zoo, doughnuts, tractors, and breakfast were fan favorites among the students and staff. Several upcoming dates were noted along with staff professional development.

Mr. Parsons reported high school attendance through March 5 was 94.32% (143 students). Overall, student and staff attendance has been great. Play and spring sports practices are in full swing, teachers are gearing up for MAP/EOC testing, and everyone is itching to spend more time outside. All RPHS juniors completed the ACT. Winter sports accomplishments were noted: Colten Stevens and Caleb Lucas qualified for state wrestling; Holden Farmer, Micah Makings, and Aidan Burke received All-Conference basketball honors, and Holden Farmer was selected for All-District basketball. Mr. Parsons reviewed the spring sports numbers and reviewed updates from MSHSAA and the latest 275 Conference meeting. Several upcoming dates and activities were highlighted.

Mr. Sickels stated the monthly program evaluation report is on compensation and benefits which will be discussed during new business. He reported on pending school related legislation currently being discussed in Jefferson City. Mr. Sickels discussed information he received regarding the schedule of activities related to bond issues. Board members were reminded the next meeting is Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

The board proceeded to address several items of new business.

Action was taken to approve the OPAA! Food management agreement, to approve 2021 – 2022 budget amendments, and to approve the 2022 – 2023 preliminary budget. Mr. Sickels reviewed the proposed certified salary schedule with a base salary of $34,500.00. Following a brief discussion, action was taken to approve the 2022 – 2023 certified salary schedule as presented, to approve the administrator and non-certified minimum salary schedule, to approve the 2022 – 2023 work calendar, and to approve an increase in the board-paid group medical insurance to $500.00 per month. Consideration was given to board policy GCBDA regarding professional staff leaves with no action taken. Action was taken to approve an increase of $10.00 per day to $100.00 per day for substitute teachers and $110.00 per day for long-term substitutes for the 2022 – 2023 school year. Action was also taken to accept the resignation of Ethan Sickels from his extra-duty contract as assistant baseball coach. Following a brief discussion of future business items, the board adjourned to executive session for personnel matters. Upon returning to open session, the board reported action was taken in executive session to approve the minutes of the executive sessions of January 13, 2022, and February 10, 2022. Action was then taken to extend contracts for the 2022 – 2023 school year to all tenured teachers; to the following non-tenured teachers: Kendall Carpenter, Patricia Crawford, Dylan Dittman, Carrie Driskell, Kelli Holstine, Dalton Jones, Jeremy Palmer, Sheena Roup, Jenny Rueckert, Mikaela Sons, Molly Spiegel, Rachel Stanton, and Jennifer Vogler; and to the following part-time retirees: Jackie Miller and Wayne Moore. Action was also taken to extend extra-duty contracts for the 2021 – 2022 school year for assistant baseball coach to Tad Gebhards and Jordan Shrader.