R-I board sets filing dates, OKs trip planning
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Filing dates have been set by the Palmyra R-I Board of Education for those interested in running for the board.
The board set the dates during their meeting last week, at which they also approved allowing a teacher to plan for a trip to Spain in 2024, approved the district Christmas card and MSBA full maintenance service agreement and heard a report on FFA.
Board filing dates will be from 8 a.m. on Dec. 6 through 5 p.m. on Dec. 27.
Prospective candidates can go to Central Office to sign up. The board office will be closed on Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 for the holidays.
The board approved allowing high school teacher Tracy Fountain to begin work towards a student trip to Spain in June of 2024.
“I have a lot of kids who are interested in it,” said Fountain, noting an information meeting was held last week.
The trip would be an eight-day trip to Barcelona and Madrid.
Current students at the high school could sign up as well as interested 7th and 8th graders.
Fountain credited former teacher, Nick Koetters, who started traveling with students several years ago for getting this off the ground.
“They have gone to Germany, England/Ireland/Wales and Italy,” said Fountain. “We try to go every two years to a different spot.
“Nick and I are joining up so his students from Bowling Green and our students will be on the trip together.”
In other business, the board selected, fourth grader, Kinsley Rife’s Christmas card design to represent the school district’s Christmas card for the 2022-23 school year. Cole O’Brien’s design was selected as the second place finisher.
Both students will receive a gift card from the district for their excellent artwork.
The board approved the MSBA “Full Maintenance Service Agreement” as presented.
According to Superintendent Jason Harper, this agreement allows MSBA to monitor changes in state and federal law and will customize policies to those laws.
MSBA will also monitor board minutes for actions that may warrant a new or revised policy. It will also provide Palmyra R-1 with sample policies, procedures, and forms upon request.
Palmyra R-1 will also have responsibilities such as approving suggested policies and remain a district in good standing, Harper said.
The Palmyra FFA, which has over 100 students participating, gave a report on their program.
There are 135 students taking an ag class at the high school and 116 FFA members at Palmyra R-I.
The FFA officers, which presented the report, went through the three components of an agriculture program. Those include classroom/laboratory activities, FFA, and SAE projects outside of the school setting.
The students added FFA helps develop leadership skills for the students involved, allows for personal growth and sets students up for career success.
The board granted a request from Ava Browning for early graduation.
Browning has the credits she needs and is working towards finishing her associate’s degree.
It was reported the board will hold their annual retreat on Saturday, Dec. 3, during which the board will work with the administrative team on prioritizing both short and long-term goals for the district.
“We will look at instructional practices, facilities and what HR needs the district has,” said Harper. “We are going to review the survey that we will be sending out to the community, students, parents and staff.”
Harper also noted Roger Kurtz, a former superintendent and MCSA officer who has worked with the district for several year, will be facilitating the work session.
The board also briefly discussed the CCC fall sportsmanship survey, however, at this time it is not complete.
They did discuss how the survey works, noting that if any opponent marks another school down in any category, they have to provide a letter of explanation to that school.
The board also
• approved Haley Higgins as the new high school secretary. Kara Hoye, current high school secretary, will move to the SPED/A+ secretary.
• approved Travis Arch and Lance Gauch as voluntary wrestling coaches.
• approved the resignations of elementary paraprofessionals Stacey Webster and Andrea Lanford.
• approved the resignation of Kevin Miles from all coaching duties. (See related article.)
• approved Kinsey Cissna as the EL coordinator. She will be responsible for making sure students who use English as a second language receive the proper support from the district; and
• approved an addition to the substitute teacher list.