Feb 28, 2008

In spite of the fact school was cancelled and icy conditions were still prevalent throughout the area, Ava R-I School Board members met last Thursday to take care of business and monthly bills. Board members also formulated a list of projects for the long range facility improvement plan, and prioritized the top ten for the 2007-08 school year. During closed session, three resignations were tendered and accepted by the board, including a retirement resignation from Linda Curtis. Curtis, who has been employed with Ava Schools for 12 years, worked in the high school cafeteria. Resignations were also accepted from David Rickner, high school principal, and Marsha Aborn, parent as teacher educator. The board voted to rehire middle school principal Brad Plackemeier; Dr. Nancy Lawler, assistant middle school principal; Bob Rogers, elementary assistant principal; Diane Premer, elementary principal; and Teresa Nash, assistant principal in the high school. Each year school board members develop a list of projects in conjunction with the five year campus/facility improvement plan. Selections are set in February, and the chosen projects are earmarked for implementation during the year. Items selected for the 2007-08 list were noted and prioritized as follows: 1) cafeteria roof replacement; 2) all-weather track; 3) window replacement in middle school building; 4) replace restrooms at football stadium; 5) entrance cover for middle school gymnasium; 6) up¬grade sidewalks; 7) renovate bath¬rooms, K-12; 8) technology upgrades; 9) replace heating-ventilation-air conditioning system in high school library and middle school cafeteria; 10) replace exterior doors in the high school building. Future fulfillment of the list is based on costs, finances, need and opportunity. In the superintendent's report, Dr. Andy Underwood said student attendance was down slightly. He also noted the school calendar may need to be changed next month if bad weather conditions persist and school cancellations continue. Two protected holidays remain on the school calendar in March and April, and a change could be implemented if needed. However, Underwood said he was going to inquire about state legislation which would allow the school district two-for-one make up days. This legislation was passed last year and Underwood said he would have details next board meeting so the board could consider the option and know exactly what the trade-off would be for the Ava school system. Underwood provided board members with concrete test results and specs for the storm shelter / performing arts center building. In the overview, Underwood said the walls will be 16 inches thick with rebar reinforcement between the blocks. The building exterior will be split-faced block in two colors–coordinated tones called parchment and iron mountain. Underwood commented recent weather conditions have prevented construction crews from working on site, a factor that continues to impact deadlines. In an effort to expedite the change order process and keep construction moving forward, board members adopted a FEMA resolution that allows Dr. Underwood to oversee change orders of $10,000 or less. This action should help alleviate delays in the decision making process, and allow construction change orders to be handled in a timely fashion, bypassing board approval. Board members approved a for¬giveness policy for hourly-wage employees, opting to pay 3 ˝ days of wages for time missed during the recent ice storm. Principal Brad Plackemeier reported middle school students will have Map testing April 14-18, and April 21. Plackemeier also recognized two seventh-grade students Jimmy Roffman and Josh Freeman, who were recently recognized by Duke University Talent Search program for outstanding scores on the ACT test. Diane Premer, principal, Ava Elementary, noted second quarter awards honored 234 students with honor roll ribbons, and recognized 101 elementary students and eight staff members for perfect attendance. Elementary students also made gains in the STAR test moving reading scores from 67 percent in the first quarter, to 87 percent last quarter, reading on grade level. Principal David Rickner gave an overview of recent high school activities including information about a recent assembly for juniors and seniors entitled, "Making College Count". In his report, Rickner recognized Bradley and Brandon Mills for 1st and 2nd place wins at the Annual South Central Missouri Chess Tournament; Chamber students of the Month, Taylee Kjar and Brian Heier; and Citizens of the Month, Kristy Sigafoos and Austin Evans. The board approved the Career Education Program review as pre¬sented by Principal Rickner, and the Libraries Program Review, as presented by Principal Plackemeier. Pam Raby, instructor for the Ava Adult Education and Literacy center, a program commonly referred to as the AEL Center or the GED place, appeared before school board members to ask for program support. Raby said West Plains R-7 School District has administered the program in Ava since 2003, but now the R-7 Dis¬trict is no longer interested in administrating the Ava site. Consequently, Raby was looking for program support or partnership opportunities to keep the program going in this area. During each meeting, board members acknowledge a special learning program or teacher. This month the board spotlight focused on the elementary music program, and some of the curriculum being offered in the lower grade levels. Music teacher Barbara Deegan made the presentation. Board members present for the meeting were Don Scrivner, John Wallace, Judy Lovan, Bill Heath, Randy Ross, Jeff Davis and Rick Ritter. The next meeting of the school board is Thursday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m., in the administration building, on the Ava campus.