Mar 27, 2008

Near the end of each school year, Ava R-I board members are provided an overview of utility costs for the current school year via a report that provides general comparisons of heating and cooling expenses. This budget formality is presented by the superintendent each year, and most generally the update garners little attention. However, the report carried a different tone last Thursday evening during the school board meeting as the Sho-Me Power rate increase threatens to change the school's utility expenditures by thousands of dollars. The new electrical rate structure, which goes into effect next week, will impact Ava R-I Schools with a significant increase in utility costs. School administrators are expecting the increase to be an additional $80,000 to $100,000 each year. School board members held a special closed session meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 25, when the board finalized a decision and offered the high school principal position to assistant principal, Teresa Nash. Nash will fill the principal position for the 2008-09 school year. Nash has served as assistant principal in Ava High School for four years A candidate search to fill Nash's position as assistant principal in the high school is presently underway. Last Thursday board members rehired the current teaching staff, and filled extra-duty positions. A resignation was accepted from Cynthia Cole, middle / high school French and Spanish teacher, and retirement letters were accepted from Verl Smith, high school science teacher, and fourth-grade teacher Corrine Ellison, a 34-year veteran. Annette Copeland, a certified elemenŽtary education teacher and frequent substitute teacher at Ava schools, was employed as second grade teacher for the remainder of this year. Copeland has been employed to assume the classroom responsibilities held by Tawnya VanDyne. Mrs. VanDyne, a teacher at Ava for six years, was killed recently in a single-car accident north of Ava. A contract was offered to Sarah Calhoun, a recent Missouri State University graduate, who has been selected to fill the high school band teaching position. Calhoun, who completed her student teaching at Marshfield and Pershing high schools, is from Independence, Mo. and is a graduate of Truman High School. A middle school band director will also be employed. Construction on the performing arts center/storm shelter building has begun to make progress now the weather has improved, Dr. Andy Underwood reported. Harsh winter storms and unforeseen construction delays took a toll on the building timeline and the project is presently 45-days behind schedule. Underwood said he was encouraged this past week with the progress being made and the walls going up. Thirteen percent of the building project is now completed. A career ladder review was presented by elementary teacher Suzette Litwiller, and board members accepted the program as presented. No changes were recommended. In her presentation, Litwiller noted Ava schools are privileged to enjoy a well-rounded certified staff of experienced teachers, citing 58 teachers in the system have a masters or upper level degree. Board members adopted a salary schedule for principals, assistant principals and program directors, and new guidelines designated a salary range for each administrative position. Dr. Underwood said the salary schedule establishes a base starting pay for each job position, and creates a standard for relating starting salary to experience and qualifications. Underwood explained the salary guidelines will not only establish an equitable system for internal use and evaluation, but will also help the school system be competitive within the region. Salary ranges were approved as follows: Assistant elementary principal, $50,000 - $60,000; Elementary principal, $60,000 - $70,000; Assistant middle school principal, $55,000 - 65,000; Middle school principal, $65,000 - $75,000; Assistant high school principal, $60,000 - $70,000; High school principal, $72,500 –– $62,500; Special education director, $60,000 - $70,000. MAP testing for third and fourth-grade students at Ava Elementary begins Monday, April 14, and continues for two weeks, said elementary principal Diane Premer. Testing time schedules will be sent home with the students. Premer informed the board she had recently attended a workshop in Springfield, entitled, Response To Intervention. The class provided insight on how to intervene for students with academic needs and / or learning disabilities, and to help these students achieve grade level function. Four elementary teachers also attended the workshop. In the high school, Principal David Rickner reported the Renaissance Assembly was held February 27, and 362 students were recognized for accomplishments. In his report, Rickner also noted several student accomplishments – students of the month were Allana Engelhardt and John Spurlock; and citizens of the month, Jessica Curtis and Bradley Mills; and high school students Wil Shrable, Jake Rieken, Nichole Eaves, Sierra Sharp and Helaman Higley were successful in the FBLA District Competitions, and will compete at state competition April 20-22 in Columbia. Brad Plackemeier, middle school principal, informed board members volleyball and basketball clinics have been held at the middle school campus, free of charge. The sessions were offered after school. Track and field athletes have started spring workouts in preparaŽtion for their first meet March 31, and middle school team members will host the annual meet on April 22, 4 p.m. Plackemeier also congratulated the middle school Destination Imagination team for qualifying for state competition in April. In a 6-0 vote, board members continued the depositary agreement with Great Southern for one year. School administrators were also granted authority to reapply for grant money through Title II-D Emints program. Dr. Nancy Lawler said she felt the school had a better chance this year for receiving the technology grant, and would like to reapply. The grant, which offers up to $400,000 the first year, and $150,000 the second year, would be used for communication arts in grades 6-10, with the program expanding to fifth-grade in the second year. According to Lawler, the grant plan allows Ava to create interactive classroom environŽments, and implement technology upgrades that would incorporate Smart Board technology into the classrooms. Upon recommendation from Dr. Underwood, the board adopted the Special Education Compliance Plan as set forth by the State. And, as a scheduling reminder, Underwood noted the Spring MSBA Region 15 meeting is April 28, in Hartville. Dr. Underwood also asked board members to note the school's drug testing policy was several years old and an appropriate time to review the program. The school board adopted the extra-curricular and co-curricular activities random drug testing policy in Sept. 2004. Board members attending the meeting were Don Scrivner, John Wallace, Judy Lovan, Bill Heath, Randy Ross and Jeff Davis. Rick Ritter was absent. The next meeting of the board will be the swearing-in of new board members and election of officers scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. The next business meeting will be held Thursday, April 17, 6:30 p.m. Both meetings will take place in the administration building.