Apr 24, 2008

The Ava R-I Board of Education hired several new teachers last Thursday, as well as rehired non-certified employees for the ensuing school year. The board also held a second public hearing on the 2008-09 school calendar prior to trans¬acting the regular monthly business meeting, A resignation was accepted from Jeff Schnackenberg who is retiring from his position as director of the alternative school facility. David W. Williams was hired as assistant high school principal. Williams, who previously taught Spanish at Ava High School, is presently teaching in Nixa. Chris Sacco, a recent graduate of Missouri State University, was hired as middle school band director. Sacco will oversee in¬strumental and vocal classrooms. Several teaching positions were also filled in the elementary school. Carrie Stewart of Ava was engaged as reading intervention specialist. Stewart is currently working in the Chadwick school system teaching Title I reading. Linda Black was hired as a second grade teacher, and brings experience from Bradleyville and Eldon. Debbie Petty, who is presently at Skyline, will teach fourth-grade, and Kim Davis, presently a third-grade teacher at Ava, has opted to move to fourth-grade, creating a vacancy in third-grade. Middle school Principal Brad Plackemeier, spokesperson for the salary committee, presented salary recommendations for the 2008-09 school year. The committee's proposal advised changes in several areas, making recommendations for in-house substitute pay; extra-duty stipends for the advisors of three student organizations; and salary increases for certified staff. The in-house substitute pay plan provided a rate structure for teachers who elect to sub in another classroom during their planning period. The pay rate percentages were stipulated as follows: 25 percent of daily substitute rate or $18.75 in high school; 12.5 percent of daily substitute rate or $9.38 in middle school; and in elementary – 14.29 percent of sub rate or $10.72. Recommendations for extra-duty stipends were noted for Link Crew advisors at 2.9 percent; Future Teachers of America, 2.9 percent; National Honor Society, 5 percent, an increase from 2.9 percent. Proposed salary increases for certified staff encompassed the addition of one step to the top level of the salary schedule; and, a five-percent increase to the base salary, increasing entry level income from $27,879 to $29,273. Plackemeier said the committee felt salary increases were necessary to offset the cost of living increases and insurance premiums. He also noted a raise in the pay scale would help Ava stay competitive with other school districts, as well as help attract quality educators to our community. He stated it would also provide an equitable increase for those at the bottom of the scale that continue to stay loyal to this school district. Salary recommendations were taken under advisement, a final decision will be made at the next board meeting. Last year certified staff received a base increase of 3.6 percent. Dr. Andy Underwood, district superintendent, reported health insurance premiums for next year were increasing again. Individual increases varied between 8 or 13 percent depending on coverage and if the policy was an HMO or PPO. Underwood reported student attendance continues to register 94 percent, which is a problem for the school, as the goal to maintain is 95 percent. Enrollment numbers also continue to decline and have been since 1999, Underwood reported. This year the enrollment count was 1409, and last year, 1445. Underwood informed the board the Children's Vision Commission had made it mandatory for children to have an eye exam as part of the screening process; however, since specific details associated with the program are still being formulated, Ava schools will continue to use the present screening process. With the upcoming Missouri School Board Association (MSBA) meeting in Hartville April 28, school board members selected Jeff Davis as their MSBA delegate for the year. Middle school and high school hand book revisions were presented to board members for consid¬eration. Each board member was directed to review recommended changes for discussion and/or approval during the May meeting. High school Principal David Rickner noted a host of successful student endeavors in his report last Thursday. Some of the students mentioned were: Jessica Smith, chosen to attend Missouri Scholars Academy; April students of the month, Keisha Thompson and Chris Ramsey; and Ashley Elliott and Alyssa Eggleston, two music students who qualified for state competition. Diane Premer, elementary principal, reported sidewalk safety lessons are being provided to elementary students by upper level students. The older students are also serving as mentors by escorting the younger ones to help them apply safety rules and put them into action. Mrs. Premer also congratulated Mrs. Loftin and her third-grade students for achieving the "high attendance" recognition for two consecutive months, February and March. In March, Mrs. Loftin's classroom recorded 10 days of perfect attendance, out of a possible 18 days. Premer said elementary students enjoyed an assembly entitled "On The Inside" with Ronald McDonald and friends March 27, and first-grade students enjoyed their annual Springfield Cardinal baseball game last week. In the middle school, Principal Brad Plackemeier reported the MAP testing schedule for middle school students had changed because the state timeline was extended. The attendance competition in middle grades was won by Mrs. Groover's first-period class, and Mrs. Evans-Frazier's second-period class. Plackemeier noted the business technology classes were writing letters to soldiers in Iraq, and that the students have received several responses to their letters. Jake Dudley placed second in the Missouri Department of Conservation "River of Words" contest. Jake submitted a poem entitled, Mike the Bear. Board members voted to accept the State and Federal assurance statement which stipulates the Ava R-I School Board is responsible for spending federal and state money as dictated in the guidelines. The board was asked to review a number of board policy revisions, changes that most generally arise from legislative actions. They were also given the curriculum for math / communication arts to review. Both items will be discussed at the next regular meeting. School nurses Bonnie Stafford and Wendy Brooke presented an overview of the health service program, outlining many of the various components the health centers provide to students and the type of care required. In their report, a request was made to hire an additional nurse to help balance the work load and numbers of students they treat. A budget need requesting an additional $1,000 for program expenditures was also posed to board members. The nurses were pleased with the increase in staff members who are now trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR, and auto¬mated external de¬fibrillator (AED) equipment. The proposed 2008-09 school calendar, which was discussed at the public hearing April 10, was defeated last Thursday evening with a 4-2 vote. The proposed calendar was contested by ten teachers who vocalized displeasure at the public hearing April 10, and once again during the meeting last Thursday. One of the issues held in opposition by the group was the early start date of August 13. In the final vote on the schedule, Judy Lovan and Don Scrivner voted to accept, and Randy Ross, Randy Spurlock, Jeff Davis, Bill Philpott were opposed. Rick Ritter was absent. The board will convene a special meeting May 15, 6:30 p.m. to reach a consensus on a schedule, and finalize calendar commitments for next year. During last week's meeting, the Professional Learning Community Program was the focus of the board spotlight. As part of the recognition, credit was given to school counselors for developing incentive programs to enhance student attendance. The next regular session of the board is Thursday, May 22, 6:30 p.m.