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Sheldon R-8 board member resigns
The Sheldon R-8 School board authorized the purchase of a new refrigerator and warming oven, reviewed Missouri Assessment Program and End of Course test data, discussed filling the board vacancy, approved purchase of new uniforms for the baseball and softball teams, the need to hire a paraprofessional and a post meeting tour of the spruced up shower rooms.
"A large refrigerator in the kitchen has been literally, losing its cool," said Jason Irwin, superintendent. "The technician who came out, found a hole in the coil, while I found a label that said the unit was manufactured in the fourth quarter of 1991. So I think we got our money's worth and its time to look at purchasing a new one."
Board member Michelle Claflin asked about the warming oven and was told that attempts at repair failed and that it too needed replacing.
"We really use and need that at the harvest dinner," said Claflin. "And I think, with a few phone calls, the PTO could put in some money for a new warming oven."
On a vote of 5-1, the board directed Mr. Irwin to find the best value for the purchase of a new refrigerator and warming oven.
Board president Jarod Lamb voted against the measure saying, "I think this is part of the basic equipment of the school and so we should buy it outright without the assistance of any other group. While I'm grateful for their school spirit, I think it's our job to meet needs like this and let them use their money for other projects."
Devin White, assistant principal, gave a power point presentation on the Missouri Assessment Program and End of Course test data from the end of last year.
"Because we are already teaching some subjects according to the new Missouri Learning Standards but we are still being tested for a while longer according to the old standards, it's not all that useful to compare this year's scores with those of previous years," said White.
Scores were reviewed for grades three through eight in English, language arts and mathematics. An additional test on science is given to those in grades five and eight. There are high school end of course tests in English, algebra, geometry, U.S. history and government as well as biology and personal finance.
"Overall, our students are doing fairly well but there is a room for improvement," said White. "As Carolyn [Carolyn Compton, school principal] and the teachers implement the new curriculum and the tests are based on those new standards, we will have a better baseline for comparison, but for now, as you can see, students learn here at Sheldon."
"When I hear kids say that Sheldon isn't a good school or they don't teach you anything or you can't go to college, I just don't buy it," said Claflin. "They have to apply themselves to do well anywhere and each year we have people go to college and there are plenty of people who go into fields requiring math and science. This is a good school."
Due to scheduling conflicts, board vice-president, Joanne Dedrick, submitted her resignation.
"We posted notices here in the school, at city hall and at the post office," said Irwin. "So far, we've had one person express interest and I've asked that person, and I'll ask any others who do as well, to come and speak to you at the November board meeting and then you can elect one.
Mr. Irwin said only the baseball and softball teams have not been given new uniforms but the Athletic Booster Club is willing to purchase them. This received unanimous approval.
With the recent admission of two new students, Irwin said there is a need for hiring a new paraprofessional; this was authorized.
With the end of the first quarter fast approaching, parent-teacher conferences will be held on Oct. 19 from 4-7 p.m. and the next day from 1-6 p.m. School dismisses at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 20, and there is no school on Friday, Oct. 21.
The annual Harvest Dinner will be on Monday, Nov. 14, from 5-7 p.m.
In the principal's report, Compton told the board nine Future Farmers of America students were gong to attend the national convention in Indianapolis, on Oct. 19-22. Students will travel with other area schools.
Compton described the work to date by the Advisory Council whose goal is to create a new mission and vision statement for the school; about 30 people attended.
"The groups rotated through stations covering facilities, extracurricular, curriculum and instruction, school programs and college and career readiness, brainstorming their ideas on what a perfect school would look like or what changes and additions thy would like to see in that particular area. To close the meeting, they shared the top three suggestions from each area," Compton said.
The overall level of student attendance was 96.68 percent last year while this year it stands at 96.89 percent, Compton told the board. She also talked about the school's upcoming observance of the anti-drug, Red Ribbon Week.
White gave the athletic director's report featuring a review of the brackets for the district volleyball tournament at Liberal on Oct. 17 and 18. He reviewed junior high basketball, cross country and a Wednesday night victory by Sheldon in a scholar bowl event at Bronaugh. The fall sports banquet has been tentatively set for Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
A month ago, the superintendent had submitted to the board 11 policies and five regulations for action this month. Many, such as students reciting the pledge of allegiance each day, seniors having to take and pass a 100 question civics test to graduate, students receiving cardiopulmonary/Heimlich maneuver training and increased suicide prevention efforts are mandated by new state laws, along with other recommended policies and regulations.
The staff dinner is tentatively set for Dec. 15, with the last day of school for the calendar year being the next day. The auditing firm of DSWA will conduct a financial audit on Oct. 24 and 25. After the meeting some board members toured the spruced up boys and girls shower rooms.