Darter discusses Cum Laude model for academic honors with Nevada R-5 Board of Education

Nevada High School Principal Will Darter speaks to the school board about transitioning to a Cum Laude model for NHS academic honors.

Photo by Sarah Haney | Daily Mail Editor

In addition to the hotly debated mask mandate discussed at Wednesday's Nevada R-5 School Board meeting, several other agenda items were discussed and passed.

Nevada High School Principal Will Darter had previously presented a Cum Laude model for NHS academic honors to the school board at the July meeting. It is Darter's vision to transition the high school from the current Valedictorian model to the Cum Laude model.

The board voted 5-0 to table transitiong to a Cum Laude system for another year and requested Darter present to the board every three months on progress regarding rigor and other issues presented with the current Valedictorian model.

In other new business items, the board also unanimously agreed to approve the Springfield Mechanical Support agreement; approve the Professional Development Handbook; approve the list of possible event employees; approve the 2021-2022 Substitute Teacher Handbook as presented; approve the Transportation Handbook; approve the Custodial Handbook; approve the quote of $49,921 from ACME Flooring to replace Truman Elementary's gym floor; approve the Dake-Wells contract revision; approve new MSBA policies; approve a 10 cent increase to school breakfast and lunch prices; approve the transfer of the district’s purchase card account to Arvest Bank from BMO Bank; approve an additional Virtual Education teaching position; and approve district curriculum updates.

It was noted that even though there is a 10 cent increase to breakfasts and lunches district-wide, this will not affect any students this year. Breakfasts and lunches are currently free to all students in the district for the 2021-2022 academic year. Teachers and staff, however, do have to pay for meals.