School Improvement Plan presented during Nevada R-5 board meeting

In a meeting held on Nov. 8, 2023, at the Central Office Board Room, the Nevada R-5 Board of Education addressed various matters concerning the district's progress and future plans.

The meeting commenced at 7 p.m. with President Joy Hawks calling it to order. The agenda was approved, including the minutes of the previous meeting, payment of bills, monthly reports, the sub/volunteer list, and the renewal of the American Rescue Plan. A motion was made and seconded with abstentions, resulting in unanimous approval by the board.

Under Program Planning and Evaluation, the board received a first-quarter update on the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). Mrs. Beshore and Mrs. Townsend provided insights into the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) and End of Course (EOC) exams, focusing on collaboration among teachers to interpret data and formulate growth plans. Additionally, Mrs. Beshore highlighted the utilization of Federal Programs in alignment with CSIP priorities.

In the new business segment, Lt. Col. Eckart, JROTC Instructor at NHS, sought approval to take 40 NHS JROTC cadets to Fort Scott National Cemetery for the Wreaths across America ceremony on Dec. 16. The board also considered NRTC's request to send eight Foundations in Teaching students and one instructor to the Educators Rising National Conference in Washington, D.C., from June 28 to July 1, 2024. Both requests were unanimously approved.

Another item on the agenda was the consideration of the updated District Assessment Handbook presented by Mrs. Beshore and Mrs. Townsend. The handbook reflected changes in names, dates, and aligned with new Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidance. The motion to approve the handbook was seconded and unanimously approved by the board.

The informational items included announcements of retirements and resignations. Diane Blankenship is set to retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, while Jessica Adamson resigned effective Nov. 3, 2023, followed by Kenneth Thron on Oct. 30, 2023, and Ryan Hayes on Nov. 20, 2023.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn to a closed session for personnel matters. Minutes of previous closed sessions were approved, and the board made several employment recommendations. Taylor Cartwright was approved for the maintenance position effective Nov. 9, 2023, and Jayden Douglas for the custodian position pending a background check.

The employment actions and the meeting adjournment were approved with a unanimous roll call vote, concluding the session at 8:17 p.m.