The Thayer Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday night, March 11th. Present were board members Mr. Franz, Mr. Ward, Ms. Carhart, Mrs. Tucker, Mr. Fink, Mr. Underwood, and Mr. Croney, the building administrators Mr. Justus and Mr. Hedden, Superintendent Rod Priest, and guest Mrs. Steffins.
The board reviewed the financial reports and approved to pay the bills in the amount of $214,868.79.
The board of education reviewed and approved policy changes related to newly enacted legislation. Included were protections for foster children, purchasing requirements, professional staff, staff cell phone usage, staff / student relations, and criminal background tests.
The district’s calendar committee submitted a draft for the 2010-2011 school calendar for consideration. The draft would place the first day of school on August 18th and end the year on May 20th. State law requires schools to be in session at least 174 days and 1044 hours. The board will hear public comment on the proposed calendar before final approval at the April board meeting.
In other business, the board accepted the resignation of the elementary art teacher and heard the building principals’ reports. Mr. Hedden at the high school shared with the board and congratulated students on outstanding achievement in two recent academic competitions. The SCA Math/Science relay team placed 2nd in the SCA missing 1st place by only five points. High individual honor went to Macee Smith, 1st place in Biology II, Macee Smith, 1st place in Anatomy/Physiology, Nick Martin, measurement 2nd place, Austin Henry, Biology I 2nd place, and Miranda Redus, Anatomy/Physiology 2nd place. Mr. Hedden also reported that the Quiz Bowl Team placed 3rd in the SCA conference meet with Kelsey Steed finishing in the top 8 toss up questions to receive SCA all conference.
Attendance for the high school for February was at 94.1% with the year to date attendance at 94.26%. Mr. Justus reported the elementary attendance for February at 93.33% and year to date attendance at 94.21%. The district’s goal for attendance is 95% or greater. Enrollment remains steady with 362 enrolled in the elementary school, 93 in jr. high, and 220 in the high school.
Mr. Priest, superintendent, shared financial information with the board that will help in planning for the budgeting process for the next fiscal year, “As it gets further toward the end of the fiscal year the economic outlook continues to cause concern. The state will withhold 2% of our foundation formula in June. This along with reductions in local tax collections will prevent us from reaching our revenue estimates in our budget. Monday at Jefferson City, I was told that revenues are down 14% for the budget cycle compared to last year. The state built a budget on an estimate growth of 3% so in reality the state is 17% short on an approximate 8 billion dollar budget. The state expects to cut another $500 million out of the budget, somewhere. I don’t think we will miss these cuts and the district could see further reductions before the fiscal year ends. We will continue to monitor spending closely.” Mr. Priest added, “With the reduction in state revenues and local revenues down due to lower than anticipated tax collection rates the district could see a shortfall this year in the range of $113,000 and this could reach $141,000 in the next fiscal year unless expenditures are not significantly reduced. Revenues are very difficult to project twelve months out but we have to use the best information we are given today to begin making plans for next year’s budget.” The state legislature will begin working on next year’s budget when they return from spring break on March 15th.
The board thanked the Rotary Club of Thayer – Mammoth Spring for the donation of $7440.66 from their hard work at the football concession stand. The board also thanked the Bank of Thayer for their donation of $150.00 as part of their Fan Club Incentive program.
Unless school is dismissed due to anymore inclement weather, the last day of school will be May 25th. Graduation is still set for May 22nd.
The next regular meeting will be held on April 8th, 2010 at 7:00pm in the high school library.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
February Board Meeting
The Thayer Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday night, February 11th. Present were board members Mr. Franz, Mr. Ward, Ms. Carhart, Mrs. Tucker, Mr. Fink, Mr. Underwood, and Mr. Croney, the building administrators Mr. Justus and Mr. Hedden, and Superintendent Rod Priest. Guests included Mrs. Cotham, Mrs. Young, and Mrs. Steffins.
The board reviewed the financial reports and approved to pay the bills in the amount of $136,093.26.
Mr. Priest shared with the board information on current legislative issues including Sen. Purgason’s proposed constitutional amendment to do away with personal and corporate income taxes and replace them with sales taxes, legislation on open enrollment, and ethics. The Superintendent shared with the board concerns on how overall reduced revenues in the state will affect public schools. This included the Department of Education’s request for $43 million of supplemental appropriations to fully fund the current year’s foundation formula. As of this date the governor was not able to find funds to meet this request. Possible additional withholdings for the current year are possible in addition to the governor’s announced withholdings on February 5th. These withholdings of $73,775,354 included a $2,043,710 cut to the state’s Parents as Teachers Program for the current year.
Mr. Priest added, “It is currently estimated that the next year’s state budget will use approximately $900 million of federal budget stabilization funds. Thus, for FY 2012, it is estimated that the state will be facing a beginning deficit in the neighborhood of $1 billion before netting the gain or loss between revenue growth and basic spending increases. With public education receiving nearly a third of all revenue in the state, we face a funding cliff and public education will not escape cuts if a new funding source is not found.” The constitution of the state of Missouri requires a balanced budget.
In other reports the date for the Distinction of Performance banquet has been set at Missouri University of Science and Technology on March 23rd. This is the fourth year in a row that the Thayer School District has received this honor.
Mrs. Cotham presented to the board revisions to the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan to address the students’ needs, especially in the areas of Instructional Strategies, Special Education and Attendance. And, Mrs. Young presented to the board an addendum to the Professional Development Plan that will address the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.
Mr. Justus presented the Title I evaluation. Title I is a federal program to serve disadvantaged children. The district provides interventions to 92 students with 2 certificated teachers, a preschool program with a teacher and an aide, and 4 teachers used to reduce class sizes.
The board was given a list of board policies to be discussed at next month’s meeting that reflects changes in legislation.
Attendance for the High School for January was at 95.4% and year to date at 94.2%. Mr. Hedden informed the board of the incentive contest that was helping promote perfect attendance not only as individuals but at the grade levels. Enrollment stands at 223 for High School and 93 for Jr. High. Mr. Justus gave attendance for the Elementary school at 93.9% for January and 94.18 YTD. Enrollment for the Elementary stands at 390.
The board voted to offer contracts to the Elementary and High School Principal.
The next regular meeting will be held on March 11, 2010 at 7:00pm in the high school library.
The board reviewed the financial reports and approved to pay the bills in the amount of $136,093.26.
Mr. Priest shared with the board information on current legislative issues including Sen. Purgason’s proposed constitutional amendment to do away with personal and corporate income taxes and replace them with sales taxes, legislation on open enrollment, and ethics. The Superintendent shared with the board concerns on how overall reduced revenues in the state will affect public schools. This included the Department of Education’s request for $43 million of supplemental appropriations to fully fund the current year’s foundation formula. As of this date the governor was not able to find funds to meet this request. Possible additional withholdings for the current year are possible in addition to the governor’s announced withholdings on February 5th. These withholdings of $73,775,354 included a $2,043,710 cut to the state’s Parents as Teachers Program for the current year.
Mr. Priest added, “It is currently estimated that the next year’s state budget will use approximately $900 million of federal budget stabilization funds. Thus, for FY 2012, it is estimated that the state will be facing a beginning deficit in the neighborhood of $1 billion before netting the gain or loss between revenue growth and basic spending increases. With public education receiving nearly a third of all revenue in the state, we face a funding cliff and public education will not escape cuts if a new funding source is not found.” The constitution of the state of Missouri requires a balanced budget.
In other reports the date for the Distinction of Performance banquet has been set at Missouri University of Science and Technology on March 23rd. This is the fourth year in a row that the Thayer School District has received this honor.
Mrs. Cotham presented to the board revisions to the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan to address the students’ needs, especially in the areas of Instructional Strategies, Special Education and Attendance. And, Mrs. Young presented to the board an addendum to the Professional Development Plan that will address the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.
Mr. Justus presented the Title I evaluation. Title I is a federal program to serve disadvantaged children. The district provides interventions to 92 students with 2 certificated teachers, a preschool program with a teacher and an aide, and 4 teachers used to reduce class sizes.
The board was given a list of board policies to be discussed at next month’s meeting that reflects changes in legislation.
Attendance for the High School for January was at 95.4% and year to date at 94.2%. Mr. Hedden informed the board of the incentive contest that was helping promote perfect attendance not only as individuals but at the grade levels. Enrollment stands at 223 for High School and 93 for Jr. High. Mr. Justus gave attendance for the Elementary school at 93.9% for January and 94.18 YTD. Enrollment for the Elementary stands at 390.
The board voted to offer contracts to the Elementary and High School Principal.
The next regular meeting will be held on March 11, 2010 at 7:00pm in the high school library.
Alert Now Ready To Start
Keeping you informed is a top priority at Thayer Schools. That's why we have adopted the ALERTNOW Notification Service which will allow us to send a telephone or e-mail message to you providing important information about school events or emergencies. We anticipate using ALERTNOW to notify you of school delays or cancellations due to inclement weather, as well as remind you about various events, including report card distribution, open house, field trips, and more. We will also be using ALERTNOW to call you if your child has not reported to school in the morning. In the event of an emergency at school, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will be informed immediately by phone.
What you need to know about receiving calls sent through ALERTNOW
· Caller ID will display the school's main number when general announcement is delivered.
· Caller ID will display 411 if the message is a dire emergency.
· Please speak when answering so the system knows the call has been received and the message will begin.
· ALERTNOW will leave a message on any answering machine or voicemail.
· If the ALERTNOW message stops playing, press 1 and the message will replay from the beginning.
We are very excited to incorporate ALERTNOW as a tool to improve parent communication and look forward to having the ability to deliver real time information to you and provide awareness of all the great events that take place within the school.
Thayer Schools will run a TEST of the system on March 12th. After this test if you want to change your contact information, you will need to notify the school's office of your updated information. It is important that the school's records are accurate and up to date in the event we need to contact you in an emergency.
What you need to know about receiving calls sent through ALERTNOW
· Caller ID will display the school's main number when general announcement is delivered.
· Caller ID will display 411 if the message is a dire emergency.
· Please speak when answering so the system knows the call has been received and the message will begin.
· ALERTNOW will leave a message on any answering machine or voicemail.
· If the ALERTNOW message stops playing, press 1 and the message will replay from the beginning.
We are very excited to incorporate ALERTNOW as a tool to improve parent communication and look forward to having the ability to deliver real time information to you and provide awareness of all the great events that take place within the school.
TEST
Thayer Schools will run a TEST of the system on March 12th. After this test if you want to change your contact information, you will need to notify the school's office of your updated information. It is important that the school's records are accurate and up to date in the event we need to contact you in an emergency.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)