The Salem R-80 Board of Education met for its monthly meeting Thursday, Jan. 15, in which the board received reports on possible changes to the school calendar and the state’s ongoing Foundation Formula discussion. In attendance included board members Dru Howard, Sammi Parker, Andrew Wynn, Phillip Mercer, Jason Green, Marjorie Pyatt, and Chris Heavin. Also in attendance included Superintendent Nathan Wills, Assistant Superintendent Dan Copeland, and school administrators.
Under communications, board president Howard recognized Dr. Will’s for earning the Certification in Administration of School Finance and Operations, SFO designation, through the Association of School Business Officials International.
A district leadership team meeting took place on the most recent PD day, with a focus on the school calendar. Wills has also met with the Dent County Schools to assess the calendar, as well. That being said, the calendar will not be available for board approval until the March board meeting, due to a number of schools in the Springfield area applying to the Missouri State Board of Education for a waiver to start their school year earlier. The reason for the waiver is due to a smaller number of days in the first semester compared to the second semester. Wills shared the district will be waiting to see if that waiver is approved or declined before moving forward with its calendar.
An all staff meeting took place Jan. 5 to discuss the Foundation Formula, in which Wills disclosed that the state will not be providing more finances to the schools, but that the finances must come from somewhere. Wills anticipates a possible increase to local taxes, resulting from the state’s decision.
Also in Wills’ reports, he updated board members:
• CSIP is now available on the school website. Notes have been provided on progress made on the CSIP and plans for next steps. The CSIP will be updated as goals are achieved and when new goals need added.
• The Upper Elementary roof Ephesus, the exterior piece of the roof, has been repaired. Wills will be meeting with the construction crew members soon. The roof is still on schedule to be repaired by the second week of February, but Wills shared that he was unsure of that estimation being accurate due to possible weather delays.
• Progress on the baseball field dugout is going well with estimations for completion by this year. The visitor’s dugout will not be completed until next fall.
• Faculty surveys are out and will close Jan. 30. Wills emphasized that he and Copeland take the surveys very seriously and will be considering anything they can do to improve the district. Surveys for students and parents will go out after.
• The district facility needs list has been updated with many items estimated to be completed by the summer, depending on scheduling.
William Lynch Elementary Principal Herman Blau
Kindergarten teachers have begun work on the i-Ready. He recognized Copeland for his assistance in helping staff focus on instructional importance.
Upper Elementary Principal Branden Piatt
Mrs. Phelps is beginning auditions for Lion King Jr. Piatt shared that attendance is holding strong despite sickness bouncing around.
Middle School Principal Rachel Green
This year’s main focus is safety and keeping up with instructional practices. Staff have been working on professional development to strengthen instructional practices and make learning more meaningful. In addition, staff have been celebrating the i-Ready diagnostic reports from the middle of the year, with more improvement seen than decline.
High School Principal Jody Heavin
Career Day has been a major part of discussions with staff excited to bring it back. Date from the second quarter was included in the board reports, with Heavin commenting that teachers and students are working on professional growth plans. Students are encouraged to take ownership over their goals.
The board approved the following items:
• Conflict of Interest ordinance
• Opening a checking account for electronic transactions related to food service, in order for folks to pay lunch balances with debit cards or credit cards rather than just checks or cash
The board also had its first reading of MSBA policy udpates.
In closed session, the board:
• extended Copeland’s contract through June 30, 2028
• extended Will’s contract through June 30, 2029
• approved Mackenzie Stoner as MS PE teacher, HS head volleyball coach, MS head volleyball coach pending satisfactory background verification
• approved the resignation of Hannah Terrill as Freshman Volleyball Coach
• approved the resignation of Alaina Santhuff as Assistant High School Volleyball Coach
• denied unqualified student attendance appeals
• discussed personnel and student issues
