R-80 BOARD: Salem High School Robotics Team receives $1,000 donation from VFW Post 6337

The VFW Post 6337 in Licking donated $1,000 to the Salem High School robotics team, after a unanimous vote from members. VFW Post 6337 chose to donate to the Salem R-80 School District as a way of giving back to the community and in support of promoting excellence in academics. VFW Post 6337 Commander Billy Krewson presented the check to the robotics team during practice for an upcoming competition. Wills thanked them for the donation.

Wills shared communication from the Ozark Hill State School Leaders of the Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled, received Feb. 24, which made the decision to make an emergency relocation of Ozark Hill State School to BW Robinson State School in Rolla beginning March 3. The move is due to staffing shortages and will be in effect until further notice. MSSD will continue to monitor staffing possibilities and communicate updates to families and LEAs, including when a return might be possible. There are currently two students who are served from Salem R-80. One more will be added this coming school year.

Thank you notes were read from the Tammy Schmit family and the Sue Tucker Family, who had received wreaths from R-80 following the loss of family members.

Blau recognized the board of education members with a video from William Lynch morning announcements. The board was able to watch as Blau explained the concept of the school board to students.

Superintendent’s report

• The FEMA building is nearing completion with drywall being worked on. The April board meeting will be conducted at Salem Upper Elementary so board members will be able to see and tour the new building. Orders are currently underway for needed items, along with the transfer of existing furniture from Wiliam Lynch. A meeting has been conducted to discuss the logistics of the move.

• As further incentive for Salem R-80 teachers and staff, there has been discussion of being less strict on dress code. This is in hopes of easing some expenditures for wardrobe for incoming teachers and staff, noted Wills. Teachers and staff are still expected to dress appropriately and professionally.

• Salem R-80 would like to strengthen the need for senior citizen passes for entry into ballgames and other activities. Senior citizens aged 62 or older are able to come into the high-school office with identification to receive a pass.

• The CDBG grant Salem R-80 had for the construction trades building is officially closed out. Very generous donors in the community contributed half of the cost, alongside a grant from the state for the other half of the project. Wills shared the project is coming along nicely. So far, two classrooms, an office, and two bathrooms have been built.

• Dr. Blau has been appointed as the Salem R-80 School District’s orientation and transition representative to the rural Dent County schools incoming ninth grade students and families. Blau has been tasked with communication to students and families—he’ll be providing information so families are aware of the opportunities they have coming into high school, regarding activities, academics, and the overall orientation of coming into the high school building.

• The annual school bus inspection occurred on March 20, with Wills informing that 10 out of 11 busses fully passed inspection with 0% out of service. The one bus that did not pass is still able to be utilized on routes. This puts the district at a 91% pass rate, “which is the best it’s been in two or three years”, noted Wills. Wills further shared his appreciation for the bus drivers, Nathan Ragsdale, and Clay Moody for ensuring buses were ready for inspection.

Administration reports

William Lynch Elementary Principal Herman Blau

Elementary completed two days of preschool registration. A makeup day will be conducted in May. Two days of kindergarten registration were also conducted this week.

Salem Upper Elementary Principal Branden Piatt

A lot of good things are happening throughout the building with academics, shared Piatt. Practice for Newsies is underway with Piatt remarking the music and rehearsing is sounding phenomenal—he’s excited to see that production at the end of April.

Middle School Principal Rachel Green

Floor hockey is a big thing for kids in PE this week, with lots of kids loving it. Two new clubs have opened up, including Unplugged Gaming Club for after school board games and to encourage social opportunities. Gardening Club has also begun, with Green thanking Cahills Construction for donating plants for students to get their gardens started. Teachers have been busy reviewing content for MAP.

High School Principal Jody Heavin

Several band, choir, and Skills-USA students have moved on to state after having placed first in their district. McKenna Faulkner placed first in biology, math, and science relays. Heavin shared congratulations to those students.

On the topic of freshman orientation, Heavin shared work is underway assisting incoming freshman with their schedules. Many staff are considering rekindling Field Day to encourage freshman to socialize during their first week. English EOC testing has already been completed.

Some students of RTI and RTC were not able to go to class due to the recent tornado’s damages to the RTI and RTC buildings—several have volunteered to assist with the cleanup of Oak Hill R-I; Salem Public Library to move furniture and assist in shelving; and the Salem Animal Shelter. Heavin shared she’s proud of her students for helping the community. Service Day is coming up on April 9.

Special Education

Special education is in the middle of its state review. A representative from RPPC has been met who has worked with DESE to go over requested files, with tweaks suggested here and there. Files will be ready to be sent in by April 1. The high school special education team will be going out to the four rural schools to meet incoming students with disabilities. This process is beneficial in determining where the students would best be served and determining which case manager would work best for them.

New business

The board revisited the previous topic of the Fireworks Committee requesting the use of the Salem High School football practice field for fireworks. After following up on the matter with the attorney and insurance providers, it was stated by both entities the use of school facilities would be fine as long as there were insurance certificates received from the Fireworks Committee. Wills shared that the question is no longer a financial issue but a facilities issue. If a catastrophic accident were to happen to a building, gave Wills as an example, where would students go while it was repaired in the meantime?

Board members echoed the sentiment, stating it wasn’t worth the risk of being without a facility, and the Fireworks Committee is encouraged to seek alternative options.

Meanwhile, unanimously approved were the following:

• the 2025-2026 year of the OPAA contract agreement

• the Construction Trades/Skills USA out-of-state trip

• recommended gate prices for non-conference 2025-2026 activities

• the use of Mickes/DeBeer Litigation Group

Resignations/Retirements/Hires/Transfers

• Amy Major – Transfer Interventionist

• Kim Cooper – Retirement

• Stacey Hall – Retirement

• Brianna Corkell – Resignation

Closed session

During closed session, personnel issues were discussed with the following motions approved by majority:

• Jared Patterson as the High School Head Boys Basketball coach, 5-1-1, with Mercer opposing and Patterson absent

• Jared Patterson as a Middle School Physical Education teacher, Middle School Football coach, and Assistant Track coach, 6-0-1, with Patterson absent

• Ashlyn Patterson as UE teacher, 6-0-1, with Patterson abstaining

• Stevee Piatt as UE 4th grade teacher, 6-0-1 with Howard abstaining

• Krystle Smith as a UE title math teacher, 6-0-1, with Parker abstaining

• recommended Salem R-80 probationary teachers, 7-0

• tenured Salem R-80 teachers, 7-0

• recommended remaining Salem R-80 paid coaches working in the district, 7-0

• recommended volunteer coaches, 5-0-2, with Green and Mercer abstaining

• recommended Extra Duty contracts, 7-0

• recommended Extended Days contracts, 7-0

• Cole Laws as Second Grade Teacher for the 2025-26 school year, 7-0

• Kelly Housewright as Upper Elementary Special Education Teacher for the 2025-26, 7-0

• resignation of Eric Metcalf from teacher and coaching contracts, 7-0

• Amy Quick as an Assistant Track coach for the 2025 season, 7-0

• adjustment to the UE administration salary schedule, 7-0