The Worth County R-III Board of Education gathered on December 16, 2021 to conduct regular monthly business. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 PM by Board President, Patricia Warner.
As part of the consent agenda, the board approved the program evaluations for food service and transportation programs. The district is always in need of quality staffing, and bus drivers across the country are at a shortage. The district is looking for substitute bus drivers and activity trip drivers, as well as prospective full-time route drivers. The board also is accepting bids for audit services and renewed insurance with MUSIC for 2022.
In administrator reports, Mr. Borey reported on the “Shop with a Cop” program where students are chosen to go shopping and caroling with ten law enforcement officers for part of a day. There are also many other activities going on in the elementary as the first semester closes. As part of the high school report, Mr. Adwell reported on Operation Christmas Cheer where JH students deliver cards and decorations to local nursing homes. Curriculum director and AD, Mr. Smith, reported on the process the elementary is undergoing to research new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum resources.
The superintendent’s report gave an update on the financial standing of the district and an update on the current budget for the 2021-2022 school year. The board was also presented with some of the legislative priorities from the state board of education, including teacher recruitment and retention. The district has developed a plan to continue to take steps in mitigating the spread of Covid-19, while keeping students in the classroom. As part of the plan, the district will begin offering Antigen testing to students and staff who meet the requirements to be tested after Christmas break.
In board business, the school board finalized ballot language to place a bond issue on the April 2022 ballot. Board President, Mrs. Warner said, “COVID Relief funds from the federal government have put our district in a unique position. How do we utilize that funding to make our school and our community better? As a board, we would like to see if the patrons of our district are willing to partner with us and help us make some much needed improvements to our agriculture building in addition to building a gym that would provide a place for school activities and community interaction.” More information will be published after the January meeting, but please reach out to the school with questions. The bond issue will be proposed to provide funds for facility development and improvements. A major focus of the bond issue will be to renovate the Agriculture Education Center and construct a community center/gymnasium. Former Ag teacher and current AD/Curriculum Director Josh Smith said, “A renovation of our aging Agriculture facility would create new learning spaces and opportunities for our students to learn hands-on technical skills used in the industry. Reconfiguring classroom and shop areas would modernize our current structure and increase the efficiency of the building. Upgrading our existing space would enhance classroom and laboratory exposures for our students involved in agricultural career pathways, and open the door to partnerships for agricultural learning.” In other business, the board revisited and approved the school’s Return to Learn Plan.
Worth County R-III Board of Education filing for 2 seats will remain open until December 28, 2021. The school will not be in session from December 20 through January 3, with teachers returning for professional development on January 3, 2022.
The next board of education meeting will be January 20, 2022 at 7:30.
More information on the meeting and board of education agendas can be found at: https://www.wc.k12.mo.us/boemeetings
