WC School Seeks to Expand Library, Upgrade Internet System

Worth County is looking into expanding the Partnership Library and upgrading their Internet system in moves made at the Worth County School Board meeting Thursday night. The school says the Internet system is progressively slower after around 11:30. They learned that the possible price tag would be around $49,000. It will allow the system to run faster and allow more online learning to take place. They could possibly get Race to the Top funds although this is a highly competitive program that around 850 schools are trying to get. The school also looked at expanding their library system. In 2007, the school and the public library each got private donations that would allow the school to expand their library; it was designed to expand once the school got the money. The estimated price tag for that would be around $83,000 for a 20 foot by 40 foot expansion. Currently, the library is 40 feet by 60 feet. There is $52,000 from the private donation and another $30,000 that the public library has available for this expansion. It would be open space; there would be no new walls constructed. The board voted to put the project out for bid and see if they could get a better price tag for the project. Currently, the library bookshelves are full and there is little room for new books; the library must throw out books once they get some new ones in. It would also allow for more classroom space for students to work in.

Other needs were discussed at the meeting. Among other needs listed were:
--Walls for the 4th through 6th grades. The 1st through 3rd grade partitions have been completed.
--Repairs on the stairs/walls to the ag building.
--Fixing or replacing the football and basketball bleachers and putting in safety bars.
--Repairs on the stairs to the band room.
--Fixing the track ($80,000 estimate), which has fallen apart faster than expected thanks to the drought.
--Replace a bus ($80,000).
--Eliminate the boiler and put in a new heating system for the ag room ($30,000).
--A new school vehicle ($20,000).
--Putting in hallway floors.
--Electronic door access ($20,000).

All of these are needs and the board will spend money on these needs as funds are available. Much depends on how much money will be available in the Funding Formula. One possible new source of funding will be a proposal on the ballot to raise the state cigarette tax by 75 cents; the school would bring in an estimated $40,000 from that. However, the danger of that is that the legislature might subsequently turn around and reduce funding from other sources with the rationale that the voters approved a tax increase. The money would not be put in the Funding Formula, but would use a totally different funding mechanism for schools.

Julia Wideman gave a talk about the Junior High reading enhancement class. They work on reading, comprehension, thinking aloud, understanding language usage, vocabulary, and editing skills. Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Quick gave a talk about a recent field trip their students had to Graceland, where they have an annual Civil War reenactment every year. They looked up diaries on the Civil War, researched the generals and did biographies, learned about games and medicines that were in use at the time, learned about the various ranks, methods of communication during battles, and interacted with the participants. It was a two-day event and some of the students liked it so much they went back for a second day.

Assistant Principal Chuck Borey reported that the track needs repair sooner than expected due to the drought. There were cracks 1/2" wide before patching was done. The south curve is falling apart and the dry weather aggravated it. This is the 10th season that it has been used and there is only $30,000 in the track fund now, meaning that the board will have to come up with $50,000 from somewhere else. Borey said that with some luck, the school would be able to get through this year but that next year, it will have to be replaced.

Principal Jon Adwell reported that there were 91 high school students without D's and F's who were rewarded for their efforts. Students that do get D's and F's get academic detentions and work with teachers to get off D's and F's. The consequence for not showing up for an academic detention is one half day in-school suspension and they still have to serve their academic detention afterwards. Students that did not turn in homework would not have been allowed to participate in the Homecoming celebrations; however, nearly all of them got their homework turned in and were able to participate.

The school had a mixed picture on Missouri test scores. The school finished 7th out of 9 in testing in the conference in all categories. They showed great improvement in elementary math and communication arts. 8th grade math was sharply lower. There was good growth in English and Geometry was above average. The Obama administration allowed the state to waive the Adequate Yearly Progress rule, meaning that the school does not have drastic penalties hanging over their heads for not meeting AYP standards. The school did not meet progress standards for 3rd - 5th Communication Arts, but all the other categories were met. The school finished above average in ACT scores in all categories but the Free and Reduced Lunch category. Out of the 22 graduates last year, 17 are now attending college. Last year, the school showed a 100% graduation rate, which was the biggest positive. The school is putting in tests at the elementary level which is very specific in identifying the areas in need of improvement for each individual student.

Superintendent Mike Rennells reported that Albany is having good results with their four-day weeks. Worth County, in effect, has four-day weeks half the time; out of 40 weeks, the school has 20 weeks that are four days or less because of in-service meetings.

The school has joined a group of 21 other schools for the purpose of creating distance learning opportunities for students. Northwest Missouri State is on board with this project as well.

The board approved three residency waivers that past administrations had already agreed to. In the future, such waivers will be approved individually by the board.