The Worth County School Board, following a closed session Monday, voted to offer Mark Fletcher a Critical Shortage Teacher Contract for the 2018-2019 school year. Previously, the school had named him Head Boys Basketball Coach. The move came after Bryce Schafer resigned as Physical Education Teacher and Missouri Options Program Director for the school and the school had been unable to fill the position.
The board also named Cody Green as Junior High Girls Softball Coach, which Schafer had also filled. The board accepted the resignation of Darin Drury as Bus Driver and Paraprofessional, as he will become an Assistant Manager at the McDonald’s in Bethany. He will continue to be the Pastor of the Grant City Baptist Church, as that position is bi-vocational. His wife, Nanci, will remain employed as a teacher at the school.
During the Summer School Credit Recovery Period for the school, two students successfully completed the school’s graduation requirements, Quentin Miller and Bobby Lynch. Miller was recognized at a board ceremony preceding the meeting.
FCCLA teacher Jonell Cook reported on the upcoming trip to Atlanta for nine members who qualified during State Competition in Spring. They did some last-minute fundraising, working the concession stand during an Under 11 Girls Softball Tournament that was held at Worth County and serving lunch for the Tractor Cruise which came to Grant City Saturday.
Some school testing data was released to the school. 24 Worth County students took the ACT this year with an average score of 19.17.
The following test scores were released for the school. 3rd Grade Communication Arts 442.6; State Average 459.8. 3rd Grade Math 444.4; State Average 456.6. 4th Grade Communication Arts 490, State Average 486.7. 4th Math 490.4, State Average 483. 5th Grade Communication Arts 486.1, State Average 500.5. 5th Grade Math 510.1, State Average 501.1. 5th Grade Science 656.1, State Average 662.9. 6th Grade Communication Arts 502.9, State Average 507.6. 6th Grade Math 499.6, State Average 507.1. 7th Grade Communication Arts 493.6, State Average 516.8. 7th Grade Math 506.6, State Average 516.2. 8th Grade Communication Arts 514.4, State Average 528.7. 8th Grade Math 490.2, State Average 516.9. 8th Grade Science 694.3, State Average 698.6. Out of 14 test scores that were released, three were above the state average and 11 were below it. 4th Grade Communication Arts and Math along with 5th Grade Math were the only ones which scored above the state testing average.
For High School students, some End of Course test results were released. English II scored 204, compared to the 2016 State Mean of 209.7. Algebra I scored 194, compared to a State Mean of 206.6. Biology I scored at 208, compared to a State Mean of 207.4. American Government went to a full-year course, which the school says led to an increase in test scores.
Facilities were rated as Above Average. Strengths listed include dedicated personnel, who take personal pride in the buildings’ upkeep. Safety continues to be a primary focus; several sections of sidewalk were replaced. The school plans to construct a new storage facility at the softball field. Concerns listed include aging HVAC systems, energy costs, and lack of a facility master plan. Recommendations include developing a facility master plan, upgrading lighting systems, replacing HVAC systems within 5-10 years, replacing or addressing the high school flooring (asbestos tiles), locker rooms, hallway lockers, and updating the restrooms throughout the building.
The Safety Program was rated as Above Average. Strengths listed include regular inspections for safety concerns, in-service on safety issues, and review of accidents. Concerns listed include time to conduct all of the training in a face to face setting. Around 90% of staff have been trained on CRP and how to use an AED device. Fire extinguishers are inspected yearly and the AED device is inspected monthly. Recommendations include a fire suppression system in the kitchen over the gas range, procedures for storage of chemicals in the science lab, and access to the gas shutoff valve. Another was safety film on windows to prevent glass from flying if shattered.
The school received a thank you note from the Ross Combs Family for the plant the school had sent in his memory. Combs had served 17 years on the Worth County School Board, from 1987 to 2004.
The board set salaries for administrators, teachers, and non-certified staff. The board set Superintendent Dr. Matt Martz’s salary at $94,274, along with $5,100 for insurance, $14,409 for his retirement fund, $27 for life insurance, $1,367 for Medicare, for a total of $115,177. For Elementary Principal Chuck Borey, salary was set at $65,486, with $5,100 for insurance, $10,287 for retirement, $27 for life insurance, $955 for Medicare, for a total of $82,215. For High School Principal Jon Adwell, the salary was set at $72,034 with $5,100 for insurance, $11,184 for retirement, $27 for life insurance, $1,044 for Medicare for a total of $89,389. All staff receive $425 per month towards their healthcare costs if they take the school’s insurance plan.
Teacher salaries were set at a base of $30,500, an increase of $1,400 over last year. The maximum was set at $51,400. For cooks, base pay was set at $10.56 an hour, an increase of 37 cents an hour over last year, with a maximum of $14.23, based on education and experience. For bookkeepers, the base was set at $16.11 per hour, with a maximum of $19.78 based on education and experience. For custodians, the base pay was set at $10.56 with a maximum of $14.23, based on qualifications and experience. For the Elementary Secretary, base pay was set at $11.20 with a maximum of $14.87 based on education and experience. For Health Aides, base pay was set at $11.06 with a maximum of $14.73 based on education and experience. For the High School Secretary, base pay was set at $13.01 with a maximum of $16.81 based on education and experience. For Head Cook, base pay was set at $11.05 an our with a maximum of $14.79 per hour based on qualifications and experience. For Maintenance, base pay was set at $11.12 per hour with a maximum of $14.79 per hour based on qualifications and experience. For paraprofessionals, base pay was set at $9.93 an hour with a maximum of $13.60 based on education and experience. The board voted to pay part-time custodians and part-time office aides $7.85 per hour to a maximum of $10.32 an hour based on experience. The schedule sets the salary for the Transportation Supervisor at $22.66 per hour base, with a maximum of $26.33 per hour based on bus/truck mechanical experience and appropriate CDL License. Pay for Bus Driver’s was set at $60.95 per day for 170 school days, while pay for Vocational Tech Drivers was set at $79.34 per day.
The votes for Superintendent Dr. Matt Martz, Principals Jon Adwell and Chuck Bore, and the teacher salary schedules were unanimous. The vote for the non-certified pay scales was 5-1, with board member Tish Warner opposed. The non-certified pay scale includes a 90-day probationary clause.
Superintendent Dr. Matt Martz presented the 2018-2019 budget for the board. This budget forecasts a $74,752 deficit driven by higher teacher salaries. The school will end up with reserves at around 30% of annual expenses, which is higher than the state recommendation of 25%. Currently, the school spends 70% of its annual operating budget on teacher salaries, which is higher than the state average of 64%. However, the school still has one of the lowest teacher salary schedules of any school in the area; for instance, NEN and North Nodaway pay their teachers more.
The board voted to authorize the transfer of up to $162,326 from the General Fund into the Capital Improvement’s Fund at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. The money will be used for lease-purchase payments, promised improvements, an air conditioner replacement, and a possible bus replacement.
The school will also transfer up to $30,202 in transportation money into the Capital Projects Fund. This will be used to cover transportation expenses.
The school has positions open for the 2018-2019 school year. They have openings for a bus route driver, a Special Education Paraprofessional, substitute food service personnel, and substitute teachers. The Paraprofessional position requires at least 60 college hours.
No comments:
Post a Comment