Ashley Rush Sworn Into Worth County School Board; Teachers & Coaches Hired

Ashley Rush was sworn into the Worth County School Board Thursday, as was returning incumbent Rodney Brown. Rush replaces Les New, who did not seek reelection. There are now four women serving on the Worth County School Board – Rush, Amanda Gilland, Amber Monticue, and Tish Warner.

All previous officers were retained by the board. Tyler Steele will continue as Board President, Amber Monticue Vice-President, Amanda Gilland Treasurer, and Kandy Sorenson will continue to serve as Secretary.

Stephanie Jumps of the American Heart Association recognized the Worth County Kids Heart Challenge, also known as Jump Rope for Heart. Recognized were Nurse Amanda Campbell and Kaydence Downing, who raised over $1,000. The program raised over $4,480, which is disproportionate for a county of Worth County’s size.

Cody and Tonya Mullock requested a change in school district boundaries so their kid can go to Kindergarten in Worth County. They live in Worth County, near Oxford, but they live in the Northeast Nodaway portion of the county.

The land parcel in question went over to the NEN School District at the request of the person who lived there at the time following the consolidation of the Grant City and Sheridan School Districts in 1976. Since then, the rules for changing school district boundaries have become more strict. The Mullocks would need to circulate a petition and get it signed by voters in both school districts and pay for the election. It would have to be signed by a certain percentage of voters, and it would have to be passed by both school districts. The other option for them would be to request that the Worth County School waive tuition. The school does so on a case by case basis.

Revenues and attracting qualified teachers were discussed. Revenues for the school are forecast to decline by 2% in coming years, due to a decline in enrollment. That means that the school will have to cover a $100,000 to $200,000 shortfall in the budget. The goal is for the school to have 25% of its annual expenses in reserves; it is forecast to be 36% for the end of the current school year and 29.87% for the upcoming school year.

Board member Tyler Steele reported that a school finance committee looked into what could be done and discussed raises versus offering more health insurance.

It was decided to focus on raises, since it was more likely to attract new teachers to the county. Worth County has one of the lowest tax levies in the area; they last did a tax levy increase in 1991, when they raised the levy to the present level. At the time, the school was in a financial crisis, and the state had identified the school as a “financially stressed district.” As part of their efforts to pass a levy, the school promised voters that they would not increase any expenses. The levy passed. As part of their efforts to get more money into the school, they added a school breakfast program to get more federal dollars. The school cooks at the time demanded more pay for more work, and walked off the job after the school refused, citing their promise to voters not to increase expenses.

Several years later, the school successfully passed a Proposition C rollback waiver, raising revenues that got the school out of the hole. Since then, the school has built up around $1.2 million in reserves; however, starting teachers salaries have not always kept up with other schools. The school was able to achieve cost savings thanks to retirements; however, there have been fewer and fewer retirements recently. The school has been able to pass some bond issues in recent years; however, that is a short-term fix and commits the school to repaying loans for an extended period of time.

Currently, teacher’s salaries make up 85% of the operating budget. The school can reduce their deficit in the short term by committing less money to the building fund, which pays for projects like the parking lot and gym; however, that money will be needed down the road anyway. The school currently has textbooks that are over 20 years old. Superintendent Dr. Matt Martz says the school does not need to pass a levy yet, but needs to develop a plan. “I don’t want taxes raised, but I want us to have a school we can be proud of,” he said.

The school board set the starting date for school next year for August 22nd. The board switched the software provider to Software Unlimited. The board switched the health insurance to Missouri Elementary Trust. The board renewed the contract with Great Western Bank to serve as the bank for the school; board member Amber Monticue abstained. The board voted to retain Westbrook as the school auditor at a cost of $7,950 a year. The board voted to continue to use Pitney Bowes as their postage meter provider at a cost of $113/quarter. The board approved a Solid Waste grant that is being written by Julia Wideman, who is supplementing the greenhouse project with a composting program. The matching cost for the school will be $561.

The board voted to rehire non-certified staff for the 2019-2020 school year, with board member Tyler Steele abstaining. Hired or rehired were Jina Jackson, Mindy Carlson, Darrin Drury, Beth Martz, Frances Dowis, Amanda Campbell, Ayrica Fletchall, David Petersen, Peggy Richardson, Christie Petersen, Ronald Petersen, Anita McClellan, Pam Parman, Kandi Hughes, Donna Mae Hiatt, Jeannie Fletcher, Ron Ford, Larry Richardson, Sharon Nonneman, Loren Jackson, Ann Adams, Dale Healy, Bill Staton, and Andy Welch.

The following coaches were hired by the board; Board Member Jeff Andrews abstained from the vote:

Chris Healy (Athletic Director, Football Coach, Boys Track Coach, Weightlifting, Football Camp, Track Camp).
Jon Adwell (Assistant Football, Assistant Track, Assistant Weight, Football Camp, Assistant Track Camp).
Les New (Head Boys and Girls Basketball, Junior High Boys Basketball, Basketball Camps).
Tiffany Bliley (Assistant Girls Basketball, Girls Softball, Assistant Basketball Camp, Softball Camp).
Daniel Gladstone (Assistant Boys Basketball, Assistant Basketball Camp).
Janice Borey (Head Girls Track, Girls Golf, Track Camp, Golf Camp).
Ashton Lewis (Assistant Softball, Assistant Softball Camp).
Will Coleman (Assistant Track, Assistant Junior High Football, Junior High Boys Track, Assistant Track Camp, Junior Class Sponsor).
Hadley Roberts (Boys Golf, Junior High Girls Basketball, Golf Camp).
Cody Green (Junior High Girls Softball).
Hannah Frerking (Junior High Assistant Softball, Student Council).
April Healy (Junior High Girls Track, FBLA).
Kera Galanakis (Football and Basketball Cheer).
Caleb Smith (Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Band & Choir Camps).
Merry Spiers (High School & Junior High Academic Bowl, Annual).
Josh Smith (Adult Farm, FFA, Junior High Football).
Nanci Drury (Musical/Drama).
Darrin Drury (Assistant Musical/Drama).
Jina Jackson (Concession).
Jonell Cook (FCCLA).
Tera Coleman (Flags).
Selina O’Connor (Junior Class Sponsor).
Jeannie Fletcher (Football Field Prep).
Karen Andrews (Student Council).

The following personnel were awarded Extended Contracts for the 2019-2020 School Year: Merry Spiers (3 days), Amanda Pottorff (8 days), Blaire Owens (15 days), Nancy Drury (8 days), Jamie Stalder (8 days), Farrah Richey (8 days), and Josh Smith (60 days).

The board hired the following summer workers: Jamie Allee, David Petersen, Sarah Smith, Peggy Richardson, Carissa Snead, and Darrin Drury.

The board voted to hire Baylee Arends a Probationary Teacher Contract for the 2019-2020 School Year. She will teach Intermediate Elementary. The board also voted to hire Amy Gladstone as Technology Director for the upcoming school year.