The Worth County School board voted to offer the Pre-K teaching position to Kaley Smith at their regular board meeting Wednesday. They also made two other personnel moves. They named Dominique Findley the High School Basketball cheer sponsor, and Cole Fisher as a bus driver.
Work has proceeded with getting the new preschool up and running. Mr. Borey and Mr. Healy have been in sessions to discuss successful Pre-K programs. Enrollment applications are open until October 27th. Applicants will be contacted the week of October 30th. The first day of school will be on January 9th and will run through May 16th.
The Health Services program was rated as “Excellent.” The Health Aide actively ensures that students have immunizations, vision screens, fluoride treatments, human growth lessons, handwashing, and medications. School staff are trained in CPR and AED. The health office is clean and organized. Staff well-being is a focus. The health aide is participating in a School Nurse Supervision program through the DHSS, allowing the school to get $10,000 in equipment. Concerns listed include the fact that the District Wellness Committee last met in 2021-2022 and had low participation.
The Media Services program was rated as “Average.” Strengths listed include the fact that the school is able to purchase Kindles to help struggling readers. The Librarian works with district staff to identify materials for addition to the collection. There are awards and incentives to encourage reading. There is a summer reading program and other incentives. Concerns listed include the appearance and organization of the library.
Elementary Principal Chuck Borey reported that 145 out of 152 students have 90% or greater attendance.
A new attendance incentive is a race track bulletin which keeps track of monthly attendance. For September, the fourth grade had the highest attendance percentage and earned a free recess.
State Rep. Mazzie Boyd visited the fourth grade class on September 20th.
The Elementary will be participating in Dr. Fallon Stiens’ Halloween Candy Buyback. Prizes will be awarded for the most pounds of Halloween candy, most spooktacularly decorated classroom door, and the best artwork. All candy and artwork will be sent to deployed troops. Dr. Stiens also came to the school to do dental screening and fluoride treatment. Brooke Claypool, Kaitline Combs, and Maria Burns from Therapy Log came to do hearing and vision screenings.
Mrs. Pottorff has implemented a compliment coins program for the Elementary. Teachers keep track of compliments that their class receives and puts a token in their jar. The classes that received 20 or more compliments received a free recess. The class with the most compliments was the sixth grade.
For the school year, the school has received $362,879 in local sources, up from $134,369 last year. There are no revenues from county sources, down from $101 last year. Proposition C money is $111,717, up from $104,941 from last year. This is included in local sources. State money is $294,080, down from $295,043 from last year. Transportation money is at $41,884, up from $15,226 from last year. Money for the Classroom Trust is at $30,461, up from $29,497 from last year. Total revenue from all sources is $921,391, up from $682,671 from last year.
Expenses include $441,202 from the General Fund, down from $460,308 from last year. Teacher Fund expenses are $397,701, up from $392,687 from last year. Capital Project expenses are at $274,760, up from $99,724 from last year. Total expenses are $1,113,663, for a deficit of $190,000 for this year.
Revenues include the $175,000 the school received from the Patterson Foundation and $50,000 from the state for the Pre-K program and $90,000 from the DNR for a bus grant. Expenditures include completed parking lot paving, football lights, and exterior painting. Insurance payments have been received and do not show in expenditures. Revenue figures do not include incoming property tax revenues, which will show up in January.
The board heard a quarterly investment report. The school holds money as follows:
● First Interstate Bank (FIB) Money Market Account: $1,304,082 (5% interest rate)
● FIB Money Market Account (*0232): $50,327.20 (2.75% interest rate)
● First Interstate Bank Checking Accounts: $314,000 (0.0% interest rate)
● First Interstate Bank Debt Service Checking: $96,904 (0.0% interest rate)
● MOSIP Term (180 days): $1,680,111.66 (5.6700% interest rate)
● MOSIP Liquid: $730.95 (5.35% interest rate)
On August 3, 2023, the district transferred $1,680,111.66 to a Missouri Securities Investment Program Term account (MOSIP) locked in for 180 days and will receive an interest rate of 5.67%. The remaining portion of district funds will remain in First Interstate Bank.
The district had a $1,300,000, 180 day term account with MOSIP that matured March 31, 2023 and earned $26,373.26. The district had a $1,601,223.34, 180 day term account with MOSIP that matured July 28, 2023 and earned $37,814.75.
The district opened a money market account with First Interstate Bank on 6/21/2023 that earns 5% interest. The district has 3 checking accounts with First Interstate Bank that are non-interest bearing. The AD Quick account balance incurs a monthly fee because of a balance lower than required to avoid fees.
The board made the following federal program appointments:
Foster Child Liaison: Jessica Maschino
Migrant Liaison: Amanda Pottorff
Homeless Coordinator: Amanda Pottorff
English Language Learner Liaison: Amanda Pottorff
Title IX: Chris Healy
504 Coordinator: Chris Healy
These positions must exist within the district and the board must approve these positions in order for the school to receive federal funding.
The board voted to approve a Notice of Intent that could turn into a second gym for the school. On September 21st, President Joe Biden declared 33 Missouri counties, including Worth County, a disaster area. There will be some funding that will focus on hazardous mitigation. It is unknown how much money will be allocated to this declaration. Under this plan, a new gym would double as a saferoom in the event of a tornado or other emergency. A cost analysis will be done to see if the project is applicable for the funding obligation as well as the size of the structure that would be allowed. Projects selected would require a 25% local match. Maryville and Lawson have completed a saferoom gym project in recent years. Projects require a 25% match. Very preliminary estimates show that it would cost the district $800,000 to complete the project. Completing the Notice of Intent is not an application, and there are no commitments required by completing it.
Previously, the school sought to build a second gym through a bond issue; however, that was defeated by the voters twice. Most other schools, including NEN and North Nodaway, have a second gym. North Nodaway also has a gym at the elementary in Pickering.
The board voted to solicit bids for a hallway to connect the main school building with the ag building. They will accept sealed bids until December 15th. The goal is to complete the project by July 2024. The goal is to provide security for students as well as prevent kids from sliding off the stairs in the event of snow or ice.
The board voted to transfer all of its scholarships and a grant fund to the Worth County Education Foundation. The school says it would allow for much cleaner bookkeeping. The scholarship funds involved include a general scholarship fund, the Class of 1931 Fund, the Edna & Doyle Thompson Scholarship, the Norma Maudlin Scholarship, the Bernice Findley Scholarship, the Tom & Waurine Stephens Scholarship, and the Evans Grant.
The next board meeting will be November 15th at 6 pm.
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