The Worth County School Board, at its regular meeting last Wednesday, hired Cassie Steele as an elementary teacher, Malori Moellenberndt as a special education teacher, and Alec Summers as the Boys Golf coach for 2025.
The District Governance Program was rated as “Above Average.” Strengths listed include the fact that the board has adopted a new policy service. Policies, student/parent handbooks, and employee handbooks are all cross-referenced. End of year fund balances have increased by 12%, meaning the school is better able to pay the bills. This increase was related to federal ESSER II funds arriving. The school is implementing a new Comprehensive School Improvement Plan for 2022-27. Board of Education members are participating in yearly training. The Board of Education reviewed goals in August.
Concerns listed include the fact that the board hasn’t approved a board manual yet. Some district committees don’t meet regularly. The district will continue to look for ways to communicate to the public in forms other than social media.
The Professional Development Program was rated as “Above Average.” Strengths listed include the fact that the district has gotten grant money to help with professional development and implementing systems of support in behavior and reading intervention. The district has implemented data teams to monitor student progress. The school uses a mentoring program to help new teachers. The district is undergoing professional development on character education as well as social-emotional learning and mental health. Teaching staff and administration are flexible with their schedules as new courses are announced which will support new legislative requirements. Professional development is centered around the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.
Concerns listed include the fact that teachers miss time out of the classroom because of professional development scheduling. Other concerns listed include the need to balance the addition of new strategies with improving current practices, and the fact that the Professional Development Handbook has not been revised since 2016-17.
Superintendent Chris Healy reported that Senate Bill 727 established the minimum teacher salary for the 2025-26 school year at $40,000 for a starting teacher and $46,000 for a master’s degree and 10 years experience. If the state does not fund it like they have in the past, projected increases in costs for the school would be $300,000.
The board voted to apply for a state grant for various instructional equipment. The state reimbursement would be $28,050. For the Ag Construction course, the school is applying for a plasma table, a plasma cutter, and two tool storage cabinets. For the Computer Programming class, the school is applying for 15 student iPads and a Smart MX 75” panel. For the Agricultural Structures class, the school is seeking 20 student iPads. For the Business Technology class, the school is seeking 20 Office 2024 licenses.
Principal Josh Smith reported on some of the things students are studying. The Biology I class is studying how DNA works. The 8th Grade Science class is studying the human heart and blood flow. The Health class is studying basic First Aid and CPR. The PE classes are playing a game called “The Floor is Lava,” where the object is to cross the gym without touching the floor.
The seventh grade was the attendance winner with 94.22%, followed by the seniors and the sophomores.
Elementary Principal Chuck Borey reported on the 100th Day of School celebration. Kids brought 100 things to make a trail mix for a snack. Mrs. Campbell placed 100 pictures of Mr. Borey around the elementary building to see if the teachers could find all of them before the end of the day. 97 were found and pinned to the board.
Loved ones sent flowers, candy, stuffed animals, and balloons to students for Valentine’s Day. Some students received cookies made by the FCCLA.
Heart Hero Kickoff was held for students from Pre-K through 6th grade. For every 18 students who complete Finn’s Mission, the school gets entered into a drawing for a $10,000 playground makeover from the NFL.
Mrs. Pottorff was honored February 6th for Guidance Counselor Week. Kids showered her with cards and gifts, and she was given a counselor t-shirt.
The sixth grade was the winner of the January attendance challenge with an attendance rate of 96.60%.
Deb O’Neal with the Missouri Extension started nutrition classes for PK through 3rd grade February 13th.
Students are celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week this week.
The elementary had 116 students who completed 100% of their AMI work during snow days. All of those students’ names were put into a random name draw and 15 students got prizes.
Title Parent Science Night will be March 4th from 5:30 to 7. The FCCLA will have a seat belt safety program for PK through 3rd.
The board approved the 2025-26 calendar. The first day of school will be August 19th. Thanksgiving Break will be from November 26th to 28th. Christmas Break will be from December 22nd through January 5th. Easter Break will be from April 2nd through 6th. The tentative last day of school will be May 15th.
The board voted to approve a change order in the HVAC contract, which is part of the voter-approved bond issue. Herner Construction received a bid from an out of town firm that was $3,500 lower than the Warner Heating & Air bid. The school wanted to keep contracts local when it was competitive. Also, local contactors are the ones who will serve the equipment. The board voted to approve the switch to Warner Heating & Air. Board member Tish Warner abstained from the vote.
The school voted to approve a grant application for the business program to purchase 25 Chromebooks, a smartboard, four presentation laptops, and a portable speaker. Total cost would be $20,300 of which the grant would pay 50%. The money is from Career Technical Education. The state provides it grant money for approved school programs. The board approval is contingent on the availability and appropriation of funds from the legislature.
The board approved the sale of a house at 400 Meade Street.
The board extended Principal Josh Smith’s contract through the 2026-27 school year.
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