Hume schools weigh impact of state moves

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Nevada Daily Mail

Recent legislative actions, or in one case, lack of action, may bode well for the Hume R-8 School District.

That was the feeling of Superintendent David Quick, following the recent Missouri Association of School Administrators' Conference that took place March 30.

Quick reported on the conference's discussion on House Bill 1292, which essentially would result in the consolidation of schools with less than 250 students and force "all of our conference schools to consolidate with someone."

Quick said that this bill died quickly.

He noted, "It was very likely" that the state formula target would be fully funded at $6,131 per student. This would result in an additional $120,000 for our district if it happens, he estimated.

He stated the biggest factor discussed at the MASA conference was the confusion over re-doing the learning standards.

He said this could result in students taking a different test each of the next four years, with no standard measurement for comparison.

"This would result in accreditation being based upon the year before," he said.

Other items discussed at the MASA conference included college readiness and remedial education, instructional technology leadership, professional development, effective school advocacy, getting the most student learning impact from the evaluation process and building the foundation for K-12 through early childhood learning.

Continuing the superintendent's report, Quick told the board that school system's insurance premium is increasing $51.

The board is currently paying $350 towards the premium. Quick stated there are 12 plans for employees to choose from, including Health Savings Accounts.

Later in the meeting, the board voted to continue its current health insurance program, with the different options available to the staff.

Quick and school district business manager, bookkeeper and superintendent's secretary Melody Wikoff attended a workshop on federal grants, focusing on Title I and special education. He said more record keeping would be required to meet the expectations of the federal government.

The meeting began with the installation of new board members Josh Rogers and Bryice Cannon.

During the principal's report, Kirk Hart reported that elementary K-6 enrollment for April was at 94, with 7-12 enrollment at 161. Pre-kindergarten enrollment is at 10.

Hart reminded the board about the late starts and told them again about the Professional Development that was taking place on Student Learning Objectives (SLO).

Hart said teachers Becky Bryant and Carrie Sutcliffe and assistant principal Scott Morrison and himself reviewed various scenarios with the staff.

He also told the board that the teachers would be watching videos on how to administer the upcoming Smarter Balanced Tests and EOC Exams (end of course).

Sutcliffe and Bryant are going to a PDC meeting in Miami to learn more about the SLOs.

Hart informed the board that the last day of school is May 8, baccalaureate is May 9 at 3 p.m. and graduation is at 6 p.m.

Morrison reviewed a list of events with the board -- GWC Quiz Bowl April 9; the junior high and high school sports physicals April 15; the spring athletic banquet April 16; the State Science Olympia April 17-18; the yearbook chili supper, book fair, and spring concert April 23; the ACT test April 28; the elementary field trip April 28, and the attendance reward trip and McGinnis trip May 7.

Morrison reviewed attendance numbers with the board. He stated students were allowed to have up to 15.8 days of excused absences, which is 10 percent of the 158 school days. He said 92 out of 100 elementary students are meeting the 90 percent, but the high school is not -- with only 54 out of 73 meeting the 90 percent requirement.

Missing school more than 10 percent of the time is affecting student grades and credits. It is also determining whether a student graduates on time, he said.

He said attendance will be addressed next year in the handbook and will affect a student's participation in sports and extra-curricular activities such as FBLA, Science Olympia, homecoming, prom, FCCLA, the senior trip, and other activities.

Morrison passed out athletic schedules for the 2015-2016 school year. He stated these are all contracted games but there are always changes or cancellations that will require revised schedules.

In the new business portion of the meeting, Senior Class President Kelsie Wlkoff and Senior Vice President Hope Yarick presented the senior trip itinerary to the board, answering questions as they arose.

Family and consumer science teacher and senior class sponsor Tammy Metcalf assured the board that parental permission slips would be signed by parents for the different activities planned on the senior trip.

The board unanimously approved the senior trip itinerary.

The board also approved the senior graduation list, as well as the A plus handbook for 2015, and the partnership agreement.

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