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NEVC board asked to consider football options
Backed up by fellow parent, Kevin Lester, Walt Koshko addressed the board about options for students to play football through Northeast Vernon County schools.
"Right now, my son and Kevin's play football at El Dorado Springs," said Koshko. "We never got to experience 'Friday Night Lights' but we're here to ask you to make it possible for our sons to have that experience."
"I like NEVC," said Koshko. "We've got the academics. My wife and I pay tuition on two children to come here. But I also think they're missing out on extra-curricula things such as football."
Kevin Lester added, "My wife and I really like it here. Our kids' grades shot up when we came to NEVC. My oldest has a discipline he hadn't had before and he's more responsible and we're grateful for that."
Koshko and Lester stated a preference for co-oping with another school but they also spoke about developing an 8-man football program at NEVC and possibly a league with other area schools. They volunteered to be coaches and reviewed some of the pros and cons as well as costs.
At the conclusion of the presentation, board president, Robert Fox said, "We want to thank both of you for your kind words about our district and for caring. We will think about and discuss what you've said and be in touch with you."
The board reviewed a number of policies and regulations. Materials included cyber-bullying, students' daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance, seniors having to pass a 100 question civics test to graduate, students receiving cardiopulmonary/Heimlich maneuver training and increased suicide prevention efforts as mandated by state law. They were adopted unanimously.
An old school bus had been previously declared surplus property and the single sealed bid of $300 was opened and rejected. The estimated return for scrapping it was upwards of $1,000.
An update on the A-Plus program noted a total of 21 students participating as well as some of the experiences students were having with tutoring and job shadowing.
Elementary school principal, Kendall Ogburn reported an enrollment of 107, the regular and a younger DARE program had begun and the Scholastic Reading Program/Book Fair had netted $1,600. The school will host a Veteran's Day program on Nov. 11 at 9:30 a.m. The parent-teacher conferences for grades three through six, 62 of 85 students had at least one parent attend.
Chris Hudson, high school principal, related the story of three female students having earned the right to attend the national Future Farmers of America convention in Indianapolis, but if they went, the girl's volleyball team would not have enough people for them to play in the district tournament game.
"Even though everyone knew our team was not likely to defeat our opponent, two of the three girls agreed to stay and play while coaches agreed to drive them to Indianapolis overnight," said Hudson. "I'm so proud of the way our students, teachers and coaches pull together at this school. And, on Saturday, Oct. 22, Karleigh Conner received the highest FFA award, the American Degree."
Hudson reviewed activities by various school clubs including, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Future Business Leaders of America, student council as well as plans for Red Ribbon Week, hosting a junior basketball tournament and the 'Meet the Knights and Lady Knights' on Nov. 11.
"We had an unannounced intruder drill and learned two things," said Hudson. "One, our intercom is in need of replacement because some in the school couldn't hear the 'all clear' announcement. The other thing was, we had a student making copies at the front desk and she ran to a nearby room whose door had already been secured and asked to be let in. This led me to review with staff and students what we are to do and why."
Said Ogburn, "Our surprise alert produced a number of questions and so we had everyone play a game of 'What if?'. This answered questions and feedback from the teachers said it helped to address student concerns."
Hudson reviewed work by principals at the conference level toward switching over to the new Missouri Learning Standards.
"Our teachers are giving our students so many opportunities," said Hudson. "I am amazed at what they do."
Hudson cited the example of a project on the extinction of the passenger pigeon and how it combines several subjects into a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) project. She also cited Coach McDuffey's efforts in teaching not only basketball skills but in establishing a code of conduct for players as well as parents, based on high standards of personal character.
Charles Naas, superintendent, reported on the purchase of a new scoreboard for the baseball/softball field. The board approved NEVC to become a site for area schools in the taking of fingerprints and pictures for school employment purposes with record verification done by the state patrol.
For some time the board has discussed the purchase of a newer school bus and had authorized the superintendent to be on the lookout for one that met the district's needs. Naas reported the one he selected holds 59 passengers, has 100,000 miles and comes with a five-year warranty.
"By having the warranty and spreading out the payments over four years, any problems that show up early on are on the dealer and not on us," said Naas.
The cost will be $12,333.90 per year. Lettering, coating the undercarriage and the addition of a dual camera system would add an additional $1,500. The board gave unanimous approval for this purchase and declared "Bus A" as surplus property.
Naas asked the board about having the company which resurfaced the gym floor to apply an additional coat of polyurethane over Christmas break.
Said board member, Jeanne Hoagland, "After having just spent over $16,000 on that project, let's see how it weathers at least a year before spending any more money on it. But one way we could be good stewards of that floor is to make an announcement at games asking people to please walk the perimeter and not across the floor." The board agreed with Hoagland and adjourned to executive session.