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Northeast Vernon County school board members thanked for their service with homemade cinnamon rolls
On Thursday, with a lighter than normal agenda, the board of Northeast Vernon County schools heard from the cheerleading coach, principals and superintendent as well as watched a movie trailer before going into closed session to discuss an evaluation of the superintendent.
January is school board appreciation month and for the NEVC board this came in the form of a tray of homemade cinnamon rolls, which were eaten while they watched a video in which students, faculty and staff shared a variety of things for which they thanked the school board.
Cheerleading coach Erica Nicholas addressed the board, reporting her squad -- consisting of 11 girls and three boys -- needed new uniforms and sought permission to hold a fundraiser.
Nicholas, who is also a special education specialist for the elementary school, said Krispy Kreme donuts would be brought in and sold to raise the necessary funds. The board gave its hearty endorsement.
Elementary principal, Kendall Ogburn, reported an enrollment of 124 students, the seven game basketball season for fifth and sixth grade students with 9 girls and 13 boys signed up.
Kevin Redburn, physical education teacher, is coaching archery at the elementary school and it is gaining interest.
Redburn had students participate in the Vernon County Health Department's fitness challenge in September and October. Students did so well, Ogburn reported the elementary school received $200 for overall performance.
High school principal, Chris Hudson, reported a loss of two students but a gain of three others for a total enrollment of 103 students.
Hudson sought the board's permission for a change in the study skills classes.
"Right now, they get a grade for this as well as credit," said Hudson. "But we now have a situation where a few students are earning an "A" in study skills but in the core class they are studying for, they are receiving an "F".
With course selection for next year not too far off, Hudson asked the board to change future study skills courses to being pass/fail while retaining the credit if successfully completed.
Hudson requested board permission to take the entire high school student body to view the movie "Hidden Figures," currently playing in Nevada.
Naas pulled up the film's trailer and all present watched. The movie tells the true story of three black women, who possessed unusual math skills and were hired to perform complex computations for NASA just as the first manned missions were about to getting underway.
The board gave its approval.
Hudson said nets to protect the new scoreboards were on order.
The high school principal described the construction of a cardboard planetarium, located on an upper floor, large enough to hold 30 students at a time. She related how it is educational and enthusiastically received by teachers and students alike.
Hudson asked the board to change the school calendar so classes would be held on Jan. 30, which is currently a professional development day, and use this as the make-up day instead of the currently scheduled date of Feb. 17.
This too was approved.
The superintendent reported on physical problems with the building, focusing on roof leaks at the high school and boiler repairs at the elementary school.
Last fall, the board approved Naas's request to have the school office become a location for the taking of fingerprints and photographs as part of criminal background checks for employment purposes.
Naas distributed an eight-page security awareness training form which board members were to read, sign and return. This packet made clear the need for the board to keep confidential certain types of information, which may be revealed in any hiring process, which includes a criminal background check.
Board terms expiring include those of Robert Fox Jr., Jeanne Hoagland and Deland Prough. Fox, current board president, has not filed and will not run while Hoagland and Prough have filed.
Former board president, Mike Newman has filed for the open seat. Since there are three seats and three candidates, the district does not need to hold an election in April, which will save the district about $2,000 in election costs.