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Northeast Vernon County Board of Education approves wage increase
The Northeast Vernon County (NEVC) school board meeting was held on Thursday evening, April 20, and called to order by President David Bruce. Superintendent Chris Holcomb reported that the seniors will be leaving for their Senior Trip to Nashville on May 4, and their itinerary was approved by the board. Several bills were questioned by the board, including the interest rate on the checking account, the check to Carolyn Compton for federal grant applications, outreach occupational therapy, and softball jerseys. Holcomb explained each bill, and the board approved them.
Holcomb then presented the Non-Certified Salary Schedule for the 2023-2024 school year. He explained that with the school going into new hours next school year, hourly employees' pay would decrease, and he asked for approval to increase their pay by $1 an hour to adjust this. The board approved the pay increase, stating it would prevent valuable employees from leaving.
The board also approved the Extra Duty Stipend Salary Schedule for the 2023-2024 school year. This salary is for teachers and individuals who help supervise students in extracurricular activities and athletics.
Holcomb reported that the Student Information System (Tyler SIS) the school has been using for the last several years will no longer be available after June 2025. There are two other programs to consider: Emphasis Systems and Common Goals Systems. Holcomb suggested the board consider Common Goals Systems, and they approved the transition from Tyler SIS to Common Goals Systems as of June 2024.
Holcomb also reported that a representative from iCEV Curriculum Resource came to the school to discuss students' academic deficiencies. He stated that the school is required to spend 20 to 30 percent of their Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds on learning loss and students that are behind. The board approved the purchase of the iCEV Curriculum Resource Program for a five-year contract for $30,400.
The board also approved Janice Graves as the Board's Secretary and Heather Brown as the Board's Acting Secretary.
Holcomb updated the board on the solar panels, stating that the company reduced the price from $4,000 to $2,000, and the board approved the surplussing of the 130 panels they have.
Elementary Principal Kendall Ogburn reported that 96 students were enrolled in the elementary and that the second grade class was going to the YMCA twice a week for swimming lessons. On April 28, the fifth and sixth grade basketball teams and cheerleaders will be traveling to El Dorado Springs for a skating party. They would also be doing their MAP testing from May 1-5, with all-day field trips for the elementary taking place on May 5 and 9. On May 5, they would take preschool through third grade to Lamar Plaza Theater to see a free movie and then to Lamar's City Park to play and have a sack lunch. Then, on May 9, they would take third through sixth grade on the same field trip. On May 11, the fifth and sixth grades would tour the junior high and high school buildings, and the students who participated in the after-school reading program would go to Incredible Pizza in Springfield on May 12. They would also participate in the Food For America Day on May 16, and the last day of school would be May 18.
High School Principal Josh Smith reported that they had 110 students enrolled in the junior high and high school. He stated that FBLA went to State Convention last week, and FFA was at State Convention this week. Athletic physicals would be on May 11; graduation on May 13; softball districts on May 8-10; baseball districts on May 15-17; and the FFA students will be going on a field trip to Silver Dollar City on May 18.
In Holcomb’s Superintendent report, he stated that the new back stop for the softball/baseball field was completed today, and he’ll be presenting the audit at next month’s meeting. Elementary Principal Kendall Ogburn's retirement party is planned for May 10, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The board approved to adjourn the meeting, with next month’s meeting scheduled for May 18.