Hume School board will not need an April election

Nevada Daily Mail

With just two people filing for seats on the Hume School Board, there will be no election this year.

Current board member Josh Rogers filed for re-election and Bryice Cannon, who attended the Feb. 11 board meeting, also filed. Rogers will remain on the board and Cannon will join the board in April.

During the board meeting, Hannah Elliot, CTA representative, reported that the teachers had discussed the end of year field trip with possibly the pre-kindergarten through second grade students going somewhere different than the students in third through sixth grades.

The MAP Reward and attendance field trips were also discussed. March 25 is the Pre-K Round Up.

During the principal's report, Scott Morrison reviewed upcoming events. He told the board that no classes were held Feb. 16, Parents/Senior Night is set for Feb. 17, and district basketball starts at Appleton City, Feb. 23. He told the board that in addition to those activities, the elementary school basketball games will start Feb. 27, the District Science Olympiad is Feb. 28, and bus inspections are set March 4.

Morrison and Superintendent David Quick reviewed new testing procedures with the board, stating that a large portion of the test requires typing and that the tests are much more demanding than in the past.

Morrison reported that there will be no baseball this year due to not enough interest. Thirteen and 14-year-old girls will make up the softball team. He stated an updated schedule will reflect different starting times for the softball games.

Morrison reviewed attendance percentages with the board. He stated the elementary was at a 91 percent attendance rate and that 55 out of 73 high school students were above 90 percent.

He added that contact had been made with parents and students regarding attendance. He noted that several students had been gone because of illness.

Morrison reported that January K-12 enrollment was at 170, with the current enrollment at 165.

In the superintendent's report, Quick stated that work had begun on the salary schedule for the board to review at its next meeting.

He also informed the board that the he was awaiting a response from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on how to resolve an issue with an MOE (Maintenance of Effort) Report for Special Ed Part B. He stated the district is required to spend an equal or greater amount than what was received in federal funds each year.

He also commented on a report for the state auditor that was being resubmitted.

Quick told the board that a CD would mature on Feb. 20.

The state legislature is back in session and that MASA (Missouri Association of School Administrators) Executive Administrator Roger Kurtz gave the most positive report on the legislature that he has heard in the nine years he has been at Hume, said Quick.

He stated that state money next year would increase by 3.2 percent.

Quick reviewed House Bill 42, which includes a clause for students in unaccredited districts to be allowed to enroll in MQVIP classes. He said this should not include private schools but currently it does.

HB 578 is requiring all high school students to pass a basic civics test with no lower than a 60 percent score before getting a diploma.

He also commented on Senate Bill 11. It states that vendors would be unable to take superintendents and school board members out to dinner and that dues to organizations would no longer be paid by districts.

In other action, the board approved:

* The consent agenda.

* The January 2015 board meeting minutes.

* Paying the February bills.

* The English Language Learners Plan and the Health Services Plan.

* Board policies 0320, 2930, and 3480.

Quick recommended the re-employment of Kirk Hart as principal/teacher and Scott Morrison as assistant principal/teacher for 2015-16 school year. The board approved the re-employments. Hart will be retained at a salary of $51,000 and 180 days, to be paid in 12 equal payments. Morrison was retained at a salary of $48,500 and 180 days, to be paid in 12 equal payments.

Quick commented that he had recently learned at a legal seminar that contracts are to be ready to be signed with stated salary and number of days at the time they are approved.