Nodaway County school board notes

By Phil Cobb | September 30, 2024 |

MF In the News

Jefferson C-123

CONCEPTION JCT., Mo. — The following are notes from the minutes of the Sept. 18 meeting of the Jefferson C-123 Board of Education:

As part of the school’s Continuous School Improvement Program plan, the district plans to increase its elementary and secondary student collaborative activities to four per year by 2026, according to Elementary Principal Caden Farnan’s report. The district also wants to promote student leadership and character development. To achieve those objectives, groups of around six students made up of three age groups will participate in activities together throughout the year. The oldest student in each group will have a leadership opportunity as part of the group.
The school has begun harvesting food from the school garden. So far it’s been oregano, basil, peppers and tomatoes that the cooks can use in the kitchen. The sixth grade has taken responsibility for the garden and tree upkeep.
The board tabled consideration of EdCounsel to provide full policy service to the next meeting.
The board approved a contract with Hallelujah Counseling, of Maryville. According to the contract, the district will pay $16,500 to Hallelujah, a Christian-based counseling service, for provisionally licensed professional counselor Jackie Cochenour to provide at least 25 days of services to the district this school year. Services will include individual and group mental health counseling; psychoeducation; and consulting and coordinating with educators, administration and parents as needed.
The board approved an agreement to purchase a 2025 Kia Carnival from Anderson of St. Joseph for $39,721. The board selected Anderson’s bid over one from Honda of Tiffany Springs for a 2024 Honda Odyssey at $42,809.53.
The board approved a five-year lease agreement with ProServ Business Systems for copiers.
The board declared a 2002 John Deere tractor, Frontier RB 1184 blade and Bush Hog ATH 900 as surplus property and rejected a sealed bid for the three items. The board then accepted an offer from Ag Power to trade in the surplus property for $10,500.
The board renewed its contract with Web School Tools for Paperless Board Meetings service for five years at a total of $3,000.
The board unanimously rejected a proposal from Learn Life Savers to provide education to high school students about organ, eye and tissue donation during class time. According to documents sent to the district by the company, the free program aims to educate Missouri high school students once they become old enough to drive about whether they would like to be an organ donor and how to do so.
The board approved a $2 increase to the sub cook pay rate.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

North Nodaway R-VI

HOPKINS, Mo. — The following are notes from the minutes of the Sept. 18 meeting of the North Nodaway R-VI Board of Education:

Board members approved a bid of $5,970 from First Choice Heating and Cooling, of Maryville, to replace a furnace in the elementary school gym. The board received two bids; the other bid was from Sleek Creek HVAC, of Stanberry, for $5,200.
The board accepted a bid of $30,140 from Pioneer Material to replace doors at the elementary and high school.
Board members approved the bus routes.
The board approved early graduation for Alanis Wray and Caleb Stevens in December 2024, should they meet all graduation requirements.
Superintendent Chris Turpin’s report informed board members that the original two bidders for the concrete floor and trough declined to bid, but he expects to receive bids from two other companies.
Turpin also told the board that the district has repaired some drainage issues at the elementary school in Pickering. Most of the downspouts had been draining along the building. Several downspouts are now connected and run through an existing drain.
The district received a $100,000 Teacher Staff Development grant from the Patterson Foundation, noted Turpin’s report. “This grant will allow us to provide tuition assistance for staff members who want to become teachers who are currently non-certified or program coordinators,” he wrote. The district is currently working on guidelines and stipulations.
Turpin forewarned the board that the district will be reviewed for the Missouri School Improvement Plan 6 during the 2026-2027 school year.
The district has received new playground equipment. It is in the process of being installed.
Turpin reported that the Dribbler’s Club, a youth basketball practice that teaches elementary kids dribbling skills after school, has 46 participants this year and he hopes that it will translate into students developing skills and confidence. “The more students feel comfortable, the more likely they will be to do it later,” he wrote.
Elementary Principal Heather Townsend’s report noted that the school has 101 students enrolled.
Junior High/High School Principal Roger Johnson’s report noted that the school continues to see a reduction in discipline referrals, tardies and late homework from previous years. “The students and staff are off to a great start this year,” he wrote.

Personnel

Shai Barber resigned as a paraprofessional, effective Sept. 20.
Chariza Gladman was hired as junior high volleyball assistant for the 2024-2025 school year.
Ron Koneckne was hired as substitute teacher.