Cassville R-IV School Board disccused end-of-term plans
April 22, 2020
Cassville School Board’s April meeting answered some questions, raised others.
Sheila Harris
The Cassville School Board met Thursday, April 16, via Zoom and Facebook Live. It was the first virtual meeting in the Board’s history. Because the Wellness Break now extends through the end of the academic year, originally set for May 15, both students and parents are left with many questions.
Dr. Richard Asbill, Cassville Schools Superintendent, and High School Principal, Keith Robertson, would like to assure both seniors and their parents that plans for a graduation event are at the top of their minds.
“This is a really tough time for seniors,” Robertson said. “We are committed to providing an event and we do have something planned, but can’t announce a date yet. We’re hoping to be able to do that by May 1."
Board member, Chad Yarnall, said he’d received lots of questions from concerned seniors and their parents about credits for students enrolled in the A+ program.
“We’ve been given a lot of latitude from the state,” Robertson replied, “so a few hours of tutoring won’t make a difference in meeting those requirements.”
“We want to do right by our seniors,” Asbill affirmed.
According to Asbill, a time in May will be coordinated for the return of school property, and for the pick-up of students' personal belongings.
Dusty Reid, Facilities and Operations Director, reported food service teams have served over 20,000 meals to students in Cassville, Jenkins, Eagle Rock, Shell Knob and Golden since the beginning of Wellness Break.
“During the first day of Wellness Break, we served take-home lunches and the next day’s breakfasts to 120 students,” he said, "for a total of 240 meals. On April 16, we served 675 students, for a total of 1,350 meals. We’re very grateful to our food service staff. They’re the backbone of coordinating this effort and we couldn’t do it without them."
According to Asbill, the food service staff is divided into two teams of eight: The Black and The Gold. Team members work together, apart from the other group, with each team working on alternate weeks.
“This is part of our strategic planning around COVID-19,” Asbill indicated. “If a staff member from one food service team becomes ill and the entire team needs to be quarantined, the remaining team will be able to carry on. Kitchens in the different school facilities, too, can be rotated for use, if necessary."
According to Asbill, the meal provision will continue through May 15, and possibly into June.
In academic matters, Traci Mitchell and Eric White, Directors of Learning, reported that 93.3 percent of students in the district have been contacted with questions about internet availability in their homes and their interest in being provided with educational materials during the Wellness Break.
“76 percent of students reported that they do have internet access at home,” Mitchell said. “We were pleased with that number. Pleased, too, that 84 percent of our families asked us to supply educational materials, most of which can be accessed online.”
Catherine Weaver, Elementary Principal, stated that grades Pre-K through 5th grade are provided with core educational activities for reading, writing and math, and can choose what projects they’d like to complete from extra classes.
“Those materials can be picked up in the lunch line,” she said.
Intermediate Principal, Jeff Swadley, reported that each of his teachers hosts a Zoom meeting with their students every week to talk about their learning packets and the status of COVID-19 and the Wellness Break.
In other items, the Board extended funding of the district’s health insurance program, with a 4.9 percent increase in base plan coverage.
Updates were given on current construction projects, which were able to be moved forward since there are no students in the building.
Approval was given to renew the lease on the modular unit that houses the Mercy Clinic.
The Board accepted the resignations of Deanna Roller and Sonya Brown and approved employment recommendations for Nathan Jones as a middle school teacher and Courtney Parnell as a high school teacher.
School Board reorganization occurred, with Becky Henningson elected as President, Jon Horner as Vice President, and Jeremy Marple as Treasurer. Staci Williams was reinstated as Board Secretary.
The Board recognized outgoing member, David Haddock, for his service to students, staff and the community.
“David has been a great mentor and advisor regarding how our efforts impact our patrons and the community,” Asbill said. “I’m thankful for his friendship to me, and for his service and dedication to Cassville R-IV Schools."
The pending economic impact of COVID-19 on school operations was discussed. The district currently receives approximately 45 percent of their revenues from local assessed valuation, 45 percent from state funding, 7 percent from federal sources, and the remainder from the county or grants sources. Because of the suspension in classroom activities, sporting events and field trips, Asbill reported they are currently well within their budget, although cuts on a state level are expected in the future.
"We are planning for some type of summer school experience,” he said, “although at this time we can’t set dates with any certainty. We are planning, too, for a start date of August 25 for the next academic year. In the meantime, remember, we’re all in this together, but make sure your faith is in Him."
The Cassville School Board met Thursday, April 16, via Zoom and Facebook Live. It was the first virtual meeting in the Board’s history. Because the Wellness Break now extends through the end of the academic year, originally set for May 15, both students and parents are left with many questions.
Dr. Richard Asbill, Cassville Schools Superintendent, and High School Principal, Keith Robertson, would like to assure both seniors and their parents that plans for a graduation event are at the top of their minds.
“This is a really tough time for seniors,” Robertson said. “We are committed to providing an event and we do have something planned, but can’t announce a date yet. We’re hoping to be able to do that by May 1."
Board member, Chad Yarnall, said he’d received lots of questions from concerned seniors and their parents about credits for students enrolled in the A+ program.
“We’ve been given a lot of latitude from the state,” Robertson replied, “so a few hours of tutoring won’t make a difference in meeting those requirements.”
“We want to do right by our seniors,” Asbill affirmed.
According to Asbill, a time in May will be coordinated for the return of school property, and for the pick-up of students' personal belongings.
Dusty Reid, Facilities and Operations Director, reported food service teams have served over 20,000 meals to students in Cassville, Jenkins, Eagle Rock, Shell Knob and Golden since the beginning of Wellness Break.
“During the first day of Wellness Break, we served take-home lunches and the next day’s breakfasts to 120 students,” he said, "for a total of 240 meals. On April 16, we served 675 students, for a total of 1,350 meals. We’re very grateful to our food service staff. They’re the backbone of coordinating this effort and we couldn’t do it without them."
According to Asbill, the food service staff is divided into two teams of eight: The Black and The Gold. Team members work together, apart from the other group, with each team working on alternate weeks.
“This is part of our strategic planning around COVID-19,” Asbill indicated. “If a staff member from one food service team becomes ill and the entire team needs to be quarantined, the remaining team will be able to carry on. Kitchens in the different school facilities, too, can be rotated for use, if necessary."
According to Asbill, the meal provision will continue through May 15, and possibly into June.
In academic matters, Traci Mitchell and Eric White, Directors of Learning, reported that 93.3 percent of students in the district have been contacted with questions about internet availability in their homes and their interest in being provided with educational materials during the Wellness Break.
“76 percent of students reported that they do have internet access at home,” Mitchell said. “We were pleased with that number. Pleased, too, that 84 percent of our families asked us to supply educational materials, most of which can be accessed online.”
Catherine Weaver, Elementary Principal, stated that grades Pre-K through 5th grade are provided with core educational activities for reading, writing and math, and can choose what projects they’d like to complete from extra classes.
“Those materials can be picked up in the lunch line,” she said.
Intermediate Principal, Jeff Swadley, reported that each of his teachers hosts a Zoom meeting with their students every week to talk about their learning packets and the status of COVID-19 and the Wellness Break.
In other items, the Board extended funding of the district’s health insurance program, with a 4.9 percent increase in base plan coverage.
Updates were given on current construction projects, which were able to be moved forward since there are no students in the building.
Approval was given to renew the lease on the modular unit that houses the Mercy Clinic.
The Board accepted the resignations of Deanna Roller and Sonya Brown and approved employment recommendations for Nathan Jones as a middle school teacher and Courtney Parnell as a high school teacher.
School Board reorganization occurred, with Becky Henningson elected as President, Jon Horner as Vice President, and Jeremy Marple as Treasurer. Staci Williams was reinstated as Board Secretary.
The Board recognized outgoing member, David Haddock, for his service to students, staff and the community.
“David has been a great mentor and advisor regarding how our efforts impact our patrons and the community,” Asbill said. “I’m thankful for his friendship to me, and for his service and dedication to Cassville R-IV Schools."
The pending economic impact of COVID-19 on school operations was discussed. The district currently receives approximately 45 percent of their revenues from local assessed valuation, 45 percent from state funding, 7 percent from federal sources, and the remainder from the county or grants sources. Because of the suspension in classroom activities, sporting events and field trips, Asbill reported they are currently well within their budget, although cuts on a state level are expected in the future.
"We are planning for some type of summer school experience,” he said, “although at this time we can’t set dates with any certainty. We are planning, too, for a start date of August 25 for the next academic year. In the meantime, remember, we’re all in this together, but make sure your faith is in Him."
