Cassville School District Public Hearing and Board Meeting held
July 27, 2022
Adriana Keeton
On June 21, 2022, the Cassville Board of Education held their regularly scheduled Board of Education Meeting. Prior to the Board Meeting, a public hearing regarding Building and Grounds Safety and Security was held.
During the public hearing, local law enforcement and district representatives presented to the audience about current safety and security measures. Chief of Police, Dana Kammerlohr, Sgt. Donald Privett, Detective Stuart Lombard, Captain/Detective James Smith, and MSHP Trooper Kyle Knight presented. Board President Jeremy Marple, Superintendent Merlyn Johnson, and District Safety Coordinator Darren Rhea discussed district-wide safety measures and plans.
A School Safety Survey was disseminated to parents, employees, community members, and students earlier in the summer. Data from this survey was shared with the audience. According to the 285 survey participants, 71.2% said they feel students and staff are safe while attending Cassville R-IV Schools and 70.2% said they would support a policy that would allow a limited number of approved and highly trained employees to carry a concealed weapon while on district premises.
Information about whether to allow the use of School Protection Officers (SPOs) in the district was discussed. A question and answer time was conducted at the conclusion of the hearing. Audience members were able to ask school personnel and local law enforcement questions about district safety and security preparedness.
During the board meeting that followed, the board approved to amend Policy ECA to allow the use of School Protection Officers (SPOs) in the district. According to Superintendent Dr. Merlyn Johnson, this is an immediate plan of action and upcoming SPOs will not be publicized.
Dr. Jon Turner, MSU Professor of Educational Leadership, presented information to the Board regarding the possibilities of a 4-day week calendar. Superintendent Dr. Johnson stated, "A 4-day week is being considered for the 2023-2024 academic year. Our leadership team will be researching best practices at other districts across the state who have experienced success since moving to the 4-day week calendar. After we responsibly research and develop a 4-day week calendar that best fits the needs of our students and staff, we will present a possible calendar to the Board at a later date this fall. One of the main reasons we would consider moving to the 4-day week would be to improve our teacher recruitment and retention efforts. As more and more area districts move to the 4-day week calendar, we risk losing teachers to these schools if we remain a conventional 5-day week district."
The Board approved the following certified staff for the 2022-2023 school year: Sara Cummings, high school science teacher; Anthony Montgomery, K-8 ISS teacher; and Kristie Preddy, middle school science teacher. The following classified staff for the 2022-2023 school year were also approved: Ashleigh Yang, Katelyn Brisco, Trevor Dalton, and Carla Stewart, as special education aides.
The breakfast and lunch prices were approved for the 2022-2023 school year and are as follows. Primary School: breakfast, $1.50, lunch, $2.25; Middle School and High School: breakfast, $1.80, lunch, $2.60; Reduced will remain at $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.
A change order was approved by the Board with Mid America Sports Construction in the amount of $56,844.00, which will make adjustments to the sub-grade, gravel layer and fence for correct percentage of the softball field. According to Dr. Johnson, this change order will not delay the anticipated completion date of September 1. This substantial completion date will be a couple weeks after the beginning of the fall high school softball season.
To see the full meeting minutes of the July 21 Cassville Board of Education meeting, visit the Cassville R-IV School District website at https://www.cassville.k12.mo.us.
On June 21, 2022, the Cassville Board of Education held their regularly scheduled Board of Education Meeting. Prior to the Board Meeting, a public hearing regarding Building and Grounds Safety and Security was held.
During the public hearing, local law enforcement and district representatives presented to the audience about current safety and security measures. Chief of Police, Dana Kammerlohr, Sgt. Donald Privett, Detective Stuart Lombard, Captain/Detective James Smith, and MSHP Trooper Kyle Knight presented. Board President Jeremy Marple, Superintendent Merlyn Johnson, and District Safety Coordinator Darren Rhea discussed district-wide safety measures and plans.
A School Safety Survey was disseminated to parents, employees, community members, and students earlier in the summer. Data from this survey was shared with the audience. According to the 285 survey participants, 71.2% said they feel students and staff are safe while attending Cassville R-IV Schools and 70.2% said they would support a policy that would allow a limited number of approved and highly trained employees to carry a concealed weapon while on district premises.
Information about whether to allow the use of School Protection Officers (SPOs) in the district was discussed. A question and answer time was conducted at the conclusion of the hearing. Audience members were able to ask school personnel and local law enforcement questions about district safety and security preparedness.
During the board meeting that followed, the board approved to amend Policy ECA to allow the use of School Protection Officers (SPOs) in the district. According to Superintendent Dr. Merlyn Johnson, this is an immediate plan of action and upcoming SPOs will not be publicized.
Dr. Jon Turner, MSU Professor of Educational Leadership, presented information to the Board regarding the possibilities of a 4-day week calendar. Superintendent Dr. Johnson stated, "A 4-day week is being considered for the 2023-2024 academic year. Our leadership team will be researching best practices at other districts across the state who have experienced success since moving to the 4-day week calendar. After we responsibly research and develop a 4-day week calendar that best fits the needs of our students and staff, we will present a possible calendar to the Board at a later date this fall. One of the main reasons we would consider moving to the 4-day week would be to improve our teacher recruitment and retention efforts. As more and more area districts move to the 4-day week calendar, we risk losing teachers to these schools if we remain a conventional 5-day week district."
The Board approved the following certified staff for the 2022-2023 school year: Sara Cummings, high school science teacher; Anthony Montgomery, K-8 ISS teacher; and Kristie Preddy, middle school science teacher. The following classified staff for the 2022-2023 school year were also approved: Ashleigh Yang, Katelyn Brisco, Trevor Dalton, and Carla Stewart, as special education aides.
The breakfast and lunch prices were approved for the 2022-2023 school year and are as follows. Primary School: breakfast, $1.50, lunch, $2.25; Middle School and High School: breakfast, $1.80, lunch, $2.60; Reduced will remain at $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.
A change order was approved by the Board with Mid America Sports Construction in the amount of $56,844.00, which will make adjustments to the sub-grade, gravel layer and fence for correct percentage of the softball field. According to Dr. Johnson, this change order will not delay the anticipated completion date of September 1. This substantial completion date will be a couple weeks after the beginning of the fall high school softball season.
To see the full meeting minutes of the July 21 Cassville Board of Education meeting, visit the Cassville R-IV School District website at https://www.cassville.k12.mo.us.
