Dr. Asbill bids farewell,
grants awarded at annual CCTA Banquet
At left, Dr. Richard Asbill, with his son Sawyer and wife Kari by his side, bid an emotional farewell to members of the staff and community at Friday’s CCTA Banquet.
Asbill’s contract expires on June 30, after which he will begin his new position as superintendent of the Bolivar School District. Dr. Merlyn Johnson, of St. James, has accepted the position of superintendent for the Cassville district. Photo by Ezra DeVore.
Asbill’s contract expires on June 30, after which he will begin his new position as superintendent of the Bolivar School District. Dr. Merlyn Johnson, of St. James, has accepted the position of superintendent for the Cassville district. Photo by Ezra DeVore.
At right, recipients of the Cassville Education Fund grants are shown, left to right; Erin Flehmer; Mandy Boone; Michael Hall (accepting on behalf of Victoria Robertson); and Robbie Arthurton with Mary Cupps (representing the Cassville Education Fund).
June 9
Ezra DeVore
Three grants totaling $5,600 from the Cassville Education Fund were awarded to Cassville teachers at the Cassville Community Teachers Association (CCTA) banquet Friday afternoon at the Cassville Middle School gym.
• A grant of $4,200 was presented to Physical Education teacher, Erin Flehmer, for heart rate monitors for high school physical education classes.
• A grant of $1,000 was given to CHS Communication Arts teacher, Victoria Robertson, for books for her classroom library.
• A grant of $400 was given to Industrial Technology instructor, Robbie Artherton, for a camera to be used in robotics, shop, and PLTW classes.
Established in 2010 by community volunteers, the Cassville Education Fund is a permanent endowment fund benefiting Cassville R-IV school district academic programs. Grants from the fund are awarded annually. More than $25,000 in grants have been awarded to Cassville teachers in the past eleven years.
Retirees were commemorated at the event, and included: Catherine Weaver, a former Primary School Principal and first grade teacher; Jim Barton, who held many positions including teacher, coach and bus driver; Kristie Preddy, a CHS science teacher for 12 years, and Elementary Counselor for 17 years; Leigh Martin, who has taught since 1991; Lisa Cooper, who since 1995 has held positions in the kitchen and as a Primary School secretary; Mary Collins who has worked in the Primary/Middle School kitchen since 2001; Travis Wells, former science, physical education/health, and government teacher; Steve Bergman, long-time CHS staff member; Melissa Vollenweider, who has taught since 1989; Steve Erwin, a custodian since 2009; Steve Lehman, also a custodian starting in 2008; and Carroll Tucker, a custodian for 17 years.
• Senior Scholarships were awarded to Laney Roller, Jerome Ewing and Sadie Reuter.
• The three new inductees into the Quarter Century Club were Amy Stephenson, Shari Rhea, and Darren Rhea.
• Board Scholarships were awarded to Michelle Allder and Rachel McEwen.
Allder is currently pursuing a Masters in Reading from Arkansas Tech University. She has been a First Grade teacher at Eunice Thomas Elementary for 12 years. Next year, Mrs. Allder will be teaching Title I Reading in the primary.
McEwen is a Fourth Grade teacher in the intermediate building. She will be attending Missouri State University to earn a Masters in Literacy.
• Sam Madsen was given the Partner in Education Award.
• The Classified Staff of the Year award was given to Janelle Kelly.
• The Young Educator of the Year was Morgan McDavid.
• Primary/Intermediate Teacher of the Year was Michelle Harvey; and Middle School/High School Teacher of the Year was given to CCTA Vice-President Jill Poulson.
Superintendent Dr. Richard Asbill closed the event with a heartwarming speech about overcoming 2020’s unique hardships. Bringing his wife, Kari, and son, Sawyer, onto the stage with him, he was moved to tears as he recounted memories of his colleagues. This was Asbill’s final year as superintendent.
Ezra DeVore
Three grants totaling $5,600 from the Cassville Education Fund were awarded to Cassville teachers at the Cassville Community Teachers Association (CCTA) banquet Friday afternoon at the Cassville Middle School gym.
• A grant of $4,200 was presented to Physical Education teacher, Erin Flehmer, for heart rate monitors for high school physical education classes.
• A grant of $1,000 was given to CHS Communication Arts teacher, Victoria Robertson, for books for her classroom library.
• A grant of $400 was given to Industrial Technology instructor, Robbie Artherton, for a camera to be used in robotics, shop, and PLTW classes.
Established in 2010 by community volunteers, the Cassville Education Fund is a permanent endowment fund benefiting Cassville R-IV school district academic programs. Grants from the fund are awarded annually. More than $25,000 in grants have been awarded to Cassville teachers in the past eleven years.
Retirees were commemorated at the event, and included: Catherine Weaver, a former Primary School Principal and first grade teacher; Jim Barton, who held many positions including teacher, coach and bus driver; Kristie Preddy, a CHS science teacher for 12 years, and Elementary Counselor for 17 years; Leigh Martin, who has taught since 1991; Lisa Cooper, who since 1995 has held positions in the kitchen and as a Primary School secretary; Mary Collins who has worked in the Primary/Middle School kitchen since 2001; Travis Wells, former science, physical education/health, and government teacher; Steve Bergman, long-time CHS staff member; Melissa Vollenweider, who has taught since 1989; Steve Erwin, a custodian since 2009; Steve Lehman, also a custodian starting in 2008; and Carroll Tucker, a custodian for 17 years.
• Senior Scholarships were awarded to Laney Roller, Jerome Ewing and Sadie Reuter.
• The three new inductees into the Quarter Century Club were Amy Stephenson, Shari Rhea, and Darren Rhea.
• Board Scholarships were awarded to Michelle Allder and Rachel McEwen.
Allder is currently pursuing a Masters in Reading from Arkansas Tech University. She has been a First Grade teacher at Eunice Thomas Elementary for 12 years. Next year, Mrs. Allder will be teaching Title I Reading in the primary.
McEwen is a Fourth Grade teacher in the intermediate building. She will be attending Missouri State University to earn a Masters in Literacy.
• Sam Madsen was given the Partner in Education Award.
• The Classified Staff of the Year award was given to Janelle Kelly.
• The Young Educator of the Year was Morgan McDavid.
• Primary/Intermediate Teacher of the Year was Michelle Harvey; and Middle School/High School Teacher of the Year was given to CCTA Vice-President Jill Poulson.
Superintendent Dr. Richard Asbill closed the event with a heartwarming speech about overcoming 2020’s unique hardships. Bringing his wife, Kari, and son, Sawyer, onto the stage with him, he was moved to tears as he recounted memories of his colleagues. This was Asbill’s final year as superintendent.