School board meeting draws concerned residents
December 23, 2020
Sheila Harris
The Cassville R-IV school board met Thursday, December 17, with three members of the community present to communicate their unhappiness with the school’s recently adopted masking ordinance.
Amanda Tucker, who has two daughters in Cassville schools, alleged that one of them had been unfairly treated by her teacher when, due to a health condition, she wore a face shield at school, instead of a mask.
Tucker, who removed her daughter from the classroom to a virtual-learning setting as a result, says she believes her children’s education is very important.
“You’ve taken that away from (my daughter),” she said.
Parker Stumpff, another Cassville resident, also removed his daughter - a kindergartner - from the classroom because of the masking ordinance.
“I feel as though we’ve had a violation of our rights as parents when the school board passed a masking requirement without consulting us,” he said. “As parents, we have to sign a waiver for our kids to go on a field trip, so the school will be relieved of liability, but we weren’t asked about this.”
Stumpff pointed out there was no way school personnel could know whether any of the children might have an underlying health condition which could be adversely affected by wearing a mask.
Stumpff’s father, Donnie Stumpff, also spoke to the board in agreement with his son and Amanda Tucker.
“I’m not altogether against wearing a mask,” he said, “but to degrade a child because they are not wearing a mask is not acceptable.
“I’m here as a friend and a neighbor,” Stumpff continued. “I love you all, but we need to fix this problem. We’re better than this.”
In other matters, the board approved the purchase of a lot located at 1309 Harold Street for $9,500 and will discuss outdoor classroom, garden, and natural resource options for students and the WILD Academy in the next few months.
The Board also accepted the resignations for Sam Madsen, Thomas McCormick, and Tina Mills.
In addition, the Board has accepted the retirement resignation of Leigh Martin.
Martin has dedicated 30 years to education, six of those at Cassville.
“The District appreciates Martin’s service to our students and wishes her well in retirement and next pursuits,” Superintendent Dr. Richard Asbill said.
The Board approved the FY2020 Fiscal Audit and approved the FY2021 mid year budget amendment.
Reports were presented by departmental teachers, Return-to-Learn guidelines were discussed, and as was a prospective school calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. A draft of that calendar will be presented for discussion at the January board meeting, with approval to be made in February.
Dr. Asbill reminds area residents to focus on hope.
“Hope is one thing that has provided me great comfort and strength,” he said. “This past semester we have seen sons and daughters and friends get married; we have seen loved ones lost or taken too soon; we have seen the blessings of new births; we have seen the good and bad in politics, happiness, sadness, friendship; and likely we have all experienced frustration and challenge. But I pray that you have all experienced hope.
“Hope is a confident expectation that good will come. Hope is encouraging. Hope is trusting that things will get better. I will admit that there have been some days that I have felt that hope was out of reach, but hope is knowing that we are not alone.
“From my family to yours, we pray that you know and find hope,” Asbill said, “not just in the moments of challenge, but in your everyday life and in your heart. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”
The Cassville R-IV school board met Thursday, December 17, with three members of the community present to communicate their unhappiness with the school’s recently adopted masking ordinance.
Amanda Tucker, who has two daughters in Cassville schools, alleged that one of them had been unfairly treated by her teacher when, due to a health condition, she wore a face shield at school, instead of a mask.
Tucker, who removed her daughter from the classroom to a virtual-learning setting as a result, says she believes her children’s education is very important.
“You’ve taken that away from (my daughter),” she said.
Parker Stumpff, another Cassville resident, also removed his daughter - a kindergartner - from the classroom because of the masking ordinance.
“I feel as though we’ve had a violation of our rights as parents when the school board passed a masking requirement without consulting us,” he said. “As parents, we have to sign a waiver for our kids to go on a field trip, so the school will be relieved of liability, but we weren’t asked about this.”
Stumpff pointed out there was no way school personnel could know whether any of the children might have an underlying health condition which could be adversely affected by wearing a mask.
Stumpff’s father, Donnie Stumpff, also spoke to the board in agreement with his son and Amanda Tucker.
“I’m not altogether against wearing a mask,” he said, “but to degrade a child because they are not wearing a mask is not acceptable.
“I’m here as a friend and a neighbor,” Stumpff continued. “I love you all, but we need to fix this problem. We’re better than this.”
In other matters, the board approved the purchase of a lot located at 1309 Harold Street for $9,500 and will discuss outdoor classroom, garden, and natural resource options for students and the WILD Academy in the next few months.
The Board also accepted the resignations for Sam Madsen, Thomas McCormick, and Tina Mills.
In addition, the Board has accepted the retirement resignation of Leigh Martin.
Martin has dedicated 30 years to education, six of those at Cassville.
“The District appreciates Martin’s service to our students and wishes her well in retirement and next pursuits,” Superintendent Dr. Richard Asbill said.
The Board approved the FY2020 Fiscal Audit and approved the FY2021 mid year budget amendment.
Reports were presented by departmental teachers, Return-to-Learn guidelines were discussed, and as was a prospective school calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. A draft of that calendar will be presented for discussion at the January board meeting, with approval to be made in February.
Dr. Asbill reminds area residents to focus on hope.
“Hope is one thing that has provided me great comfort and strength,” he said. “This past semester we have seen sons and daughters and friends get married; we have seen loved ones lost or taken too soon; we have seen the blessings of new births; we have seen the good and bad in politics, happiness, sadness, friendship; and likely we have all experienced frustration and challenge. But I pray that you have all experienced hope.
“Hope is a confident expectation that good will come. Hope is encouraging. Hope is trusting that things will get better. I will admit that there have been some days that I have felt that hope was out of reach, but hope is knowing that we are not alone.
“From my family to yours, we pray that you know and find hope,” Asbill said, “not just in the moments of challenge, but in your everyday life and in your heart. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”