Monett R-1 Board of Education

November 16, 2023 Board Meeting Re-cap

Opening of Meeting

The board meeting was called to order by President Gaspar followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Board Members present: Ken Gaspar, Brian Hunter, Yesy Perez, Jared Wormington, Annie Smith, and Ashley Bailey. Absent: A. J. Bahl

The Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the meeting agenda followed after the roll call.

English Language Learner Students Recognition / Celebration

A great crowd of supportive family and friends along with Monett R-1 board members and the administrative team gathered Thursday evening at the Intermediate FEMA Building for an evening of celebration

Each student was presented with a Certificate of Achievement from the Board of Education members during the celebration / recognition. A total of thirty-seven students were recognized for high achievement on the ACCESS Test and successful completion of the district's English Language Learner's Program.

The English Language Development Department is under the direction of Mrs. Daphne Hensley with a staff of very supportive ELL teachers including: Brenda Burgherr, Nicole Dogero, Haley Hodson, Jairo Rueda, Tashia Garner, Latricia Davis, Maure Watson, David Valenciano, Kari Cox, and Tamara Stadter.

Congratulations to all of these students! And, to our English Language Development Team: Your

dedication and hard work are evident by the success of this program! Congrats to each of you as well!

Following the presentations, the ELL students and staff pose with the Board of Education members.

Monett Elementary Students Present After-School Program Activites

Under the direction of Travis Vanhorn, Monett Elementary School Counselor, the students talked about the different board games (including chess!) that they participate in during the after-school program and had some interactive conversation with the board members about their favorite board game.

Pictured below are: (l. to r.): Laura Bowen, Hanin Robertson and Quade Dean with Mr. Vanhorn.

Consent Agenda:

Unanimously Approved:

a. Approve minutes

b. Pay bills

c. Classified Staff Changes (Attached)

Admin Campus reports were reviewed by the board.

Previous Business

Update on Facilities /Grounds by Steve Garner, Director of Operations, included:

Demolition of house across from MECC on Sixth St. is nearing completion and parking lot estimates for the location are being secured.
Safety Grant Program: Fencing at Monett Elementary and Scott Tech will be installed in May with the safety window film to be installed at Middle School during the March spring break.
Central Office Remodel: Drywall is going up and electric and plumbing installation to begin November 20th
Land donated to the district (located by the MAC) is being processed. This area will be utilized by the JROTC program at Scott Tech.
Maintenance building: Outside painting and new window install has been completed with tuck pointing next
New Middle School punch list is now complete!
Monett High Gym Floor: Still being monitored but seeing some improvement

Update on Curriculum by Dr. Melissa Huff, Assistant Superintendent included

The Big 8 Curriculum Directors and Professional Development Committees have discussed and have decided to launch a new Professional Learning Conference for the Big 8 staff members with the proposed date of October 14, 2024. Monett R-1 will host this event and will be utilizing the campus

facilities of the new Middle School, the High School, and Scott Tech.

The Board Unanimously approved the following Program Evaluations: (CSIP) (All Attached)

Assessment Data Review (CSIP Goal 6 / Goal 10)
Literacy Plan Monitoring (CSIP Goal 6)
Success Ready Monitoring (CSIP Goal 7)
Student Support Systems and Parent Involvement Review (CSIP Goal 8)
Climate and Culture Review (CSIP Goal 9) - Dr. Drake will have a complete report at the December board meeting.
Facilities and Grounds
English Language Development Program Review and Celebration (CSIP Goal 2)

The Board unanimously approved the FY23 District Audit. This had been under a thirty-day review.

Turf Update by Coach Michael Calhoun, Head Baseball Coach:

The District had previously committed $250,000 toward the turf project. In the next month, donation progress will be reviewed and the Board will formally approve the total dollar amount of commitment from the District in partnership with the City of Monett on this long-awaited project.

Share time: MSBA Board Member Conference Attendees shared their main take-aways from the annual fall conference held recently in Kansas City.

New Business

The Board unanimously approved:

CPA Group for the F24 Audit Services.
Snow Routes: There will be 36 students involved in these new pick-up/ drop-off points. These routes will be implemented when inclement weather occurs and the City of Monett has the city streets cleared for safe travel. This will allow the school district to resume classes much sooner. Communication is set for the parents / guardians / students involved when and if the snow routes have to be implemented.
Greater Ozarks Centers for Professional Studies (GO CAPS) Monett and the Barry Lawrence County Ambulance District (BLCAD) Memorandum of Understanding. Under this partnership agreement, GO CAPS students will be able to receive basic in-seat training and receive an EMT certification upon completion of 144 hours of instruction.