Bearcat Bulletin
April 13, 2018
Board of Education Reorganizes and Elects Officers for 2018--19
The Gasconade Co. R-I Board of Education will remain consistent in the 2081-19 school year with Mark Brooks and Kevin Stiers returning to their directorships after running unopposed. The slate of officers remains the same President Becky Whithaus, Vice-President Mark Brooks, Secretary Dot Schoening, Directors Mike Pratte, Craig Schannuth, Jeff Englert, and Kevin Stiers.
Board Approves the Purchase of Minivan at State Pricing for District Use
The 2009 Ford Taurus owned by the District seats 6 passengers and has over 130,000 miles. It has begun to experience mechanical issues as well as being in need of new tires. After evaluation of the mechanical issues, it was determined they are greater than the value of the vehicle.
Purchasing a minivan would make available another seat for a total of 7 passengers. Schneider Chrysler has two minivan options with state set pricing for public school districts. Both minivans were reviewed, and the Chrysler Pacifica was found to be the vehicle that will best suit the needs of the district. The state price is $24,600 for a new 2018 model. Rick Schneider has offered us a trade-in amount of $4,000 for the 2009 Taurus, making the final price $20,600. We have these funds budgeted, and with the board's approval, will make this purchase from the 2017-18 budget.
The van will be used for transporting small groups of students on short trips as well as for district staff. This will be a savings for the district budget, as it is less costly to drive a district-owned vehicle than to reimburse mileage for work-related events. Furthermore, having the availability to transport six or less students in a van rather than a large bus will be a cost savings as well.
Board approves Teaching Contracts for New Hires
Shelby Winkelmann will be joining the teaching staff as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Ms. Winkelmann attended the University of Central Missouri where she received both her Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. She completed her clinical studies at Welch-Schmidt Center for Communication Disorders, Pettis County Early Childhood Center, and Rusk Rehabilitation Center. We are very excited to have Shelby on our team and look forward to the impact she will have on our students for years to come.
Mr. Jake Witthaus joins our special education teaching team at the high school. Mr. Witthaus has been successfully teaching at New Haven for the past three years in special education. He is a graduate of Central Methodist College with a Bachelors of Science in Education. We look forward to having Mr. Witthaus in the hallways of Hermann High School once again.
Coaches are Hired for the 2018-19 School Year
HIgh School
Football
Andy Emmons Head Coach
Josh Schwenck Assistant
Jess Robb Assistant
Wayland McKague Assistant
Donnie Bell Assistant
Andrew Alsop Assistant/JH Head
Cross Country
Josh Morris Head Coach
Dan Bader Assistant
Softball
Gary Leimkuehler Head Coach
Chris Leibach Assistant
Volleyball
Linda Lampkin Head Coach
Phil Landolt Assistant
Beth Weir Assistant
Boys Basketball
Josh Vinyard Head Coach
Larry Faerber Assistant
Gary Ash Assistant
Girls Basketball
Andy Emmons Head Coach
Shelby Winkelmann Assistant
Lexi Hughes Assistant
Baseball
Wayland McKague Head Coach
Josh Schwenck Assistant
Golf
Jeremy Hosick Head Coach
Track
Josh Morris Head Coach
Keri Poehlman Assistant
Ricky Vise Assistant
Andrew Alsop Assistant
Melanie Behrens Assistant
Cheer
TBD Head Coach
Dance
Rhonda Hardee Head Coach
Kirsten Parr Assistant
Middle School
Girls Basketball
Josh Vinyard 8th Grade
Eva Erickson 7th Grade
Boys Basketball
Jeremy Hosick 8th Grade
Jake Witthaus 7th Grade
Volleyball
Phil Landolt 8th Grade
Beth Weir 7th Grade
2018-19 Staffing Changes
A reduction of a section of the fifth grade will allow one teacher to provide educational teaching support in fifth grade, sixth grade, and STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) at the Middle School. Additionally, a high school health teacher will join the middle school health team for a portion of each day to reduce class sizes in pe/health at the middle school.
One special education teacher at the middle school will move to the high school to provide students services. This teacher was hired from outside the district at the April board meeting.
We believe that making these adjustments to staffing will meet the needs of our students as the demographics in each building changes.
Resignations
Mr. Steve Lenger also resigned his position as a part-time custodian for the district. We wish Steve the best.
Important Dates
April 14 Jr. & Sr. Prom, Valentine Hall
April 18 Spring Fling
April 19/20 State FFA
April 24-May 2 EOC Testing
May 2 Senior Cardinal’s game
May 4 Special Olympics
May 7- Band Concert
May 7-11- Teacher Appreciation Week
May 11 – Decision Day/Senior Recognition Night
8th-Grade Promotion Ceremony, 6:00 p.m.
May 13 – Baccalaureate Service 7:00 pm @ Baptist Church
May 15 – Senior BBQ
Choir Concert
May 17 Last day of school for students & Graduation 7:00 pm
May 18 Last day of school for teachers
May 29 First day of summer school
District Website and Mobile App
Download the new Gasconade Co. R-I mobile app on your mobile device!
Gasconade Co. R-I School District
Email: thankins@hermann.k12.mo.us
Website: http://www.hermann.k12.mo.us/
Location: 170 Blue Pride Drive, Hermann, MO, United States
Phone: 573-486-2116
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gasconade-Co-R-I-School-District-716391278492656/
Twitter: @HermannBearcats