Schuyler R-1 School Board Approves Policy Updates, Hears Reports on Enrollment and Upcoming Events
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Queen City, Mo., Sept. 18, 2024 – The Schuyler R-1 School District Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday evening, with President Andy Akers calling the session to order at 6 p.m. All board members were present.
In the initial actions of the meeting, the board approved an amended agenda item under new business and moved forward with the consent agenda. The minutes from the August 21 meeting, as well as the current bills, received unanimous approval. Director of Finance Tiffany Newland presented the financial report, indicating total revenue of $338,942.71 and expenses totaling $272,961.37 for the month of August. The financial report was subsequently approved by a 6-0 vote.
During the discussion of new business, the board approved a contract with Edcounsel Guide Services for the setup of policy and regulations at a cost of $13,000, with an annual fee of $2,500 for the subsequent four years. Following this, the board unanimously approved an assurance of religious expression, reinforcing the district’s commitment to supporting students’ rights in this area. A number of substitute teachers and paraprofessional substitutes for the 2024-2025 school year were also approved. In addition, the resignation of Deanna Creason from the food service department was accepted. However, the decision to hire a new employee for the food service position was tabled, as the advertisement for the position is still running. The next board meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Reports from the district’s principals and coordinators were presented, beginning with Elementary Principal Katie Wayman, who reported that August enrollment for grades PK-6 stood at 330 students, with an attendance rate of 97.31%. She outlined several upcoming events, including Grandparents’ Day, Homecoming activities, and the Mini Rams Cheer Camp. High School Principal Ed Koser followed with his report, noting an August enrollment of 241 students in grades 7-12, with a strong attendance rate of 97.96%. He highlighted the achievements of the Schuyler FFA members, including three students who will be receiving their American Degrees— the highest degree attainable in the FFA. He also mentioned the school’s ongoing participation in a range of extracurricular activities and plans to expand course offerings, including the return of Public Speaking for college credit and the potential addition of Computer Science.
Special Services Coordinator Raven Weaver discussed the department’s collaboration with outside agencies to provide vocational rehabilitation services, ensuring a smooth transition for students with disabilities from school to employment or further education. Superintendent Kyle Windy reported on an overnight trip request and introduced a proposal from the Booster Club regarding the installation of a video board.
The board entered into an executive session at 6:39 p.m. to discuss personnel and student issues, returning to regular session at 7:45 p.m. During this time, the board approved hiring a superintendent for the 2025-2026 school year and agreed to amend the current superintendent’s contract to serve as Assistant Superintendent for that same year. The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Full minutes posted below.
SCHUYLER R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR SESSION QUEEN CITY, MO WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
MEMBERS
Present Absent
Andy Akers, President
Jill Moncrief, Vice President
Marta Aeschliman, Member
Kevin Buckallew, Member
Wanda Homer, Member
Marti McGoldrick, Member
Verl Gordy, Member
ADMINISTRATION
Kyle Windy, Superintendent of Schools
Ed Koser, High School Principal
Katie Wayman, Elementary Principal
Raven Weaver, Special Services Coordinator
Laurie Nagel, Board Secretary
Tiffany Newland, Director of Finance
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CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m.
President Andy Akers called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA – 6:00 p.m.
Wanda Homer moved, seconded by Andy Akers to approve the amended agenda, new business (a). Motion carried 6-0.
CONSENT AGENDA – 6:01 p.m.
- Minutes of previous meeting (August 21, 2024)
- Bills
Marti McGoldrick moved, seconded by Jill Moncrief to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried 6-0.
Marta Aeschliman moved, seconded by Andy Akers to approve the bills. Motion carried 6-0.
FINANCIAL REPORT – 6:02 p.m. – Tiffany Newland
Total revenue is $338,942.71 and total expenses are $272,961.37 for the month of August, 2024. Marti McGoldrick moved, seconded by Wanda Homer to approve the financial report. Motion carried 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT TIME – 6:02 p.m. – none
OLD BUSINESS – 6:03 p.m. – none
NEW BUSINESS – 6:04 p.m.
- Discussion and Approval of Edcounsel, Duane Martin, will be here to present on Edcounsel Guide Services
Marta Aeschliman moved, seconded by Jill Moncrief to approve the Edcounsel Guide Services for $13,000.00. This will be for the initial set up for policy and regulations. Thereafter $2,500.00 each year for the next 4 years. Motion carried 6-0
- Assurance of Religious Expression
Verl Gordy moved, seconded by Jill Moncrief to approve the Assurance of Religious Expression. Motion carried 6-0.
- Substitutes
Marta Aeschliman moved, seconded by Wanda Homer to approve Eric Allison, Cora Smith, Brooklyn Miranda, Shayna Sapp, Madison Polniak, Tad Shotten, Linda Blessing, Ted Gentry and Madeline Mertz for substitute teachers and Avery Tallman, Debbie McGee, and Alexis Hamilton (also a cook sub) as para substitutes for the 2024-2025 school year. Motion carried 6-0.
- Approval of resignation
Marta Aeschliman moved, seconded by Andy Akers to approve the resignation of Deanna Creason for Food service. Motion carried 6-0.
- Approval of hire new employee for food service
Tabled, as ad will be running for allotted time.
- October meeting will be October 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL – Katie Wayman – 6:22 p.m.
August Enrollment PK-6: 330
August Attendance K-6: 97.31%
Upcoming Events
- September 17, 19, 24 Health Screenings
- September 24 Tutoring Begins
- September 29 Grandparents’ Day 10:30-12:00, Homecoming Assembly 12:15, Early Dismissal at 1:20, Parade at 2:30 in Lancaster
- October 1-4 Mini Rams Cheer Camp, Performance October 4 Game at 7:00
- October 2 National Custodian Day
- October 15-18 School Lunch Week & Bus Safety Week
- October 17 End of First Quarter
- October 21 PD Day 8:00-12:00
- October 21 12:00-3:00 & October 24 4:00-7:00 Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences
- October 21-25 Book Fair
- October 23 Dental Screenings
- November 7 Picture Retake Day
- November 13 Grades K-2 Music Program at 7:00
- December 11 Grades 3-6 Music Program at 7:00
Programs
- School Pictures were on September 11.
- Annual Fall Title Meeting & 1st quarter PTO Meeting were on September 9.
- We had health screenings September 12, 14, and 19.
Celebrations
- Our Art Teacher, Mrs. Kassens, was awarded a grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation on August 15th. She plans to use the funds to purchase clay materials and complete a project with elementary students.
HIGH SCHOOL 7-12 PRINCIPAL REPORT – Ed Koser – 6:24 p.m.
August Enrollment (7-12): 241; 97.96% attendance
90/90 Rule” 90%
The building and the grounds are looking good.
We are now offering College Comp in person (Mr. Edmonston)
Next year we will also be bringing back (Public Speaking for college credit)
And may add Computer Science (Mrs. Edmonston) for math credit
We had a great turnout at the Open House
FBLA is taking 25 students to Cardinals Career day. Where they will learn about different business careers at the stadium and attend a college fair. They will also get to watch the game.
On 9/18 we will have approximately 90 students in grades 9-12 going to Build My Future in Macon.
School photographer complimented on how polite our students were during the day of pictures
News:
28 HS football players
8 HS Cross Country runners (full boys team)
14 HS Softball players
Upcoming Events:
9/11 Fall school Pictures
Kaycee Hart, Ashlyn Laws and Jacie Morris will be receiving their American Degrees in October at FFA National Convention. This is the highest degree an FFA member can obtain.
On August 1st, Schuyler FFA members competed against 18 other area schools at Battle of the Chapters in Macon. We placed 2nd place in volleyball and cornhole. We also competed in tug of war, sand castle building, and water relays. We finished the competition by enjoying the swimming area at the lake. The Area 3 Officer Team facilitated the Battle of the Chapters.
Following the Battle of the Chapters, the Schuyler FFA Officer Team served dinner at the Annual Farm Bureau Meeting at Whipporwill Acres. Farm Bureau presented Schuyler FFA with a scholarship of two FFA jackets for incoming Freshman. Jarrett Groseclose was able to help out with the auction. Kelsey Buckallew and Jarrett Groseclose also helped by drawing raffle tickets.
FFA members have found many successes this fair season from the Schuyler County Jr. Livestock shows to area livestock shows and the Missouri State Fair. Schuyler FFA had 3 FFA members compete at the Missouri State Fair in Livestock Shows. Those members were MaKinley Aeschliman, Ashlyn Laws and Brenna Whitlow. We had two entries into the FFA Building this year with a Fresh Corsage made by Brenna Whitlow and a watermelon submitted by Rylynn Crabtree. Both entries received Grand Champion. This was a great first entry for the Schuyler FFA in the FFA building. We already have plans to submit more entries from FFA members next year.
On August 18th, Mrs. Dufur, Brenna Whitlow and the Area 3 Officer Team went to the Missouri State Fair and cleaned up the FFA Building.
We are excited for a new school year with many opportunities for the FFA Members.
rootEd news:
I wanted to share some exciting news from rootEd: this past summer, Maddy Fowler from the Schuyler Co. High School Class of 2024 was awarded a rootEd Alliance Undergraduate Scholarship of up to $12,000, renewable for up to five years, to support their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.
As a reminder, each year rootEd awards 30 of these scholarships, exclusively available to students in high schools that partner with rootEd. These scholarships can be worth up to $60,000 per student and are designed to meet students’ outstanding financial need after other sources of aid are taken into account. The application cycle for next year will open in January, and we will provide more information in the new year.
SPECIAL SERVICES COORDINATOR– Raven Weaver – 6:26 p.m.
The special education team has been working diligently with our outside agencies, preparing our students for the future.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Special Education share responsibility in preparing youth with disabilities for the transition from school to post-high school employment, education, specialized training and independence.
The local school district is primarily responsible for providing transition-related services while a student is still in school. However for students with disabilities who are, or may be, eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation services, communication and collaboration with VR may help to ensure a smoother transition.
VR’s role is primarily one of planning and preparing for when a student graduates or exits the school system. Successful transition planning involves VR counselors and educators working together to encourage students and their families to think about goals for life after high school and develop a plan to get there.
VR also works in partnership with individual school districts to provide students with disabilities an opportunity to obtain high school credit for paid work experience prior to graduation or exit from school. This transition service is called the Cooperative Work-Experience Program (COOP), and it is provided through a statewide intra-agency agreement within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education between VR and Special Education.
Eligibility for VR services is determined by the VR counselor on an individual basis. The counselor must certify that the individual has a physical or mental impairment that causes limitations to employment and requires VR services to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in or regain employment.
At all stages throughout the VR program, eligible students will be provided vocational information and guidance allowing them to make informed choices regarding their vocational plan. Eligible students may receive one or more of the following transition-related services, which include but are not limited to:
- Vocational planning
- Career guidance and counseling
- On-the-job training
- Assistance with finding a job
- Independent living services at Centers for Independent Living
- Pre-employment transition services
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT – Kyle Windy – 6:28 p.m.
- Overnight Trip Request
New Business
- Booster Club – Video Board
REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:39 p.m.
Marta Aeschliman moved, seconded by Marti McGoldrick to go into executive session as provided in Rs.Mo.610.021 (3, 13) (6, 14) (Personnel Issues/Student Issues). Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote: Andy Akers – yes; Verl Gordy – yes; Marti McGoldrick – yes; Jill Moncrief – yes; Wanda Homer – yes; and Marta Aeschliman – yes.
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION – 7:45 p.m.
Wanda Homer moved, seconded by Marti McGoldrick to hire a Superintendent for the school year 2025-2026 with amending the current Superintendent contract to Assistant Superintendent for the year 2025-2026 school year. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote: Andy Akers – yes; Verl Gordy – yes; Marti McGoldrick – yes; Jill Moncrief – yes; Wanda Homer – yes; and Marta Aeschliman – yes.
ADJOURNMENT – 7:49 p.m.
President Andy Akers adjourned the meeting.
