Cole County R-1 School Board Meets

The Cole County R-1 School Board held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 17.

Under new business, the Board voted to approve the consent agenda as presented. The Board approved a payroll fund transfer of $192,000.

James Stark, project manager for the new track, provided an update to the board with a projected completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. The Board voted to employ Central Missouri Professional Services to do the final drawings and specifications for the track. The A+ Coordinator, Trisha Black, presented an evaluation report for the A+ Program to the Board. Black reported that there are 20 seniors that are signed up for the A+ Program this year. There are a total of 103 high school students that are enrolled in the A+ Program at this time. This is an excellent opportunity for students to get the first two years of college tuition paid for by the state.

The Board approved setting a non-binding estimated tax rate levy at $4.1246, which is the same as the current year. The Board approved the best bid from Midwest Bus Sales, Inc for eight Bus Security Camera Systems at a cost of $2,300 each for at Total of $18,400. The Board voted to amend the 2010-11 School Calendar to include attending school for a half-day on March 18 as a snow make-up day. The Board voted to approve the 2011-12 School Calendar for the traditional 174 days, a request from Mike Harrison for the use of the baseball field for an organized traveling team for the summer and an adjustment to the pay periods for new teachers during the first contract period.

The April board meeting will be moved to April 12 at 6:30 p.m., to meet the law requiring school boards to reorganize within 10 days after the April election. The June board meeting will be moved to June 14 at 6:30 p.m.

The Board went into closed session to discuss personnel and accepted a letter of resignation from Christine Bowen, Kelly Rice, Deb Peterson, Wendy Sederwall and Debbie Keller. The Board did not renew Amy Messerli's contract for the 2011-12 school year. The Board employed Heath Waters to be the high school principal, Steve Wilson as middle school science teacher and Hillary Sifling as high school science teacher for the 2011-12 school year. Tyler Watkins was hired to be the assistant baseball coach for this spring. All other non-tenured teachers were hired back for the 2011-12 school year as recommended.