The Moniteau County R-1 School District Board of Education has met twice during the past week, and the most recent occasion revolved around discussion of expectations for conduct following an incident involving two board members last month.
On Monday, the board met to discuss penalties for board members Jeremy Burger and Brandon Dunham stemming from the incident in question. The incident took place at a late October California High School football game.
At Monday's meeting, board members made a point to speak about holding themselves to a higher standard during their discussions, with Burger and Dunham in agreement. The pair agreed to engage in a self-imposed suspension from attending two California school sporting events.
At its earlier meeting, last Wednesday's regular monthly session, the school board discussed a number of topics - an upcoming election for soon-to-be vacant seats on the board, a bonus for substitute teachers and the schedule for the district's winter break.
Board President Derek VanLoo and Burger have reached the end of their current terms, so their seats will be the ones on the ballot. Filing will begin at 8 a.m. Dec. 7 for the election taking place in early April 2022. As of early this week, it was unclear whether either board member plans to file for re-election. The filing date for potential candidates will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 28.
Superintendent Dwight Sanders also discussed the matter of substitute teacher availability in district classrooms. Sanders said the district has been challenged with a shortage of substitutes for some time. However, he proposed the board adopt a payment policy implemented by Jefferson City schools that could remedy the issue. The policy proposes a $500 bonus for substitute teachers for every 20 days they have worked in the classroom. As a recurring bonus, Sanders said the expense would cost the district around $10,000.
Sanders said he believed the change would act as an incentive for substitutes currently working to dedicate more days to California schools and potentially consider working for them exclusively. He said the bonus would also act as a message to these individuals that the district appreciates their service and devotion to teaching their students.
Sanders said he also hopes the policy would attract new substitutes who wish to take advantage of the opportunity to California classrooms. Ultimately, the board made the decision to approve the bonus, leaving substitutes with some additional income if they chose to pursue it.
Finally, the board approved the district's schedule for winter break, which is set to begin Dec. 17. In acknowledgment of the hard work faculty and staff have put into the year, Sanders said Dec. 21-22 will act as paid days off for district employees. He said he hopes this time at home will give employees time to regroup and relax with their families as they prepare for the upcoming holidays.
The school board's next regular monthly meeting is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 15 in the California High School library media center.