Rimsie McConiga
Special to the Citizen
The Platte County R-3 Board of Education met Thursday, Aug. 29. The first item on the agenda was the financial report.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Reik said, “We’re in a lot better position than last year. There are no concerns to report so far in this budget year.”
Reik said tax records are completed and enclosed by law. The levy will remain the same as last year at $5.0193 per $100 in assessed evaluation. This levy is one of the lowest in the metropolitan school district, Reik noted. He said the levy is set to achieve the revenue needed to satisfy the 2020 budget that was approved.
That total included debt service and capital projects.
Seven members of the board were present at the meeting and they all voted yes on the tax rate as set.
Platte County High School principal Dr. Chad Sayre introduced school librarian Valerie Stokes who was selected to attend the Gilder Lehrman Institute/National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum Seminar at the museum’s education center in New York.
The museum partners with other museums around the country including the World War I Museum in Kansas City. Every summer they run institutes for educational purposes. Stokes said the seminar was important because most of the students in area schools were not alive in 2001 and it is important to teach them how that event has impacted and shaped their entire lives.
Chris Miller introduced science teacher Theresa Robertson. She spoke about her seminar at the National Air and Space Museum Teacher Innovator Institute in Washington D.C. Only 30 teachers in the U.S. were chosen to attend. Her students helped her make a video when she applied to attend the seminar. “They fell out of their chairs when I told them I had been accepted,” said Robertson.
Robertson said she learned new science project ideas at the seminar for her students, how to see a new vision for her classroom and ways to help her students keep up to date on science.
The new executive director of Northland Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) Brett Kisker, gave an update to board members.
There are nine local school districts in the program and Northland CAPS is working with many business partners. “It has been a great collaborative effort,” said Kisker.
The program helps students earn college credits, find help in career exploration and find internship opportunities.
Board members voted unanimously on the NCC production tech equipment bid. Funding will come from 50 percent local and a 50 percent state enhancement grant. The board unanimously passed the NCC Diesel Hydraulic Trainer troubleshooting program, which will include the purchase of a hydraulic troubleshooting learning system for the Diesel Technology Program. The program is funded by 25 percent at the local level and 75 percent by the state.
Mike Brown discussed the strategic plan update. “The good news is not a lot has changed,” said Brown.
He said the key to success for any organization is to honor the science behind getting better. “If you forget about the meaningful experience and you can’t make it better for people there’s not going to be much success,” said Brown.
He spoke of the building blocks: academics supported by business and the community all supported by quality continuous improvement.
“Last year we hit all our targets on the strategic improvement plan,” Brown said.
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
Work started at the intersection of Kentucky Avenue and Platte Falls Road and will continue through late October, which could impact school traffic.
The project will install a four-way traffic signal system and ADA pedestrian crossing. There will be brief closures at times, while the construction will run from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, though work will be adjusted to minimize the school and bus traffic.
Kentucky Avenue was reduced to one lane in each direction and turn lanes on Platte Falls at the intersection will be closed.
CLOSED SESSION
A number of personnel moves were made in a closed session after the August meeting.
Spencer Smith was hired as a physical education teacher at Compass Elementary, taking a spot vacated when Derek Colburn became the interim assistant principal at the school.
The board approved the retirement of Phil Dorman as athletic director effective June 30, 2020, while bus driver Teresa Enderle retired on Sept. 1.
August resignations included Jill Stewart (paraprofessional), Matthew Mefford (help desk tech), Wayne Scheerer (office assistant) and Jessica Swatek (health service coordinator).
A number of coaches were added to the high school: Taylor Laures as assistant girls tennis coach; Doug DeLay, assistant boys swimming coach; Taylor Sellars, assistant boys soccer coach and Shelley Laures, assistant track and field coach.
Candi Rawlings, Blaine Conner, Dianne Douglas, Debbie Keighley, Megan VanSickle, Zafirah Thompson, Rachel Detring and Amanda Deason were hired as paraprofessionals. Paige Feeley was hired as a CAN at Siegreist and Dee Hitchock was hired as an administrative assistant.