Central buses receive 100 percent passage rate

PARK HILLS — In what is becoming an unofficial tradition for Central, the district’s school buses received a 100 percent passage rating from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Central Assistant Superintendent Dr. Desi Mayberry gave a report on the inspection during the school board meeting on Monday evening.

“I think this makes seven of the last eight years that we have had a 100 percent passage rating,” Mayberry said. “The district will get the Exemplary Fleet Award from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. We are pretty excited about that.”

The board discussed and approved the calendar for the 2009-2010 school year. Open house for West Elementary will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 17 and will from 6 to 8 p.m. for the middle school. Open house at Central Elementary will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 18 and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the high school.

The first day of school will be Aug. 18. Christmas break will run Dec. 18 through Jan. 4. The last day of school will be May 14.

Central Elementary Principal Tim McCoy gave a presentation on the district’s Parents As Teachers program. The program benefits children who are 3 years old and younger.

“It is geared toward helping them develop the mental skills they need to learn,” Mayberry said. “If anyone is interested in joining the program they can call 573-518-1275.”

Chad Bradley gave a report concerning the district’s policy on school safety. Mayberry said many changes have taken place in the way the district handles security over the past couple of years.

“We have a school resource officer now,” he said. “All of our hallways are color coded. We have surveillance cameras that cover all of our buildings. We have limited access into our buildings. There are a lot of things we didn’t have to do in the past that we are doing now.”

In closed session the board hired several new teachers.

Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.