Central school board tackles busy agenda

Meeting in regular session on Monday night the Central Board of Education quickly moved through a busy agenda.

Prior to more formal business, the board first recognized a number of students and teachers for their accomplishments.

The two St. Francois County Rotary Club Students of the Month for October are Olivia Casey and Justin Halter, who were selected by Central staff members. Principal Brad Coleman described both students as “nice, sweet, great kids that you would be proud to have as your own kids.” He commended them for their outstanding academic, athletic and community involvement.

Casey and Halter, in turn, were asked to choose the October teachers of the month. Casey selected social studies and history teacher Alex Redecker while Halter chose math teacher Jon Petty.

Coleman also announced that, for the first time, the Mineral Area Elks Lodge will begin sponsoring their own student of the month, selected from students in 9th through 12th grades. Nominated by teachers, these students will be selected based on their outstanding citizenship.

Although not present at the meeting, Coleman named junior Stockton George as the very first Elks student of the month. George was singled out, according to Coleman, because he “always constantly helps other students with their work in class … constantly asking other students if they need any help.”

Next up, several girls were recognized for being named to All-Conference and All-District teams, which are selected and voted on by coaches in other school districts. The girls were also recognized for their impressive individual records.

Board members heard and approved several staff reports after completion of the recognition ceremony.

Central High School Library Media Specialist Shara Weiss showed the board a short video that summarized “things that go on in the library” and commented about how Central “kids are so plugged in all the time with their Chromebooks and phones.”

Weiss also reported that, during the recent “Teen Read Week 2015,” students collected items for the Farmington Pet Adoption Center. Students and library staff then visited the center to deliver the items and meet some of the adoptable dogs and cats.

Prior to ending her presentation, Weiss said that the library has a “great budget to work with that allows staff to regularly increase the school’s media collections.”

Health services staff reported that they have been busy providing current and retired staff with flu, pneumonia and shingles immunizations, performing routine student head lice checks and conducting other health screenings, including dental, hearing and scoliosis.

In his technology report, Technology Director Chris Warden reported that every middle school student now has a Chromebook and that he and his staff have been busy training and preparing West Elementary staff to start using Chromebooks before distribution to students.

Warden also informed board members about the district’s Tech Support Interns program (TSI), which trains and uses students to help handle routine Chromebook tech support issues.

According to Warden, the interns are handling the bulk of tech issues and have become a very valuable component of the tech department. Last school year, the interns successfully dealt with approximately 1,000 documented issues, many of which involved replacing cracked screens, wireless problems and other minor issues.

During his membership report, Superintendent Dr. Desi Mayberry reported that the count for September revealed that 2,105 students were enrolled district-wide which is consistent with last year’s numbers.

Prior to adjourning, board members briefly reviewed previously approved capital improvement projects at Central Elementary and Middle schools.

For its final action of the evening, the board unanimously voted to approve a bid by Brockmiller Construction, Inc. to begin construction of an industrial arts wing at the middle school tentatively scheduled to begin next spring.

Speaking of his appreciation for the strong backing of the community, Mayberry said, “Our voters supported us and so we’re making the improvements that they so generously supported.”

During Monday night’s Central school board meeting several girls softball team members were recognized for being named to All-Conference and All-District teams.

October teachers and students of the month recognized during Monday night’s Central school board meeting are, pictured left to right, math teacher Jon Petty, student Justin Halter, student Olivia Casey and social studies teacher Alex Redecker. 

Amy Patterson is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3616 or apatterson@dailyjournalonline.com.