Central recognizes students

The Central R-3 Board of Education met in regular session Monday night at the administrative building to recognize students and to hear reports.

The board first recognized several high school students for achievements and distinctions.

High School Principal Brad Coleman introduced students of the month at the high school, Holden Mayberry and Allison Nelson.

“I’m really proud of these two,” Coleman said. “Number one, they’re both involved in numerous activities. They both ran against each other as the co-presidents of the student council.

“When I say athlete, Holden Mayberry is the epitome of the high school athlete. He’s participates in three sports, all-district or all-conference in all three, or he will be this year. Allison participates in sports as well and is valuable member of our student council.”

The two explained their plans for the future. Mayberry said he plans to pursue a degree in economics and play baseball at either Saint Louis University or Missouri S&T. Nelson said she plans to attend pharmacy school, though she hasn’t decided where yet.

Coleman next introduced the September and October Elks Lodge Citizens of the month, who were nominated by teachers and selected by a panel.

September’s Citizen of the Month was Jake Glenn, who was nominated by Ken Halter.

“Trust me,” Coleman said. “In today’s climate and time, somebody that takes the American flag out onto the football field at every home game and salutes those people who serve this country should be applauded and should be recognized.”

Coleman said Glenn plans to join the United States Army after graduation.

The October Elks Citizen of the Month is Kimmy Wallen, who was nominated by John Petty.

Coleman said Wallen is a great student who is co-president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has been instrumental in providing Powerade and Gatorade to the opposing football teams at home games.

Next, Choir Director Bethany Ward introduced three high school students who made all-conference choir.

Next, the board heard about a report from library staff, who reported that a program had been instituted at West Elementary to provide 18,000 audiobook titles for students which can be accessed with a student login via multiple devices.

The board heard a report from the nursing staff who thanked the board for the past investment for Automated External Defibrillators, saying there were enough to cover the district and that if they are used to save one life, the investment will be worth it.

The board heard a technology report from Chris Warden who gave an overview of the district’s technology rotation plan. Warden also said West Elementary has a West Tech Club for fourth and fifth grade students who show an aptitude for technology to meet after school and learn more technological skills.

Additionally, Warden said the district had recently began receiving internet service directly from Charter Spectrum rather than going through a third party. The district’s connection has been upgraded from a 250 megabyte connection to a 1 gigabyte connection while saving the district $20,000 in the process.

He also reported that some servers will be needing to be replaced soon, which will be a large expense when the time comes. Warden also mentioned that needed upgrades to campus security cameras would cost the district $50,000 per campus, excluding the high school, when the district decides to replace them.

The board next heard from Jacob Myers of Daniel Jones & Associates regarding the district’s audit of fiscal year 2017, who reported that the district received the highest opinion that a school district can receive from the auditor.

The board next approved an out-of-state trip for the high school softball team to attend a tournament in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The board next approved a bid for two buses at $90,853 per bus, with $36,000 in grant funds from the Department of Energy going toward the purchase.

Jacob Scott is a reporter with the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3616 or at jscott@dailyjournalonline.com.