North Daviess R-3 combine administration posts

A motion to combine the superintendent and elementary principal’s positions carried with four North Daviess Board of Education members voting yes and one abstaining, after returning from an executive session of their regular meeting on Feb. 16.

“It’s a budget cut,” said Superintendent Julie Kirby of the decision. “The school has been looking at possible budget cuts for over a year. This year we’ll have to be a little more careful.”

Mrs. Steinman will have a choice of taking a position as a classroom teacher at North Daviess R-3 or moving on to another district.

Preceding that decision, the R-3 board made a motion to offer the elementary principal’s position to Sheri Steinman at current salary. The motion failed with two board members voting yes and three voting no.

Todd Willhite was offered the high school principal’s position at current pay.

The financial statement was presented by Pat Heaps. Bills were paid as presented.

The board accepted the resignation of Becky Morris as the cheer/dance team sponsor for 2004-2005.

The board was presented information regarding upcoming bills in the legislature. The board signed letters in support of some of the bills.

The board approved a motion to continue sending students to the Career Center in Bethany for the next 10 years.

An evaluation of the at-risk program and the dropout rates compiled by Larry Heaps was presented to the board for review. The school’s dropout rate remains very low.

The Reading Improvement Plan Policy was reviewed and found to be effective. Twelve children have improved their reading skills and moved off the plan. The evaluation was conducted by Bobbie Pyles.

Becky Morris, Bobbie Pyles and Rhonda Sweet presented an outline of the Reading First Grant, which is a federal program that would provide new reading materials, teacher training and a reading coach to assist the teachers of grades K-3. No local match is required. The board agreed to support the Reading First grant.

Ms. Kirby presented the board with information concerning the e-Mints grant available for grades four through six to place computers, a smart board, projector and a digital camera in two classrooms. The grant also provides training for teachers to integrate technology into their curriculum. No local match is required. The board supported the effort to get the e-Mints grant.

Ms. Kirby presented the 2004-2005 calendar and the board accepted it.

During administrative reports, Ms. Steinman reported that reading tutoring continues on Wednesday afternoons. On Feb. 26, Ronald McDonald will visit to read to the elementary students, and Rep. Jim Whorton will visit on March 23.

Mr. Willhite reported that Felicia Nelson will be going to state FCCLA competition. Brianna Weber and Sarah Summerhays were finalist in the DAR contest. Mr. Willhite had attended a MAP meeting and found that our program is on target with the performance improvement strategies we have implemented. Science Fair was Feb. 23. Homecoming is Feb. 27.

The board adopted a resolution to appoint Charlotte Clausen as official custodian of records.

The above are the unapproved minutes of the regular meeting of the North Daviess R-3 Board of Education held Feb. 16 at Coffey. Board members present were Donald Baker, Gene Morris, Chris Nelson, Debbie Ray, Beverly Hunter. David Iddings and Kelly Hightree were absent. Also present were Superintendent Julie Kirby, board secretary Beverly Hunter, Sheri Steinman, Todd Willhite, Pat Heaps, Bobbie Pyles, Becky Morris and Rhonda Sweet.