The Gallatin R-5 Board of Education heard an audit report from Kevin Hudson, CPA, Trenton, during their regular meeting held Monday, Nov. 16. For a sound and solvent audit report, Mr. Hudson reported no findings.
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The Annual Performance Report and MAP testing results were presented to the board by counselors Jerry Batson, high school, and Louise Bird, elementary. Gallatin met 14 out of 14 standards on the APR report, which changed recently from a 100 point system to a 14 area system.
Mr. Ruse said he was quite pleased with the APR report and added that Gallatin is among 26 out of 59 schools in Northwest Missouri to meet all 14 of 14 standards. He said that, as always, there are areas of concern the school will continue to address.
Science has previously been a practice area on the MAP test but will become a standard testing area next year. The school has been doing the science test voluntarily for the past couple of years and will continue to work in preparation for when science becomes a standard on the MAP test.
The board offered a contract to Martin Sweatman at a special meeting on Oct. 19. Mr. Sweatman now serves as Searcy elementary fourth grade teacher. The fourth grade class of 56 students was divided into three classes.
Mr. Ruse reported that the fourth grade has been working out fine, with all factors of concern taken care of.
The board considered how to fill the vacancy on the board left by Mr. Sweatman’s resignation, which had been accepted previously by the board. After lengthy discussion, the board decided to wait until April and allow the community to fill the vacancy through the normal election process. This means there will be two 3-year positions available and one 2- year position, because of the one year already having been served through April.
Mr. Ruse presented some changes to the budget for 06-07 due to the addition of another teacher, computer, and other expenses. About $50,000 in expenses has been added to the budget since July.
Mr. Ruse asked the board for permission to join Spectrum and Clear Wire, a brokerage company out of Denver, Colo., serving as brokers for five radio wave frequencies that the school possesses from 1990. The board said it would probably agree to it, pending some results in November.
Mr. Ruse will be attending MSA MSBA Oct. 26-29. This is a joint meeting with superintendents and board members. Sandra Alden, R-5 board member, will also be attending as board delegate for voting purposes on issues such as rules committees, etc.
The discussion regarding long-range planning and goal setting for November was tabled in order to better sound out and discuss the five-year objectives.
The new bus, #11, has arrived and is on the route. Principal’s Burrell, Elbert and Warren reported on activity calendars and upcoming events.
Bills in the amount of $713,556 were approved for payment. The bills are higher than the norm due to a CD purchased for $465,000.
Board policies are available on the web at gallatin.k12.mo.us. If anyone has trouble with the website, call Mr. Ruse.
Next meeting was set for Nov. 16.