Four open seats for Northeat Vernon County School Board

by Johannes Brann

With the regular board meeting date falling on Thanksgiving, the Northeast Vernon County (NEVC) R-1 School Board chose to meet one week early for its November meeting. Members heard an update on the planned senior class trip, approved an incentive plan for early notification of retirement or working elsewhere next school year or r plan for early retirement, heard reports from administrators and approved the filing dates for open board seats at the April 2023 election.

On hand included board members David Bruce, Connie Gerster, Scott Pritchett, Mike Newman, Heath Brown and Deland Prough, Board Secretary Janice Graves, Elementary Principal Kendall Ogburn and High School co-principals Josh Smith and Megan McInroy. Mathematics teacher and Senior Class Sponsor, Brenda Cain and Superintendent Chris Holcomb.

As required by law, the board set the dates for candidates wishing to file to open school board seats to be filled at next April’s election.

When asked as to the number of seats, Holcomb responded, “Because a board member resigned last January and you filled that seat with Heath Brown for this year, we’ll have four open positions. Three will be three-year terms and the one will again be for a single year. That’ll mean we’ll have three open three-year seats in April of 2024 as well.”

On a 6-0 vote, the board approved the candidate filing period being from Tuesday, Dec. 6 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.

“I’ll be here from two to five that last day for any last minute filers,” added Holcomb.

At the special board meeting on Nov. 2, Holcomb spoke about the increasing challenge of finding qualified teachers, especially in smaller districts where the pay is lower. To address this, the superintendent proposed a financial incentive system for early notification of resignation or retirement.

“That way, if we can post our open positions already in January or February, I think we’d stand a better chance of getting noticed and filling them,” said Holcomb.

According to the superintendent’s plan, the district would pay a departing teacher an extra $500 if they give notice in February, $750 in January and $1,000 if they give notice in December.

Holcomb thought it might also enable the district to grab a December college graduate and get a jump on other area districts.

The board approved the proposal by a vote of 6-0.

Senior Class Sponsor and High School Mathematics Teacher Brenda Cain, updated the board on housing for next May’s senior class trip.

“As you know, the class wants to go to Nashville housing there is really expensive,” began Cain.

“We’ve found a really nice place nearby, in the country but it’s not cheap either,” she added.

Cain described it as having a main house and a separate carriage house for housing, along with a heated pool, a petting zoo and other attractions right on the property. Some 18 students are currently planning on participating with plans calling for visits to the Grand Ole Opry, going zip-lining and shopping.

Said Cain, “The housing cost will be right at $10,000 and the class already has that much; we just need to raise about $2,000 more for food, activities, gasoline, and an amount of spending money for each student.”

Several board members, having personally visited there themselves were well aware of housing and other costs.

“Since you raise a lot of your money from concessions at games, I think you’ve got plenty of time to raise what you need,” added Board President David Bruce.

Without taking a formal vote, the board endorsed Cain’s plans and shared their appreciation of her keeping them informed.

Principal Ogburn opened his report by noting enrollment at the elementary school stands at 99. He said parent-teacher conferences went smoothly as did the recent Veteran’s Day program.

Commented Ogburn, “We had a color-guard from Whiteman Air Force Base and their opening flag ceremony and then later, they demonstrated the proper folding of the flag while Mr. Smith explained the meaning of each fold. That really caught the attention of our students and in my 27-years in the district, they were the most respectful I’ve ever seen.”

An informal polls taken by Ogburn found 11 girls and 14 boys interested in going out for basketball. Dec. 1 will be a Title One Family Night while the Christmas Program will be on Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Ogburn noted receiving over $6,100 in various items donated under the “3M Gives” program with some items being passed on to the high school.

Mrs. McInroy stated high school enrollment is currently 106. She told of on-campus visits by Crowder and Ft. Scott Community Colleges as well as the U.S. Marines.

The superintendent’s report began by noting the heating, air-conditioning and ventilation project should be complete by Dec. 2. The Booster Club’s successful fund-raising for a new fence around the ball field is slated to begin as early as this week. The regular annual audit and the special federal audit should be ready in time for presentation at the January board meeting.

“I’ve learned how we might capture some of our special education service costs with those students covered by Medicaid,” reported Holcomb. “The district should be approved to participate in this within the next 30 to 60 days and we don’t really have to change anything for us to be able to capture some of our expenditures and have them reimbursed since, especially being in a small district, every dollar counts.”

The board voted to enter executive session. The next regular meeting will be Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m.