NEVC hires new High School principal

by Johannes Brann

In a closed session—in an early morning meeting—at the close of a week with no school, the Northeast Vernon County R-1 (NEVC) School District Board of Education, on a vote of 7-0, approved a motion to hire Mr. Brad Clark as principal of the high school at Walker. As is typical, he was offered a two-year contract which begins August 1, 2025.

While Mr. Clark has been a principal elsewhere, and began his teaching career at Sheldon R-VIII schools, he is currently serving as Physical Education instructor at Willard Central along with being a football and track coach. Beyond his undergraduate degree, Mr. Clark has both a Masters and Specialist degrees in education; he is about 50 years old. An interview with the incoming principal will be featured in the coming weeks.

“I was pleased we had three quality applicants,” said board member Heather Brown. “But I think for all of us during the interviews, he clearly stood out and that made it pretty easy for us to decide who to hire. You know it’s not just about the knowledge and experience, it’s also about being a good fit for us and I think he will work well with Christy (Jones, NEVC Superintendent) and us on the board. And boy does he love kids!”

The superintendent presented a request on behalf of Ms. Clara Lindsay, grades 7-12 English teacher, to permit students in grade eight to read the book “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury. Quickly looking at a review of the book on an internet site, board member Heather Brown commented, “It says there are concerns about scenes of violence and the strong language used. Board member Pritchett, familiar with the book added, “I think this might be OK for use in upper level high school but not in eighth grade.” Nods from many board members were reflected in the 6-1 vote on a motion not to allow the request; board member Bruce voted against the motion.

Jones briefly reviewed the contents of the Missouri School Board’s legislative platform for 2025-26 state legislative session including efforts to get more people interested in teaching by helping with student debt. A motion to endorse the agenda was approved by a vote of 7-0.

More time was given to Jones’ review of Missouri State Senate Bill 215 and House Bill 711, each of which would enable parents to enroll their students in any other school district in the state, so long as the student met district requirements. School districts would not be permitted to have more than three percent of their enrollment be out-of-district students. State tuition money would follow the student and be paid to the new district while the state senate bill would have local funds also be sent to the student’s new district. The bills also differ on who bears special education and transportation costs.

Elementary Principal Eric Rhodes reported enrollment of 99 students and 93 percent attendance; he expressed the hope that having this past week off would bring back nearly everyone healthy. The written report submitted by the High School Principal Dr. Lawrence noted enrollment of 95 students and 92 percent attendance.

Superintendent Jones began her report by noting the district had already used up its built-in “snow days” and the day of the meeting was “A.M.I. Day 5”. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) authorizes districts to have and use up to five Alternative Means of Instruction (AMI) days. Usually these are paper packets with a daily assignment from each enrolled class.

Said Jones, “If the weather forecast holds, we’ll be alright but if we need one more day we could use the Friday before prom and there’s the day after Easter on which we’re currently scheduled to have no school.”

Jones noted the district’s budget will be further challenged as there will be a sizable increase in health insurance rates. “This may limit us on increases to staff salaries but we’ll see come budget time in June.”

On a 7-0 vote, the board approved a motion to enter closed session. The next meeting will at 5:30 p.m. during Spring Break on Thursday, March 20.