The West Plains R-7 School Board meeting Tuesday night was concise, partly due to parent/teacher conferences being held that evening at some of the district's schools, but there were updates, announcements and votes, including the declaration of two vehicles as surplus property.
School board members Reid Grigsby and Brian Mitchell were absent.
The meeting started with an introduction of most of the West Plains High School Student Council members by Principal Ryan Smith, who commented about the creation of a class devoted to student council and the importance of promoting leadership through that class. It is held during seventh hour for Student Council members, who use the time to plan and execute student council activities. They gave a presentation about Student Council and what they do, including the organization and promotion of school activities and clubs, fundraisers and community volunteer opportunities.
Student Council speakers were Vice President Coy Crites, President Sam Gohn, Junior Class President Morgan Beukers, Junior Vice President Malia West and members Kayleigh Kinder and Makenzie Kinder.
Moving on to regular meeting business, the consent agenda was approved, including the previous month's minutes, the monthly finance report, program evaluations and requests for resignations, employment and transfers.
The opening of candidate registration to be placed on the ballot for school board will begin at 8 a.m. Dec. 5 and end at 5 p.m. Dec. 26., except for those days when school is closed for inclement weather or for Christmas break. Those wishing to run for a school board seat may do so during the district's regular hours and days, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, except for the last day of filing when filing will be open until 5 p.m. Christmas break will be Dec. 21 through Jan. 2. The announcement was made by Superintendent Dr. Wes Davis, who noted the three-year terms of President Jim Thompson and member Brian Mitchell are ending. The election will be held April 2.
Two nonoperational vehicles owned by the district have been declared surplus property, a 1997 Ford van and a 2000 Buick Regal.
Most school administrators gave updates on various activities so far this school year, and related academic accomplishments. Middle School Principal Dr. Donnie Miller distributed copies of the Lightning Strikes News, the middle school newspaper, to board members and praised the efforts of students in writing stories about current events and student and staff highlights.
Davis concluded the meeting by talking about districtwide capital improvements and ongoing projects on behalf of Director of Human Resources and Student Services Matt Orchard, who was absent. Those included the new bleachers now installed in the middle school gym, the purchase of football team lockers by the Quarterback Club, and the near-completion of a new disability-accessible entry way into the high school library. The construction of the entry involved converting a former classroom into a hallway and will allow students access from classrooms in the east annex of the building. Previously, students were required to go outside and around the building to enter through outside doors. Future plans for the annex will be to enclose walkways between it and the main building to further enhance student safety; approval of studies for that project by engineers in order to get an idea of projected costs is already in place.
Davis also remarked on the district's recent inclusion in a new Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) conference, the Ozark Conference, and expressed confidence that West Plains is "the best" of the six high schools included, and has the biggest community support.
The conference includes West Plains, Branson, Bolivar, Carl Junction, Logan-Rogersville and Marshfield, to be in place for the 2024-2025 school.
November's meeting will be held the second Tuesday of the month rather than the third, on Nov. 14, because of the Thanksgiving holiday the week of November 20.
In closed session, personnel decisions were discussed and approved. For a certified position, Andrea Gaither was hired as a West Plains Elementary first grade teacher.
For noncertified positions, Sam Fox was hired as a school nurse; Jamie Story and Heather Poindexter, paraprofessionals; and Mary Roark and Katelynn Bonds, substitute school nurses.
The transfer of Stacy Kerley from school nurse to paraprofessional, effective in January, was approved.
Volunteers approved are Patricia Brown, Sam Cobb, Arah Craig, Robbie Crites, Kimberly Ford, Lexie Gastineau, Wes Gunter, Quanna Hafer, Ivy Madalyn, Patty Keller, Tom Keller, Lianna Ward, Mary Kenslow, Scott Kenslow, Lee Laughary, Jim Laughary, Shelley Martin, William Miller, Brianna Stiner, Lianna Ward, and Melanie Wyatt.
Resignations were accepted from Sarah Cobb, WPE first grade teacher; Christina Hodgson, paraprofessional; Andrea Harris, Parents as Teachers liaison; Miriam Stout, South Fork Elementary special education teacher, effective May 2024; and Tori Healy, middle school volleyball coach.
The retirements of high school art teacher Karen Pitts and middle school reading, computers and yearbook teacher Julia Huff were also accepted.
