Local board readies for start of 2012-13 year

Several school policies were revamped and reviewed, a resignation was accepted, bids were approved, a van was purchased, and the approaching school year was discussed at Tuesday night's meeting of the Dexter Board of Education.

A total of 10 polices were revised for manuals that will be available for the 2012-13 school year. Included are changes to policies regarding staff conduct, use of school facilities, programs for students with disabilities, the district's Wellness Program, parking controls and property, liability insurance and the policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.

The changes, according to Supt. Dr. Thomas Sharp, reflect wording mandated through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), as well as preferred wording and clarification as suggested by the administration.

One of the policies adopted is new to the district. The inclusion of a Wellness Program is a newly mandated district policy that will be reviewing and possibly making suggestions regarding ways in which the district might further guide students toward a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and exercise. Board Member Kevin Bishop volunteered to head up the program for the coming year.

The changes were unanimously approved by a vote of the board.

Four more policies, including criminal background checks, references, professional staff short-term leaves and absences, and support staff leaves and absences, will be reviewed at the August meeting of the board.

After some discussion, board members decided to renew their membership with the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA). It was agreed the organization plays a role in providing legislative news and lobbying on educational issues. The significance of those efforts at the capitol, however, was questioned.

"I'm not sure just how instrumental the organization is at the legislative level," stated Board Member Mark Nea. "It would be interesting to know how significant their role is there."

Board members agreed, and the decision was made to subscribe to MSBA for the coming school year, but to reconsider membership for the 2013-14 year.

Also discussed was a plan to design and erect an entrance to the Charles Bland Football Stadium, utilizing some old masonry that was preserved when the old high school on Park Lane was demolished several years ago.

"The Building Committee and Steve Brown of Brown Construction are pursuing the design," said Sharp. "The current plan is to use these recycled memorabilia possibly as an arch just short of the entrance gate as guests enter the stadium."

Brown is currently tied up on another construction site, and will meet with school personnel, likely in the early weeks of fall, to discuss the design.

Board members also discussed the start of the 2012-13 year, noting that each building's staff will be provided breakfast by PTO members beginning at 7:45 a.m. on the day of Teacher Orientation, Monday, Aug. 13. Professional Development activities will take place at each of the district's campuses from 8:15 until 10 a.m., followed by the general staff meeting at the Bearcat Event Center, during which Dr. Sharp will present his annual address. Following the general meeting, the staff will move to the high school cafeteria where a full faculty and staff luncheon will be provided at 11:30 a.m. Board members, as well as retired staff members, are also invited to the luncheon.

In executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Title I aide Rebecca Lovelady, and authorized the interviewing and placement of teacher aide employees subject to board approval at the August meeting.

Also during executive session, the board approved the implementation of a salary schedule for school nurses.

In other action, the board:

* approved of the district's Professional Development Plan, created by the PD Committee and members of the local administration.

* accepted a bid of $11,390 to replace girls' lockers at T.S. Hill Middle School from Bulte Co. in St. Louis.

* approved a request from the Booster Club regarding the use of the high school facilities to host a dodgeball tournament during the week of football homecoming.

* approved a bid in the amount of $9,628 from Koch Air, LLC to install controls for the heating and cooling systems at the middle school.

* approved the purchase of a used cargo van with cargo rack hardware from Allen Christian Buick GMC of Dexter for $15,400.

* set the time for the August tax rate hearing as 5:50 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2012, prior to the monthly meeting.

* re-adopted the district's Conflict of Interest Policy.