Bob Foos
Three Webb City R-7 School Board members were sworn in for new terms Tuesday, but the primary focus was on the one leaving the board.
Since he was the youngest-ever school board member, William Roderique has been on the board for 33 years. He chose not to seek reelection to what would have been his 12th term.
In his parting message, he reminded board members that their unity as “one team” is key to the school district’s success.
David Collard, the board’s longest serving member, now beginning his 13th term, thanked Roderique being part of the board’s heralded stability. He noted that Roderique has worked with four superintendents during his time on the board.
Collard read a list of accomplishments the board has engineered during Roderique’s terms, including new schools and buildings, providing tornado shelters at all schools, getting through Covid and increasing security.
Other board members agreed one of Roderique’s virtues is that he is quick to listen and slow to speak. He made light of that by saying he’s just a slow talker.
In addition to Collard, Scott Smith was sworn in for his first complete term, and Maggie Schade becomes the new member taking Roderique’s seat.
The board president position rotated from Stephen Crane to Erin Taylor, and Smith was elected as vice president.
The board selected Cheryl Chaney to continue as board secretary. And Josh Flora, assistant superintendent for business affairs, will continue to be the board treasurer.
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Superintendent Brenten Byrd reported “nothing positive” from his trip this week with Crane to advocate for public education funding at the state capitol.
“It’s going to bad. We’re in trouble,” Byrd said because the Legislature is having budget problems of its own. “This isn’t a Webb City thing, it affects all schools.”
Because of the current uncertainty, he said he will not have a budget for the board to approve until the June 30 deadline.
“It might be a $6 million cut next year” to Webb City’s budget, he said.
Crane added, “We may need some help operationally.”
“Educating the community.” Getting the word out, voicing concerns about tough decisions ahead concerning priorities and what to cut. That’s what what the board needs to do now, Byrd said.
Board members agreed the district needs to share information with the public – be open and honest – about the approaching financial hit. “There are things they can do to help us,” Byrd said.
It was emphasized that the district’s finances are currently stable with $8 million in reserve. But Byrd said that reserve cannot last because of the revenue losses that are forecast.
He estimated it would require at least an 85¢ levy increase for operations to offset pending cuts in state and local funding, thereby avoiding the need to for severe cuts in personnel and programs.
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As the regular Missouri Assessment Program testing begins in the district, Allison Pope, assistant superintendent for instructional services, told the board that some classes are participating in the state pilot program that tests more often and delivers results faster for teachers to respond.
“We want to be on the front end of this” for when it is fully adopted, she said.
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Josh Flora, assistant superintendent for business operations, recommended that the district contract with The Alliance of Southwest Missouri for driver’s education behind-the-wheel and classroom instruction at an estimated cost of $15,400. Some paperwork portions of the program can be handled by school staff.
Jeff Wilkie, high school principal, said 147 students have indicated they are interested in taking driver’s ed. That’s the most ever, but it’s just a guess as to how many will actually enroll.
The program was in doubt after longtime instructors Tim Doss and Dusty Allen retired after last summer. Instructors are hard to find because certification requires being on campus for a summer at Central Missouri University in Warrensburg.
The board also approved Flora’s recommendation to approve a new agreement with Oronogo regarding the location of a water tower on school property near the Truman complex. The property was given by the district to the city on March 9, 2005, for as long as the tower is there.
In other action, the board:
• Approved the purchase of two handicap-accessible school buses that the district has been leasing at a cost of $70,850 each from Central States Bus Sales.
• Approved a committee’s recommendation that Southwest Missouri Bank be retained to provide banking services for the district.
• Approved the purchase of Balance HQ, a financial tool to provide provide forecasting data from existing software.
• Approved a bid of $169,514 from Coryell Roofing to coat the roof at Madge T. James Kindergarten Center and provide a 20-year warranty.
• Authorized the sale of two surplus items, a Gravely Pro-Turn 460 mower, and a 1999 Chevy Suburban.
• Approved seven resignations:
– Derek Bycroft, physical education at Mark Twain and Harry S Truman elementary schools. (Two years with the district)
– Avery Davis, sixth grade at the middle school. (Two years)
– Johnna Johnson, physical education at the junior high. (15 years)
– Whitney Baker, district instructional coach. (10 years)
– Bradley Hershey, special education at the junior high. (Four years)
– Daniel Osborne, math teacher at the junior high.
– John Wilcox, sixth grade at the middle school.
• Approved eight contract recommendations:
– Candace Vene, assistant principal for the middle school and Webster Primary Center.
– Emily Pearce, special education at Webster.
– Wyatt Hensley, high school social studies.
– Robyn Wormington, high school communication arts.
– Sydnee Adams, kindergarten at Madge T. James.
– MacKenzie Robbins, third grade at Mark Twain Elementary.
– Katie Candrl, physical education at Mark Twain.
– Emma Floyd, junior high physical education.