New director of safety reports to School Board about following up on safety audit recommendations

The Webb City R-7 School Board on Tuesday received an update on how recommendations from last year’s school safety audit are being carried out.

One of the major recommendations was that the district create the full-time position of director of safety and security.

In June, the board followed through and selected Tyler Christensen from a number of applicants.

Christensen appeared before the board for the first time Tuesday. Other than working to follow the audit’s recommendations, he said he is familiarizing himself with the school facilities and getting acquainted with principals and staff members at each school, while stressing the importance of safety and security.

He said he is also making staff aware that although he coordinates with the police school resource officers, he works separately for the district.

Board member Dave Collard said it’s important for the school population to be comfortable with Christensen’s presence and know “there’s somebody there to protect them.”

On other topics, Josh Flora, assistant superintendent for business operations, presented the bus mileage and ridership reports for board approval.

Ridership has increased, he said, which board members thought was curious because enrollment is static. His only answer was that more students are riding the bus instead of being brought by parents, especially at the middle school.

The number of miles driven has also gone up because there are enough drivers this year for all routes, as opposed to some drivers doubling up routes last year because of the driver shortage.

It was announced that the candidate filing period for two open seats on the board will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 and close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26. The three-year terms of Lisa Robinson and Jason Woodmansee are expiring.

Superintendent interviews being scheduled

Board members have ended their last two regular meetings with closed sessions to discuss personnel, and they held a special meeting that was closed for the same purpose on Nov. 1, the same night they convened to receive student achievement data from school principals and teachers.

Superintendent Tony Rossetti gave notice in September that he’ll retire at the end of the school year. He says the board is scheduling interviews with applicants to succeed him.