Westphalia — Fatima R-3 board members last Wednesday discussed the fact that two students have tested positive for COVID-19, and reevaluated district policy for activities.
“We made it four weeks, which is a lot longer than some other districts have made it,” said Superintendent Chuck Woody of the positive cases. “We try to keep the kids as safe as possible.”
Woody asked if the school needs to do anything differently with ball games hosted at Fatima.
Gier said social-distancing has been maintained as much as possible and students are doing a good job wearing masks at games.
Board members decided there need not be a change to procedures at this time.
Barnwarming was approved for students, but students will be required to wear a mask while they’re dancing.
“We let them go to ball games, and we’re expecting a bigger crowd for barnwarming,” said Woody. “If they’re up close, they need to wear masks, but they can take them off for pictures.”
In other COVID-19 news, Board President Doug Luebbering asked if an Ag advisor meeting should be held, and fellow board members didn’t see a problem with it. Luebbering said this is required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
“You’re bringing outside people in, but it’s a school-related event,” said Luebbering.
Curriculum Coordinator Janah Massman was also given permission to allow a group of seven sixth-grade Fatima students to practice basketball with her after school when the multi-purpose room is available.
“They’re trying to get a jump-start on next year when they play in junior high,” Massman said.
* Students who were working on tutoring hours when school was closed last spring are exempted from accumulating the required 50 hours in the A+ Program.
Seniors scheduled to take End Of Course (EOC) exams in the spring have not been exempted. “They’ll have to get that done somehow,” said Gier.
Massman added that an exemption applies only to 2020 seniors is all that has been announced, and the district is awaiting guidance for this school year.
“We left school in March, and they missed a lot of Algebra, so it’s not fair to give those kids an Algebra EOC in January,” said Massman. “We are better off waiting until after their first semester of Algebra II, for those taking it, and for those who don’t, it would be advanced math. The first semester of those classes touches on Algebra I.”
She added that the EOC can be offered in January but not required, with students having the option to take it in May.
Moving forward, the school will not administer the Algebra I EOC to eighth-graders, preferring instead to offer it later.
In other business, the board approved a bid for technical services from Quality Network Solutions at a cost of $28,000.00 for the first year, $28,980.00 for the second year, and $29,994.00 for the third year.
Current technical services are provided by Brian Stegeman of Mid Mo Micro Computers, which submitted a bid of $3,610.00 a month while students are at school. He will continue until Oct. 31 as the district transitions to Quality Network Solutions.
Also bidding were Huber and Associates at a cost of $7,943.00 per month for 12 months, and Lunar IT in the amount of $423,600.00 for a calendar year.
* Late starts for bus routes last year were monitored with a decision the night before inclement weather was forecasted, which Woody said didn’t always work very well.
“There were times we thought we could use snow routes with a late start, but it’s more realistic to make a call until the next morning,” said Woody, noting that there are times when the roads will clear up and a late start makes sense.
Board member Keith Huhn asked whether calling school off is worse than a late start, to which Woody said having kids wait outside in the cold is worse.
Board members agreed that making a decision about late starts the morning of a weather event is the best option.
* In personnel news, the board hired Sharon Kliethermes as the high school secretary/counselor, and Sharon Falter, who will coach the cheer team.
* The Special Education Compliance Plan through DESE was approved by the board.
* Bills were approved in the amount of $217,200.27.
REPORTS
Woody reminded board members that the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) conference will be held Thursday.
High School Principal Sharyl Kelsch said things at the high school are looking different.
“Our students and teachers are doing amazing with wearing their masks during the school day,” she added.
* Kelsch has been in many of the classrooms performing evaluations and is seeing a lot of good things. “I have seen a lot of new technology being used,” she said. “Teachers are embracing the technology and trying new things. Some issues have happened, some good and some not so good, but our teachers are rolling with it and demonstrating to our students how to roll with the punches. We had a rocky start with a couple of our tech things and our online courses but we are doing well now and I think we are on the right track.”
* The district has college visits happening virtually, and military visits happening via phone or virtual method, and the school is exploring ways to allow the different programs such as band and choir the chance to share virtually.
* The school is using Evaluate and USA Test Prep to help students prepare for MAP/ EOC testing. “We have just started and the feedback is pretty positive so far,” said Kelsch. “Janah and I meet with the teachers to discuss their data and what they are doing with it.”
* Enrollment in grades 7-12 was reported at 524 students with a rate of attendance at 95.5%.
Elementary Principal Melissa Wright told the board that walkthrough evaluations are underway. “I have completed one on every teacher and am currently working on the second one,” she said. “Formative evaluations of non-tenure teachers are also happening.”
* Evaluate testing is going well. “It is nice to have this data to drive instruction and to benchmark student learning,” Wright said.
* Picture retake day will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7.
* Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held Thursday, Oct. 8 from 1-7 p.m.
* Enrollment in grades K-6 was reported at 253 students.
Athletic Director Mitch Gier said that the softball and soccer teams have had their senior nights, and recognition for the volleyball is Thursday against Jefferson City.
* The cross country program will host the conference meet Sept. 29 and Fatima’s home meet is Oct. 24.
* District assignments will be posted soon and Fatima may be hosting some events since the school does not have fan limits right now.
* The video board is up and running and staff is learning the software. Gier expressed appreciation to Information Technology Coordinator Ryan Denning for taking this over and also to senior Naden Luebbert, who is working with him. “They are both doing a fantastic job,” said Gier.
* Fatima will have a Pixollet camera installed Sept 28, and should be up and streaming games in the gym by Sept. 30. More information will be provided via textcaster and the district website.
* Gier also thanked the Westphalia Lions Club for the renovations on the softball field. “We appreciate them for keeping both fields up to a very high standard,” said Gier. “We also appreciate the Knights of Columbus for the use of the soccer fields and all the hard work to keep that field in such good shape.”
* The district is still looking for a baseball head coach and anyone interested can contact Gier at the HS office.
Remaining business from this meeting will be presented next week.