LINN  — Linn R-2 Superintendent Bob James recently attended an Ozark Schools Benefits Association (OSBA) meeting and learned that insurance premiums might increase by 3-12%, with most vendors attributing to inflation and supply chain issues, which he said have exacerbated overall inflationary increases.

Vendors are being asked to submit bids, after which OSBA will present several options to members.

He noted that a 6% increase, for example, could result in a drawdown of reserves, but other options include passing along that increase.

Last year, OSBA paid out $13.5 million in claims, and of the top 10 prescriptions, two accounted for approximately $26,000 per month in payments.

Currently, the pharmaceutical list is open, meaning if a doctor prescribes a medication, it’s covered by insurance. James said one option might be to tighten that list.

“I don’t know what that looks like,” he added. “They’ll send us options, and we’ll vote on Jan. 25 on how we’ll handle it.”

Linn R-2 will have to consider the cost increase and consider whether the school has the reserves to handle it.

“Technically, our staff is losing money,” said James, noting if the school does nothing to mitigate the increase, employees will lose about 7% due to inflation.  “Our ability to recruit, hire, and retain employees will be impacted by that.”

James will continue to monitor the situation and update the board as he analyzes budgetary options.

In other business, James is trying to improve the substitute teacher situation but has yet to find a way as firms that provide such employees are limited.

In many cases, specialty subs only wish to work with specific grade levels or programs, while only a few are willing to take whatever is offered.

“We’re trying to recruit and find substitute staff,” said James, noting the Missouri Association of Rural Education (MARE) he was scheduled to attend included several sections on staff recruiting and retention.

In the meantime, R-2 teachers are covering classes when possible, giving up their planning period to get it done.

“We have a very shovel-ready staff,” said James. “They’re willing to step in and take care of it.”

Additionally, he said substitutes need to be treated well because they are saving the district in times of need.

• Board members approved a request from James to bid on equipment, primarily bleachers and stadium seating, that are being dismantled at a school in Jacksonville, Ark., as that campus is being disassembled.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to improve our facility and the experience for fans,” said James.

He estimated seating would cost about a quarter of what the school would typically pay for brand-new equipment.

James said he would like to have them ready for the spring season.

Equipment would have to be picked up by Dec. 31.

• October was Principals Month, and James took a moment to thank administrators for their efforts. He acknowledged that most meetings handle the business of the district but said it’s important to note the accomplishments of teachers, staff, and students.

• The next meeting will be held on Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

REPORTS

In his report, James noted he continues to build community relationships and gather as much feedback as possible.

• Personnel and staffing are about the same as last month, though James hopes to look at programs in November to see if any winter graduates are available.

• James noted that his primary focus is establishing the environment to pursue instructional improvement. That includes giving principals latitude to establish professional development based on student achievement that is focused on curriculum and data.

• James added that the bottom line will focus on learning that students can demonstrate when assessed.

“As I settle in, I hope to begin exploring a more extensive partnership with State Tech,” said James. “We are extremely lucky to have them.”

Elements he would like to expand include dual enrollment, a potential associate’s degree pathway, and possible bridge programs to prepare students to transition to State Tech and other likely post-secondary schools.

• Professional Development went well on Oct. 10, combining conscious discipline, data, and crisis response.

• James continues to work with Facilities Director Cliff Wilson and his staff to bring the school up to par. “We have a lot of deferred maintenance,” James noted. “There will be a cost associated with catching up, but it is a good investment.”

Aesthetically, James said R-2 is not ideal, but James said the staff is making progress. “We will turn our efforts inward this winter,” he added.

• As Linn R-2 grows, James is looking at alternatives to provide educational spaces, adding that efforts are being made to assess objective and subjective capacities.

With 12-24 additional students per year, the school may have space needs in the future.

• James and his team are working through a plan with Mammoth for current and long-range vision.

“We have submitted the survey using feedback from me, our athletic director, and head coaches,” said James. “I hope to be able to do something to improve facilities for several sports this spring. Track and baseball would be great.”

• The superintendent said he would also like to see band and choir grow significantly in the next five years. “Current staff is working very hard to do that, and I would like to meet them as they grow with continued support,” James said.

• In budget and finance, James said the school had unpredicted expenses with the HVAC unit and kitchen equipment, with the failure of the latter resulting in spoiled food.

High School Principal Erin Sassmann said it feels like fall. “This time of year seems to put everyone in a great mood,” she added, thanking the Leadership Class and Mrs. Baker for adding fall decorations to the high school. “They look great.”

• During the Oct. 10 PD day, staff focused in the morning on data. All staff members brought student assessments and went over and practiced the process of how to perform a data dig. “This is a process of looking at each student and how they performed on each question or standard on the assessment,” Sassmann said. “You locate the questions or standards the class as a whole is having trouble with and make goals and a plan to increase students’ understanding. When you do this consistently with assessments, it should increase student growth because we are reinforcing the skills they are missing.”

Staff also completed intruder training.

• At the PD/Parent-Teacher conference day on Oct. 19, the school introduced a new program to the middle and high schools called the ehall pass. Sassmann explained this is a computer-based program that will help staff monitor where students are at all times during the day. When a student needs to use the restroom or leave the classroom, they will ask through the system, and the teacher will have to approve for them to go. “We can keep track of where students are, how long they are out of the classroom, and frequency,” she said. “We believe this will be a big help in keeping our building safe and students successful.”

• Teachers are beginning work on the class schedule for next year. One significant change will be entirely adding sixth-graders to the master schedule. Right now, Linn has a hybrid schedule with them doing specials at the elementary. “Next year, we want them at middle and high school for all courses,” Sassmann added. “We will keep the board posted as we go because we might need to talk about staffing situations.”

• Sassmann proposed adding a student council position called “Student Council Representative to the board,” a student elected by the council who would come to board meetings and present a report like the principals. “Their report would be from a student’s point of view, but this would not be a place for them to bring student concerns,” said Sassmann. “This would be a way for them to report what the student body is doing at the high school. We would work with this student on how to create their reports and what types of items they should or should not include. A position like this is a great way to build leadership and skills for our students that they will greatly utilize as they go on in life.”

• Sassmann has completed the first round of teacher observations, including a post-observation meeting. “At the end of these meetings, I always ask teachers if there is anything they need from me or if they have anything to talk about,” she added.

In many of these meetings, teachers have told Sassmann they are enjoying this school year. “They say it feels better than years past and doesn’t feel as stressful,” she added. “They have stress, but it is easier to deal with. I have also heard similar things from students. Being a new principal and new to the district, this makes me extremely happy!”

• The culture at the middle and high school has been a goal for Sassmann. “It is feeling great, and I hope it continues to get better.”

Elementary Principal Tracy Kingsley noted in her report that weekly Professional Learning Communities conversations included MAP data for ELA in grades 2-5, a new writing student recognition program currently being developed, and the start of the ELA curriculum mapping at all grade levels.

• Regarding the Wildcat Team, staff continues to develop a more collaborative staff as the school explores ways to impact students, staff, and parents/community positively. “Our culture clubs worked together at our PD day to generate ideas for our Grandparents/Grandfriends event, Red Ribbon Week during the last week of October, and a Halloween event that included a trick-or-treat parade, costumes, and community members.

• Kingsley said everyone had a wonderful time celebrating October’s birthdays. “We had about 23 parents/grandparents attend and some birthday classmate buddies as well,” she said. “The cafeteria fixed some yummy cookies, and Mrs. Everett and I welcomed parents and enjoyed this time celebrating the students.”

• Fall Family Fun Night was held on Sept. 29 with a chili supper followed by a Title meeting with parents. Families played Minute to Win It games organized by teachers and paraprofessionals around the building. The Book Fair was also open, and the PTO had a sign-up for the Halloween Hoedown. A total of 228 people attended, and staff received very positive feedback from parents.

• Conscious Discipline trainer Jill Molli joined teachers via zoom on Oct. 10 during PD day. “We followed that learning opportunity with ways we can calm students in the classroom and recognize their brain state and how that contributes to their response,” Kingsley explained. “We also explored our executive skills through a survey and looked at our own strengths and areas for growth in social-emotional health.”

• After intruder training on Oct. 10, Kingsley noted one thing staff will be working on is updating emergency preparedness buckets in each classroom. 

• Linn’s first Wildcat parent chat was held this month. Four parents joined a broad discussion revolving around reading, Saxon phonics, Heggerty phonemic awareness, gifted education and serving advanced learners in the classroom, and math programs. How teachers respond to the sensory needs of students and the special education process and information were shared. Kingsley said a Wildcat Chat newsletter would be going home with lots of information shared and some information requested by those in attendance. “It was a great morning, and we loved having the chance to talk with parents,” said Kingsley noting the next Wildcat Chat will be held in January.

• October’s Evaluate testing has been completed, giving staff a complete picture of where students in grades K-5 fall on grade-level standards. “We’ll continue analyzing that data, setting goals, and working with students in their areas of deficit or growth,” Kingsley added.

• Students participated in FFA’s Food For America on Oct. 14. “It was a great day of learning and sharing for all students as they explored FFA exhibits,” said Kingsley, thanking FFA advisors Terry Shepherd and Megan Niederhelm for bringing their students to teach others.

• Mitch Branson worked with the school to organize bringing State Tech graduate Eric Steinberg and BIGFOOT to campus recently. “Our students looked forward to seeing this awesome truck,” Kingsley said.

• Area Safety Kids presented a program to students on Oct. 4th and made a great impression on them. “Our students loved the show with such a positive drug-free message. Lilly Baker and Ben Swann did a great job representing Linn Elementary!

• Health/Wellness: A flu shot clinic was held for staff and students on Oct. 20 with cooperation from the Osage County Health Department.

• Red Ribbon Week was observed the last week of October and included dress-up days at the elementary.

• On Oct. 28, several community organizations handed out candy as classes paraded through the buildings in costumes for the annual trick-or-treat parade. “We love Halloween and all the parent and community involvement it brings to our school,” said Kingsley.

• Parent/Teacher Conferences were held on Oct. 24. 

• Three Rivers Electric was at the school on Oct. 25 to present information about electrical safety, conductors, insulators, renewable energy, and circuits to our students in grades 3-6.

• The PTO Halloween Hoedown was scheduled for Oct. 29. This was a fundraiser/family event with the primary goal of upgrading the playground.

• Enrollment in grades Preschool-5 was reported at 280 students.

In the facilities report to the board, Wilson noted he is still looking to fill an event custodial and an evening position.

• Wilson is still working on the Job Card system for the custodial department. He added that it has taken a bit longer to get together than expected, but it is very close.

• In other personnel news, Wilson thanked his custodial and maintenance staff. “They have all been amazing,” he said. “We are becoming a very strong organized team.”

• Scheduled Maintenance/Repairs

— Kone will be in at the end of the month to complete the five-year elevator test.

— Staff has been concentrating on general maintenance such as indoor and outdoor lighting, HVAC (cleaning vents and replacing filters), and repairing or replacing non-working hardware and equipment. Wilson said he had spent some extra funds on getting bulbs and a few fixtures, along with quite a few filters.

— The ovens in the kitchen have been fully repaired and covered by warranty.

— Korsmeyer Fire Protection was in to conduct the annual sprinkler-system inspections. “Everything passed except two backflow preventers that need to be replaced,” said Wilson. “They have ordered the necessary equipment, and it is on the way.”

• Unscheduled Maintenance/Repairs: Steve’s Pest Control has assessed the campus and is working on a bid. Art’s Pest control was contacted and will be submitting a bid.

• Maintenance Shop and Equipment: The facility truck has returned from the shop, where it received some overdue repairs and maintenance and is ready for the winter months.

• Contracted Services/Projects

— Both auto-scrubber machines failed, which put the janitorial crew behind on daily routines. Hillyard looked at them and determined that one will need the drive control replaced and is still unusable. The other is functioning but has a faulty sensor. Wilson said he would like to put them on a preventive maintenance program with Hillyard if possible. “I have asked them to get some numbers together,” said Wilson, noting he will work with the superintendent when that happens and see if the program will fit in the budget.

— Wilson would also like to get the range hoods in the kitchen on a schedule with a professional cleaning company. To comply with NFPA 96 standards, they should be professionally cleaned (including ducting) every six months. The company will tag them and certify their safety.

• Facility Grounds

— Grass maintenance is winding down, with one or two more cuttings before Wilson believes his staff will be done with the mowers, which then can be winterized, cleaned up, and put away for the season.

— The ball field and some of the other patchy areas were seeded recently, and Wilson expressed appreciation to board member Mark Baker for his help.

• Future Projects/long-range vision

— The preventive maintenance plan is still a work in progress but still a high priority that Wilson believes is necessary in proper facilities management. He is still looking at December as a goal to implement that program.

— Wilson has a plan to start work on the drainage for the long-jump area on the first weekend of November.

• A consultation with Tylers Lock and Key was held on Oct. 28 to discuss some of the rekeying that needs to be done around campus. “They are a Best Lock dealer and can get us the cores needed to do the job,” Wilson noted.