The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education accepted resignations on April 8. They were from Paraprofessional Esabel Holt, effective at the conclusion of this school year; Jody Owens as assistant varsity girls’ basketball coach; Mark Meinecke as assistant varsity boys’ basketball coach; and Sherri Barker as assistant varsity softball coach.
Teaching contracts for the next school year were offered to Laura Mason for library/special education and Lindsay Landis for seventh through 12th-grade English.
The board voted to extend at-will agreements to all current non-certified employees for the next school year.
Two senior class members presented plans for a senior trip to Daytona, Florida, from May 5 through May 9. The board approved the trip.
Approval was given to the Missouri State High School Activities Association Dead Week period dates of August 3 through August 11.
The board approved the purchase of new English Language Arts textbooks for third through sixth grades. The textbooks, to be bought from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, will match the series purchased for kindergarten through second grade in the previous year. A seven-year subscription costs $26,021.91 for a hybrid package that includes digital and physical books.
One bid was presented to replace the boiler that runs the east side of the school building. The bid, from Maven Mechanical Services, was $39,012.50. The board tabled the decision in an effort to obtain more bids.
School board election results were certified. Makella Hagan took the oath of office, and Ervin Taff will take the oath upon his return.
The board elected Teri Noe as president, Heath West as vice president, and Kailer Stevenson as secretary/treasurer.
Superintendent Wade Hall provided a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) update, highlighting the discussions about the importance of staff and student climate and culture. This information will be used to help revise the CSIP in the summer.
Two summer projects were discussed: relocating sinks and capping gas lines in the science room, and working on growing grass on the softball infield to make the infield smaller.
Information regarding years of service recognition for staff members was presented: Heather Michaelis for five years, Richard Jones for 10 years, Nellie Henley for 15 years, and Jody Owens for 25 years.
The May board meeting will be in the library on May 13 at 7 p.m. The meeting start time coincides with the sixth-grade promotion happening the same evening.
