The Trenton R-9 Board of Education heard updates on summer sports and activities as well as graduation last (Tuesday) evening.
Trenton High School Principal Kasey Bailey, THS Assistant Principal John Cowling, and Athletic Director Wes Croy created the tentative schedule for summer sports and activities. It involves no sports or activities practices or contests in May unless connected with graduation ceremonies and approved by a principal or the superintendent.
Groups of 10 or less will be able to meet for conditioning beginning June 1st. Workouts will be for 30 to 45 minutes at hour intervals to allow for arrival and departure. Social distancing guidelines will be followed and conducted outdoors. No indoor facilities will be used. Workouts will not involve balls or sports-specific instruction. They will be general aerobic and anaerobic conditioning and body weight exercises. Activities may not meet in June without approval from a principal or the superintendent. Activities include band, choir, and cheerleading.
If the most current state and local guidance allows by June 30th, facilities will open for weights and sports-specific practices July 6th. Teams could have open gyms, mats, or fields in the mornings and until 3 o’clock. Activities would be allowed after 3 o’clock. Teams would not compete against teams from other towns or travel out of town to compete. Activities may use the July dead period for practices or try outs this year only.
Normal practices and contests will return after the August dead period if the most current state and local guidelines allow.
Board Member Dorothy Taul said she wants to make sure students are safe. She asked why the sports and activities could not wait until July. She also asked if teacher-led videos had been considered.
Bailey responded that the plan for summer sports and activities is the “best case scenario,” and Trenton R-9 would not do any more than the tentative schedule. He said the district might have to change its plans closer to the time.
Board Member David Whitaker asked how students going out for fall sports would have the information on the tentative schedule.
Bailey said Cowling planned to send out an email with information.
Board President Doug Franklin noted student safety would be “at the forefront.”
The board approved a plan for graduation at a special meeting in April. The plan is to hold the ceremony at the C. F. Russell Stadium the afternoon of June 6th at 2 o’clock. The graduation ceremony will be delayed until later that day or rescheduled for June 7th if there is inclement weather.
C. F. Russell Stadium will be open to seat guests June 6th at 12:30. Guests will be seated on the field in designated areas. They will enter and exit through the main southeast gate by the stadium
Guests are asked to bring their own seating. They are also asked to follow the most up to date public health guidance available at that time, including face masks and social distancing.
Graduates are asked to arrive no later than 1:30. They should park at the Rock Barn and Livestock Pavilion area. They will be organized in the area just north of the stadium.
Graduation rehearsal will be at the stadium the morning of June 4th at 10 o’clock. If there is inclement weather at that time, the rehearsal will be delayed until later that day or rescheduled to June 5th. Arrangements for pictures are being made, so students are asked to come dressed with their caps, gowns, tassels, and honor cords.
Updates or changes to the graduation plans are to be made available to the public as soon as the information is available.
Superintendent Mike Stegman reported Trenton R-9 plans to receive almost $297,500 ($297,483) from the CARES Act Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund. The funding can be used to help staff with online instruction and buy equipment for online instruction. He noted the district is still looking into how to use the funding. It could be used for training for staff relating to online teaching.
Trenton R-9 plans to continue the lunch program until June 18th. Stegman said there will be a labor cost as the school year is officially ended. The CARES Act funding could help cover that cost.
The Missouri School Boards Association’s “Pandemic Recovery Considerations” was shared. The manual covers issues that might come up as the district reopens in the fall.
Bailey and Rissler Elementary School Principal Tiffany Otto thanked the community for its support of students and the schools.
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education approved the addition of two positions to the activities schedule last (Tuesday) evening. They are for high school head girls wrestling coach and activities supervisor. Both are Tier 1 positions.
Rissler Elementary School Principal Tiffany Otto presented the Title 1 Program Evaluation to the board. She said a few criteria have changed in the last year or so. The evaluation described Title 1 as involving teachers and paraprofessionals working with students in small groups, individually, or within the classroom setting. The program provides support for kindergarten through fourth grade common math and reading assessments as well as literacy training and support to classroom teachers. It also offers math and reading materials for students to take home for additional practice.
Superintendent Mike Stegman reported a Trane Career and Technical Education program would allow students to work for an HVAC certification. North Central Missouri College would have involvement in the data analytic technician program. Trane could help staff with the curriculum.
Performing Arts Center construction is on schedule. The Trenton High School/Trenton Middle School Media Center and Rissler Office have been demolished.
Stegman congratulated TMS Principal Daniel Gott for being named as the Northwest Missouri Middle School Principal of the Year. Kindergarten Teacher Debra Young is a candidate for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Regional Teacher of the Year.
Nine employees who are retiring were recognized. They included Suzi Beck, Wes Croy, Ron Franklin, Karla Lowrey, Fran Miller, Brenda Owen, Penny Roberts, Lisa Wallace, and Mary Woodson.
Board President Doug Franklin was also recognized, as last (Tuesday) evening was his last meeting. He previously said he accepted a position to serve as a pastor of the North Star Church in the Northland of Kansas City and was moving. He withdrew as a candidate for the June 2nd school board election, but his name will appear on the ballot.
According to the school district office, resignations are from fourth grade teacher Alicia Kiefer; para professional Megan Lynch; and Rissler custodian Dennis Voss.
Hired were Lysander Overstreet as activities supervisor and Libby Tunnell as an elementary school paraprofessional. The name of a third teacher hired has been withheld by the district unless she is released from her current employer.
