Bronaugh school board swears in members

Friday, April 22, 2016

Nevada Daily Mail

April's meeting of the Bronaugh school board saw the farewell of one board member, the welcome of another, election of board officers, approval of a new phone system, adoption of board policies and hearing a full calendar of year end events.

Since matters pertaining to the newly elected school board member came after the consent agenda of previous minutes and approval of bills, outgoing board member, Chris Baker played a small joke on the district's superintendent, David Copeland. Baker started asking for details related to a series of bills causing the superintendent to turn to his secretary and principal for help. As they began to wrack their minds for answers, Baker declared, "I'm just stalling so my replacement has to wait a few more minutes before taking my seat."

Every laughed and with a sigh of relief, the superintendent declared, "Now I'm not sure we should give you the plaque we made."

Board president, Ryan Lynn stood, presented a plaque to Baker and thanked him for his years of service. "It's kind of fun to be on the school board when things are going well. But when things aren't going well, that's when this board and its members are more important than ever. Thanks Chris for all the help and all the good you've done for Bronaugh schools."

The board certified results from the April 5 election and board secretary, Saundra Bogart administered the oath of office to David Diggins who was re-elected and to Bill Rainey, who was newly elected.

The board elected as its officers: Ryan Lynn, president; Brent Baines, vice-president; Jill Walrod, treasurer and Saundra Bogart, secretary.

In his report at the February meeting, Copeland expressed a desire to find a phone system, which provided consistent service at a reduced cost. At the March meeting, Copeland received approval for a one-month trial of such a system. At April's meeting, the superintendent declared success and asked the board to make the switch permanent.

"Understand, the system is changing but we are keeping the 417-922-3211 as the main number and 417-922-3308 as our fax number. We are keeping these two land lines."

Except for those two lines, the new system will be a type of voice over Internet protocol known as a session initiation protocol. A bit like SKYPE, the SIP system gives the schools the ability to communicate by telephone as well as video over the Internet. Maintaining the landlines means communications will continue in the event Internet service is disrupted.

"In our one-month trial, our bill went from just under $400 to $20," said Copeland.

"The only thing about which we have to warn people, said Copeland "is that when the school calls them -- especially for robocalls such as for school cancellations -- the caller ID may have a strange area code and number but it will be from the school."

In advance of the April meeting, the packet of materials sent to board members included a set of policies for the board to review. Following a brief discussion of several items the policies were adopted as is by unanimous vote.

Special education teacher, Sharon Noel, addressed the board, representing the community teachers association. "On behalf of the CTA we want to thank the administrators and you, the board, for making it possible for us to focus on what's most important, teaching the children of Bronaugh. This has been a fabulous year, thank you so much!"

Several months ago the board authorized 360 Energy to perform an audit of the school's facilities and make proposals that could improve facilities and provide significant savings. Copland reported that the audit is complete, no cost or commitments have been made to date, and that what happens after the report is made is up to the board.

Copeland reminded the board of a state mandate. "Each board member is required to take 16 hours of training. Eight may be on-line with the rest done at a regional session. These sessions are quite useful. They are put on by the Missouri State Board Association and are available throughout the state, several times a year."

The board considered whether to move the location of the two certificates of deposit that make up the Pearl Martin Memorial Fund. Originating with the 1993 estate of the Bronaugh native, the funds built the current library and have equipped it with books, a computer lab and other equipment. Currently located at the Bank of Minden, in certificates earning interest of .25 percent, the superintendent indicated he would do a search for better rates at a closer location and report at the next meeting.

Principal Jordan Dickey reported that "elementary attendance is 97 percent and the high school is at 94. The junior ACT test will be April 19, MAP tests for grades 3-8 will be spread over the last two weeks of April while end of course tests will be coming up for students in algebra 1, biology, English 2, and government. Students in K-2 will take the TerraNova paper test."

"Our end of the year schedule is so tight that we have to distribute elementary awards at 2 p.m. on May 5," said Dickey "while academic awards for the high school will be at 6 p.m. on May 6. Field Day will be May 9, with the PTO selling t-shirts at $3 and free for those who cannot afford that price. The last day of school is May 10."

"Pre-school graduation will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 6, with kindergarten graduation at 2:30 p.m. that same day," said Dickey. High School graduation will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 with the last day of school being on May 10."

"The end of the year dinner for faculty, staff and their families will be at 6 p.m., on May 10," said Copeland. I've asked that there be no head table so that it is understood that we are all equal and equally valuable to this school and the education of our children."

Before proceeding into closed session, the superintendent distributed a sheet detailing the cleaning and small maintenance items that will be performed across school facilities.

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