Superintendent’s Corner

This past week saw some exciting news both for and from Morgan County R-1 Schools.  Our S.T.E.P. students attended a regional Future City Engineering Competition in Lawrence, Kansas. They did an amazing job and wound up earning 5^th place out of all competitors from 2 states.  I also confirmed with the Morgan County Caring for Kids Coalition that the next annual “Back to School Fair” will take place in Stover on August 4^th, 2012.  This is an extremely great opportunity for our students to receive free screenings for vision, hearing, dental, scoliosis, blood pressure, head lice, and receive free school supplies.  I am excited that we will host the Fair this year in our elementary part of the building.

Additionally, in efforts to work together, the Capital Regional Medical Center has agreed to partner with our school district to offer low-cost athletic physicals for our student athletes.  Graciously, they have offered to return all proceeds from the physicals to the district athletic programs.  Also recently, Great Southern Bank generously provided checking account practice sets for our Personal Finance classes.

I want to thank those involved with these community partnerships, on behalf our students and teachers, for their dedication and involvement.  It takes a community to raise a child and the people and organizations in Stover continue to make me proud by their involvement!

Again, I would like to ask any community group or organization to contact me at 377-2217 x223 if they would be willing to have me attend an upcoming meeting to discuss the district’s finances and/or answer questions regarding the tax levy increase request.

A few people have asked about certain staff members that have been kept on by the district after retirement.  In particular, I have been questioned about Mrs. Schulz’s continued employment with the district.  Her current salary is completely funded by Title money (not from the district operating funds) as she is still our Federal Programs Coordinator.  Mrs. Schulz did retire as the elementary principal, but she agreed to continue on a part-time basis in charge of Federal Programs.  Additionally, Mrs. Schulz was asked to assist in the Middle School Principal position while Mr. Beydler was still serving in the military.  Now that he has returned, Mrs. Schulz’s focus has been on Federal Programs and substituting for building administrators when they are at training.  Mrs. Schulz is limited to 550 hours per year as a retired employee and the district can only utilize her to that capacity.

Similarly, Dan Hartman, recently retired after nearly 20 years of service to the district.  He too can continue to work for the district, but is limited to 550 hours per year.  Mr. Hartman has agreed to continue with the district on a part-time basis while the new maintenance and custodial supervisor learns the intricacies of working in a school district, of our buildings and grounds, and the routine involved during the summer cleaning months.  This is not a permanent position, but it most certainly provides the expert knowledge and training to our new person.

The district’s strategy in attempting to make cuts will most definitely include trying to absorb positions as people leave the district through retirement or relocation; however, certain positions will exist even when people leave the district.  Sometimes it may make more sense to employ a retiree to continue with some of the extra duties as they have the expertise needed to do the job.  If the district will have the expense, then we are better off to have someone with more experience and knowledge in that area.  For example, Rita Sidebottom has announced her retirement from the district as the elementary counselor at the conclusion of the year.  If Mrs. Sidebottom would  agree to continue with the district as the Special Education Coordinator, as she has held both titles while employed by the district, this would work to the district’s advantage by not having to hire a separate special education director, which would probably be needed if we do not retain her services on a part-time basis.  We are very fortunate to have long-time employees who are willing to continue to serve our district.  It is not all that different from hiring a retired teacher to serve as a substitute teacher or to drive a bus.  Regardless, they are limited to a total of 550 hours of working for a public school district in order to meet retirement pension requirements.

Have a wonderful week!

John French

Superintendent of Schools