Monett school board focuses on personnel

Monett school board members focused on business issues during its December meeting, making personnel adjustments and reviewing academic progress at the end of the second semester.
Board members approved the annual district audit after receiving it for a 30-day review in November. Superintendent Mark Drake said the report showed Monett had “one of the better districts in the audit world.” He commended the six women who worked on record keeping, especially bookkeeper Missy Caldwell, whom he said “could be the auditor herself.”
The board approved a $13,793.20 bid from Gov. Connect for refresh technology used by the food service, one of five bids received. Drake said the district will try to stretch the current service out for another year, then go back to a four-year cycle for a contract.
Personnel action
In personnel action, the board approved the resignation of fifth grade teacher Destiny Jalbert, effective in December. Other teacher resignations, effective in May, included Cristina Mayfarth, second grade; Emmah Mayberry, third grade; and Kathleen Hurst, eighth grade. Nicole Coffey, a counselor at the Early Childhood Center, also resigned.
Travis Stokes resigned from his extra duty assignment as middle school girls basketball coach, effective in May.
Brandice Shores, librarian, transferred to a pre-kindergarten position at the Early Childhood Center. Travis VanHorn moved from his post as counselor at Monett Elementary to a library media specialist for MES and the Early Childhood Center.
Board members also hired Shelby Abramovitz for the Cubhouse, Trista Folsom as a paraprofessional at MES, two substitutes for the food service and two substitute custodians.
Operations reports
Operations director Steve Garner reported talks are underway between the district and both Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola about a districtwide contract. Food service representatives and athletic director Ty Goetz were reviewing options. The district still has machines from Coke. Garner said once the machines fail, they will be removed. Handling quantities of empty bottles has been a problem providing space. The district sells Coke products as fountain drinks, which Garner said is very profitable for Monett but Coke is “not crazy about.”
There has been no contract for several years. Gardner said the district continued to operate under the old contract with Coke. The machines will stay unless a deal is struck with Pepsi instead.
The maintenance team made repairs on the elementary playground by adding more base to the fall area under the equipment, along with adding timbers around the play area.
Garner noted he met with representatives from the Musco company about lighting the new tennis courts at North Park. That effort is being done in conjunction with the city.
Academics reports
Assistant Superintendent Isaac Sooter reported the new master’s degree program offered in Monett through Evangel University received 18 applications. The professional development committee was involved in choosing 10 people for the first cohort. Classes will begin on Jan. 14 and meet at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Sooter reviewed efforts toward success-ready students. He noted attendance has remained high, topping 90 percent two months in a row.
High school Student Council representatives Carsyn Goetz and Ruby Smith reviewed events sponsored by the organization, including the annual students vs. teachers basketball game, won by students this year. They observed the no-phone law seemed to help with student interaction. Celebrating student and staff birthdays was a new innovation that had been well received. Two blood drives collected 133 units. Counselor Sam Towles was praised for her innovative ideas stimulating and promoting student activities.
The next board meeting will be Jan. 15.