Students Recognized at School Board Meeting, Graduation Plans Begin for Class of 2021
January 20, 2021 – MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Jeremy Mosley, President; Mr. David Richardson, Vice President; Mr. Duane Schnelle, Secretary; Mr. Harry Doak, Mr. Dennis Weaver, Mr. Jody Glidewell, Mrs. Crystal Bupp.
SCHOOL PERSONNEL PRESENT: Dr. Ben Yocom, Superintendent; Mrs. Danah Fowler, Executive Admin. Assist., Mrs. Ashley Gardner, SPED Director and Mr. Mike Hostetter, High School Principal.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS PRESENT: Brady Sayre, Blake Eitel, Ayla Cole and Mark Cole.
MEMBERS ABSENT: N/A
Mr. Jeremy Mosley called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
APPROVE AGENDA: A motion was made by Mr. Schnelle and seconded by Mr. Weaver to approve the presented agenda -motion carried 7-0-0.
STUDENT RECOGNITION: Mrs. Gardner, SPED Director, announced the elementary student recognition: Ayla Cole, Kindergarten, accompanied by her father, Mark Cole was recognized for reading at a 3rd grade reading level. Mr. Hostetter, HS Principal, introduced the High School student recognition: Officers from the Milan C-2 Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter – Juniors, Brady Sayre and Blake Eitel. Brady and Blake provided an update regarding the chapter’s activities throughout the school year and changes in place from the pandemic.
REPORTS
Perpetual Calendar Reports:
Annual Performance Report (APR) Typically, in January, the board reviews the Annual Performance Report – due to there not being any assessments from the spring of 2020 and the unique ending to the 2019- 2020 School Year; the MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will not provide an APR from that school year. There is no change or adjustments to the APR at this time.
Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Yocom shared the following information:
COVID-19 Updates – Dr. Yocom shared information regarding State of Missouri vaccination distribution tiers and Milan C-2 continued mitigation processes. CARES II/GEERS II Funding – Dr. Yocom informed Board Members of COVID State Funding that was recently announced by DESE. Long Range Master Facility Plan – Phase II (2021-2026) Discussion was held in regards to continued upgrading and improvements to the current Milan C-2 Buildings. K-2 Hallway is scoped to be the next area to receive an upgrade / renovation. Spring Assessments Plan – Plans for Student Spring testing is on track with DESE requirements. Last year’s Spring Assessment Testing was cancelled Statewide due to COVID-19. Legislative Updates – Senate Bill #55 was discussed. The School Board was informed of the MSBA request to contact their State Senators in opposition to the Senate Bill #55.
CITIZEN’S COMMUNICATION: Mr. Mosley shared a card from the Milan High School Staff thanking them for the Turkeys they received at Thanksgiving.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A motion was made by Mrs. Bupp and seconded by Mr. Glidewell to approve the December 16th, 2020 regular meeting minutes – motion carried 6-0-0.
A motion was made by Mr. Schnelle seconded by Mrs. Bupp to approve the December 16th, 2020 executive session minutes– motion carried 6-0-0.
APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Dr. Yocom provided an overview of the January (December) financial statement. A motion was made by Mr. Doak and seconded by Mr. Weaver to approve the January 2021 financial statement. Motion carried 7-0-0.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS: None
AUTHORIZATION OF PAYMENT OF BILLS:
A motion was made by Mr. Doak and seconded by Mr. Glidewell to authorize payment of bills; motion carried 6-0-1 with Mr. Richardson abstaining.
OLD BUSINESS:
2021 Graduation – In December, Mr. Hostetter presented the plan for the approval of the date, time, location and the speaker for the 2021 graduation ceremony. The senior class was surveyed and provided the following feedback: Saturday, May 15th at 7 p.m. in the New MC2 Gymnasium; Speaker – Mr. Randy Salter. A motion was made by Mr. Richardson to approve the Date of Saturday, May 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the New Gym with Mr. Randy Salter as speaker for the Class of 2021 Graduation, motion carried 7-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
COVID-19 Employee Leave Provision – Earlier in 2020, urgent legislation was passed to provide various provisions for employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This provision ended on 12/31/20 and was not a part of the overall extension to various COVID-19 provisions. To that point, it is necessary to allow the same provision to continue through the end of the school year (May, 2021). Essentially, the staff would still have the protection of a certain amount of days – without being subject to discipline for attendance – if the absences are aligned to a COVID-19 reason, and official documentation is included.
Again, this will simply continue the protection for staff if/when they are absent due to being quarantined or placed in isolation, by an official health technician, throughout the end of the academic year. It provides a consistent platform to respond to such needs. The statement and action has been approved by the district’s general counsel. Staff will not obtain an additional amount of days, if they have used the FFCRA provision – since its inception. This extension would merely extend the ability to have leave covered with pay, if the expectations are met (official documentation from an appropriate health service provider or local public health agency). A motion was made by Mr. Doak and seconded by Mrs. Bupp to have the District continue to provide paid leave to its employees in accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act through the remainder of the academic year ending May 2021, motion passed 7-0-0.
Milan Leadership Coalition – In an effort to keep Milan C-2 School Board of Education informed, Dr. Yocom shared information related to the newly formed Milan Leadership Coalition. This coalition consists of various business/corporation and other community leaders throughout Milan. Given the progress and intention of this group, it is necessary for the Milan C-2 Board of Education to be aware of the objectives. There are three (3) primary objectives, at this point, of the coalition – (1) Improve residential opportunities in the town; (2) Expand recreational/ commercial options for patrons/ residents; and (3) Implement a comprehensive communication platform to share pertinent information. This coalition includes, but is not limited to, representatives from multiple entities throughout the town: Smithfield, Simmons, Stanbury, Milan C-2, Sullivan County Memorial Hospital, North Central Rural Electric Cooperative, North Central Regional Water Commission, City of Milan, etc. Representatives from the coalition will be meeting with the Milan City council on Monday, 2/1/21, to explain the objectives/priorities. This coalition is not a Chamber of Commerce; This coalition is focused primary on development/ growth within the town of Milan. There was no action requested – it was merely a presentation item.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 6:39 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Schnelle and seconded by Mr. Richardson to enter executive session to discuss personnel issues pursuant to RSMo 610.021 (3 & 13) and any documents related to a negotiated contract pursuant to RSMo 610.021 (12) and pursuant to RSMo 610.021 (2) regarding property. Roll call vote: Mr. Richardson, YES; Mr. Glidewell, YES; Mr. Schnelle, YES; Mr. Harry Doak, YES; Mrs. Bupp, YES; Mr. Mosley, YES and Mr. Weaver, YES– motion carried 7-0- 0.
At 6:40 p.m. Mrs. Danah Fowler left the meeting.
At 7:43 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Doak and seconded by Mr. Weaver to adjourn executive session and re-enter – open session Roll call vote Roll call vote: Mr. Glidewell, YES; Mr. Schnelle, YES; Mr. Richardson, YES; Mrs. Bupp, YES; Mr. Doak, YES; Mr. Mosley, YES and Mr. Weaver, YES – motion carried 7-0-0.
At 7:44 p.m. a motion was made by Mr. Doak and seconded by Mr. Weaver to adjourn the regular meeting – motion carried 7-0-0.
The next monthly Board of Education meeting will be held Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
