Neelyville School Board swore in new members and elected officers amid multiple critiques and complaints during a Monday night meeting.
Following the introduction of new board members Wayne Willcut, Bob Burgett and Paul Petty, the board cast votes for the president and vice president board positions. Vernon Barker was elected board president by a vote of 4-3. Dean Fisher was elected vice president by the same margin.
Michelle Phillips and Tammy Spencer, who are representatives of the Community Teachers Association, addressed the board. Phillips explained the Neelyville chapter had recently been re-formed to give teachers a voice. She went on to express her concerns about a breakdown in communication and chain of command within the school.
“If one of these links becomes broken, it is felt at each level. The chain of command needs to be prioritized at every single level, no special treatment because of the positions that we hold,” said Phillips.
Laura Rush, a junior high instructor, argued that while teachers were trusted to keep students safe in active shooter situations, they were being denied the opportunity to make educational decisions regarding their students.
“We are more qualified to make educational decisions for our students than you are,” stated Rush, highlighting the experience and professionalism of teachers within the district. She criticized the board for ignoring the advice of teachers and substituting it with their own ideas, which she believed were not in the best interest of the school or student body.
Rush pointed out that many of the district’s staff had been present when it achieved a 100% score on its Annual Perfomance Rating, and argued the board was disregarding their expertise.
Recently-reelected board member Bob Burgett responded to Rush, saying he felt her speech was well-written and inspiring.
Lisa French, junior high art instructor, raised concerns during the board meeting about an incident she felt violated school policy.
“It is not all right to surprise a teacher unannounced, to speak about the teacher before hearing from them, or to do this in close proximity with students. It is also not all right to bypass locked gates,” said French, who highlighted a possible need for improved security measures after alluding to a confrontation with a parent on school property, during school hours.
The matter was referred for further discussion in a closed session.
Another item on the agenda was the practice schedules for sports, which sparked debate among parents and teachers who were attending the meeting. Some had expressed concern about the scheduling conflicts on Wednesdays and Sundays, particularly for church and other activities. However, several parents countered the current schedule worked well for them and their kids and had not been a conflict in any way.
Elementary teacher Jennifer Prince delivered a letter of concern written by coach Becky Hale, who was unable to be in attendance due to another student activity.
Hale wrote the district encourages parents, guardians, students and other members of the public to first discuss issues with the appropriate district staff prior to bringing them to the board, so they may be thoroughly investigated and addressed in a timely fashion.
“The school board contradicts this policy as the chain of command is continually disregarded. The item up for discussion on the board agenda of Sunday and Wednesday practices should be stricken from the list so that the board policy can be upheld,” wrote Hale.
Hale went on to say Wednesdays and Sundays were being highly respected regarding necessary practice times.
“I’m not in this profession on a whim for the money or even because I love the game. I am because this is what God called me to do. This is my job that I take pride and responsibility for. I would like to finish my career here but I would like to do so in the same way I always have, and that is to do the best job possible and without being micromanaged and questioned for no reason every month,” wrote Hale.
Superintendent Heather Black weighed in and explained if Wednesday and Sunday practices were made off-limits, then all activities would be canceled on those days, possibly impacting the athletes’ ability to achieve the 14 required practices by the Missouri State High School Activities Association to compete in a game. The issue was tabled for further discussion at the next board meeting.
Four teachers were recognized during the meeting as being outstanding in their profession.
Teacher of the Year plaques were presented to early childhood educator Belinda Flanigan, elementary teacher Jennifer Prince, high school social studies teacher Chester Hurt and junior high JAG and basketball coach Brad Burdin. Butler County Teachers of the Year are being featured in a separate series in the Daily American Republic.
In order to adhere to board policy, meetings will now take place on the third Thursday of every month. The next board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 18.