Neelyville plans to hire new superintendent in January

The Classroom Teachers’ Association at Neelyville school wants to have a role in hiring the new superintendent.

CTA President Lisa French spoke for the 17 members when they approached the Neelyville R-IV school board at the Monday night meeting.

Superintendent Debra Parish’s resignation, which was accepted during a November meeting, will be effective July 1.

The school board voted to hire Tim Hager as a consultant to develop a plan to implement the search.

When French requested CTA be involved in the process, the board members indicated they wanted CTA involved as much as legally possible.

The board decided CTA may send one representative from each building as requested to meet with them at 7 p.m. Jan. 11, to assist with the development of questions for the candidates. It was suggested each one bring the top five topics, questions or their vision for the new superintendent.

The board consulted with Hager about the plans.

The position was to be posted Dec. 15 and applications will be accepted until Jan. 7. The board will review all the applications Jan. 11 in a special meeting, narrowing the pool to three to five candidates. The finalists will be interviewed Jan. 18 in a special meeting. The board plans to hire the new superintendent in a closed session at the regular board meeting Jan. 20.

During closed session, Caleb Stewart’s resignation was accepted effective Jan. 3. Stewart is the vocational agriculture teacher and sponsor of the Future Farmers of America and trap team. He is pursing a business ownership opportunity.

Nathan Smith was hired as bus mechanic.

Kodi Spencer was hired as Hillview nurse’s aide.

Discussing COVID, Parish explained, “currently, we have one positive case. To date for the 2021-2022 school year, we have had 31 positive cases with only two being staff members. We have had 114 in quarantine with only 36 being from in-school contact. Sixteen of the 36 did in-school quarantine and 35 avoided quarantine due to mask or vaccination status.”

The board received a letter from Attorney General Eric Schmitt, which focuses on his opinion of the recent Cole County Circuit Court case that found certain Department of Health and Senior Services rules pertaining to communicable disease (e.g., COVID-19) were unconstitutional.

Schmitt directs school districts to “stop relying on, enforcing or publicizing” all “mask mandates, quarantine orders and other public health orders that are based on any of the invalidated regulations” or that were issued outside the protections of the Missouri Administrative Procedure Act.

He said, “state law does not delegate authority to school officials to issue mask mandates, quarantine orders or other public health orders.” His letter concluded by stating that any failure to heed his directive may result in “enforcement action” against noncomplying districts.

Parish explained, “the directive from the Missouri Attorney General creates confusion and hardship for our school district. It is always our goal to keep our students and staff safe. We have relied on the information and guidance from our local health department during the pandemic to help us with this. We have been advised by our insurance provider to follow the recommendations of national, state and local health authorities in order to reduce or prevent liability.”

The board approved the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan, which was reviewed and revised Dec. 13. The revisions include there being two plans rather than the previous three.

Plan 1 involves all students attending classes every day with co-horting where possible, social distancing and extra cleaning.

Plan 2 says school closure would be implemented in the event of not having enough staff to have school effectively or excessive absenteeism.

The district is exploring a grant for a new concession stand, ballfield lights and playground equipment. Anyone in the district interested in writing a grant may contact the superintendent.

The board approved the Missouri United School Insurance Council umbrella options for $8,000,000. The premium is $8,116.

The board and district received a thank-you card from Becky Hale and family expressing gratitude for the books purchased for the district in memory of her father, Richard Winder.

Board member Jim Hover was absent.