Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Rotary Club had their weekly meeting with a special guest speaker, Dr. Thomas Sharp, Superintendent of Dexter Public Schools.

Dr. Sharp has been the superintendent for the past three years and hoped he would still be here another five years from now.  He really enjoys Dexter!

He started by telling the Rotary Club about the number of teachers retiring this year along with some that are moving away from Dexter.  He has spent a multitude of time interviewing candidates and really likes the process of interviewing.  They were told about the new head football coach and a new special education teacher that were hired just this week.

“I like to find out if the candidate not only has the wisdom needed for the job, but to determine if they can think on their own and more importantly can they teach,” explained Dr. Sharp.

Dr. Sharp also spent some time discussing school security and with the recent shootings in Connecticut, he says we found out that there is always room for improvement and if someone wants to get into the school, they can.  However with training, more secure doorways, new cameras and a plan of action in place, it will slow an intruder down and save lives. 

The Rotary Club was also told that the schools in Dexter were currently on lock-down during his visit with them as there were three potentially violent escapees from the Butler County Jail roaming around.

There are also plans in place this summer to replace sections and repair the flat roof at the school with a cost of $20,000.  Flat roofs have to be repaired often and leak more than a peaked roof. 

He also announced that the schools would only be open ½ day on Thursday and closed on Friday because the Lady Cats basketball team was going to Columbia for the State Championship games.  They wanted anyone, including family, friends, and students who want to attend the games to be able to do so.  He is very proud of the girls basketball team and their accomplishments.

"It is always nice to have a guest speaker of such caliber and to learn what is going on in the schools,"  according to one of the Rotary Members.  "If you don't have kids in the school district, then you don't know what's going on at school.  It was nice that he came and updated us."

The Rotary Club is currently having a membership drive and looking for folks who are interested in serving the community to please contact any Rotary Member.   They have guest speakers often and their meetings are never dull.  You can learn a lot from a Rotarian!