The Bloomfield School District Board of Education met on Monday, July 10, 2023. Jason Karnes, was on hand for his first formal meeting at superintendent of the Bloomfield School District. The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. with Juston Jarrell, Greg Stevens, David Clary, Brad Warner, (Board President) Cecil Haley, (Vice Board President) Justin Bell, (Board Secretary) and Lina Gibbs (Central Office Assistant) in attendance.
Roll call, approval of the consent agenda and previous board meeting minutes of June 19, 2023 were all approved. The Board also approved the payment of current bills.
Mr. Karnes presented the Treasurer's Report for the 2022 - 2023 Fiscal Year.
Career Ladder Grant Program
There was continued discussion of the Career Ladder Grant Program from the previous board meeting. Eligible teachers participating in the Career Ladder Grant Program shall complete a minimum of clock hours in one or more responsibilities or volunteer efforts. They must complete at least fifty clock hours for Stage I, seventy-five hours for Stage II, and one hundred clock hours for Stage III.
Bloomfield R-XIV School District teachers participating in the Career Ladder Grant Program shall complete a minimum of the required hours on responsibilities or voluntary efforts in one of the following areas: 1. Serving in teacher externships as provided in section 168.025, RSMo, 2. Serving as a coach, supervisor, or organizer of any extracurricular activities for which the teacher does not already receive additional compensation, 3. Serving as a mentor or cooperating teacher for new teachers for which the teacher does not already receive additional compensation, 4. Serving as a mentor for students, whether in a formal or informal capacity, 5. Providing high quality tutoring or additional learning opportunities to students, 6. Assisting students with postsecondary education preparation including, but not limited to, teaching an ACT or SAT preparation course or assisting students with completing college or career school admission or financial assistance applications, and 7. Receiving additional teacher training, coursework (recommended: 1 credit hour of coursework = 15 Career Ladder hours), or certification outside of that offered by the school district (i.e. National Board Certification).
Acceptable responsibilities are non-compensated activities that are not a part of a participant's regular contract and involve extended day activities. Responsibilities shall not be church affiliated. Responsibilities must be directly an obviously related to the improvement of programs and services for students as outlined in the Bloomfield R-XIV School Improvement Plan, Curriculum Development Plan, Professional Development Plan, Missouri School Improvement Program, or other instructional improvement.
"This allows teachers to spend additional time with students outside of the normal curriculum and outside of the daily classroom instruction," commented Karnes. "Allows for only certified staff to participate who are trained to mentor students."
Career Ladder Grant Program was passed by the Board for certified teachers. The school would pay 40% of the monies and the grant would pay the additional 60%.
Tax Rate Hearing Update
A motion to have the Tax Rate Hearing on August 14th at 5:45 p.m. was passed by the Board.
Eligibility Criteria for Free/Reduced Priced Meals
A motion to accept the Eligibility Criteria for Free/Reduced Priced Meals was passed by the Board.
Stoddard County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
A motion to except the Resolution for the Stoddard County Hazard Mitigation Plan was passed by the Board. Bootheel Regional Planning Commission prepared a multi-hazard mitigation plan for several schools and Stoddard County. This allows the Bloomfield R-XIV School District to apply for FEMA funds in the case of a natural disaster.
Extra Curricular Schedule
The 2023-2024 Extra Curricular Schedule was approved by the Board including reinstating the High School Science Club.
"We have two individuals wanting to bring back the HS Science Club and participate in science fairs," stated Karnes.
Bid for School Bus Purchase
The Board agreed to bid on a school bus to purchase. The two spare busses are getting in bad shape.
School Handbooks
The Board approved the changes to the Elementary, Middle School and High School Handbooks. The changes were mostly name changes and role changes . The school vision and mission was added to the handbook as well.
Superintendent Report
Mr. Karnes updated the Board on the summer projects and the Ag shop extension. Also upgrading of the internet from one building to another which will gain better connection for all will be completed by the time teachers return to campus.
Other Business
The Board approved providing lunch for all staff on August 17th at 11:30 a.m. The new hires will have their photo taken by the newspaper at that time as well.
Board provided lunch for staff. - August 14th the teachers come back. Date chosen was Thursday, 17th at 11:30 a.m.
The Board of Education will meet on August 14th at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office.
Motion to adjourn into closed session was made at 7:50 p.m.
During executive session the Board approved the hiring of Mindy Thurmon as an elementary teacher.
