Poplar Bluff, MO - Distinguished elementary educator Rondi Vaughn has been hired to succeed Erica Weadon as principal of Lake Road Elementary 

Having split her career between Eugene Field and Oak Grove over the course of two decades with the Poplar Bluff School District, Vaughn now intends on bringing with her best practices from each elementary building.

“It’s the same curriculum and same achieving excellence (mission statement), it’s just seeing education through a different lens,” Vaughn said. “I plan to take the greatness from each of the buildings I’ve been in, and hope that I can continue to build on the work that makes Lake Road amazing. 

Input on leadership qualities was solicited from Lake Road faculty before the Board of Education approved Vaughn's internal advancement in March, after Weadon announced that her family would be relocating.  A Campbell native, Vaughn can recall substitute teaching a teenage Weadon back at Holcomb High School, where Vaughn was encouraged by an administrator to pursue a career in education.

She earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from William Woods University in Fulton, and more recently another master’s in elementary administration from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. Vaughn began her tenure teaching elementary school in Kennett in 1998.

“I didn’t instantly know I wanted to be a principal, it just evolved as I had instructional leadership opportunities within our PLC (professional learning community),” Vaughn explained. “You have to develop your teachers; they’re the most important resource for delivering instruction and student success. I have been in their shoes; I’m gonna be facing the challenges with them.”

Lake Road was the first school in R-I history to earn the coveted National Blue Ribbon award. Earlier this year, the elementary school received gold level recognition under School-wide Positive Behavior Support and was named a national showcase school through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts initiative once again.

This year Lake Road will complete its phase-in plan of expanding the configuration to include grades 1-6 to combat the results of a population shift within the district. The school board approved the purchase of a modular classroom in February to house elective classes, subsequently opening up two classrooms per grade level in the main building.

Vaughn was named the 2020 Teacher of the Year at Eugene Field, a Lighthouse School under the Leader in Me program, based on Dr. Stephen Covey’s best-selling book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Vaughn happens to be the eighth teacher at Eugene Field to go on to become a school administrator either within the district or the region since implementing the leadership program. She says the habits have made an impact on both her professional and personal life.

“You have to hold onto your ‘why,’ and that’s your hope,” Vaughn stated. Vaughn was previously named the 2012 Teacher of the Year at Oak Grove, the second school within the district to receive the Blue Ribbon award. She was a part of the groundwork there under the SW-PBS system 

“Mrs. Vaughn obviously has a tremendous teaching pedigree and is immediately equipped to continue the advancement of the good work Lake Road is engaged in,” said Dr. Scott Dill, R-I superintendent. “In terms of her mindset, she has a servant’s heart when it comes to leadership, and in my mind that’s the only way to approach such a position. She understands that the opportunity to lead is really the opportunity to be of service.”

Pictured Rondi Vaughn enters her 23rd year as an educator leading Lake Road Elementary, one of two Blue Ribbon Schools within the district. 

Photo and article provided by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Dexter, MO - The Dexter School District welcomed their 2020 - 2021 new hires today with a luncheon.  There were 37 new hires.

Front Row Left to Right-Diane Vaughn-Special Services Aide, Sharon Pfeffer-MS Nurse, Hailey Anderson-Special Services Aide, Brooke Anderson-Special Services Aide, Jocelyn Miller-Special Services Aide, Kelsey Warren-MS ELA Teacher, Elizabeth Reaves-1st Grade Teacher, Brittney Clark-K Teacher

Row 2 Left to Right-Brianna Jones-Special Services Aide, Peyton Bullock-MS Library Aide, Billy Anderson-MS ELA, Jimmie Deberry-HS Social Science, Kyle Clay-HS Band, Andrew Teel-HS Music Aide, Christi Josupait-Special Services Aide, 

Row 3 Left to Right-Marife Smith, Special Services Aide, Ginger McCoy-Central Secretary, Lacey Wood-Central Building Aide, Megan Crosby-Special Services Aide, Hannah Hale-Special Services Aide, Taylor Harris-4th grade teacher, Adalina Hood-Special Services Aide, Phyllis Daniel, Pre-School Aide, Samantha Henson-Title Aide, 

Row 4 Left to Right-Jessica Hunt-Special Services Teacher, Kimberly Mize-4th grade teacher, Demi Parker-Special Services Aide, Angie Seabaugh-CNA, Christy Kelly-Southwest Building Aide, Jaclyn Ward-Kindergarten Teacher

Row 5 Left to Right-Madelyn Callow-Title Aide, Kathy Faries-HS ELA Teacher, Cara Hartlein-HS Math Teacher, Tammy Tanner-K Teacher, Kaci Cooper-K-Teacher, Taylor Doyle-Special Services Teacher, Heather Tice-Title Aide

Those not pictured include: Natalie Midgett-Special Services Aide and Karrie Shands-Special Services Teacher

Bernie, MO - The Bernie School Board of Education held their monthly meeting on August 10, 2020.  Below are the minute notes from that meeting. 

The Board of Education held their annual Tax Rate Hearing before the start of the regular school board meeting on Monday the 10th day of August.  The tax rate in the General fund was set at 2.9978.  The tax rate in the Debt Service Fund was held at $.30.

The Board approved Program Evaluations on School Climate and Summer School.  

The Board accepted the 2019/20 Annual Secretary of Board Report.

The Board approved the financial statement and bills were authorized for payment.

During Executive session, Superintendent Goals were reviewed.

The Board accepted the resignation from Ginger Beaird, as the Explorer Sponsor.

The substitute employee list for the 2020/2021 school year was approved

The Board approved adding Chris Hillis and Peyton Bullock  to the Substitute listing.  

The next meeting of the Board will be Monday, September 14, 2020.

Dexter, MO - The Dexter Lions Club presented scholarships to 2020 graduation seniors.

From left to right are Madeline Parker, Jillian Avery, Taylor Ward, Mason Keena, and representing the Dexter Lions Club is Aaron Mathis.  Not available for photo was Luke Becker.

Dexter, MO - The Dexter School Board met in a regular meeting on July 21, 2020 at 6 p.m.  The Regular Board Meeting Minutes are listed below.

Call to Order/Roll Call/Pledge  The Board President announced the meeting is to begin, ascertains the attendance status of all board members present, and then leads in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Consent Agenda:  The consent agenda was approved.

Public Comments:  There were no public comments made.    

Old Business:  

A.    None

New Business: 

A. The board approved budget amendments for the 20-21 budget.  

8.  Discussion Items:

A. Mr. Miller discussed the DNR VW Emissions School Bus Grant.   The district was approved to replace up to 3 buses with a grant rebate of $22,500 per bus.  The district will be replacing 2 buses.

B. An update was given on the re-entry plan task force.

C. An update was given on summer school.  

D. The next board meeting was set for August 27, 2020 at 6:00 pm.  The annual tax rate hearing will begin at 5:50 p.m. 

In Closed Session:

1.  The board approved existing substitutes for the 2020-21 school year.

2.    The board approved the following new substitutes for the 2020-21 school year:

Ethan Stevens

Jessica Cox

Mariah Walker

Christina Smith

Sherry Morgan

3. The board approved extra duty employment for HS 

Assistant Football Coach: Tashan Bittaye

4. The board approved a transfer request for the 2020-21 school year:

Cara Hartlein- From MS Special Services Aide to HS Building Secretary

5.    The board approved resignation letters from the following individuals:

Cara Hartlein-MS Special Services Aide

Lindsay Woods-MS Cheer Coach

Eva Edwards-Special Services Paraprofessional

Julie Rybold-Accompanist

6.  The board approved employment for the 2020-21 school year for the Central Title Aide Position:

Maddy Callow

7.  The board approved employment for the 2020-21 school year for the following Special Services Aides:

Phyllis Daniel Hannah Hale

Diane Vaughn Marife Smith

Megan Crosby Brooke Anderson

Hailey Anderson

6. Rescind motion of approval from June 9th special board meeting for the employment of:

Kayla Anderson

7. The board approved granting permission to Mrs. James for the hiring of a parent educator and other special services aides pending favorable background checks prior to the August board meeting.  The purpose of this urgency is training of the individuals and adequate staffing for the return of students on August 24th.  The names of these individuals will be formally presented at the August board meeting.

8.  The draft reentry plan for the 2020-21 school year was reviewed with the board.

Items at the conclusion of Executive Session

A. None