
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

As of Monday, July 27, 2020, Three Rivers College will require face coverings to be worn by faculty, staff, students, and visitors while in a building and while not physically separated in an office or room without others present.
Face coverings must be worn outdoors if the recommended six feet social distancing cannot be maintained.
Students living in College housing are not required to wear face coverings when inside their housing unit, but must otherwise follow the requirements.
If more than one individual is present, face coverings must also be worn inside College vehicles. As with other buildings, face coverings must be worn in food service areas and food will only be available to-go.
“We understand that wearing face coverings can be uncomfortable and can feel like a hassle, but it is necessary to provide a safe work and learning environment at this time,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College.
“Social distancing is often not possible in classrooms and crowded hallways, for instance,” said Payne. “We have been consulting with local health officials, and all recommend face coverings when social distancing is not possible. Our students’ health and safety are of the utmost importance. So, while it may seem inconvenient, we believe requiring face coverings is one of the best things we can do to keep our students, faculty, and staff healthy.”
Like with other attire, face coverings cannot have imagery or words that would be disruptive to the learning environment.
Face coverings must properly cover the nose and mouth and against the sides of the face and be secured around the head as a tube, with ties, or ear loops. Bandanas, kerchiefs, articles of clothing, masks with exhalation valves, or items which are held against the face by hand are not acceptable forms of facial coverings.
There are some exceptions to the mandate. If a person is not able to wear face coverings due to valid health concerns, then reasonable adjustments will be made.
Students with valid health concerns should contact Ann Matthews, Dean of Students, at 573-840-9669 or amatthews@trcc.edu. Faculty and staff with valid health concerns should contact Kristina McDaniel, Director of Human Resources, at 573-840-9695 or kristinamcdaniel@trcc.edu.
Individuals engaged in physical education activity, athletic competition/practice, and theater/music performance are not required to wear a face covering during the activity but are encouraged to maintain social distancing if possible.
Employees and students will each be provided one cloth face covering at the start of the semester, which begins on August 17.
It is the responsibility of employees and students to have their face coverings available and properly maintained. Information will be provided to all students, faculty, and staff on proper use, removal, and washing of cloth face coverings.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.

Dexter Public Schools - Instrumental Music Program - Sixth Grade Beginning Band Camp
Dexter Public Schools will hold beginning band camp next week, from Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31.
This event is for all students who will be entering sixth grade band in the 2020-21 school year.
Classes will be held Monday through Friday in the band room at T.S. Hill Middle School; times vary depending on which instrument the student is playing.
The schedule for each instrument is:
8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Tuba and all Saxophones
9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. Trumpet and Flute
10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. Trombone and Clarinet
1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Baritone, Bassoon and Oboe
2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. French Horn and Percussion
"Attendance at band camp is very important to instill proper fundamentals for the beginning instrumentalist," commented Cody Jinkerson, T.S. Hill Middle School Band Director. "It is vital to set good playing and practice habits from the start. Students will have smaller learning groups to help address their individual needs."
They will not hold parent meetings this year during band camp due to COVID-19; however there will be parent orientation information communicated at a later date.
If parents have any questions, please feel free to email Mr. Jinkerson (cjinkerson@dexter.k12.mo.us) or Mr. Clay (kclay@dexter.k12.mo.us). Mr. Clay is the new H.S. School Band Director and together Mr. Jinkerson and Mr. Clay will have a spectacular year with the Dexter students.
They look forward to making music with your children and we can't wait to attend band concerts!