Personnel Assignments Approved by RE-2 School Board

The Lamar RE-2 School Board approved extra duty assignments for five teachers during Monday night’s meeting, July 11.  They included: Gary Hammer, Asst. Volleyball at LHS; Jesus Roman Jr, Asst Boys Soccer, LHS; Andy Shaw, Asst Golf, LHS; Katie Smotherman, 8^th Grade Head Volleyball, LMS; Patrice Siegfried, Intramurals, Parkview Elementary.  The board also accepted the resignation of Tammy Clark as School Nurse. 

Board members approved the high school student handbook and athletic handbook as presented by principal Rocky Robbins, as well as the school district’s participation in the November, 2011 Coordinated Election.  The board discussed the format for the Superintendent’s Retreat August 19 and 20.  Board President Ron Peterson said identification of the district’s strengths and weaknesses should be outlined on the first day, and discussion would follow on the next day on how to address those issues.  Some discussion would also follow on potential budget cuts and early student registration numbers.  Although no vote was taken by the board, the general indication regarding the district’s acceptance of the city of Lamar’s Urban Renewal agreement was favorable.   In the agreement, school taxes would be used in the Urban District.  Peterson said the city has agreed to backfill amounts lost to the district, if the state should not contribute the difference. 

Washington Elementary School Principal Kenny Davis presented an outline of a new report card which would be applied to first and second grade student achievements and goals.  He explained to the board, the modifications would use a percentage value on a student’s progress on a detailed breakdown of goals.  Board member Allan Medina suggested the explanations be altered to use less ‘edu-speak’ so as to make them more understandable by parents.  Davis said he’d provide the board with a revised form at a later date.

By Russ Baldwin