On April 9th, the Raytown School Board honored Al Brown and Dr. Darrell Swofford for their years of dedication to the school district. State Representative, Will Kraus, was on hand to present Brown and Swofford with a resolution and Cathy Allie thanked Brown & Swofford for all the accomplishments that they helped bring to the district and they were presented with an award for their service and commitment.
Dr. Swofford, who was first appointed to the Board in November of 1997 and then elected in 1998, 2001, and 2004, said, the “bottom line of what we do is the education of our most precious asset – our children.” He went on to express his gratitude for Superintendent Houck, saying, “A very positive thing in this school district is our Superintendent Dr. Dale Houck.” Continuing Swofford said that over the past 10 years he has seen our district grow and grow,” and challenged the Board and the staff of Raytown Quality Schools, to “live up to our district’s slogan, Expect the Exceptional.” He urged the Board to always keep in mind the question, “Is it right for the children.”
Al Brown, who was elected to the Board in 2001 and 2004, began by expressing how truly “humbling” his experience on the Board has been. “We do it because of our customer – the children.” Brown expressed his appreciation of the quality teachers in the district and told a story of a teacher who asked her students to draw a picture of what they were thankful for. One child simply drew a hand. When asked whose hand the young boy had drawn, the boy simply answered yours teacher. The teacher’s hand had guided the student throughout the school day offering him guidance and protection. Brown told this story to illustrate that the teachers and the Board change lives daily and to remind them “simple acts of kindness make a difference.”
After a short reception for Brown and Swofford, newly elected Steve Mullally and Bobbie Saulsberry took their seats on the Board for the first time.
Steve Mullally, is best known as the President and Owner of Rolland Studios Inc. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from UMKC and is a member of both the Raytown Crossroads Chamber of Commerce and the Raytown Rotary Club. Mullally lives in the
Bobbie Saulberry is a New Business Representative with Missouri Gas & Energy. Saulsberry has an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from
In addition to introducing two new board members, the April 9th meeting was a time of reorganization for the School Board. The Board unanimously elected Cathy Mack, President, Rick Moore, Vice President, and Kristie Collins-Delarber, Treasurer.
The newly reorganized Board then discussed unfinished business regarding summer school credits being added into the student’s GPA for class rank and allowing those credits to be applied toward graduation. The proposed changes would allow students who elect to re-take a course through the District’s Summer School program to have both their initial grade and their new grade figured into their GPA for class rank. However, credit will only be given once for each course. The district hopes that this change will provide more incentive for students to take courses in the summer and will increase their accountability. The Board unanimously accepted this proposed change.
Dred Scott spoke seeking approval of Middle School #3’s Phase I Bid. Stating that three bids were submitted and opened on the fourth of April. J&M Contracting was the low bid at $518, 201. The district said they are comfortable with J&M as they did work on both Westridge Elementary and the administrative building. The Board unanimously approved the motion.
Christie Evans was also on hand to discuss the Raytown Community Education Program. The results of the annual evaluation of the Community Education Program were reported to the Board in keeping with the accreditation standards set by the Department of Secondary Education (DESE). The Board unanimously approved the evaluation. The evaluation stating that their were 1, 669 people (as of March 27, 2007) who participated in Raytown Community Education courses Fall 2006 – Spring 2007 with a total of 184 classes offered. The total number of participants is down slightly from the Fall 2005 – Spring 2006 semesters.
Lee Updike and Barbara Condra were there to discuss the annual Technology Services Evaluation as required by the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) and the district’s comprehensive three year strategic technology plan that is required by DESE. Updike spoke, stating that this comprehensive plan is merely a “road map” and “does not commit the board or district to do anything. It can be modified and changed.” It is simply to provide the board with “source material to make informed decisions.” Part of the goal of the tech plan is to have more support in place at the school by the use of Technology Instructional Coaches who will be able to go into buildings and classrooms as the need presents itself. The district is currently looking into ways to have lessons and learning online. They believe they have found a way to do so at no cost using Moodle. The system is similar to the Blackboard system used in many colleges. The online learning system would allow the district to provide an education to students on long-term suspension or expulsion as well as allow students who miss class time, while participating in the Herndon program, to find their missed lessons online. The Board unanimously approved both the Technology Evaluation and the Technology Plan.
The board also discussed the bids for the 350 hwy project and Herndon Career Center Consolidation. The district received five bids, but only four were qualifying bids. Excel Construction was the 2nd low bid and was accepted by the board with only new board member, Steve Mullally opposing. The board unanimously rejected the low bid from Taylor Kelly Construction since the bid did not comply with the bid specifications. The district had requested bids on ten alternates and seven unit prices and Taylor Kelly Construction did not submit bids for three of the alternates and came in far too low with their deductions for two of the alternates compared with the average of the other four bidders. In addition, Taylor Kelly Construction’s ground source subcontractor has not been involved three projects of equal size and complexity in the last five years as the district had required and their sub-contractor was not properly qualified to perform the installation of the ground source heat pump systems. The board approved the lowest qualifying bid by Excel Construction so that the architect and District Administration may begin negotiations with them.
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