Noreen Hyslop photo Lauren Dudley, who just completed her eighth grade year at T.S. Hill Middle School, was on hand during this week's school board meeting to tell board members of the benefits she and 76 other students experienced in attending the Math & Science Enrichment program in June. The students traveled to many destinations including Round Spring Cave, Mingo, the St. Louis Arch, and Elephant Rock State Park.

In routine business of the board's regular July meeting this week, members approved a Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy that is annually updated and approved. The policy states that board members may not be employed by the school district, even in a substitute position, while serving on the board. The policy also outlines restrictions as to the sale, rent or lease of property by board members while serving in the district.

Members approved of the district's goals for the upcoming year, including the intent to prepare for the school's participation in the Missouri A+ Schools Program. Board members voted earlier this year to become participants in the A+ program, which grants graduating seniors guaranteed scholarships when they meet specific criteria throughout their high school careers. Ann Polsgrove, a current high school instructor, has been granted the position of overseeing the program and tracking student's efforts toward attaining the scholarships.

The cost of meals for students and staff at Dexter Schools will go up this year, as transportation costs and food costs continue to rise. The board agreed to raise the cost of a student's lunch one dime across the board, resulting in a full paid charge of one dollar per breakfast meal and $1.40 per lunch for students in kindergarten through grade five. For sixth graders through high school, the cost of lunch will be $1.50 per day. The price of breakfast for staff members was hiked .20 for breakfast and a dime for lunch, making the cost of adult breakfast $1.10 and lunch $2.00.

"We're not in the meal business to make money," Supt. Dr. Ken Jackson explained, "and ideally, school districts anticipate breaking even when operating a school meal program, but historically we lose money each year operating the meal program and given current costs, we estimate a loss of over $50,000 for the coming year."

"The rise in prices," School Board President Herman Morse noted, "might encourage more parents to complete the applications that are provided each parent in the district for free or reduced meals."

School districts are reimbursed by the state for the meals of students who have been designated to be the free or reduced status and that reimbursement amount is actually greater than the full price cost within the district. Incentives are used at the upper grade levels to encourage return of the meal application.

"We currently have about 45 percent of our district's student population designated as free or reduced," Jackson said.

Jackson updated board members with regard to several summer improvement projects in the district, including the installation of security cameras at Southwest Elementary and a roofing project at Central. New carpet is in place at T.S. Middle School in both the library and the choir room and aluminum siding has been installed on the canopy at high school. In addition, the auditorium at high school has undergone some face-lifting with a new paint job and new flooring, roofing and windows have improved the high school field house.

On hand at Tuesday night's meeting also were Pam Mills and Angela Duncan, instructors for T.S. Middle School's Summer Math and Science Enrichment Program. The two, along with a student who attended the enrichment for the past two years, thanked the board for allocating the funds for the program, which they said proved to be one of the most beneficial programs for accelerated students that they have participated in during their careers. (See photo on page 1)

Board members were provided with an overview of the district's Parents as Teachers Program by its director, Melanie Stoelting, during the course of this week's meeting. With the purpose of assuring that "all children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential," the local PAT program has consistently proven to be an effective tool not only in boosting needed skills for children birth to three years of age, but also to identify areas of delay in preschool children.

Stoelting presented the board with the Zigler Report, an annual account of the PAT program as a whole. Figures found in the report vouch for the program's effectiveness, showing a marked and consistent improvement in academic achievement with respect to children who have participated in the PAT program, even when tracked through the third grade level.

"It's an excellent indicator," Jackson said with regards to the Zigler report, "when we see results that far-reaching. This program has consistently shown us positive results and Mrs. Stoelting and her staff are a devoted and dedicated group and we appreciate all of their efforts."

Prior to going into executive session, members were reminded of the upcoming staff luncheon that will kickoff the new school year. The luncheon will take place on Tuesday, August 12 at the high school cafeteria and will include all school employees, board members and retired teachers as well.

A number of hirings were approved during execution session. Melissa (Stroup) Whitaker was hired as a Title 1 classroom aide at Southwest Elementary and Lisa Bien, currently a companion aide at the middle school level, will be the new building aide at Southwest. Darryl Thacker was approved as a night custodian at high school and Janet Guethle was hired as a companion aide at Middle School. Bobbi Starnes will be the new cook at Middle School and Josh Stearnes was hired for district maintenance.