Board agrees on later start for 2010-11 school year; 3 to retire

Dexter Schools will be in session one day less during the 2010-11 school year than they have been in recent history, and that school year will begin one week later than classes have typically picked up in August. The local school board agreed in Tuesday night's regular session to drop one day from their 178 school day calendar and to look at a potential starting date of Aug. 16, 2010 for next year.

"Both the CTA Advisory Board and the administration agree that next school year would be a good time to move the start of school one week up and look at revising the number of days that students are in attendance," Supt. Dr. Ken Jackson told the board.

A number of factors played into the board's decision regarding the school calendar, including the economic downturn.

Also to consider, Jackson said, is a major construction project on the books during the summer of 2010 and the need to allow construction crews as much time as possible to complete their work prior to classes beginning in August.

Jackson explained that he had surveyed all other districts in Stoddard County, finding that most schools attend the required 174 days. One school, he said, attends 177 days, but Dexter's 178 days exceeded all other county schools.

"I think that the district could realize some savings (by going to 177 days). Even though it may not be a substantial amount, in this current economy, I believe if we can reduce our costs and realize any savings, I think we ought to look at it."

The board agreed and a definitive calendar will be voted upon by staff in the upcoming weeks.

Board members also agreed to assign the dates beginning Saturday, July 31, 2010 through Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 as the "dead period" for Dexter Schools' activities. The decision comes after a recent by-law adopted by the Missouri State High School Activities Association that establishes a mandatory dead period to be observed during which no sports or extra-curricular activities are to take place within the school district. The board was presented three options Tuesday night and elected the one they thought would best suit families in the Dexter School District.

Dr. Kim Flowers addressed the board to discuss the district's Assessment Summary Report for the 2008-09 school year, as well as the Annual Performance Report (APR) update and the Special Services State Profile Report for 2008-09. A comprehensive overview of Terra Nova, MAP, Explore, NAEP, and End of Course (EOC) scores from the previous school year was explained to the board.

Annual Performance Reports for Missouri schools, released in recent weeks, indicate that the local school district has once again earned the Distinction in Performance for Achievement Award from the Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education. The award is based on 14 areas of achievement measured by various annual testing results.

In presenting the compilation of test scores and the Distinction of Performance status, Flowers told the board, "I am very honored to be able to report to you that these results are the end result of a lot of hard work on the part of our students and our staff."

Jackson announced that Dec. 15 marks the first day for candidates to file for a spot on Dexter's School Board. The closing date to file is Jan. 19, 2010. Terms expiring are those of Herman Morse and Annette Hux. Board candidate filing is completed at the school district's administration building on Brown Pilot Lane.

In executive session, the board accepted notifications of retirement from three members of the Dexter School system's staff, representing 85 total years of service. Retiring at the conclusion of the current school year will be Kent Polsgrove, with 33 years in education, who currently serves as administrative assistant to the superintendent and heads up Transportation and Food Services for the district; Julie Lancaster, with 29 years as a Learning Disabilities instructor in the district; and Susan Hill, a speech therapist with 23 years in the district.

The board also approved the following names to the substitute teacher list: Rachel Crockett, Jennifer Kearbey, Crystal Moyers, and Penny Dawson.

Approved to transfer positions were Richard Bailey, to the position of day custodian at the new Bearcat Event Center (BEC), Danny Frazier to night custodian at the BEC, and Mike Long to head custodian at Southwest Elementary.

Newly employed were Don Denniston, as night custodian at Southwest and Jean Bell, night custodian at T.S. Hill Middle School.