Moberly School Board hears news of teacher job bill

By Janet Morales

Moberly Public School District Superintendent Mark Penny urged caution when his school board members asked about spending an expected half-million dollar windfall, thanks to the Education Jobs Bill signed by President Obama in August.

While it was another partisan vote — Republicans argued it would deepen the deficit — Congress voted to fund $10 billion for education and $16 billion for Medicaid. However, the education portion is a jobs bill and is restricted in its use.

“The Education Jobs Fund requires that school districts use the funds to pay the salaries and benefits of teachers, school administrators and other essential staff,” said U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan in a letter sent to governors throughout the country. “The funds can be used to recall or rehire former employees, retain existing employees and hire new employees to ensure that students receive vital educational and related services. These funds may not be used for general administrative expenses, overhead or other support services by school districts.”

Of that $10 billion, Missouri will receive an estimated $189.7 million. Penny reported to the board Tuesday night that Moberly’s projected share is $528,007.

Penny said he agreed with other superintendents in the state who felt it was prudent to wait to spend the funds and instead carry the money over to the 2011-12 budget.

“We will have to decide how we prioritize things,” said Penny. “What do we bring back?”

Among other situations, in August the district reported a financial shortfall and its decision not to replace educators that had left the system. This included a second grade teacher at North park and an MHS librarian. The intent of the federal education bill is to make sure teaching jobs are not lost to shore up a loss of monies.

Also in August, the news regarding the Annual Yearly Progress report, which is a part of the federal No Child Left Behind initiative, was grim and Moberly administrators gave board presentations on new assessments and changes in curriculum. The Annual Performance Reports, which are issued by the state, have been released recently. Assistant Superintendent Gena McCluskey said that while there is still room for improvement, the district has once again been accredited with distinction and will be honored at the annual meeting.

MHS Principal Aaron Vitt gave the district social studies curriculum report. A former history teacher, Vitt expressed the importance schools play in providing an educated citizenry, especially through the area of Social Studies.

Vitt said the goals of the district include to increase the End of Course scores for government from 43.5 percent advanced and proficient to 55 percent by the end of 2010. Changes in curriculum to eliminate overlap of instruction are also planned.

Vitt said some of the areas students have problems with include evaluating the influence of political parties, the need and process of governmental checks and balances, the evolution of domestic and foreign policies and analyzing American democracy including the political process.

Hollis Miller Architects has been selected to serve as the architects/designers of the proposed high school building and JE Dunn Construction will serve as the contractors. Supt. Penny suggested board members and administrators tour some of the schools that the two companies have either built from new or renovated with one of the proposed sites to visit being in Blue springs. The scope offered in the contractors proposal called for a facility that would accommodate 800-1,000 students. A representative of Hollis Miller will address the school board at its November 9 meeting. The issue will go before voters in April.

Tim Wetrich, director of buildings and maintenance, reported work was recently completed on the roof of the Central Office. Also, he told the board that the North Park gymnasium walls are crumbling and in “severe need of tuckpointing”. The gym will be shut down Friday, October 22 in order to address the problem. School Board member Bobby Riley asked about the feasibility of installing acoustic panels. Wetrich said he thought it was a good idea and he would research it further.