An End To a Great Season...

her roots in northern Missouri. She and her husband Joe live in La Plata, MO with their daughter Harper, where she serves on the local school

[See NCMC, Page 2]

Spickard Board of Education

Spickard Board of Education met February 27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

The Board approved payment of bills totaling $19,833.60

Superintendent Erica Eakes reported that the January Top Pirate was Indilinn Allen. The staff participated in Situational Awareness Training and made some changes to the lockdown procedure as a result. The Book Blast raised $3,155 and gained the school and students 230 new books. Two AMI days have been used so far. Staff and principal are in the pro- cess of developing the District Literacy Plan

CSIP goals were discussed and the work of the committee is on-going

The 23-24 school calendar was approved with the first day being August 23 and last day being May 15.

Certified and non-certified salary schedules were tabled until the March meeting.

The March meeting was moved from March 20 to March 21 because of Spring Break.

A gym usage request for the Alumni Banquet on May 13 was approved.

[See Spickard, Page 2] submitted photo

Gallatin R-V Board of Education Accepts Resignations, Offers Contracts

The Gallatin R-V board of education met on Wednesday, February 15 in the high school library.

The meeting’s agenda was approved with the amendment of adding Nikki Berry to section V., A.Library/Technology Report. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as read. Payment of all bills was also approved.

Superintendent Dr. Justin Collins, HS Principal Brent Burke, MS Principal Chris Wever, CDSE Principal Nicole Thogmartin and Activity Director Chad Sullenger all gave their reports. Principal Thogmartin also discussed the 2023 Summer School Program.

Michelle Anthuis presented the high school library and technology report. Nikki Bird presented the elementary library report.

The board reviewed and approved the 2023-24 district calendar.

Dr. Collins discussed pending legislation concerning open enrollment with the board. After discussion, a resolution was accepted opposing the legislation. board and coaches her daughter’s basketball and softball teams.

The board heard a presentation on the Gallatin Community Teacher Association from Amy Holder.

During closed session, the board accepted the resignation of Josie Williamson, effective at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. They also accepted the resignation of Monica Fawson, effective February 3, 2023.

The board voted to extend the contracts of Nicole Thogmartin as elementary school principal, Brent Burke as high school principal and Chris Wever as middle school principal for the 2023-2024 school year.

The next regular meeting of the Gallatin R-V board of education will be Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Jackie (Persell) Soptic

Jackie (Persell) Soptic, a Piper High School Pirate from Kansas City, KS chose to stick with tradition, returning to the place of her birth and remaining a Pirate by attending Trenton Junior College, now North Central Missouri College. Due to her father’s employment as a locomotive engineer, Jackie grew up in Kansas City, KS. Unlike most high school seniors, she had a unique perspective of both life in a large city and life in a small town. Therefore, after her graduation she married her high school sweetheart, Warren Soptic, and returned to Trenton in 1977 to attend college, work, and raise a family.

Wanting to complete her education and start a professional career, Jackie returned to North Central Missouri College and completed her associate’s degree in 1989. Following graduation, she taught preschool for one year and began working part-time as a caseworker for the Workforce Development Program with the Green Hills Planning Commission. Her part-time job soon became a full-time position that eventually led to her becoming the director of the Workforce Development Program. Jackie remained with the Green Hills Planning Commission and within 13 years became the assistant director. Jackie’s commitment to public service and need to volunteer never changed, even as the demands of her professional career increased. She was elected and served three terms on the Trenton City Council. Currently she is a volunteer for Bright Futures, Church Women United Thrift shop, Grundy County Senior Center Meal Delivery, and the Red Cross. Always willing to be of service and with retirement on the horizon, she helped to prepare staff and board members for new leadership by serving as a transition director for the last two years of her employment. In 2022, after 33 years, she retired from the Green Hills Planning Commission.

Jackie and Warren Soptic have been married for 45 years, co-own A.S.A.P Locksmith, are the parents of Jeremy (Cindy) Soptic and Jenny (Lucas) Lewis, and proud grandparents to Cole Soptic and Jackson Lewis. With her roots still firmly planted in Trenton, and her never-changing commitment to community, Jackie has thrown her hat into the upcoming mayoral race in Trenton.

Barbara (Higdon) Spencer fered last year. Salary will be determined at a later date.

After graduating from high school in Princeton, MO in 1970, Barbara (Higdon) Spencer started her college career at Trenton Junior College, now North Central Missouri College. She received an associate’s degree in 1972 and transferred to Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman State University. While at TSU, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education, a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, and certifications in Speech and Theatre in 1974. She returned to TSU to complete a master’s degree in English Education and a certification in Library Science in 1976.

Board policies in Sections A, B, C, and D were adopted.

Mrs Eakes will continue as Superintendent/Principal for the 23-24 school year. This will be year 2 of the 3year contract she was of-

After College, Barbara began her teaching career in Jameson, MO and moved to the Trenton R-9 School District one year later, where she remained for the rest of her career. One to never shy away from work, she taught a variety of classes including English I, II and III, British Literature, Speech, Theatre, Composition, and Sociology. In addition, she performed several duties including serving as yearbook sponsor, cheerleader sponsor, color guard instructor, competitive speech instructor, theatrical presentation director, and curriculum committee chairperson for the English department. Barbara retired in 2004 after a 29-year teaching career.

Always willing and active, Barbara has worked and/or donated her time to a countless number of community groups and organizations. She returned to her alma mater, teaching Composition and Speech on a part-time basis for over ten years in addition to tutoring and assisting NCMC students, until she retired in 2017.

Barbara and her husband Steve married in 1971 and have one daughter, Trisha and son-in-law Scott Sharp and two grandchildren, Owen and Carly. Together they own Precision Machine and Welding in Trenton and enjoy spending quality time with their daughter and family, atlatl throwing, archery shooting, hunting, and fishing.

For Pirates Ball ticket information or reservations contact NCMC Foundation Executive Director Alicia Endicott at 660-357-6403 or at ncmcalumni@mail.ncmissouri. edu.

Feb 27-Mar 3 Dr Seuss

The open 1st/2nd grade classroom teaching position for the 23-24 school year has been offered to a candidate. Announcement will be made upon acceptance of the position.

Dates to remember: Feb 28-Top Pirate Assembly 3:25