Area School Boards Approve Bids, New Hires

The Grundy R-V, Laredo RVII and Princeton R-V recently met, where bids for fuel, propane, dairy and groceries were discussed along with personnel matters.

Grundy R-V

The regular meeting of the Grundy R-V Board of Education was held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 10.

In old business, the board opened bids for diesel fuel, propane, milk and grocery items. MFA made the lone bid for diesel at $2.73/gallon and for propane at $1.55/gallon. There was one bid Prairie Farms for milk: 1 percent Chocolate milk at $0.36 per half pint, 1 percent white milk at $0.32 per half pint and skim milk at $0.31 per half pint. Galt Grocery made the lone bid for grocery items. All bids were accepted for the 2023-24 school year.

The board approved a bid from Gastineau electric for completion of the air conditioning project in the elementary school at a cost of $37,711.

The board also heard an update on renovation of the tornado shelter at the school.

In new business, the board approved the bus maintenance agreement with the Princeton School District for $12,600. The Princeton District will provide maintenance of all buses for the R-V District.

The board approved the updates to the district CSIP plan.

The board approved the plan to move the time for district students to attend the Grand River Technical School to the afternoon session. This change will occur during the 2023-24 school year.

The board heard a legislative update, with no action taken.

The board heard a report on the Career Ladder program. The administration was directed to gather more information.

Reports were presented by elementary and secondary principals.

After a closed session, the board approved the resignations of Cindy Collins as part-time social worker and bus driver Meredith Burnham.

The board approved the hiring of Haley Hanes as fourth grade teacher and Jessica Boren as parttime middle school math teacher and part-time MTSS paraprofessional for the 2023-24 school year.

Multiple contracts for extra duty assignments for the 2023-24 school year were also approved by the board.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held Wednesday, June 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school business room. The end of fiscal year special board meeting will be held Wednesday, June 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school business room.

Laredo R-VII

The Laredo R-VII Board of Education met in regular session on Wednesday, May 10 at 6 p.m. The agenda, bills and the previous meeting’s minutes were all approved.

In old business, the board heard a report on building improvements. Evolution Spray foam spray has been used on the roof deck and gable ends over the music room and stage area. The board discussed transportation and a USDA grant and approved MSBA dues of $1,351.

Under new business, it was decided to advertise for bid requests for milk, propane and fuel for the 2023-24 school year.

Extra duty contracts for basketball, cheerleading, track assistant coach and I-Ready were approved, as well as contracted employees for band and nurse. Contracted services for OT, speech and PT were approved. It was agreed to offer career ladder in all three stages for the 2023-24 school year.

The budget and CSIP/MSIP6 were discussed, along with a review of the Safe Return to InPerson Instruction and Continuity of Service Plan.

During a closed session, the board accepted the resignation of Kylie Littleton as music teacher and agreed to offer Rachel Lorenz-Walton the music position for the 2023-24 school year. It was also decided to offer bus contracts.

The next regular board meeting will be Monday, June 12 at 6 p.m. The end of fiscal year special board meeting will be held Tuesday, June 27.

Princeton R-V

The Princeton R-V Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 8. The board approved the minutes of the April 10 meeting and the April 25 meeting, along with the payment of all bills and any necessary fund transfers.

It was announced the last day of school will be Friday, May 19 with an early out at 12:30 p.m.

Three concerned citizens spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. Board Policy 0412 states that citizens are encouraged to work through problems at the building level before coming to the board. However, the policy also provides for a period of time for public comments at all regular board meetings, during which remarks may be limited to three minutes and one appearance per participant. During the meeting, the three individuals asked questions about board procedures, the definition of a quorum, interpretation of board policies and made a recommendation to adjust board policies. Also, there was question directed to a board member regarding his previous no vote, since the individual board member had seconded the motion in a previous vote regarding facility-naming rights. The board appreciates community feedback and has assigned district administration to follow up with each individual for further clarifications. Questions directed to the board may not always be answered immediately, but all questions will be responded to by an appropriate person as soon as possible. The Board is committed to transparency and open communication and values the input of all stakeholders.

In old business, no action was taken on health insuance premiums. Renewal information was not complete at the time of the board meeting. It will be added to the June meeting agenda.

The school board reviewed a draft policy and procedure that would evaluate naming rights of school district facilities. The board will continue to work towards a solution and adoption of a plan and procedure regarding naming of facilities.

In new business, the board approved the school’s participation in the Career Ladder Program for 2023-2024. The Career Ladder Program supports salary supplements for teaching staff to provide compensation for additional responsibilities and voluntary efforts that are not already compensated in some form. The career advancement program is a matching fund program. Up to 60 percent of the additional salary supplement shall come from state grant funds, and the remaining amount, not less than 40 percent and any related benefit costs, comes from local revenue sources. This grant is subject to appropriation on an annual basis.

The board approved First Interstate Bank for a one year contract for bank depository services.

During closed session, the board

• approved the hiring of JH/HS Principal Dana Seymour with a two year Contract.

• approved all non-certified staff for the 23-24 School Year.

• approved Mike Schmidli as head high school softball coach and part-time AD.

• approved Derek Power as the junior high girls basketball coach.

The next regular meeting of the Princeton R-V Board of Education will be Monday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. A special board meeting regarding the budget is scheduled for Tuesday, June 27 at 5:30 p.m.

TrenTon

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Grand River Garden Club Has Tea at Home of Dorothy Taul

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Trenton Job Center is Program at P.E.O. Chapter AD Meeting

P.E.O. Chapter AD met on Thursday, May 4 at 1 pm at Hodge Presbyterian Church. Sarah Siebenborn, hostess, provided a refreshing summertime dessert of pound cake covered with blueberries, strawberries, and cream. Prior to the business meeting, Cathy Scott, program director of the Trenton Job Center, gave a presentation on the services provided by the center.

Bev Bosley, from the history committee, shared with members ledger entries from Chapter AD’s early years. She read that money was collected for the World’s Fair Fund and noted that spoons were given to the newborns of members. Her report was an interesting and insightful glimpse into the past.

Chapter AD discussed its support of the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library’s Summer Reading Program that will begin on May 20th.

The next meeting of Chapter AD will be held on Thursday, June 1 at 1 pm at The Space with Jackie Hoffman as hostess and Marjorie Keuhn, program leader.

Dorothy Taul hostessed an oldfashioned tea party at her home for 12 members of the the Grand River Garden Club on Monday, May 15. A light lunch was prepared by Ms. Taul and Linda Lamp. Most members brought their own tea cup and talked about its origin and how they came to have it. Members also brought a picture of their mother and talked about her education, marriage, trials of her time period and life.

Vice president Dianna Hoppe presided over the meeting. Laura Ewing gave the treasurer’s report, which was accepted. She reported the club bought four knock out roses to replace dead ones around the Civil War statue at the courthouse, plus mulch. It was noted the cost for knock out roses was less than for the hostas and tickseed the club talked about purchasing last month and hopefully heartier. Red tulips around the Civil War statue will be replenished in the fall. Since Barnes Greenhouse offered the club a discount on the knock out roses, Ms. Taul will send them a thank you note.

Carol Wilford Charles and Vickie Bowe attended the annual Laredo Alumni Open House on Saturday, May 6. On Sunday, May 7, they went to Sunnyview Nursing Home to visit Vickie’s mother, Jean Hughes. Jackie Owens enjoyed visiting with Dorothy Doyle of Lee’s Summit at the Laredo Alumni Open house. Visitors in the home of Betty Gardner on Saturday, May 6, were her daughters, Jan Hoke of Independence and Connie Miller of Parkville. Dustin Cox of Trenton also came by that day. On Sunday, May 7, Bonnie Peterie of Trenton came to visit Betty. Carol Wilford visited Betty in the afternoon on Monday, May 8.

The plant sale at the Leisure Lake garage sale in April was successful.

The secretary’s report was given by Karalyn Thompson and accepted.

Mrs. Thompson reported on a possible tour of the Hollingsworth peony farm near Maryville. The farm has been closed to visitors since Covid19, but the owners planted over 100 varieties of peonies in 2022 at the Conception Abbey at Conception which can be toured. She recommended waiting on that tour until the peonies have been established

Laredo News

A catered retirement dinner was held for Pastor Deryl Niffin following the morning worship service at the Laredo Baptist Church on Sunday, May 7. A clock was presented to Bro. Deryl and Linda for their 17 years of service at the church. Among those attending, were their son, Scotty Niffin of Pleasant Hill; their granddaughter, Ashlynn Kay Briggs and her husband, Collin of Eagleville; and their daughter, Tina Gilliland and her husband, Tommy of Liberty.

Bill and Kathy Waits attended the Laredo Alumni Open House on Saturday, May 6. On Monday, May 8, they went to Sunnyview Nursing Home to visit with Marge Olson. They brought longer. her some flowers from the Alumni. They also stopped by Dean Smalling’s room and visited with him while they were there.

Mrs. Lamp noted the tour of the Lenny and Lisa Anderson grounds north of Chillicothe is from 1-5 p.m. June 25. Bluegrass and gospel music will be provided this year. Members expressed interest in going.

Loretta Ray will be the speaker at the June 19 meeting. She will speak on raising and canning beets and tomatoes. The meeting will be at noon at El Toro Restaurant.

Mrs. Ewing made a motion to adjourn and Linda Carman seconded.

Those attending were Marilyn Bain, Mrs. Lamp, Marilyn Booth, Ms. Carman, Mrs. Ewing, Bonna Dittberner, Carolyn and Annie Forman, Doris Provorse, Ms. Taul, Mrs. Hoppe and Mrs. Thompson.

Barb Harbo of Eagan, MN, came to visit her mother, Bonna Dittberner on Tuesday, May 9. She returned home on Thursday, May 11.

Root beer floats were served by the Laredo Lions

Club to all of the students at the Laredo R-VII School on Wednesday, May 10. Following lunch, a choice of a float, an ice cream cone, or just a glass of root beer was made available. Those representing the Lions Club were Bonna Dittberner, Martha Owen, Carol Wilford, Steve Persell, Jackie Owens, Martha Leasor and Barb Harbo.

Trenton Area Calendar of Events

FRIDAY

Church Women United Thrift Shop, 17th & Harris, noon to 4 p.m.

Green Hills Alcoholics Anonymous, Tenth Street Baptist Church, 6 p.m. For more information, call 359-2704. North 65 Center: Line Dancers, 9:30 a.m.; Cards, 12:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Church Women United Thrift Shop, 17th & Harris, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grief Share Self-Help Group, Tenth Street Baptist Church, 4:30 p.m.

Celebrate Recovery, Tenth Street Baptist Church, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY

Narcotics Anonymous, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 4 p.m.

MONDAY

Green Hills Alcoholics Anonymous, Tenth Street Baptist Church, 6 p.m. For more information, call 359-2704 or 3572367.

MI Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 2901 Hoover Drive, 7 p.m.

North 65 Center: Line Dancers, 9:30 a.m.; Cards, 12:30 p.m.

Laredo Lions Club Dinner, Laredo Community Building, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

Trenton Lions Club, First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, noon.

Domestic Violence/Anger Management Group, North Central Missouri Mental Health Center, 7 to 9 p.m.

Spickard Coffee Club, Wise Community Center, 8 a.m.

North 65 Center: Cards, 12:30 p.m.; Fun Night, 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

North 65 Center: Token Bingo and Cards, 12:30 p.m.

Green Hills Alcoholics Anonymous, Tenth Street Baptist Church, noon. For more information, call 359-2704 or 3572367.

THURSDAY

Trenton Rotary Club, BTC Bank Community Room, noon.

North 65 Center: GCHD Blood Pressure Clinic, 10:00 a.m.; Tai Chi, 10:30 a.m.; Cards, 12:30 p.m.; Early Bird Bingo, 6:00 p.m.; Regular Bingo, 6:30 p.m.