Mercer school board selects new bank for services, hires 2023-24 staff

R-3 moving accounts to First Interstate Bank in Princeton PRESTON COLE

Princeton Post-Telegraph

MERCER Mercer school board members chose a bank depository and made a number of 202324 employment decisions during their May meeting, held May 8. Bank services

Superintendent Dan Owens and bookkeeper Jennifer Wilson got investment rates from the Mercer branch of Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri and the Princeton branch of First Interstate Bank.

Farmers Bank offered CD (certificates of deposit) rates of 3.25% for a 12-month CD, and 3.51% for both 18 months and 24 months.

First Interstate offered CD rates of 4.29% for seven months and 4.01% for 14 months, plus a 2.5% rate for an indexed money market account with a minimum $50,000 deposit.

The district currently has a money market account at Farmers Bank that pays 1.5%.

The board voted unanimously to approve Owens’ recommendation to place $750,000 in a seven-month CD, $350,000 in a money market account, $100,000 into a 14-month Millemon CD, and a $500 Millemon checking account, all at First Interstate.

The board also voted to have Wilson ask about balances and rates, issue stop payments and, upon board approval, renew CDs and make internal transfers at First Interstate. The board also voted to have board officeers Ervin Taff, Heath West and Teri Noe be the authorized signers from all accounts at First Interstate.

2023-24 employment decisions

After a scheduled closed session for personnel matters, the board hired Randi Girdner as a secretary, replacing Krystle Lowrey. Lowrey has resigned effective at the end of her contract.

Other appointments:

• Jeff Wyatt: athletics director, FFA advisor.

• Jill West: varsity softball coach.

• Sherri Barker: assistant softball coach, senior class sponsor.

• Mark Meinecke: assistant varsity boys basketball coach.

• Carrie Rogers: junior high girls basketball coach, junior high track coach.

• Dan Martin: junior high boys basketball coach, boys golf coach.

• Courtney Scroggie: elementary basketball coach, Art Club advisor, junior class sponsor.

• Joanne Fisher: varsity boys and girls track coach, dance team advisor.

• Greg Frost: high school Scholar Bowl coach, junior high Scholar Bowl coach, yearbook advisor, mass media.

• Nellie Henley: high school cheer advisor.

• Laura Mason: junior high cheer advisor.

• Melissa Hill: FBLA advisor, FTA advisor, Student Council advisor.

• Lisa Prichard: National Honor Society advisor.

• Jennifer Wilson: substitute teacher assignor.

• Heather Michaelis: Parents as Teachers director.

• Nancy Claycomb: senior class sponsor.

• Angie Couchman: junior class sponsor.

All votes were unanimous.

The board lso approved the supplemental pay schedule as presented. Other actions

• During the period for public comment, Mercer resident and former superintendent Bill Casey asked board members if they had thought about moving the preschool into the main building, so that a new building wouldn’t have to be purchased. Owens told him it has been discussed, and nothing is “off the table.”

• New principal Aimee Huse introduced herself to new board members.

• As part of the consent agenda, it was noted that 86% of the students in grades 7-12 participate in some extracurricular activity. Also, the Grow Your Own grant program helped some teachers pay for their education, and two students received scholarships.

Transportation director Kerri Jincks is looking into prices for trading in a school bus. A new bus would cost around $120,000.

One FBLA team and one member will be competing in national competition during the summer.

• Principal Wade Hall said CSIP surveys were to sent to patrons, and will be reviewed during the summer.

• Mercer County Title Company owner was on the agenda to discuss signing over land where an old country school was located. The matter has been postponed until the June meeting.

• Sixteen students, including six first-time winners, were approved to receive the Millemon Math Award. Each student will receive $31.25.

• The board approved Owens’ recommendation to buy new reading textbooks from Houghton-Mifflin at a cost of $23,524.34 for eight years. He noted the district’s current series is over 20 years old.

• Owens and Wilson have been working on the preliminary 2023-24 budget. At this time, it looks as if the district will be operating at a deficit next year, but this year (202223) is expected to end with a surplus between

$250,000 and $300,000.

All ESSER money will be spent by the end of this school year, and no new ESSER funds are anticipated.

• A Career Ladder plan was presented and approved, with no changes made. Teachers who work an extra 50 hours will get a $1,500 stipend, with increases to $3,000 for 75 hours and $5,000 for 100 hours.

• In his report, Hall said final Title I benchmarks will be given at the June meeting. The 21st Century after-school program will be held every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, beginning June 13.

Some female students have shown interest in having a golf team next fall. That could affect numbers for the softball program. More information will be provided at a future meeting.

Hall also said he’d like to have a board policy that says students wanting to take virtual classes through Launch would have to do so at the start of each semester, instead of the current policy that allows students to join at any time. A policy is to be presented at the June meeting.

• In his report, Owens said the Mercer County Area Development Corporation (MCADC) has asked about moving the old Jackson house to another site in Mercer. At one time, the board said anyone could have it at no cost if the house was moved. The board wants the MCADA to give it a timeline and that it be moved by the end of the year.

The house is located immediately north of the preschool building.

He said the district could see long-term ramifications if Smithfield closes its sow units. There is one such unit in the Mercer school district.

See Mercer SB, Page 10

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Schoonover receives master’s

Obituaries

Dayton Butler Linn, Mo.

Dayton William Butler, known as “Willie” by his closest friends and family, was born September 28, 1987, and found peace with himself and his Lord on May 13, 2023.

Dayton was born in Kirksville, Mo., son of Dayton Lee Butler and Sally Anne (Rowland) Butler of Milan, Mo., and his sister, Rebecca Anne (Butler) Neuhalfen, now of Cameron, Mo.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Joshua Schoonover graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology with a master of science in explosives engineering and a graduate certificate in safety engineering on Saturday, May 13. He also holds a BS in mining engineering from Missouri S&T that he received in 2021.

Schoonover worked on his MS degree remotely while employed for Orica USA. For the last tw9 years he has worked as an engineer for Orica in the northeastern United States and Colorado. He will soon be moving to South Carolina to continue working for Orica as a technical services engineer.

Schoonover is a 2016 graduate of Princeton High School. He is the son of Mark and Rachael Schoonover of Rock Port, Mo., and Jared and Kim Rardon of Princeton.

Land Transfers

Friday, May 12

• Josh Bowmar to LAH Ranch LLC.

Monday, May 15

• Estate of Lyle E. Mitchell to Alva Mitchell.

• Paul L. Niemeyer, personal representative, to Paul L. Niemeyer.

• Paul L. Niemeyer to Mark Niemeyer.

• Red Iron, LLC to Bradley Burrows.

Tuesday, May 16

• Joseph D. Gibbs et al to Cole A. Cunningham.

Thursday, May 18

• City of Mercer to Mercer County Area Development Corporation.

MERCER CO. FOOD PANTRY

Located in the basement of Princeton United Methodist Church.

Second and fourth

Tuesday: 9-10:30 a.m.

Other Tuesdays: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

As a young child he enjoyed Cub Scouts, little league football, and baseball. He also played football some in his junior high and high school years, and was a member of the FFA. As years went by he loved spending time on the family farm with the cows and baby calves, hunting with his friends and family, mushroom hunting, fishing, his red Dodge truck, and riding four-wheelers.

He graduated from Milan C-2 with the class of 2006. Dayton was well known as “one of the good country boys.” He could always be found smiling and helping others. He had a heart of gold and his smile filled the room.

In 2007, Dayton attended the State Technical College in Linn, Mo., where he earned his as- sociates degree with a focus in diesel mechanics. While attending school in Linn, Dayton met the love of this life, Rebecca (Freet) Butler and eventually they moved to the family farm. In 2013, the two of them were married in Milan and remained in the area to begin their lives together. In 2021, the family returned to the Linn area to raise their children. Together they have two beautiful children - William, age 6, and Adaline, age 3. Being a dad was by far his proudest accomplishment in life. He poured his heart and soul into his family. He enjoyed family time, playing with the children, reading to them, and attending Freshwater Christian Church together. Dayton had a never-ending love for his children and their mother that will never be forgotten.

Survivors include his spouse Rebecca and their children, his parents, his sister and his brother-inlaw, Kassidy Neuhalfen, his uncle Jeffery Lee Butler and his nieces Payton and Nevaeh Neuhalfen.

Dayton was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dayton Louis and Bessie (Parker) Butler of Milan and Bill and Delores (Weaver) Rowland of Princeton, Mo., and his mother-in-law, Patsy Barber of Linn.

His wishes were to be cremated and to have a celebration of life. His celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 10 at Milan Christian Church, starting at noon. Lunch will be provided.

In lieu of flowers and food, please make donations to Dayton’s children. Donations will be collected at Farmbank in Milan for William and Adaline Butler.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel in Linn.

Senior Menus

All menus subject to change.

Mercer County Senior Center

Serving from 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. Meals can be picked up at the west door (facing Broadway Street) from 11:30-12:15. Meals served with 2% milk, coffee or tea. All bread, rolls, buns and crackers are whole grain; at least half grains are whole grains. For meal deliveries, call 660-748-3636 by 10 a.m.

Everyone is welcome to eat at the Senior Center. Meals for anyone age 60 and older are a suggested contribution of $5. Meals for anyone under age 60 cost $7.

Monday, May 29: Senior Center closed.

Tuesday, May 30: hot ham and cheese sandwich/bun, new potatoes, creamed peas, mandarin oranges.

Wednesday, May 31: hamburger steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, winter mix with cheese, sliced bread, apricot.

Thursday, June 1: TBA.

Friday, June 2: TBA. POST-TELEGRAPH

Pine Evershine plants flowers at Pearl’s II

Commission

Mercer County Commission

Report taken from minutes of meetings of the Mercer County Commission. All votes are unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Monday, May 15

• Minutes of the May 9 meeting were approved.

• Bills were approved and paid.

• Time sheets and the May 15 payroll were approved.

• Commissioners and County Clerk Judy Hamilton signed a certified copy of order authorizing Collector/Treasurer Susan Moore to pay the following:

The Pine Evershine 4-H Club planted flowers at Pearl’s II Eden for Elders last Thursday (May 18) as a community service project. From left: Brodie Ellsworth, Judd Henke, Emma Henke, Kolton Schurke, Alexis Schurke, Brileigh Summers, Emily Oswalt and Tessa Ellsworth. Kelly Schurke-Batson is the club’s leader.

Cainsville

The 20th Century Club met May 11 with Helen Frisbie as the hostess.

The Sophomore Pilgrimage report was given by Bree Vaughn. She was accompanied by her mother, Hilary Vaughn, as a guest.

Lila McLain had Mother’s Day lunch at the home of Joe, Page, Carson and Hunter Eads. It was also Carson’s 13th birthday. Those in attendance were Morgan and Sherry McLain, Lenexa, Kan.; Walker and Emily Thomas, Kansas City, Mo.; Sierra Kaylynn, McKinley and Berkeley Wolf, Maysville; and Kay Thomas, Bryan and Ronda Pash, Joshua, Jackson and Sawyer Pash, and Johnny Eads. CWF of the Christian Church met Thursday. May 18 with Carol Bias as the hostess. Officers were elected for the new year.

Don’t forget that plans for the 16th annual Fourth of July celebration in Cainsville are complete- ly underway. There are some new events happening this year, including a car cruise. If anyone is interested in setting up as a vendor or having a flea market booth please contact 660-868-3219. It’s only $10 to set up!

Don’t forget the AllSchool Reunion will be held at the Cainsville R-1 school on Saturday, May 27. A free will donation lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be available in the school lunchroom.

Stop by and enjoy some lunch and do some visiting.

Sympathy to the family and friends of Jeffery Hunter, who recently passed away.

Sympathy to the family and friends of Lori Martz Bliss, who recently passed away.

Please send me some news! I hope to hear from everyone about visitors and trips after this busy Memorial weekend!

*$19,250.40 to C&C Bridge and Concrete Inc. for matching funds on Bridge 2550002 BRO-B065 (39) Progress Invoice #12 (money taken from SLFRF/ARPA Grand Fund #07); and

*$13,001.23 to Norris Quarries for gravel, and $4,727.70 to the Mercer County Road & Bridge Department for hauling gravel to Lindley Township (money taken from Lindley Township Fund #43).

• Commissioners received notification from Hamilton that she has submitted all paperwork for SEMA 10% payment of DR 4451 MO, approximately $22,921.10, to be received from the state of Missouri.

• April sales tax and use tax reports were received from the Missouri Department of Revenue for the county’s use on May 5.

• Presiding Commissioner Jerry Allen signed Progress Invoice #12 for Bridge 2550002 BRO065 (39), Indigo Place/ Henke, for construction costs of $264,260.60.

• Sheriff Jose Lopez told commissioners about hitting a deer with a patrol vehicle.

• Gary McFee with Howe Company, LLC spoke to commissioners about completing an application with MoDOT for bridge assessments. They listed Bridge No. 0790022 on Bison Street in Marion Township, and Bridge No. 1870002 on Ebony Street in Harrison Township. Commissioners voted to approve Howe Company, LLC to assist with preparation and submittal of funding applications for the bridges. Commissioners and McFee signed the agreement.

Mercer SB

From Page 8

Owens said there are a couple of areas in the so-called “new” gym (opened in the fall of 1997) that leak with it rains, and a few areas that have hail damage that could problems in the future if they aren’t fixed. Commercial Roof Coatings of Leon, Iowa, provided two quotes$11,000 for the gym roof, commons and ramp; and $19,000 for the kitchen, commons and “bubbles” on the old gym (postWorld War II through the 1996-97 school year). Owens was asked to get information about warranties for the next meeting.

Editor’s Note: Information for this report was taken from unapproved meeting minutes provided by district bookkeeper Jennifer Lynn Wilson.

The ONLY COMPLETE COVERAGE of both Mercer County varsity-level sports programs every week!

Division I Circuit Court

Judge Anthony Horvath

Persons listed in this report are Missouri residents unless otherwise noted. Addresses shown are those of the defendants on the day their cases were heard.

Putnam County Associate Circuit Judge Anthony Horvath presided over this session following the recent death of 3rd Circuit Presiding Judge Thomas Alley. Mercer County Associate Circuit Judge Matthew Krohn was appointed as presiding judge by the Missouri Supreme Court, but under state law he cannot preside over Mercer County Division I cases in most circumstances.

Tuesday, May 16

• State vs. Charlie Benfield, Luray, Va.: Benfield appeared for a probation violation hearing involving his 2007 conviction for Class C felony felonious restraint. He admitted violating conditions of his probation in reports filed May 12 and Oct. 21, 2008, and three reports filed March 24 of this year. Benfield’s probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections.

Division II

From Page 7 request for a continuance. Cause continued to July 5 at 1 p.m.

• State vs. Paul Redding, Corydon, Iowa: Redding did not appear for a file review of his April 18, 2023 conviction on a 2007 charge of Class A misdemeanor passing bad check (less than $500). The Court noted that Redding has paid his court costs and restitution in full.

• State vs. Leland Robert Saxton, Mercer: Saxton appeared on a Class B charge of peace disturbance. He was advised of his right to counsel and entered a plea of guilty. He was ordered to pay a $400 fine, $107.50 in court costs and a $10 crime victims compensation judgment. A payment plan was established, and a $25 time payment fee was assessed. A file review was set for April 9, 2024 at 9 a.m. to check payment.

• State vs. Hanna Claire Allnutt, Princeton: Allnutt appeared on an infraction charge of violated provisions of Sections 302.130 or 302.178, regarding an intermediate driver’s license or temporary instruction permit. She was advised of her right to counsel, and waived that right. She was arraigned and entered a plea of guilty. Imposition of sentence was suspended, and she was placed on probation for 60 days. She was also ordered to perform eight hours of community service, pay $67.50 in court costs, and view the “How to Save a Life” video and write a onepage essay on what she learned from it and the experience. A file review was scheduled for July 5 at 9 a.m. to check payment.

• State vs. Parker A. Coon, Princeton: Coon appeared on a Class B misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI), and a Class C misdemeanor charge of failure to drive on the right half of the roadway when the roadway was of sufficient width. He entered a plea of guilty to each charge.

On the DWI charge, Coon was sentenced to six months in the Mercer County Jail. Execution of sentence was suspended, and he was placed on probation for two years. He was ordered to pay $250 to the county law enforcement restitution fund, $107.50 in court costs and a $10 crime victims compensation judgment. On the other charge, he was ordered to pay $200 to the county law enforcement restitution fund. All the money is to be paid within 30 days. He was also ordered to watch the “How to Save a Life” video and write a onepage essay.

A file review was set for 9 a.m. on July 5 to check payment.

• State vs. Daniel Earl Windsor II, Moberly: Windsor appeared in custody on a Class A felony charge of first-degree child molestation (victim less than 12 years old), with a previous conviction, or serious physical injury/display weapon, or ceremony. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and the Court accepted the waiver and bound Windsor over to appear at 9 a.m. on June 14. He was remanded to custody.

Windsor also appeared on a Class A felony charge of first-degree child molestation, with a previous conviction, displayed deadly weapon, serious injury, part of a ritual or ceremony. Again, he waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and the Court accepted the waiver and bound Windsor over to appear at 9 a.m. on June 14. He was remanded to custody.

• State vs. Geoseph Allen Husong, Stanberry: Husong appeared on a Class A misdemeanor charge of fishing without a permit (Missouri resident). He was advised of right to counsel, and waived that right. He also waived arraignment and entered a plea of guilty. He was ordered to pay a $49.50 fine and $92.50 in court costs that day. He requested his cash bond be refunded. A file review was set for 9 a.m. on June 6 to check payment.

• State vs. Andrey V Stadnik, Springfield: Stadnik appeared on an infraction charge of failed to equip vehicle with a muffler, adequate muffler, or property attached muffler. He was advised of his right to counsel, and waived that right. He also waived arraignment and entered a plea of guilty. The state requested leave to file an amended infraction of defective equipment, and the Court granted the request. Stadnik was ordered to pay a $300 fine and $65.50 in court costs. A payment plan was established. A file review was set for Aug. 20, 2024 at 11 a.m. to check payment.