Malta Bend school board approves summer school, class fundraisers

At its meeting Thursday evening, March 12, the Malta Bend Board of Education approved summer school dates and senior class fundraisers.

The board agreed upon June 3-24 as the days for summer school, grades kindergarten through eight. Superintendent Melissa Vesser said dates for high school summer classes are yet to be determined because first the school must decide what courses will be offered and see how many students want to attend.

Summer school length was set at three weeks out of worry that any longer might be too much for students and teachers.

"I want them to have fun and be productive while they're here," Vesser said.

The start date for summer school is earlier this year because the school is hoping to include teachers and students from Miami School District, which ends regular classes earlier than Malta Bend.

In public participation, the board viewed a presentation by Malta Bend seniors about their senior trip to Tan-Tar-A Resort on May 4-8. The students presented ideas for fundraisers, including a window wash at Casey's gas stations, a "slave" auction, a lock-in and food sales through various chain restaurants.

The board approved the fundraising ideas.

In his report, Principal Roger Feagan said that both high school and elementary school attendance are up this month at around 93 percent. Although attendance should be around 94 percent, he said, "We're headed in the right direction."

Feagan also reported on the corporal punishment policy the board discussed at its last meeting. He has not yet used the policy because the school's attorney "strongly recommended 'absolutely not,'" Feagan said.

The school's efforts to be designated as part of Missouri's A+ Schools Program were also in Feagan's report. After talking to a representative from the state program, Feagan learned that a bill pending in the Missouri legislature could change the shape of A+. The contact advised Feagan to wait for A+ inspection until fall 2010.

In her report, Superintendent Vesser said that the school's cell phone policy is working well. Some electronic device is confiscated about every day, she said, but they are "having less friction."

The board also discussed upcoming MAP tests.

President Art Madden suggested that teachers "let the kids know that you expect them to score the highest," to help their performance on the exams.

Parent Teacher Organization President Mindy Rigby said her group is willing to provide snacks or moral support to students during the MAP tests, "something to get them thinking and get them excited about it, cheerlead them along," she said.

Next on the agenda were make-up days, which the board chose to discuss in closed session, at Vesser's request. March 23 and April 13, days from spring break and Easter holidays, will be school days to make up days missed because of snow. The board also covered personnel, legal, property and student matters in executive session.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the board is Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net