PIKE
COUNTY R-
082-101
28176
Highway WW
“Home of the Hawks” Phone 573-242-3546 or 573-485-2488 FAX:
573-485-2393
June 3, 2010
Dear Friend of Clopton,
In an effort to answer
questions from all interested parties, the following information has been
compiled to accurately disseminate information to all of the stakeholders.
What is the cost savings through the use of a dean of
students?
The following information
relates to the loss of our HAWKS Program and the changes in administrative
salaries and supervision of students for the Clopton Campus of The Pike County
R-
|
|
HAWKS (accounts for all coverage by staff) |
Combined Bldg. Administrative Salaries
Elem./Jr.& Sr. High |
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|
|
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|
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|
|
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|
|
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2010-2011 |
$3,369 |
$114,701 |
|
$276,767 |
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Savings |
$36,986.00 |
$22,845.00 |
|
$59,831 |
|
10-11 vs.
09-10 |
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What is the connection between the HAWKS Program and
the dean of students?
The HAWKS Program originated
over a decade ago. Initially, Safe Schools Grant monies were awarded through
the State of
Many students have received
support through this endeavor. The highest rate of students receiving services
from the HAWKS staff is from grades five through eight. During the first three quarters of the school
year, there have been seven hundred twenty seven (727) student referrals
through the HAWKS Program. One hundred and fifty seven (157) of these referrals
have been fifth through eighth grade students receiving academic and behavioral
support.
In an effort to transition
into a more efficient middle school schedule, and with the loss of the HAWKS
Program, these students will benefit from the oversight of the dean of
students. This individual will be available approximately one to two periods a
day to make contact with students who may be at-risk, work with teachers in
grades 5-8 on both academic and behavioral concerns, and communicate with the
parents of these students on a regular basis. He will also be involved in the supervision
of student activities in grades five through eight.
What will be the impact on students by closing the
middle school and restructuring the entrances to the respective offices?
The district is restructuring
the student grade levels from the current PK-3 in the elementary, 4-6 and some
secondary classes in the middle school, and grades 7-12 in the current
junior/senior high wings. Parents will
be able to find their children more quickly when picking them up early or from
the clinic. The 2010-2011 design will enable all elementary grades to have the
principal, Mrs. Janese Bibb, in the building at all times and the secondary
principal, Mr. Larry Lagemann, will have all of his students in the current
secondary wings. Both building level secretaries will have duties relating to
the grade levels that their building level administrator is responsible for. The
elementary office will be staffed during school hours; this is due to the
middle school building being closed for the upcoming school year. The building
level administrators will have better access to the classrooms which will allow
quicker responses to disciplinary needs and improve the learning process.
Security was a priority with
the renovation of the elementary school a few years ago and continued to be a
concern with the renovation of the junior high/senior high wings. Patrons listed this as an area that needed to
be updated. Changing times have created
many concerns with respect to school security.
Each building office will be located at the point of entry for parents
and guests who require access to the learning environment.
Where will my child’s classroom be located next year?
Currently, classroom
assignments and office assignments are being worked out.
The elementary office will be
located through the front doors of the school building. This is where the
current superintendent’s office is located. The placement of the elementary office will
create a more efficient and secure building structure for the district. The
elementary secretary will remain in the office so that parents will be able to
check their elementary children in and out through the office. Teachers will
have direct access to the elementary secretary through the phone systems.
Anyone needing to access the
secondary office will do so by entering through the rear doors of the campus.
This will bring them right into the secondary office and this will direct the
flow of guests into the office that they need services from.
My child sees the counselor on a regular basis. Will
he/she have access to a certified counselor next year?
The loss of a counselor,
leaving the district with one K-12 counselor, will
result in the counseling office being moved to a central location near the
current nurse’s office. This will allow
the present secondary counselor’s office to be moved from the stage to a
handicap accessible site. Secondary students
will be able to access the counselor through the breezeway. Elementary students will still receive small
group counseling and classroom lessons in accord with the Missouri
Comprehensive Guidance Program. However,
they will get half the visits they are currently receiving. Mrs. Beth Holland will
be assuming the K-12 counseling position and is certified through the State of
Missouri as a K-12 school counselor.
The school nurse, Mrs.
Darlene Tepen, and Mrs. Beth Holland will continue to be centrally located to
all students and staff. These
individuals will be available, as in past years, to help with student concerns
and issues. Parents will be able to access either of these related services,
nurse or counselor, by phone or through either of the building level offices.
Secondary students, as in
previous years, will be required to check in with the secretary at the
secondary office before entering the elementary building for counseling or
nursing services.
I have heard that the district is not replacing several
teachers in the core subjects.
The district is working to be
efficient in maintaining consistent class sizes. Several of these classes did
not have the necessary enrollment that would allow us to continue to offer
them. These classes may be available
through ITV or other sources that would allow the district to realize a savings
by accessing an alternative method of learning.
Restructuring the middle
level students has allowed for two positions to be absorbed over the past two
years. Current staff members will continue to be on staff in various areas
throughout the master schedule. Over time it might be necessary to add or
delete courses based on the majority of student’s needs. It will have to be a
priority based on needs, state requirements, and adequate enrollment.
But why is a business teacher being added?
It is necessary to have an
additional course of study to meet student’s needs. Simplistically, students
need credits to meet the graduation requirements. In reviewing state
suggestions, guidelines, and deficiencies noted in recent graduating trends
across the country, the decision of a business addition seemed logical.
A personal finance class is
now a requirement through the State of
Will Clopton offer any courses for college credit?
The administrative staff at
Clopton is working closely with
What will the Hannibal LaGrange courses cost?
The college courses are
offered at a reduced rate to high school students at the PLTC Campus. The cost
is expected to be approximately $85.00 per credit hour. There will also be fees
each semester. These fees and the per hour cost are set by the college.
Additional information may be
found on the HLG website at:
http://www.hlg.edu/admissions/concurrent.php
What is the relationship between Clopton and
The Pike County R-
PLTC is a leader in adult
education across the tri-county area. Currently, PLTC, under the direction of
Ms. Flowers, has been approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing to
partner with
What school districts does PLTC serve?
Bowling Green R-I,
Silex R-I, Elsberry R-II,
The Clopton High School
Students that attend PLTC attend at no tuition or fees being charged back to
the district.
Why has the district not cut all extra-curricular
activities?
A cost analysis has been run
on nearly all extra-curriculum activities. After talking with the various
booster organizations, each has made a commitment to help cover a portion of
the costs for the upcoming school year. It is important to have a well rounded
education for the student body. The community and parents have shown a great
commitment and interest in continuing these activities for the children.
Under the rules of the
Missouri High School Activities Association (MSHAA), cutting a portion of
various student activities may automatically exclude other student groups from
performing and competing beyond the local level.
What is the district asking of the booster
organizations?
The board of education,
administration, and all employees at Clopton are working very hard to
streamline the services that students will receive and continue to maintain the
excellent quality of education that our patrons are accustomed to. The Pike County R-
Has the school calendar been set for the 2010-2011 school year?
The school calendar has been
set. Dates of interest are:
First Student Day August 16
Labor Day September 6
Thanksgiving Break November 25, 26
Christmas Break December 20-January 3(staff);
December 20–January 4 (students)
Martin Luther King Jr. January 17
Presidents Day February 21
Spring Break March 21-25
Easter Break April 22, 25
Last Student Day May 20
Is bullying a problem at Clopton?
Bullying is a problem in all
areas of society today. There are occurrences of bullying at Clopton at nearly
every age level. The district addresses these issues through the use of the
discipline policy, the district counselors, and by involving parents. Students
are encouraged to approach faculty, staff, and administrators to recount the
details of the events that they have experienced. It is essential that this is
done as soon as possible. The district personnel strive to become even more
effective in dealing with all student related issues.
What is the plan for Parents As
Teachers (P.A.T.)?
The district is committed to
support the P.A.T. Program at the level that the state funds the program.
Clopton has a very strong commitment to early childhood education and
intervention. It hurts to consider a decrease in the level of services that are
provided. However, staying as close as possible to the level of funding and
controlling expenditures is essential in being fiscally responsible agents of
our patrons.
What is the structure of the Little Hawk’s Preschool
Program?
The Little Hawk’s Preschool Program
will be offered on Monday and Friday for the upcoming school year. Priority
will be given to students diagnosed with special needs and children one year
away from kindergarten. This is a fee
based program and supported through tuition and state special education funds. Monday and Friday were set as the days the
program is being offered due to specific state guidelines relating to special
education needs.
Is the construction on the Clopton and
The construction process at
each campus will be complete when the finish grading on both campuses is done.
This is weather dependent. All educational aspects are and have been totally
functional for the majority of the academic school year. As of June 4, 2010,
the finish grading process is approximately half of the way done.
Will the tradition of academic excellence be carried
on at Clopton?
Clopton continues to graduate
students who are well prepared for life, whether it is a specific job field,
vocation, or more advanced schooling. Clopton students and staff worked hard to
earn the 2009-2010 Distinction in Performance Award. With the issuance of No
Child Left Behind at the federal level, each and every child is expected to read
at or above grade level in a given timeframe. This does not allow for any
accommodations with respect to learning disability, personal strengths or
weaknesses.
What is the long range plan for the district?
At this point, the long range
plan is to maintain the most fiscally responsible district and keep the
integrity of the current academic program.
We expect many changes to be
made at the state level with respect to school finance through the end of June.
At this point, we hope to have more accurate information from the State of
The greatest financial
support has come from the patrons/taxpayers of the district. This hardship comes at a difficult
time. Many have lost jobs and are facing
an increased tax liability from all entities in a struggling economy. It may be necessary to ask for additional
support from local patrons. The current
state formula does not offer for recoupment of the 42% loss in revenue. The
district would have to cut more that 42% of the programs, services, and
staffing to amount to this savings. This act would be catastrophic to the
district. Consider the impact of class
sizes doubling.
The positive input and
support of all patrons is needed through these difficult times.
Please access the tab on our website, send a note, or
call the superintendent’s office with your questions. Your name and contact information is most
helpful. Please list how you can be contacted. We want to provide accurate information to the
patrons of the district. Transparency is important as educational decisions are
made. Rumors and half-truths are harmful
to our students. Even some who are or
have been closely associated with the district may not have the most up-to-date
information. We need your help to protect the students from unnecessary stress
and hardship from misinformation. Rely on
official communications from the locally elected board of education and the
district itself.