Monett school board reorganizes, Gaspar named prez., Smith tapped as vice prez.

New sidewalk placed for stadium concession stand, other work done
The Monett school board reorganized after the April 8 election, using an unusual written ballot method and considered policy issues affecting the coming school year during the board’s April 22 meeting.
Brian Hunter, who served as board president this past year, opted against running for a fourth term. Running without opposition, thus avoiding a public vote, for the two open posts were Mike Whannel and Matt Batson. Batson served for several months by appointment following the resignation of Yesi Perez, who moved from the district.
In the following election, board members voted to place Ken Gaspar back as its president. In a 3-2-2 vote, Annie Smith won the election for board vice president over Jared Wormington and Ashley Bailey. Representatives to the Missouri School Boards Association remained unchanged, as Smith agreed to continue duties, having already agreed to attend MSBA’s summer session. Bailey agreed to continue as alternate.
Hunter received a plaque for his service from Superintendent Mark Drake. Hunter “came in with a passion toward curriculum instruction,” Drake said. “He’s been a true fighter for that, getting curriculum instruction in a more consistent place. He provided good leadership in a time of transition in the last five years.”

Facilities update
In monthly reports, operations director Steve Garner reported going over the punch list for the intermediate school brick and guttering project. Minor brick repairs were still needed. Work removing tile from the east sports room at the high school had been completed. Brick pavers leading to the concession stand at the football stadium had come loose and been replaced with a concrete walkway by district staff at a cost of $800.
- Stiles Roofing planned to begin summer projects on the bus terminal, Monett Athletic Center, and the press box at the stadium, which had several leaks. Gaspar asked for a review of the wood condition at the press box as well.
- Garner noted planning was underway for new bus software for next school year for students in grades kindergarten through fifth. Each student will use badges to sign on and off the bus each day, enabling parents to track their child’s bus.
- Huff pointed out the annual summer loss in learning showed in year-end and year-beginning tests. Sections in reading and math were being added to summer school to help target that issue. She observed math scores came out higher than those in reading, an area she urged to board to watch carefully.
On school improvement goals, Drake reported attendance continues to be a problem, especially at the high school, where numbers are running in the high 80 percentile, below the needed 90 percent.
- Lunch prices for next year will rise 10 cents for students and 50 cents for staff, said Garner. Breakfast prices, raised for the current year, would not change. The increases met requirements to stay close to the reimbursement level.
- Summer school will run from June 2 to June 27. Participants who maintain perfect attendance will again receive a $100 gift card.
Policy changes from the Missouri School Boards Association were introduced without action. Gaspar expressed concern about mandates to “buy American,” asking when that applies to food, where the district spends significant funds, how that applies to foods not grown in the US, like bananas. Drake said there were other references to Israel in the policies, something Gaspar said was showing up on the municipal level as well. Drake added the district would ask MSBA where the policies echoed state law, which sets a baseline for what school districts must do.
Staff changes
- Board members approved seven coaching resignations, all effective at the end of May: Monica Curl, middle school basketball; Savannah Elrod, assistant high school cheer coach; James Fitzgearlds, high school girls golf coach and boys baseball assistant coach; Ty Goetz, middle school basketball coach; James Kleine, high school track coach; Justin Semerad, middle school wrestling coach; and Scott Wright, high school softball assistant coach.
- Hired for coaching positions were Kaesha George, high school softball; Tyler Ash, assistant high school football coach; Shawn Trent, middle school boys basketball and assistant high school softball; Erin Wilson, middle school cheer; and Matthew Bahl, middle school wrestling head coach.
- Stacy Hollingsworth retired from her high school English teaching position.
- Resignations were approved from Lydia Smith, first grade teacher; Jenifer Evensen, kindergarten teacher; and Danelle Bradow, middle school teacher.
New teachers hired included:
- Alex Bahl as a speech language pathologist, coming from the Joplin schools and a Missouri State University graduate;
- Brittany Huff as a science and careers teacher, her first teaching position, coming from Missouri State University;
- Carley Welch as a first grade teacher, coming from the Diamond schools and a Missouri Southern State University graduate;
- Landon Riggins as middle school and high school assistant band director, coming from the Blue Springs South High School and the University of Memphis;
- Jessica Newkirk as a business teacher at the high school and the Scott Regional Technology Center, and Future Business Leaders of America sponsor, coming from the Cassville schools.