Red Bud nixes Race to Top
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Red Bud District 132 Board of Education voted on Thursday not to sign the Race to the Top memorandum of understanding.
Race to the Top is a $4.35 billion federal program supposed to bring about reforms in public education. It's funded by the Obama administration's stimulus program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Last week, the Sparta school board also rejected the program, while Steeleville gave conditional approval.
Critics of Race to the Top argue that its reforms have been tried before and proven unsuccessful. The program could also result in the state taking away control from local boards if student performance doesn't make satisfactory progress.
The board also approved a resolution for board members to attend the 2010 Joint Annual Conference in Chicago in November.
A number of personnel moves were approved by the board. Hired were Sarah Thomas as self-contained second grade teacher for 2010-2011 and David Seders as evening custodian at the elementary school. Jamie Brown was transferred to a self-contained second grade teacher position for 2010-2011.
Letters of resignation were accepted from: Ginger Luckett from her position as elementary administrative administrator, effective June 30 and from her position as Beta Club sponsor; Trish Richey as head girl's golf coach; Greg Wiegand as high school trap team coach.
The board will advertise and interview for a part-time summer assistant for technology coordinator.
The board made a number of preparations for the coming school year. There were two bids received for the oil and chipping of the parking lots. Randy Battas, maintenance and grounds director, was instructed to get additional information from the bidders. Bids for landscaping the front of the high school will be let out.
There was also some discussion about relocating the softball field by the baseball field.
IBC Sales Corporation was awarded the bakery goods contract for 2010-2011, while Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. was selected as milk and dairy provider. Harrisonville Telephone Company was approved as the internet service provider for the district.
A resolution authorizing acceptance of student teachers from Southern Illinois University Carbondale was approved.
An order will be placed with Houghton, Mifflin, and Harcourt for the Reading Adoption Program with a total cost of $84,221. An initial payment of $35,000 will be paid in June and the books will be shipped. The balance will be paid in July.
Eighth grade students will take part in a field test for writing prompts in the fall. The program is a nationwide effort with company measured progress. The goal is to provide data for design, development, and implementation of educational assessment programs.
The board approved Chelsea Koester and Michael Letcher attending the Future Business Leaders of America national conference in Tennessee in July. They also approved Sharon Koester to serve as FBLA advisor for the national conference. Approval was granted, too, to the Future Farmers of America to attend the state convention in Springfield in June under the supervision of Greg Wiegand.
The board learned that 43 first graders, 71 second graders, and 53 third graders met their goal in the Subway Reading Incentive Program.
Some elementary students were recognized for their achievements, including Chris Nihels won honorable mention and a cash prize for his entry in the St. Louis Holocaust Museum's annual writing and poetry contest. He will be honored at a ceremony in St. Louis.
Jarret Stryker made it to the state semifinals for his entry in the Letters about Literature national contest.
Rachel White and Darian Mulholland competed at the state science fair.
This year's outstanding readers are: Brooke Mason and Patrick Birner with over 500 points; Derek Morganthaler with over 600 points; Morgan Everman and Kyle Young, with over 1,000 points.
Pre-K graduation was held May 18 with 167 parents and family members in attendance.