Kennett School Board recognizes superintendent, passes budget

KENNETT, Mo.--It was an evening to pause and pay tribute to others at the regular meeting of the Kennett School Board.

Board President Matt Shetley honored superintendent Jerry Noble, who was attending his last school board meeting before stepping down at the end of this month.

Noble has been district superintendent in Kennett five years. He will assume top duties at Green County Tech School District in Paragould, Ark., later this summer.

"We want to thank you for your time and dedication and what you've done for our district since you got here," Shetley said to Noble. "I personally appreciate everything you've done."

Shetley presented Noble a plaque from the Board of Education, recognizing Noble's "dedication, loyalty and leadership, which has built a strong rapport with both the community and educators ... You will be well remembered."

Following the recognitions, the board moved quickly through the evening's agenda, concentrating on the district budget, and gifted program

The board unanimously approved the adoption of the present budget as the beginning budget for the 2010-2011 school year. Noble told board members that an amended budget will be presented when salaries and other expenditures are finalized.

Noble informed the board that the district has seen about a two percent decrease in funding form the state this fiscal year, in addition to a drop in local tax revenue.

"The local taxes are down more than we thought they would be," Noble said.

He said delinquent taxes are up, decreasing the amount of local tax revenue coming into the school district.

Noble said state leaders are predicting an additional two percent decrease in the state school formula for next year. Combined with the two percent withheld by the state last year, the Kennett district would receive about $300,000 less from the state compared to three years ago.

Noble said the method of reimbursement for federal grants has changed and the district will not receive the funds until September instead of earlier in the year.

The board also discussed recommended revisions to the gifted screening criteria and the gifted program student handbook. Board members received an evaluation report on the changes in May and unanimously approved the recommended revisions.

The board recognized the achievements of a number of Kennett students at the beginning of Tuesday evening's meeting. Students receiving commendations from the board include:

* Award of Educational Achievement for scores on the High Schools that Work assessment: Kasey Ellis, Allyson Luce, Elizabeth Hively, Holly Jones, Vickie Panousis, Yiota Panousis, Aubrey Rose, Meredith Combs, Ben Collins and Dillon Johnson.

* Future Business Leaders of America district competition: Meredith Combs, Ethan Seats, Jason Holston, Steven Keho and Randy Crawford.

* Perfect attendance at Masterson School: Jared Roberts

* Principal's Award in first and second grade: Jonathan Jane, Eliza Raspberry, Olivia Daniels, Jared Roberts, Bryce Daugherty, Olivia Bolton, Taylor Hufford, Kagan Teal, Emma McCormick and Kobe Patterson.

* Athletic Honors: Jerica Wheeler, Veronica Amos, Fred Garmon, Jimmy Gooden and Randrick Caruthers.

* Commended Student in 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program: Ben Collins

* Also recognized: Casey Bunting, Bootheel Conference Girls' Basketball Coach of the Year; Jim Vaughan, Bootheel Conference Boys' Basketball Coach of the Year; and Alice Pedigo for implementing the credit recovery program at the Career Center.

* Director of health services Deborah Cook also presented assistant superintendent Chris Wilson with a plaque recognizing his support and assistance to the district's health program.