For $3,800 The Rolla Board of Education could become a member of the Rolla Regional Economic Commission, Superintendent Dr. Jerry Giger told board members Thursday night.

Giger asked the board to consider the impact they could have on the Rolla community by being a part of the RREC.

“I believe this would give us the opportunity to take a proactive stance and see it as an investment in our future. We all benefit when more jobs come to the community, and we could bring ready information to the table, they wouldn’t have to come to us,” Giger said.

Board member Connie Gaddy thinks the membership would be a good idea, but doesn’t want to see tax dollars spent for that membership.

“I want to see new businesses here in the worst way, but I’m opposed to spending taxpayer dollars to do this. People in this community are frustrated. If we can find a way to do it without spending taxpayer dollars, I’m all for it,” said Gaddy.

“I just think this is something we need to think about. This commission is only four years old. It’s still in its infancy, and I believe we’re going to see some really good things come out of it,” Giger said.

As companies almost always consider the quality of a school district, board member Robin Sooter questioned whether it was necessary for the district to participate.

“But do we have to be a member to participate? These companies are going to visit our schools anyway,” Sooter said.

“It would give us the opportunity to have a voice to help seek those groups to bring them to our town,” said Giger.

Giger told the board to think it over, and that they could come back and discuss it again at a later date.

The board also approved increases for cafeteria prices for the coming school year.
Breakfast prices for students will go from $1 to $1.25 for students, adults from $1.25 to $1.50.

Lunch prices for students (K-7) from $1.40 to $1.60, students (8-12) from $1.60 to $1.80, and adults from $2.25 to $2.50. Milk prices will raise from $.30 to $.35.

The board also approved three administrative hires: Bonnie Brainard will be promoted to assistant principal; Corey Ray will promote to assistant principal; and Stacey Reed promoted to Special Education Director.

Interdistrict transfers include: Vickie Bates from Special Education/ED RMS to Special Education/ED Mark Twain; Lisa Baxter from Grade Three Mark Twain to Grade Two Mark Twain; Rachel Drabczyk from Grade One Mark Twain to Grade Two Mark Twain; Bianca Johnson from Alternative School Program at RMS to Grade Seven Social Studies RMS; Julie Pfeifer from Grade Seven Communication Arts RMS to Computer Applications RMS; and Dawn Scheiderer from Grade Four Wyman to Grade Two Mark Twain.

New hires include: Erin Dent, fifth-grade, Rolla Middle School; Kyle Gibbs, third-grade, Mark Twain. Bonnie Hall, English and Career Education Rolla Junior High; Jon Herpich, Biology, RJH; Rita Johnson, Art, RJH; Lucretta Kinder, first-grade, Mark Twain; Karl Oldenwald, Social Studies, RHS; Kathleen Palmer, Title 1 Remedial Reading, RMS; Timothy Robinson, Special Education/Behavior Disorders, RJH; Laine Schafer, first-grade, Mark Twain; and Mark Miller, Head Basketball Coach, RHS.

Michael Wilbanks, Nicole Blythe, and several others were recognized Thursday night by the Rolla Board of Education.

 Wilbanks, a senior at Rolla High School, will graduate with more awards than any other Rolla DECA member ever. Wilbanks has been recognized four times on stage at the International DECA conference for placing in the top 10 for MDA fundraising.

This Spring Wilbanks also won the National Marketing Education Honor Award. Wilbanks helped raise more than $100,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Bythe is a two-time award winner at the International DECA Conference placing third twice. She also has won outstanding DECA member award three times. Blythe helped raise more than $75,000 for MDA.

Two Rolla students, Josie Yoakum and Cameron Hance were recognized for being selected to attend Missouri Agribusiness Academy.

The two were selected through a competitive written application and oral interview process. Only 30 students were chosen to participate across the state of Missouri.
Missouri Agribusiness Academy is a youth leadership program designed for high school sophomores to explore career opportunities in agribusiness, government and production agriculture.

A-plus students who tutored 100 hours or more while in the program also were recognized. Those students were Selin Acar, Dena Anderson, David Galecki, Richard McNulty, Brittany Passini, Ashley Sanden, Chelsea Sparks, James Threadgill, Megan Walters, Aimee Warnke, and Jessica Wood.

Because of other programs Threadgill was the only student present for the Board’s recognition.

Rolla junior high students, Adam Davis, Laura Daily, Andrea Rolufs, Erica Westenberg, Daniel Galarza and Nabeel Chowdhury were recognized for  placing in the National History Day competition.

Davis placed first in the Senior Individual Exhibit.

Daily, Rolufs, and Westenberg placed first in the Senior Group Exhibit.
Galarza and Chowdurry placed third in the Junior Group Documentary.

Seventh-grader Mykell Hudspeth was recognized for his achievement in winning honorable mention in the state finals for a Clay Contest.

Hudspeth created an inventive column inspired by the ancient Greek and Roman columns he learned about in social studies and art class. Middle School Art teacher, Laurie Myers submitted Hudspeth’s column for the contest, and was excited to see him honored.

Two teachers were recognized for their outstanding service to the district. Dave Croft was honored as the district’s Teacher of the Year representative for the state contest and Christopher Wright was recognized for being nominated by the Wyman Elementary School for Teacher of the Year.

“We are fortunate to have so many students here to honor this evening, and two such outstanding teachers to represent our district,” said board president Jane Haskell.

Sarah Kaelin and Julie Peterman reported on the Rolla Public School Comprehensive Guidance Program.

Kaelin and Peterman gave examples of the different programs currently taking place in the schools and the impact the programs are having.

The lease with East Central College for the use of RTC facilities was approved.
Dr. Aaron Zalis presented information about the need to rebid the asphalt for the high school parking lot which was caused by an increase in petroleum cost.

Melrose Asphalt came in with the lowest bid at $108,500 and their bid was accepted.

Giger talked to the board about possible capital improvements updates for 2008-09.

Giger presented a slide showing how the parking lot at the community track could be improved and with further development the district could possibly have a softball field in that area as well.