Holden R-3 School District Superintendent Scott Slava received the “go ahead” from the Board of Education to explore the possibility of hiring an additional person to handle grounds maintenance during the regular meeting of the board held last Thursday at the Holden Middle School library.

According to the superintendent, “There are some grounds issues that we are struggling with now, some safety, some aesthetic and others routine, such as weed-eating and painting, which need to be addressed. Additionally, there is a possibility that if we hire another person, he might also be trained in air- conditioning repair as well, to ideally pull back some of the money we pay out to companies which presently perform repair work.”

In new business, a graduation date and time of May 14, 2006 at 2 p.m. was approved by the board.

As part of the superintendent’s report, Larry Arnone, director of auxiliary services, reported that hopefully they would be able to move in to the district’s new auxiliary services building in late October or the first part of November. He also explained that issues with the new asphalt for the intermediate school parking lot have been worked out and “the work would be done to specification this time.”

Superintendent Slava reported that agriculture education teacher Rusty Kephart has been selected to receive the National Future Farmers of America Honorary American FFA Degree-Teacher award. The awards are given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. The organization will present Kephart the award during the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY, in late October.

In executive session, three hirings were approved. They were Stephanie Smith, bus aide, Nichole Frazier, Day Plus assistant and Dawn Myers, public relation/grants coordinator.

During the reports section of the meeting, Matt Lindsey, high school principal, explained the district’s vocational programs stating that during the 2004-2005 school year, 166 Holden students participated in agriculture courses and 27 students were enrolled at the Warrensburg Area Vo-tech. They took courses in auto body technology, automotive technology, computer repair and networking, health sciences I & II and construction technology. The report also said that students who completed the programs were successful in entering the labor market or continuing their education in the same field and that the programs offered were compatible with area labor market trends.

The superintendent reported that the district receives slightly more than $700,000 in federal program funds that are used in areas such as free and reduced lunch and special education.

In the summer school report, Tasoula Scire stated that 291 students were enrolled in the early childhood special education through eighth grade, and students were very excited about the classes offered. Speaking of the high school portion of summer school, Lindsey commented that he has received favorable feedback from parents and students alike.

One hundred and thirty-five students took classes in both remedial and enrichment areas. They were English, history, math, science, driver’s education, network applications and weight training.

“Because of the classes a lot of these kids took last summer, they won’t have to take remedial classes this fall,” Lindsey added.

In other new business, a teacher professional development plan and budget was submitted by Tonni Cannon and approved by the board. Other items approved were the 2005-2006 budget adjustments, board self-evaluation and school building visit dates.

The board will meet with district teachers in breakfast meetings Sept. 23 at the elementary school, Oct. 7 at the intermediate, Nov. 4, middle school and Nov. 18, high school.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the middle school library.

By Steve Sullins
Editor

If you were one of those Holden residents who saw what looked to be an explosion and fire in the neighborhood of the schools Saturday night - you were right.

It was just that, but it was controlled and was the culmination of 12 hours of intensive study and training for the Holden Fire Department and the Western Johnson County Fire District.

The training was provided by the University of Missouri Fire Rescue Training Institute and was a “huge success” according to Holden Fire Chief Mike Wakeman. He reported, “I feel all firefighters in western Johnson County are now better prepared to handle liquid propane tank emergencies.”

After five hours of classroom work on Saturday, the firefighters got a taste of a “live burn.” The scenario consisted of a 500-gallon LP tank which was on fire. The firefighters had to approach the flaming tank and shut it off to avoid an explosion.

“We really want to thank the Holden School District for the use of their parking lot and the Johnson County LEPC for the funding for the class. Plus, we want to thank the university for the excellent training from the seven instructors they sent,” Chief Wakeman continued.

By Steve Sullins
Editor

Four Kingsville students were honored with an award for scoring at an advanced level on last year’s MAP test at the Kingsville Board of Education regular meeting held Thursday, September 8.

Lynn Andreas, Clarisa Rogers, Scott Blann and Josh Kytle received plaques in recognition of their outstanding achievement. They were congratulated by the board members for their hard work.

In other business, music and band teacher Jennifer Carr informed the board of the plans for the Kingsville Marching Band. She reported that 22 uniforms have been purchased for the band members by the music booster club and the school. The band also purchased five new flags for the flag girls. Carr shared with the board the band handbook which covers expectations, grading system, requirements and scheduling of the band students.

“It’s my feeling that the band needs to have more exposure in the community, not only in Kingsville, but in the Holden area as well. Our band will be marching in the parade at the Holden Fall Fiesta,” added Carr.

She also stated the band would be taking part in competitions in the future and anticipates them doing well against other school bands. She added the band has plans to perform at some home basketball games as well.

“The marching band is a good experience for students and offers the opportunity for teamwork,” she said.

In vocational agriculture business, instructor John Ferguson informed the board of a planned trip for some members of FFA.

“The students will travel to Louisville, KY to attend the fair expo opening, a career show, and concert Oct. 26-29. They will also visit Bowling Green and tour the Corvette car plant and museum. On Saturday morning students will attend the American Degree Ceremony before returning home,” said Ferguson.

He asked for the board’s permission for the trip and the board voted to approve the outing.

In other school business, superintendent Kevin Coleman reported on the MAP testing done last year.

“A lot of students moved up in their scoring. I think we are moving in the right direction,” he added.

Coleman also reported that the district’s new web page is up and running. The web page is a good resource where parents can see assignments, grades, schedules and attendance records of students.

In related matters, high school principal Lorna Warren informed the board that one of the teachers would be conducting a student-led parent/teacher conference this year. It will be on a trial basis and the first one is scheduled for Oct. 19-20.

In transportation business, Coleman told the board the district is having mechanical trouble with one of the buses. He explained it had been repaired and was currently running again. However, he cautioned it had a lot of miles on it and he wasn’t sure it would last throughout the school year.

“I don’t think we would get much on a trade-in, but we could possibly trade in two of our older buses toward the purchase of a new one,” he said.

The board discussed the issue and Coleman informed them it was not something that required an immediate decision and it was tabled until a later date.

The board also discussed new policy updates presented by Coleman. One concern from Coleman was the district has only four substitute teachers approved on their list for this year due to mandatory background checks taking so long to come back, added Coleman.

The board adjourned the regular meeting to go into closed session to discuss adding a new staff position. The regular meeting will reopen on Wednesday, October 12 at 7 p.m.

By Dana Neubert
News Staff

The Holden Image recently announced promotions and new assignments for two of its staff.

Steve Sullins, who joined the Image the first of August as sports editor has been promoted to editor of the weekly newspaper. He replaces Christi Stowe who has taken a new position in Blue Springs.

Shannon McLennan has been named graphics and advertising design manager. McLennan joined the Image in March, replacing John Roberts who left to become the executive director of the HOPE Coalition.

Sullins is a retired master sergeant in the United States Air Force and spent 10 years of his career editing base newspapers. During that time he won several awards for newspaper excellence.

Sullins was also an English language instructor to the Vietnamese Air Force in Saigon during his tour of duty.

Most recently, he retired from a 12-year career with the United States Postal Service, having served as a mail carrier in Warrensburg and Holden.

Sullins attended the University of Kansas, North Carolina State University and San Antonio Texas College.

He and his wife, Dianna, have two children, Nathan, 18 and Rachel, 12. He also has two step-sons, Joe Manford, 32 and Justin Manford, 30.

He and his family are active in the Warrensburg First Baptist Church and he is involved in a number of service organizations including the VFW, American Legion, Holden Booster Club, Holden Music Booster Club and the Holden Community Choir.

His wife is employed as a rural mail carrier at the local post office and she is also a part-time photographer for the Image.

McLennan is a native of nearby Odessa. She received her associate of arts degree from State Fair Community College in Sedalia in 1992 and her bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in design in 1995 from Central Missouri State University.

She has worked as a graphic designer for the Town and Country News; S&S Printing in Oak Grove; was the manager of Mail Boxes, Etc. in Independence and most recently was a graphic designer for Sun Publications in Overland Park, KS.

She and her husband, John, live on a farm on the southwest edge of Holden. They are the parents of three children, J.C., 10; John, nine and Emilie, three.

Her husband works in the family construction business, McLennan Construction.