An outbreak of severe weather blanketed Johnson County for most of the day on Sunday.

The National Weather Service issued 13 tornado warnings throughout the day and there were nine confirmed tornado touchdowns in Johnson County.

“The area affected was widespread throughout the county including Latour where straight-line winds and hail caused residential damage.  Kingsville had golfball-size hail which caused residential damage and there was a home destroyed west of Chilhowee.  Centerview reported some minor damage to two businesses there and the agri-center also reported damage,” said emergency management director Karen Eagleson.

“The worst damage reported was north of Leeton, south of Whiteman Air Force Base where 10 homes were destroyed.  North of Montserrat there was storm damage to residential homes, barns and grain bins,” added Eagleson.

There was also some minor window damage in Warrensburg due to the hail.

There were four injuries due to the severe weather, two caused when a mobile home overturned between Leeton and Knob Noster, according to Eagleson.

The tornados hit West Central Electric Cooperative’s service area throughout the evening, knocking out power to just under 300, WCE officials said Monday morning.  As of 8 a.m. 71 customers were still without power.  Hardest hit was Johnson County, with the Holden and Knob Noster areas taking the brunt of the damage.  The first crews were sent out around 8:30 p.m. when the first outage calls started coming in.  WCE officials said the damage to the system was not nearly as bad as it could have been, considering the magnitude of the storms.

Local insurance agencies have been inundated with claims from Sunday’s storms.

American Family Insurance reports more than 100 claims so far, mainly from hail damage to vehicles, although some are hail and wind damage to homes along with broken windows.

State Farm Insurance also reports more than 100 claims, mainly to vehicles, but they anticipate home damage claims may rise once people have had a chance to survey their homes closely.

Verna Jenkins of Insurance Services LLC reports she has received 15 claims due to hail damage and expects that number to rise as well.

Sunday’s storms spawned high winds, hail and tornados throughout Johnson County and surrounding counties.

 By Dana Neubert
News Staff             

A large contingent of Holden area soccer enthusiasts left the Holden R-III District school board meeting disappointed last Thursday night, as the board voted down their proposal to include soccer as a high school sport.

District activities director Kelli Spies had recommended that soccer not be added to high school sports at this time, and to be considered again in three to five years.  She stated, “We need to take care of the sports we already have in place.  We need a new track for our track athletes and we need a wrestling practice facility for our wrestlers.”

She cited other district needs of updated facilities for football and baseball.  “I feel that we should spend money on these sports and not on  additional sports.”

Spies also mentioned logistical problems such as transportation to and from additional events; and the cost of hiring new coaches.  She  explained that at present, the Show-Me West Conference does not have a soccer program at any of its schools.

The director added that it was her opinion that soccer is a contact sport and therefore the district would have to have both a boys’ and girls’ team.  “The seasons that these sports are offered will directly affect the sports we already offer and therefore is not beneficial to our activities program.”

Dennis Mason, Holden/Kingsville Optimist soccer coordinator has petitioned Spies to have the sport offered at Holden High School.  He addressed the board during the meeting saying that girls can handle being on a boys’ team and that an independent survey showed more than 70 signatures of high school people interested in having the sport offered. 

He explained how youth soccer in Holden has grown from 39 participants four years ago to 111 this year.

“Holden is primed for soccer,” Mason said.  “I know there have been people moving to this area calling the schools to find out if there is a soccer program.  There’s no reason why soccer isn’t offered at the high school.  The Firehawks soccer program would be more than happy to assist in any way.”

Local soccer coach Travis Biddinger added, “The cost to a soccer program is minimal.  We’ll help out.  Look at Holden as taking a step forward.  Let’s be the first to offer it and see how it works.  The kids really enjoy it.”

High school student George Farmer voiced his opinion, “The high school really should offer soccer.  If it’s the money, we would help by having fundraisers.  I’ll be really disappointed if we don’t have the opportunity to play soccer.”

Spies added, “Money isn’t the whole issue, implementing a new sport takes time.  I don’t want to add anything halfway.”

District superintendent Scott Slava stated that he was torn.  “My son plays in the city, but I’m concerned with logistics here.  We often struggle getting teams to events with our buses as it is.    We’re going to have to add it some time, but my recommendation is that I’m not sure now is the right time.

Board members Rodger McConville and Pat Zvacek also felt that soccer was a good idea, but now is not the right time.  They urged the soccer group not to give up and be patient.

Mike Watterson suggested that the board look at the costs and talk about it again next year.

In an interview after the meeting, Mason stated that his group would not give up.  “We’ll keep working to make soccer in our school a reality.  I was disappointed that more effort was not put into the district collecting their information.  Many of their recommendations were just opinion.  There is no such thing as a co-ed team, but Title IX says that girls may play on boys’ teams.

“We feel that a school that only has one-third of its students participating in sports can handle a soccer team which only requires 20 players.  We know that more than 29 students signed their sheet.  We also know that they took out the seniors who signed, but didn’t add in interested eighth-graders.”

By Steve Sullins
Editor

Mark D. Hedger, superintendent/principal of Gasconade C-4 School District near Lebanon, MO, will take over as the new Holden Intermediate School principal for the 2006-2007 school year.

Hedger was approved for hiring, with the stipulation of residency in the Holden R-III School District by March 2007, during executive session of the district’s regular school board meeting held last Thursday in the high school library.

After agreeing to the residency requirement, Hedger will finish the year at his district, which is a rural kindergarten through eight school in Gasconade County.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity in Holden,” Hedger exclaimed.  “I know Holden is an excellent school district where people are committed to the education of  kids.  I’m looking forward to doing what I can to help the students achieve.” 

Prior to his present position, he was a first-grade teacher and basketball coach in Knob Noster.  He also had experience at Richland, where he was head basketball coach, athletic director and first-grade teacher.

Hedger and his wife DeAnna were married in August 2005 and have no children yet.

Other personnel actions in the executive session included teacher and assistant high school principal evaluations and rehiring of all district teachers.  Administrators and certified directors for 2006-2007 slots were also rehired.  District Superintendent Scott Slava’s present three-year contract was extended to reflect another three-year pact beginning next year.

In addition, Rich Johnson was approved as the assistant high school track coach, and an additional baseball coach was approved to handle the additional C baseball team.

During open session, the high school’s all-state selections were presented plaques.  They included Nathan Sullins and Natalie Enneking, all-state choir; Jordan Palin, all-state volleyball; and Ben Graham, Willie Vance and Daniel Jones, all-state football.

In reports, Julie Brunner presented the technology update, including its mission, which is “to support all students in being successful, life-long learners who achieve their maximum potential.

She stated that the district’s technology has come a long way in 10 years.  “We not have some of the best tools available and they are making a difference in achievement.”

Students being keyboarding in the third grade and the district has 500 computers in use, for an average of 3.1 students per computer.  The state average is 3.3.

High school principal delivered the vocational report saying that numbers in the agriculture and business programs have both increased since last year
Middle school teacher Goldie Edwards career ladder plan was approved as presented.  The plan which has 74 teachers signed-up will be presented to the state.

In his superintendent’s report, Slava recognized eighth-graders Kerry Elbel and Jacob Billingsley.  Elbel won the local zone Optimist oratorical contest and will now compete in the regionals, while Billingsley won the local spelling bee and will compete in regionals in Sedalia.  If he wins there, he will advance to the national contest in Washington, D.C.

He also called for a special meeting to discuss the upcoming school bond project.  The board agreed to meet March 30 at 6 p.m. in the central office.

Donna Fizer, director of curriculum and instruction, presented the summer school schedule to the board.   This years school will have an additional bridge program for selected eighth  graders who need help with core classes and study skills in their transition to high school.  Those with a C- average or below will be required to attend the session from June 5 to June 23.

Regular summer school periods will be June 5-30 for kindergarten through eighth grade, and May 30 through June 30 for high schoolers.

By Steve Sullins
Editor

Liability insurance coverage for facility use was the topic of discussion at Kingsville’s Board of Education meeting held last Thursday night.

Board members received proposals from board member Wes Rutherford and Superintendent Kevin Coleman on the use of school facilities to outside groups.

After lengthy discussion about appropriate fees, availability of buildings or rooms and liability insurance, it was decided to table the issue until further investigation could be made into the existing coverage for the school.

In new business, Coleman presented certificates of graduation from the Missouri Association of Rural Educators to Ed Barnett and Kristel Spies.  Barnett and Spies will be sworn in as board of education members at next month’s meeting.

In elementary business, principal John Griffith reported on upcoming activities including  the district level spelling bee for grades one through eight to be held March 20.  The top three from each category go on to compete at the conference level in Strasburg on April 29.  The Johnson County Tornado Trailer will be her March 22.  Students grades one through six will tour the trailer and learn what they should do in the event of a tornado.  Kindergarten screening will be held March 23-24.  Map testing is March 29, 30, 31 and April 3, 4, and 5.  Grandparents Day will be held April 7.

In summer school news, Griffith reported to the board that summer school will be held May 25 through June 8 from 8 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.  The board approved the dates and times.

In high school principal reports, principal Lorna Warren informed the board the high school math team took third place at MU-Columbia in the regional TEAMS test.  Members of the team include Laura Andreas, Lynn Andreas, Rachelle Worsley, Candice Millican, Chris Hawley, Luke McKiddy, Jamie Ring and Ashley Millican.

Upcoming events for the high school are March 16 - Science Fair; March 17 - no school, teacher in-service; March 20 - school-wide spelling bee; March 20 - first baseball game at Oak Grove; March 29-31 and April 3-5 - MAP testing.

In new business, the board received a proposal from Coleman on a new memorial policy for the school.  After some discussion the board approved the policy as presented.

The board went into executive session during the regular meeting and again at the close of the regular meeting.  The next meeting of Kingsville School Board will be Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m.

By Dana Neubert
News Staff

Water Board Receives Good News On Audit

The Board of Public Works received good news about their yearly audit at Tuesday night’s regular meeting.

According to John Martin, a partner with Higdon and Hales Auditing Firm, the books and records are in good order.  “Testing on expenditures showed no problem, you were in compliance with contract term laws.  Your revenues were over your expenses and you had $138,000 positive cash flow for the year,” Martin added.

When asked about suggestions to improve, Martin said, “Your processes and procedures are in good shape and the board’s oversight is crucial to a successful operation.  Continue with what you have been doing to generate positive cash flow, your diligence is working,”

In old business, water superintendent Tony Lerda reported to the board they are still receiving bills from Marshall Engineering Firm and Lerda believes the bills need to be itemized and explained to the board.  The board discussed contacting Marshall and inviting him to the next meeting.  Lerda agreed to follow up on the issue.

In new business, the board discussed the possible use of the old wastewater plant located on West 58 Highway.  After completion of the new sewer lines and the new lagoon, the old plant is now decomissioned and not in use.  The board discussed using the plant for a septage disposal site.
“Most customers in Johnson County with a septic system have their septage hauled out of the county because there is not a facility within the county to haul it to,” said Dennis Mason, employee of O & M Enterprises.  “It would be providing a service to the community and at the same time possibly offsetting some costs of the utility,” he added.

Water superintendent Tony Lerda said it would take about 80 hours of research to determine what it would cost to run the plant, how many loads they could take, and how much it would get used.

“We need to study septage treatment, go to an engineering firm to get a plan and get it on the drawing board.  I will get preliminary data for you as soon as possible,” stated Lerda.

In other old business, the board voted to de-obligate the remaining $36,583.90 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) so that money can be placed back into the program enabling the city to apply for those funds for other projects.

In other new business, the board discussed the Clay Street construction that is currently being studied by the city.  “Clay Street is a high traffic area due to the location of the schools and the city is looking at widening the street for the safety of the whole community,” said Mason.

“The board would have to work with the city on issues such as storm sewers, curbs and gutters, water, sanitary sewers and other underground utilities,” said Lerda.

The board will take into consideration the whole picture of the widening of Clay Street and stay in close contact with the city throughout the process, according to Mason.

The regular meeting closed to reopen next month.

By Dana Neubert
News Staff