 Approximately
six months ago, Holden-area soccer enthusiasts left the Holden
R-III District School Board meeting grumbling as their proposal
to include soccer at Holden High School was turned down.
Monday night, they were back and this time they left applauding
as board president Jeff Miller initiated a committee headed by
Mark Hedger, intermediate school principal, to explore what we
need to do to offer soccer as a high school sport in the 2007-2008
season.
Miller invited administrators, teachers and parents to become
a part of the committee by calling the districts central office.
In an interview after the meeting, Dennis Mason, an outspoken
soccer leader, stated, Were pleased with the results of the meeting. Its
a move forward. Its not a done deal yet because the committee
will have a lot of work to do to make sure this happens next
fall. I dont think well have any trouble getting people
to volunteer for the committee.
Besides Mason, Travis Biddinger and Matt Robinson spoke to the
board in an effort to answer any concerns they might have about
including soccer as a high school sport. The three were
backed up by more than 50 soccer parents and kids, many wearing
t-shirts that said Holden Eagles Soccer on the front, and Just
Makes Sense on the back.
If the school includes soccer, Mason stated that they would be
placed in Missouri State High School Activities Associations
(MSHSAA) Class 1, District #7, along with Cole Camp, Green Ridge,
LaMonte, Lincoln, Sacred Heart of Sedalia, Smithton, St. Pauls
Lutheran of Concordia and Stover.
Prior to the soccer discussion at the boards regular meeting
Monday, Butch Beeman of Troutt, Beeman & Company of Harrisonville,
MO, reported the firms findings of a clean audit. Beeman
stated that the districts financial statement of June 30, 2006,
in all material respects, represented the districts financial
situation. He further stated that there were no negative
findings and that every financially is in good shape.
The auditor also reported that because the district receives
more than $500,000 in federal funds, there are areas that the
U.S. government requires the audit to include. Beeman stated
that once again, the district received a clean opinion in these
areas meaning that the district was in compliance with all federal
regulations concerning the spending of federal funds. He
said that R-III was in compliance with all federal requirements.
In his superintendents report, Scott Slava reported that the
district overall had 95 percent attendance rate, with the middle
school leading the way at 97 percent. He stated that he
was gratified to see the high numbers as, You cant educate students
if theyre not in school.
He also reported that the new track surface installation had
already begun and that barring rainy weather it should be finished
within two weeks.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Owners of
Holdens new car wash held their grand opening on Saturday, October
7.
Eagle Wash, owned and operated by local businessmen Kevin Coleman
and Mike Fisher hosted a large crowd who enjoyed hotdogs, sodas,
and chips. There were also drawings for a $50 gift certificate,
two $25 gift certificates, and car care products. Winners
of the drawings were Jim Dicianni, Stillwell, Kansas; Benny Tenser,
Kingsville; Catherine Barnett, Urich; and Jim McMillen, Holden.
The new car wash features three self-serve bays and one automatic
bay. The self-serve bay includes a tire cleaner, triple
foam, spot-free rinse, and a scrub brush, while the automatic
offers four options which includes the underbody blast among
other options. Prices range from $1.50 for the first four
minutes for the self-serve bays and $6-$9 for the automatic bay. The
automatic bay also has four dryers to complete the car care experience.
In other car care options, Eagle Wash offers three regular vacuums
and one vacuum/shampooing machine.
The new business accepts credit and debit cards along with bills
and coins. There is a change machine available and the
owners say they will soon have a vending machine which will offer
car care products.
We will soon offer gift certificates for car washes and vacuuming,
said Coleman. Patrons can call a number posted on the door or
contact Mike or myself if theyre interested in purchasing the
gift certificates.
Coleman is a graduate of Kingsville High School and still lives
in the Kingsville area with his wife Heather and children, Crosby,
Connor and Cassidy. He is also the superintendent of the
Kingsville School District.
Fisher is a graduate of Holden High School and lives in Kingsville
with his wife Terry and their children, Tracy, Rebecca, Sarah
and Aimee. He works for the U.S. Postal Service.
We invite everyone to come out and try our new services at the
car wash, and let us know what you think, said Coleman.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
A Holden
R-III District school bus was involved in an accident at approximately
3:45 p.m. last Thursday evening at 473 SW 1201 Road which left
eight people with minor injuries.
According to reports from the school district and the Missouri
State Highway Patrol, the bus was rolling to a stop and had activated
its flashing lights when a 1979 Ford pickup truck struck the
rear of the bus.
The driver of the truck, Benjamin A. Brockhaus of Holden; Debra
Taylor, the bus driver; and six Holden school children sustained
minor injuries and were either transported to area hospitals
or released to parents.
Those school children include Snowy Bilyeu, Faith Davis,
Christopher Haggard, James Holsey, Kylee Jennings and Marie
Jennings.
A second bus was sent to the scene, which was approximately seven-tenths
of a mile south of Highway 58, to transport the remaining 19
students back to the schools auxiliary services building for
parent pick-up.
According to Brockhaus, his vision was obstructed by dust
on the gravel road. He added that he and his family were relieved
there were no serious injuries.
The accident was investigated by the MSHP with assistance from
Johnson County deputies. A summons was issued to Brockhaus
for careless and imprudent driving.
Were very happy that only minor injuries occurred in the accident,
explained district superintendent Scott Slava. I feel our
staff responded very well. Our students safety is our highest
concern.
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Holden R-III
School District superintendent Scott Slava isnt running for office
in the November 7 election, but he certainly has been hitting the
campaign trail just the same.
With the $5 million bond issue to renovate the existing Holden
High School on the ballot, Slava states that hes making every effort
to carry the message to R-III patrons. My main goal is to
get the right information into the hands of our patrons so they
can make an informed decision on whether to vote for the bond renovation
proposal or not, stated the superintendent.
We believe that if they have the correct information, they will
support the proposal, Slava continued.
If passed, the funds will finance needed renovations to the existing
high school which will include more classrooms and facilities. The
school, which was completed in 1964, was built for a maximum of
350 students. The high school now houses more than 500 students
with as many as one-third of them in temporary mobile buildings
sometime during the day.
The district has stated that the students being out of the
main building creates health, security and utility cost problems.
Since the middle of September, Slava has made eight visits to school
and civic groups to explain the proposal and show his power-point
presentation.
He has spoken before the citizens committee members, PTO, elementary
and intermediate school parents, music booster club, chamber of
commerce and a special C of C gathering Tuesday at Godfathers Pizza. He
is scheduled to present the program to parents of youth tackle
football at the middle school library tonight (Thursday) at 5:30
p.m.
Within the coming days, he has scheduled visits to the F&C
bank to speak to a gathering of employees, a home meeting at the
residence of Kyndal Phelps and the St. Patricks Catholic
Church Altar Society Meeting.
In addition to these, he and school board members will present
the power-point and answer questions at two more PTO-sponsored
events in October: Goofy Games & Trivia Night, October
19 at 6:30 p.m. in the HHS gym; and Trunk or Treat, October 31
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the elementary circle drive.
Besides all of these presentations, the superintendent and members
of his staff and school board have also been present at sporting
and other school events to explain to proposal and answer questions.
The more we can get out and speak to patrons, the more they will
know the facts, continued Slava. Our presence gives people
the chance to voice their concerns and have their questions answered.
The district stresses that if anyone wants to schedule a time for
Superintendent Slava to present the high school building proposal,
they should contact Lisa Baker, district coordinator of communications/grants/libraries
at 850-4444, extension 5020.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Cemetery Walk
Set
For This Sunday
Holden-area history buffs will have the opportunity to experience
a part of the areas history come alive Sunday as the second annual
Holden Cemetery
Walk will take place at the Holden Cemetery on
West 10th Street.
The event, sponsored by Ben Cast and Son-Wood Funeral Home, will
happen between two and 5 p.m. and will feature Holden historical
figures including H.W. Boxmeyer, J.J. Taylor, G.H. Cast and Lucinda
Burgess.
These historical characters will be portrayed by Linda Schnakenbergs
speech class from Holden High School. An added treat for
this year will be an old-time funeral procession at 2 and
3:30 p.m.
There will be entertainment and refreshments served at the free
event. Free-will donations will be accepted to benefit the
cemetery association.
For more information, contact Lori Evans, coordinator, at 732-5531. Transportation
will be available for those unable to walk to the various presentations.
JCAL Program
Offers
Volunteer Training
The Johnson County Adult Literacy Program (JCALP) is offering a
training workshop for volunteer tutors on November 3-4 in Clinton,
MO. There will be a car-pool if anyone is interested in sharing
a ride.
During the 10-hour workshop, participants will learn how to use
the Laubach Way to Reading series to help adults improve their
reading skills. After training, tutors may have the opportunity
to meet with a student in private sessions twice a week. They
will also have an opportunity to learn another method of teaching
reading designed for people who are dyslexic.
Volunteers are needed to work in the high school program as well
as the program at the Trails Regional Library. JCALP is also
seeking volunteers from the Holden and Knob Noster areas. Anyone
who lives in Johnson County may participate.
According to JCALP officials, the only degree needed is a degree
of compassion. JCALP is a United Way program. For more
information and to register, call the JCALP office at (660) 429-5442.
Holden
R-III counselors met with community members, parents, teachers
and students in the high school cafeteria recently to exchange
ideas and counsel together.
The District Comprehensive Guidance Program Advisory Council meets
two times a year, once in the fall and again in the spring. It
is a school community-based group that is formed for the purpose
of exchanging ideas and counseling together about the Missouri
Comprehensive Guidance Program (MCGP).
In addition, it provides support, offers insight, reviews present
activities and encourages new activities to meet the goals of the
MCGP.
At this meeting members discussed proposed district Red Ribbon
Week activities and brainstormed ideas about how to more fully
involve the
community and local businesses in this celebration.
Also discussed were the components of the school board evaluation
regarding district counseling programs. Jo Lim was nominated
as chairperson and Tami Gochenhour was nominated vice-chairperson. Both
members accepted the positions and they will be the facilitators
of future meetings.
Other members attending were: Angie Leonard, Casey Lim, Paula
McCaskill, Terri Jo and Bruce McAllister, Pam Pirch, Nikki Pirch,
Gerry Pierce and all district counselors, including Jerry Crouse,
Lesi Smart, Jackie Ransom and Lisa Schmidli.
The council is the eyes and ears for the counseling department, explained
middle school counselor Schmidli. If parents, students, teachers
or members of the community have any concerns or questions regarding
the counseling program, feel free to contact council members
or any building counselor. |