 HOPE Executive Director John Roberts informed HOPE board members last Wednesday morning that the vacancy on the board had been filled by Virginia Thurman. Thurman agreed to fill the position vacated by Georgia Jarman and the term expires in December, 2007, according to Roberts. Members welcomed Thurman to the board.
In Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) news, Roberts told the board he had asked NAP officials for an extension of HOPE’s NAP project due to several programs just getting started including the job referral program. He received an answer from NAP official Brenda Hortsman stating they would not do an extension for another year. She asked HOPE to see how far they get by May of 2008 and they would re-evaluate at that time.
HOPE President Bob Mickey asked Roberts when they could submit another NAP application for a new grant and was told it would be May, 2008, before they were eligible to apply again.
In a program update, Roberts told the board an open house was held on July 26 at the Community Service Center (CSC) office to kick off the opening of their job referral program.
“Several county, state and city officials were on hand at various times for the event. Everyone in attendance seemed to enjoy the gathering as well as getting to know one another and more about the job referral program,” stated Roberts. Approximately 15-20 people attended the event, according to Roberts.
In old business, Roberts reminded the board that at the last meeting there were some concerns about insurance coverage at the Community Activity Center (CAC). Roberts contacted HOPE’s insurance carrier with questions about coverage amounts and estimates of the building’s worth and is waiting to receive a reply.
In new business, it was reported to board members a new air conditioning unit was purchased for the CSC office area from Roberts Furniture at a cost of $419. E&Q Heating and Cooling also checked the unit at the CAC which appeared to be malfunctioning. “It turned out there was a switch which apparently had been shut off at the last time of service,” said Roberts. “We will be seeking a refund for what appears to have been their error.”
In other old business, the board discussed rental of the building located east of the CSC office. It was decided by the board to offer the property for rent for $300 per month with a one-year lease required. HOPE will pay the electric and water bills and the tenant is responsible for the gas/heat utility, according to Roberts. He added an advertisement would soon be placed in the Holden Image/Penny Saver indicating the terms for the rental property.
In memorial news, Roberts told the board he is still investigating prices for a bench to be placed at the CAC in memory of Rusty Hartwell. The board suggested it be placed inside where patrons can use it near the other memorials in the building. Roberts also reported flowers were sent to the Scott Slava service last month on behalf of HOPE. “Scott was able to make a major contribution in his short time with us. His presence will be missed and our continuing prayers go out to his family,” said Roberts.
In other CSC business, it was reported to the board by Roberts that HOPE is having continuous problems with people dumping unusable junk items at the back of the CSC. Roberts stressed that HOPE needs good, usable household items for its patrons, not junk or trash items they have to dispose of.
The HOPE board met in executive session prior to their regular meeting. The next meeting of the HOPE board of directors is September 12 at 6:45 a.m. at the Holden Christian Church.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
Most of the renovations taking place at the school are on schedule, Superintendent Kevin Coleman told the Kingsville School Board last Thursday night at their regular meeting.
Representatives from Mid-America and the architect working on the job were on hand to give the board updates on the construction process.
According to the representatives, they are running approximately one day behind on renovations, but maintain they will be completed by the first day of school on the inside work. The hardware for the upgrades for the doors have been ordered but have still not been received, they added. But that is a job they can do after hours after school starts if they have to. They added the lighting in the gymnasium is completed and it makes a big difference. Coleman encouraged board members to view the new lights in the gym, stating it made a world of difference.
In news on the vo-ag building, the architect stated they were on schedule. Coleman questioned whether they were prepared to pull the wire for the bells in the new building and was told it was being taken care of and would be done before school started. The representatives both stated they would focus on the outside building repairs and construction after school begins. The architect said they were approximately one week behind on the locker rooms, but felt they would get caught up and back on schedule.
Coleman stated, “All of the contractors have been very good to work with, very conscientious and good, hard workers.” He also told the board the double-wide trailer should be moved out by August 15.
In financial news, the district held the Kingsville R-I School District tax hearing at the meeting. The tax rates are set to produce the revenues which the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007 shows to be required from the property tax, according to the information presented by the board members. The board approved a tax rate of 4.3923 for the year. Coleman stated this was the same rate as the previous two years.
In other financial information, Coleman presented a revised budget which would accommodate the district meeting the salary compliance.
In new business, Coleman explained to the board they needed to take action on the nepotism and conflict of interest policy. “This is a policy we vote on every two years,” said Coleman. The board voted to approve the policy.
In elementary reports, elementary principal Angela Helms reported the staff was taking part in a literary conference. “We have 130 students enrolled so far. We have a good staff with five new staff members. It will be a rebuilding year but I think the teachers are ready to work hard,” stated Helms.
In high school reports, principal Lorna Warren told board members she and some staff had toured the building this week and some of the classrooms were very hot; they are looking forward to the air conditioning, she added. She went on to say there are 10 girls out for volleyball, 15 girls out for softball and several interested in cross country. “We have approximately 136 students enrolled at this time,” stated Warren.
In other financial business, Coleman addressed the board concerning raising the wage of substitute teachers from $75 to $80 per day. The board approved the raise. Coleman added the district pays approximately $6,000-8,000 per year for substitute teachers.
In other new business, Coleman told the board the district was looking into joining with a neighboring school to be able to offer Kingsville students an opportunity to play football and participate in wrestling, two sports Kingsville currently does not offer its student body. Coleman plans to approach the Holden School Board to see if they are interested in partnering in this shared sports project. Fielding questions from the board on the subject, Coleman said the district wasn’t responsible for providing transportation to neighboring schools for practices, games and meets. Board president Martha Bush mentioned these were both sports for boys and the girls weren’t given an opportunity for extra sports activities at Holden. Coleman noted Kingsville has always offered more sports programs for girls than for boys and it shouldn’t be a problem. Bush also asked who would take care of disciplinary issues in this case and Coleman informed her Kingsville would adhere to their policy on grades and if there was a problem during the sport, the coach would take care of disciplinary action. Board member Julie Stout questioned the drug policy at Holden asking if it would pertain to Kingsville’s students. Coleman assured her it would. The cooperative would not begin until next year and would encompass only high school students at this time. “If it worked out well, we may consider adding junior high sports in upcoming years,” said Coleman.
The board approved a motion for Coleman to pursue the sports cooperative with Holden and he noted he intended to follow up with the Holden School Board and report back to Kingsville’s board.
The regular meeting of the Kingsville Board of Education was adjourned to reopen on September 12 at 7 p.m. The next meeting time has been moved up one day to accommodate the Holden Fall Fiesta starting date.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
The Holden PTO is kicking-off the new school year with a red carpet, “movie theme” membership drive at the Back to School Night on Thursday, August 23.
The PTO invites parents to come to the elementary/intermediate library media center to view a short presentation featuring the school’s valuable volunteers helping at all of the fabulous events sponsored by the PTO last year. Show times are at 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30 p.m. VIP passes can be picked up in the classrooms. Event attractions include popcorn, door prizes and a classroom participation contest. The PTO will have the new PTO t-shirts available for purchase that evening—exclusively for members.
Also, a PTO representative will be on hand in the library to assist parents who wish to subscribe to the school’s text messaging system, Eagle EXPRESS, sponsored by F&C Bank. The Eagle EXPRESS system provides important information about the Holden R-III Schools sent as text messages to cell phones, PDAs or pagers. It’s free!
The PTO announces their first quarterly meeting will be held Thursday, September 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the elementary/intermediate library media center.
This year’s officers are Amy Stanfield, president; Cara House, vice-president; Sandra Streit, secretary; Sherri Lohe, treasurer; and Lisa Baker, reporter. Please feel free to contact the PTO by e-mail at ptomail@holden.k12.mo.us if one has any questions.
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In a public hearing prior to their regular meeting, the Holden R-III School Board unanimously set the district’s tax rate levy at $3.98 per $100 of assessed valuation.
The rates are set each year to produce the revenues which the budget for the fiscal year shows to be required from the property tax. The rates for the fiscal year beginning in July are broken down into $3.31 for incidental fund and $.67 for the debt service fund. The rate is a $.37 increase over last year’s figure.
According to board secretary Patty Raker, the levies could have been set as high as $4.91, but the district voluntarily reduced the amounts to the agreed upon $3.98. Part of the reasoning for the rollback was a sharp increase of more than $5 million over last years real estate assessed valuation. Fiscal year 2006 showed an RE assessed valuation of $58.7 million compared to the current year’s total of nearly $64 million.
Speaking to the board for the first time in regular session, interim district superintendent Bob Watkins told the gathering that the assessed valuation hike was a very good sign.
In his report, Watkins brought the board up to date on recent happenings in the district. He told them that 11 new teachers had reported to the district for the coming year and that he was just recently informed that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education had identified more than 250 public schools and school districts that are unlikely to meet “adequate yearly progress. He was gratified that the list that classifies the schools as “needing improvement” did not include the Holden R-III district.
In another area, he reported to the board that the Kingsville school district has formally requested to enter into a cooperative plan for their students to participate in football and wrestling competition with Holden. Watkins stated that MSHSAA rules make it possible but he will have to discuss the matter with activities director Kelli Spies and coaches. Kingsville is asking that the coop plan start in the 2008-2009 school year.
In a related area, the superintendent informed the board that district staff would be attending the Missouri River Valley Conference meetings this year in anticipation of joining the league in the 2008-2009 season. He stated that being present at the meetings is beneficial because they would be a part of the scheduling process for the coming season.
In a final item, Watkins explained that he had been discussing safety issues dictated by an unfinished school building with auxiliary services director and HHS principal Rebecca Gudde. A key to keeping students safe during the construction process will be a large presence of teacher and staff in the before and after school process.
In his construction update, Arnone shared plans to make the entrance on the east side of the school that faces the agriculture building as the main entrance. Those entering the building will walk along the sidewalk beginning on the southside of the building to enter into the east entrance. Until the new administrative offices and main entrance are completed, the school offices will be housed in the library. He also said that since the existing high school parking lot will not be able to be used until the admin offices and new lobby are completed, the city has removed no parking signs on Eagle Drive so vehicles may be parked on that street in the interim. A more in-depth look at new procedures for the high school construction phase will be published in next week’s Holden Image.
Also during the meeting, the annual secretary of the board report was approved and reports were given by Robin Sisk, early childhood; and Donna Fizer, curriculum and instruction.
During the closed executive session, a resignation was accepted from part-time ECSE paraprofessional Dina Brumitt; while the board hired Tara Martley, elem/inter paraprofessional; Amy Mahaffey, ECSE paraprofessional; and Deanna Moreland, high school science/math teacher.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
OBITUARIES
EVERETT E. BRINGER
Everett E. Bringer, 89, of rural Palmyra, Missouri, died at 12:25 a.m. Sunday at Maple Lawn Nursing Home.
Everett was born September 27, 1917 in La Grange, Missouri to William Henry and Anna Lena Dena Feldkamp Bringer.
Everett was married to Ana Doreen Alexander on February 22, 1941 in Axtell, Kansas. She preceded him in death April 28, 1978.
Survivors include daughter Laurinda (Bill) Blankenship of Hannibal; sons, Bruce (Kathryn) Bringer of Palmyra, Robert (Linda Beth) Bringer of Lakewood, Washington, John (Jo Ann) Bringer of O’Fallon, MO; daughter, Nancy Daniel of Holden, MO; grandchildren, Diana Anderson of Gurnee, IL, David Blankenship of New London, MO, Janet Myers of Hannibal, Amy Stollberg, of Quincy, Libbi Weisinger of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, Maria Smith of Decorah, Iowa, Norah Bringer of Cambridge, Massechussetts, Liesl Bringer of Lakewood, Washington, Jennifer Fuller of Kansas City, MO, Jayne Bringer of Brentwood, MO, Debra Crabtree, Pamela Plymell and Cynthia Crone, all of Pattonsburg, MO, Rebecca Butler of Gallatin, MO, Dexter Daniel of Holden, MO; and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Laura Kaden, Virgil Bringer, Bessie Powers, Stella Franks, Beulah Bringer, Clarence Bringer and Elmer Bringer.
He worked for Cater Construction Company from 1936 to 1952 and helped bring rural electrification to Nebraska and Wyoming. He then went to work for Northeast Power Co-op in Palmyra and retired in 1980 as supervisor of maintenance and construction.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra and the Laymans League. He served as past president and treasurer of the church congregation.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra with Reverend David Johnson officiating. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, Missouri. Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at The Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra.
Casket bearers were Wayne Kaden, Russell Bringer, Marvin Bringer, Paddie Maddox, Bill Johnson, Terry Killday, Wendell Hoehne, David Blankenship, Dexter Daniel, Levi Shinn, Paul Anderson, Jeremy Myers, Gabriel Smith and Wesley Blankenship.
Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or to the the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.
LORETTA TOOMBS POWELL
Loretta Toombs Powell, age 90, Holden, Missouri, departed this world on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg, Missouri.
She was born April 11, 1917 in Nobe, New Mexico the daughter of Isaac and Constance (Hardy) Toombs. Loretta and family moved to Holden, Missouri in 1952 and operated Bob’s Shoe Repair, Bob’s Shoes, and B&S Shoe Center there until 1972.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Isaac and Connie; and brothers Clyde, Delbert, Roy and Ralph Toombs.
Surviving are one son, Bob Powell, Holden, MO; one brother, Robert Toombs, Smyrna, GA; three grandchildren, Phaedra Longton, Aimee Powell and Jessica Anderson; and five great-grandchildren, Kayla, Cassie, Aaron, Erika and Meagan.
The family received friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, August 9, 2007 at Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO.
Cremation, August 10, 2007. Inurnment at a later date in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Aldrich, MO.
MAGGIE LOUISE WILLIAMS
Maggie Louise Williams, age 83, Holden, Missouri, passed away Thursday, August 9, 2007 at Holden Manor Care Center.
She was born November 13, 1923 in Pliny, West Virginia the daughter of Emmett Benjamin and Fannie Allen. She lived in Kansas City, Missouri from the early 1940s until moving to Holden in 1972. On May 4, 1954 she married Roy Lee Williams in Kansas City. He preceded her in death July 6, 2007.
Mrs. Williams was a clerk in the pharmacy department of Katz (later Skaggs) drugstore in Kansas City. She had also worked as a seamstress and a cook. She was a member of Enon Baptist Church at Pittsville, MO.
Surviving her passing are four sons, Larry Lester, Holden, MO, Jimmy Lester, Kansas City, MO, Ronald Louthain, Independence, MO and Elmer Louthain, Kansas City, MO; five daughters, Sherry Williams, Holden, MO, Judy Louthain, Independence, MO, Misty Parker, Kansas City, MO, Lora Winfrey, Holden, MO, and Judy Muller, Scandia, MN; one brother, James Allen in PA; one sister, Desi Hanley, Huntington, WV; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, August 13, 2007 at Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO with Brother Jerry Lockwood officiating.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday.
Pallbearers were Paul Stauch, Sr., Matthew Parker, Paul Stauch, Jr., Josh Sprague, Jeremiah Sprague and Tyler Sprague.
Interment was in Holden Cemetery, Holden, MO.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Maggie Williams Memorial Fund.
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