 In answer to the quo warranto petition filed by Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon to have him removed from office due to nepotism, Holden mayor Mike Wakeman has filed a motion of his own to dismiss Nixon’s action.
Through his attorney, Karl Timmerman, the motion was filed in the Circuit Court of Johnson County, MO Tuesday, November 13.
In closed session last Thursday night, the Kingsville R-I School District voted to implement a new industrial technology program beginning next year. The new program will take the place of the current vocational-agricultural classes and includes classes geared toward technology careers, architecture and construction, industrial woods technology, engineering, power mechanics, and electricity/electronics technology.
According to Superintendent Kevin Coleman, “I would like to see our students develop an awareness of and appreciation for career paths and opportunities in technology and engineering, and prepare for entrance into advanced secondary and post-secondary career and technical programs by promoting the development of a basic foundation of occupational skills and interests.”
Several people from the community were on hand to voice their opinions about the vo-ag classes and the changes the board was considering. They had the opportunity to give their opinions during open session of the meeting, prior to the board going into executive session for a vote.
In an A+ update, the board approved a formal motion to pursue A+ designation. “This will affect our students who are now freshmen, as it takes several years to achieve an A+ status as a school,” stated high school principal Lorna Warren. “Some of the criteria included in the decision are grade point average, so many hours of tutoring, a 95 percent attendance rate, etc.,” said Warren. As an A+ school, students will then be eligible to receive monies for continuing education at a community college or some classes at UCM, added Coleman. “The biggest thing is to convince our freshmen how important it is to prepare for the future which is still several years away,” said Coleman.
In a health update, Coleman informed the board that in spite of some rumors to the contrary, there have been no confirmed cases of MRSA at Kingsville Schools. “We want to reassure the community that we haven’t had a problem with it. We are taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of communicable diseases as far as the custodial staff is concerned,” stated Coleman.
In a construction update, Coleman told board members the framework for the steel is completed and the locker and weight rooms are in the painting process. “Overall, the crews got a lot done this week,” said Coleman.
In elementary news, principal Angela Helms reported attendance for the parent-teacher conferences was at 97 percent. She also gave an update on all the students who made the honor roll for first quarter. She went on to say attendance was at 96 percent.
In elementary activities, Helms reported the PTO Haunted Hallway was a success. “Many families were in attendance and everyone had a good time. The hayride went off without a hitch. I would like to give a big thank you to the PTO members as well as to the high school drama club,” stated Helms. Upcoming events for elementary students are: November 21-23 Thanksgiving break; November 20 - Grandparent’s Day, 1:30 p.m. They will offer cookies, punch, pictures as a fundraiser, physical education and music, added Helms.
In high school news, Warren reported to the board attendance was at 96.93 percent. She went on to say Lynn Andreas made the all-district team as a pitcher for the 2007 softball team. Jamie Ring made first team, all-district; and Lynn Andreas made second team, all-district in volleyball. “We had 24 students who made the “A” honor roll and 38 students who made the “B” honor roll for the first quarter,” stated Warren. She added the junior high girls basketball team won first place in the conference tournament and the East Lynn Tournament; Callie Graham placed seventh in the district cross country meet and placed 58 out of 152 at the state meet on November 3.
In comments from her staff, Warren shared Lynn Andreas and Ashley McRoy participated in all-district women’s choir on October 13. Music director Jen Carr stated the Kingsville choirs will be participating in the all-conference music day November 16 at 6 p.m. at Leeton High School.
In board vacancy news, Coleman told board members four terms would expire soon. Filing dates will be December 18 through January 22 and one may file at the high school office from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Those whose terms expire are Julie Stout, Bob Ward, Art Worsley and Mike Collens.
Coleman reported on the annual performance report (APR) stating Kingsville didn’t make the distinction in performance award this year, failing to meet requirements in grades three through five, mathematics. He stressed the need to focus on this area for next year.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
Holden R-III School District’s director of curriculum and instruction Donna Fizer reported to the school board in their regular meeting Monday night that the district should receive an Accredited With Distinction Award next month.
Fizer stated that she had received the district’s preliminary annual performance report (APR) from the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and it showed that the Holden district had met the standards necessary to meet the accreditation honor. She continued that in order to receive the Accredited with Distinction award, a district must meet 13 of the standards with all of the standards pertaining to the MAP test being met.
The district met 14 standards and all seven of the MAP test standards. The final report will come in December.
In a memo to the R-III staff, Fizer said, “This is wonderful news and you are all to be congratulated on the hard work you do to make this happen. The focus must continue to be on student achievement in everything we do.”
More good news came to the board during the construction report given by Wade Lininger of Sam A. Winn & Associates Architects, P.C., when he stated that he felt the construction of the renovations to the high school was ahead of schedule. “After some setbacks during the demolition phase of the project the construction has been moving along very, very well,” he added.
The final turnover date of the building is scheduled for August 1, 2008, but Lininger said that the contractor feels that it could be as early as May 1 depending on weather and other unforeseen circumstances. He also said that he has been impressed with R.L. Phillips and his sub contractors.
During his report, he stated that a target date of November 30 is scheduled for the main entryway to the school being completed, and work on the paving of the bus drive and elementary and west parking lots are targeted to be completed by the end of the year.
Contract change orders totaling $41,495.75 additions and $31,441.00 deductions were submitted to the board for approval. After discussion, the board approved the change orders with the exceptions of a price discrepancy in revisions to windows in the lobby and demolition work for ice machine utilities that the board didn’t feel should be paid by the district. Lininger agreed to research both areas.
In his report, interim co-superintendent Bob Watkins stated that there still have not been any cases of the MRSA staph infection within the R-III district.
School board president Jeff Miller told those gathered that Dr. John Boise, the consultant for the Missouri School Boards’ Association superintendent search services, had reported that he had sent 32 packets to prospective superintendent candidates and he felt there would be no trouble gathering a pool of 12 individuals to look at during their screening session November 29.
Miller said that after the screening, they would begin scheduling interviews with the hope of selecting a permanent superintendent for next school year in December.
During the reports section, director of auxiliary services Larry Arnone updated the board on transportation, food service and facilities, while Robyn Sisk reported on student achievement at the elementary school. In Gregg Montgomery's middle school student achievement update, he reported to the board on his successful student-led parent-teacher conferences.
In closed executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Julie Kinney, high school principal’s secretary. They also approved the employment of Dana Garten, part-time guidance secretary/part-time central office intern; Mary Jo Sisk, part-time Title I paraprofessional; Darin Sehlke, middle school boys’ assistant basketball coach; Mark Hedger, freshmen boys’ basketball coach; Samantha McAninch, middle school student council sponsor; and Becky McVey, middle school homework club sponsor.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
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Local businesses will thank their loyal patrons Friday, Nov. 23 between 5-9 p.m. when the Chamber of Commerce holds it’s annual Customer Appreciation Night in downtown Holden.
The event, co-sponsored by the Holden Image, kicks off at 5 p.m. with an hour of “Door Buster Specials,” featuring sale items by participating businesses.
At the conclusion of the sale, Santa will arrive on a fire truck and shortly thereafter light the Christmas Tree at the Holden Downtown Park.
After the lighting, the next three hours will feature a number of activities.
Santa will be visiting the Holden VFW, where he will meet youngsters and pose for pictures. Home-made cookies, hot chocolate and coffee with be available at the location for all to enjoy.
Trolley rides, always a popular attraction, will be traveling the streets of Holden the entire evening and valuable door prizes, Chamber Bucks and gift certificates will be drawn periodically though the night.
In addition, several clowns will be entertaining children with their lovable antics, face painting and animal balloon twisting.
Throughout the evening, Christmas music will be played over a PA system and several live performances by local groups and individuals will take place in front of the Downtown Park.
All wanting to take advantage of some great bargains and enjoy and evening of family fun are invited to attend.
If early season practices are any indication, the 2007-2008 edition of the Holden High School’s varsity boys’ basketball team could be pretty good.
According to Eagles’ head basketball coach Dale Wescott, “We’ve been having some of the best practices I’ve ever had. The kids have been intense, competitive and everybody is excited for how their teammates play.”
Since coming off of a second-place finish in the Show-Me West Conference last season and posting a 12-11 record, the boys have been practicing hard and looking to improve their place on the team to get more playing time.
This year’s squad will be led by senior returning starters Travis Wescott and Andrew Sanderson. Wescott, at 6’ 4” averaged 14 points per game and 7.5 rebounds last season. He was also all-conference, all-Johnson County and a KMZU Dream Team performer.
According to Coach Wescott, he is bigger and stronger this year, hitting the weights and putting more muscle on his slender frame. “Travis is one of the two or three players on our team who can play all five positions on the floor,” the coach explained. “We plan to utilize this to create matchup problems for others teams. He can score from the outside and the inside as well.”
The 6’ 2” Sanderson had to undergo knee surgery after the second game last season, but after rehabilitation, he has been playing during the Summer and according to the coach looks better now than he did at the start of last season. “Losing him last year was huge,” Wescott added. “But he is really motivated this year and is going to be hard to guard because of his ability to penetrate and dish as well as shoot the three-pointer. Having him on the team is just like having another all-conference performer because I feel he’s the best point guard in the league.”
Also expected to play valuable minutes are seniors Taylor McConville, 6’ 3”, and Michael Garten, 6’2”. According to the coach, McConville has been working hard and is expected to be an asset to the squad by playing multiple positions. “He’s a jack-of-all-trades on the court,” Wescott added.
Garten is also coming off of a knee injury and is expected to provide depth on the perimeter. Wescott stated that he is very athletic and will be vying for playing time.
Expected to join Wescott and Sanderson as starters at the beginning of the season will be juniors Bryce Evans, Deron Binkley and Zak Anstine.
The 6’5” Evans can play any position from point guard to center but will start at a forward position. Wescott says that he’s looking for Evans to have a breakout year this season.
Starting at center, the 6’2” Binkley is a high-energy kind of player who has become a true vocal leader on the team. “I’m looking for Bink to bring some of his football mentality onto the court,” added the coach.
Look for Anstine to start at the two-guard position. Standing 6’4”, he brings a lot of athletic ability to the position. “His length and speed will help him on the defensive end,” Coach Wescott stated. “He’s also a three-point threat from the perimeter.”
Other juniors looking for more playing time will be Crosby Coleman, who at 6’6” tall might be the most athletic player on the team Coach Wescott claimed. He should be a big asset on the glass.
Aaron Ferguson, 6’4”, brings a lot of physicality to the paint. “In practice there haven’t been many easy buckets with Aaron around,” the coach continued.
At 5’10”, David Lerda brings a lot of toughness to his guard position. He is solid defensively and runs the court well.
Trevor Yancey will provide help at the point guard position. The 5’ 8” playmaker is a good ball handler and an outside shooting threat.
Newcomer to the court A.J. Langston stands 6’2” and according to Wescott will add depth to the wing position.
The coach states that the team’s goals for the year include a conference championship and a one or two-seed in the district tournament. He says that if they can win a district championship, they might go deep into the state playoffs.
“Our top two or three guys have experience, but the rest have very little varsity time under their belts. “We plan to make up for the lack of experience with hard work.”
The team gets underway Tuesday night with a home game with Crest Ridge beginning at 6 p.m.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Obituaries
LARRY ALLEN FORD
Larry Allen Ford of Holden, MO, passed away November 11, 2007, at his home.
He was born in Kansas City, KS on October 18, 1942 to Vernon and Wylma Ford.
Larry joined the Navy in 1962. He married Dee Anne Thompson on December 22, 1962. The had five children, Caryn Herman, Constance Merrick, Michael Ford, Racheal Ford, and Rena Ford. He is also survived by two brothers, Lyndal and Gary Ford; and one sister Beverly Rogers.
Larry was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and Fraternal of Eagles Warrensburg Wheels. He retired from Boeing in 1995. He loved hunting, fishing and his classic cars.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, November 15, 2007 in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and The American Heart Association.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com. Arrangements are under the direction of D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Floral Hills Chapel, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, KCMO 64133, 816-353-1218.
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