 R. L. Phillips’ construction equipment at Holden High School still remains silent and unmoved as the company contracted to build and renovate the school has refused to finish the asphalting work for the $55,000 the R-III district has offered.
They also have asked for an additional $40,000 for completion of the science classrooms because of what they called a lack of response from architects of Sam A. Winn and associates.
Because of the latest developments, the remaining portion of the contract, which is mainly asphalt work and a water detention pond, has been turned over to the bonding company whose job is to insure all contract work gets completed.
Incoming district superintendent Mike Ringen told the school board at their regular meeting Monday night in the middle school library that he expected to hear something soon from the bonding company. He said that they would probably initiate their own investigation.
Ringen also shared with the board copies of two letters, dated September 12, 2007 and September 25, 2007, from the architects directing the contractor to begin work on both the asphalting of the elementary school parking lot as well as asphalt work at the high school. The work was for parking lots and bus drive at HHS - all asphalt work with the exception of the north parking lot and detention pond.
Addressing other members of the board, president Jeff Miller said, “I think the board needs to prepare for this project not getting done this year.”
Board member Pat Zvacek replied, “The board needs to remain positive that the work will get done.”
In another area, school financial consultant Chris Straub addressed the board concerning their finances. He said that the budgetary picture was in good shape with no crises situations. He did say that although the district has been able to afford the deficit spending the last couple of years, they should begin to look at either increasing revenues or lowering expenses.
For the past several years, the district has been rolling back their operating levy $.43. Next year’s preliminary budget calls for a rollback of $.23, but Straub stated that the board should consider recouping the entire levy rollback considering Missouri Senate legislation was recently passed that might preclude the district from recovering the rollback in the future.
In the reports section of the meeting, new middle school principal Dr. Mike Hough delivered the annual discipline report, while the district’s director of curriculum and instruction Donna Fizer reported on the At Risk program.
R-III district auxiliary services director Larry Arnone also reported on the food service and transportation programs.
In new business, the board accepted a bid in the amount of $1,050 from Impact Auto Parts of Kingsville for the 1991 school bus. They also accepted milk, bread and fuel bids from Sunnyside Dairy of Harrisonville, Interstate Brands Corp. of Columbia and MFA Oil Company of Warrensburg.
In a related matter, because of increased transportation and food costs, the board voted to increase school lunch and breakfast prices by $.25. Lunch prices at the K-5 elementary school will now be $1.75, while middle and high school lunches will cost $1.85. Breakfast prices will be $1.15 at K-5 and $1.25 at HMS and HHS.
In a final area of business, the board set the annual tax rate hearing for 6:15 p.m. August 11 at the intermediate school library prior to the regular meeting of the board.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Holden R-III School District activities director and safety coordinator Julie Carver has decided she would rather remain in the classroom and on the court as she transferred back to middle school physical education teacher and head Holden High School volleyball coach at executive session of the school board meeting Monday night.
She will also serve in a game supervision capacity as well. In an interview with the Holden Image, she stated, “The activities director position is a great opportunity, but as I got closer to the beginning of the school year, I found myself having a hard time dealing with not teaching and coaching. Maybe down the road I might be able to look at the possibility of being an AD again.”
Taking over duties of activities director will be HHS assistant principal Kevin Kultgen. His A+ coordinator duties will now be handled by Ginger Jones who is also the dual credit assistant. Jim Harvey will man the safety coordinator position.
In one other internal transfer, Beverly Kephart moves from HMS office secretary to student records coordinator/middle school secretary.
In employments, the board hired Norma Rice, part time HHS cook (currently employed also as a bus driver); Charles Eissler, bus driver; Beck Brower, elementary part time reading; Janet Houx, middle school part time reading; Sarah Abel, flag corps sponsor; Tonni Schmidt, flag Corps assistant sponsor; Tabitha Norris, bus driver; Vicky Withrow, evening custodian; Luke Littrell, HHS library clerk; Angie Collens, HHS principal’s secretary; Sandy Roberts, HHS activities/HMS part time secretary; and Jacklyn Treece, freshman volleyball coach.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Several new policies for the new school year were adopted by the Kingsville School Board at their regular meeting held last Thursday night.
All of the policies came with a label of ‘highly recommended’ for the district. They included policy number 2100, discrimination/grievance policy; 2130, harassment; 2655, bullying/modifications on consequences; 3106, fraud prevention; 4525, payment of salary, 12 month payment plan; 6530, emails, records, being in line with state levels; 1310, civil rights, modified; 2663, expulsion; and 4180, sexual harassment, minor changes; one policy dealing with cell phones was discussed at length by board members. The policy recommends no cell phone usage during instruction hours or during extracurricular activities. Superintendent Kevin Coleman explained reasons for the policy including cell phones with cameras on them and the opportunity for inappropriate pictures to be taken in the locker room. The board also discussed the stronger disciplinary action to be taken if cell phone policy was violated which, according to board president Martha Bush, included in-school and out-of-school suspension. Board member Kristel Spies asked how they could let students and parents know of the stronger consequences and Coleman said there would have to be some communications given out before school resumed this year. He stressed that all of the policies are in place to protect the school district and the students. In the end, the board voted to adopt all policies presented to them.
In new business, Coleman shared with board members prices of breakfast and lunch from neighboring schools and recommended a 15 cent increase in Kingsville’s prices for meals for the upcoming year. After some discussion on the issue, the economy, fuel costs and grocery costs, the board voted to approve the 15 cent raise on the meals.
Coleman added the number of students on the reduced or free lunch programs may go up this year due to the economy.
In other new business, Coleman brought it to the board’s attention that Kingsville was currently paying .40 cents per mile for their mileage reimbursement program. “The IRS has recently increased their rate to .585 cents per mile and anything under that does not have to be turned in on one’s taxes,” stated Coleman. He recommended the Kingsville District raise their reimbursement amount to .48 cents per mile. The board voted to approve the raise. Board member Ed Barnett questioned Coleman, asking if it would be more feasible for the district to purchase an automobile for instructors to drive to events rather than pay them mileage. Coleman told him that then the district would be responsible for wear and tear on the car, licensing, and insurance.
In future business, board member Julie Stout asked Coleman if they needed to make a decision on future senior trips before the new school year started. Coleman agreed it was a subject that the board had visited in the past, but no decisions had been made. He agreed to put the matter on the agenda for next month’s meeting. No further action was taken on the matter.
In transportation news, Coleman reported the routes will stay the same for the most part. “But with the rising cost of fuel, we can expect to pay a total of $20,000 this year in fuel costs, as opposed to the $14,000 we paid last year,” stated Coleman.
In open forum, Jim Huddleston questioned board members on procedures for Kingsville FFA members attending Warrensburg for FFA classes, referring to a letter he had seen on the subject. The board was unfamiliar with the letter and could not comment on it. Coleman reminded Huddleston the issue had already been decided on, regarding the new industrial technology program which is now in place, and the district is moving on with future plans in that area.
In other open forum news, Tina Herrington approached the board with concerns about school lunches for summer school, questioning whether they were serving good, hot food to the students. Bush, Coleman and Spies commented on the lunch program stating it had been improving and now offered a wider variety to students. They also said they had no reports of complaints about the lunch program from parents or students. Bush thanked Herrington for her concerns and bringing it to the board’s attention.
Coleman presented board members with a list of board goals for the school year and they will discuss them at next month’s meeting. He added that August 18 is Back to School Night at Kingsville, and school starts on August 19.
The next meeting will be held on August 14 at 6:30 p.m. for a tax rate hearing before the regular meeting.
By Dana Neubert
Staff Writer
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The Holden Image and Penny Saver welcome new advertising representative Joanie Lerda to the staff.
Lerda started her new duties with the publication in March. She received her training from advertising manager Sheila Pemberton and says so far she is really enjoying the job.
Her job duties include selling advertisements, helping with circulation and contacting potential advertisers. She spends part of her time on the road tracking down new business and part of her time in the office making contacts on the phone.
She covers a large area in surrounding communities as she also works for the Lone Jack Corridor and the Crest Ridge Corridor. She travels to Lone Jack, Centerview, Odessa, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Strasburg, Kingsville, Oak Grove, Grain Valley, Clinton, Garden City and Urich. If anyone is interested in inquiring about advertising for any of the above publications, they may contact Lerda at 816-732-5552.
“I like the job,” said Lerda. “I enjoy being out and meeting new people, learning about them and their businesses. The people are all very friendly and it’s interesting to find out what people do for a living. Some of it is very fascinating work and it’s great to see one business offer opportunities to another business.”
Lerda said she gets to know people on a first name basis and makes new friends and acquaintances. “It’s also exciting to see new businesses starting out from the ground up and how advertising can help them on their way,” said Lerda. “I hope they succeed and we can help them do that.”
She believes advertising is very important as business owners need to get their names out there for the public to see on a regular basis. “I encourage all business owners to call me with inquiries or for an ad and I’d be more than happy to help them in any way I can. Sometimes I’m their best advertiser as I get excited when I see some of the products and services they have to offer the public,” stated Lerda.
She lives in Holden with her 17-year-old son, David, who will be a senior this year at Holden High School. In her spare time, she enjoys working with her flowers, spending time with her grandchildren and attending David’s ballgames. She is active in her church, as she is vice president of the Altar Society at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Holden. She also works part time at Galle’s Smokehouse Grill and enjoys visiting with her customers there as well.
So, for all your advertising needs, no matter what your location or what your product may be, contact Lerda and let her take care of helping your business become well-known in your community and surrounding areas.
By Dana Neubert
Staff Writer
The annual rodeo sponsored by the Holden Chamber of Commerce July 12-13 was a big success, according to chairperson Linda Frazier.
“We had very large crowds and the weather cooperated and was very nice,” Frazier said. Rain showers blanketed the area on Saturday but the weather had cleared by the time of the evening’s event.
Crowd favorite events were bull riding and wild horse racing, according to Frazier. In wild horse racing, a team of three members enter the ring and try to catch and ride a wild horse. They ended up getting bucked off many times, she added, and the crowd really enjoyed it.
“It was a very successful event and it’s the Chamber’s biggest money-making event of the season,” said Frazier. “This year we also had a lot of politicians in attendance to meet the public.”
The rodeo was put on by C.R. McKellips Rodeo Company.
Mutton-busting was also a popular event, and got the kids involved, Frazier added.
Putting on a rodeo is a lot of hard work but she said she had a great committee who pulled it all together in the end. “We really could use more help, so if anyone is interested in being on the committee, they can contact me at 732-4156. We are always open to new ideas and suggestions for ways to improve the rodeo,” she said.
Other fun events included bronc riding, barrel racing and roping.
This was the eighth year the Chamber has sponsored the event and they are looking forward to next year’s rodeo.
The Hough family reunion was held at the home of Destry and Cricket Hough on June 28, 2008.
Descendants of Henry Ezra and Emma (Von Rohr) Hough gathered to share stories of the past and present, and enjoy good food.
The children and adults took part in various yard games, swimming, fishing and a homemade ice cream contest. Although the judges could not decide on a winner, the ice cream was enjoyed by all!
After a short meeting, it was decided that the next reunion would be held in June of 2010. Destry and Cricket will again host at their home in Holden.
Those attending the reunion were Ann Torix, LeNell Griffin, Rob and Diane Newman, all of Rupard, ID; Clair Hough, Coalinga, CA; Claudine and Gordon Rice, Drexel, MO; Vanessa Gentry, Judy Warner, Stan and Becky Warner, Allyson and Katelyn, Lee’s Summit, MO; Wade and Angela McLellen, Kyle, Auston, Mitchell and Madison, Cleveland, MO; Norman and Dana Briscoe, Gary and Susan Strate, Reed and Candy Hough, Rob Hough, Destry and Cricket Hough, Sam and Celeste, Russ Hough, Mike Hough and Debbie, Ray and Charlotte Timmons, Jr. and Donna Van Meter, all of Holden; Sheri Stever, Erin and Ben, Pleasant Hill, MO; Delmer Teasly, Marshfield, MO; Jacquetta Cohen, Brighton, MO; Earlene and Nathan George, Alex, Blairstown, MO; Scott and Pam Carleton, Chris and Dale Carleton, Johnathon, Maggie and Molly, Will and Becky Carleton and Kate, Judy Folkes, Overland Park, KS; Ralph Ross, Scott and Angela Presnell, MacKenzie, Audrey and Riley, Kansas City, MO; Terry and Becky Lane, Bobby, Jamie and Tristan, Blue Springs, MO; Cris Alward and Jake Crust, Harrisonville, MO; Doyne Hough II and Linda Lanasburg, Ash Grove, MO; and Ken and Rosie Wehmeyer, Garden City, MO.
OBITUARIES
DORIS LORRAINE EDER JOHNSON
Doris Lorraine Eder Johnson, 80, Holden, MO, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2008 at Lee’s Summit Medical Center.
Doris was born April 7, 1928 in Antigo, Wisconsin, the daughter of Ben and Gertrude Eder. She graduated from high school in Antigo. Doris married Kenneth Fredrick Johnson on July 6, 1950 in Antigo. She first worked at the local Winebrenner Shoe Factory and then moved into retail sales work, which she dearly loved. Her retail experience was shared in Antigo, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Garland, Texas over the years, medically retiring in August of 1987.
She was an accomplished seamstress and made most of her children’s clothes throughout the early years. During the teenage high school years she made all of the formals for her girls and later their wedding dresses. Quilting was a delight to her creative abilities and she particularly enjoyed creating baby quilts for family and loved ones. She loved sewing and crewel embroidery and enjoyed all of these crafts until diabetes dimmed her eyesight.
Doris was baptized into The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1954 and was a very active member. She taught many children’s classes in church school and vacation church school in various branches the family attended in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. She was also a camp counselor for a number of church youth camps during her children’s teenage years. She loved the Lord fully and served Him without reservation. When the Church of Jesus Christ, Holden Restoration Branch was formed on May 19, 2002, she became a charter member with her companion, Ken, who was the first pastor.
Her parents and one granddaughter preceded Doris in death.
Survivors include her husband Ken, of the home; a son, Jeffrey of Cameron, Missouri; a daughter, Kendy Kinion and husband Russ of rural Holden; a daughter, Mary Hill of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; a son, Daniel of Tulsa, Oklahoma; three brothers, Ben Eder and Jack Eder, wife Barbara of Antigo, Richard Eder of Los Angeles, California; and one sister, Jane Eder Lantieri and husband Alan of Bonita Springs, Florida; one brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Beverly Johnson of Sun City, Arizona; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; and various cousins, nieces and nephews.
Williams Funeral Chapel, Holden, conducted cremation. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 2 p.m. in Williams Funeral Chapel, Holden, her pastor Elder John Rhoades presiding. The public is invited to share in this service, a “Celebration of Life”. The family will receive friends Saturday, at the funeral home, from 1-2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, through Williams Funeral Chapel.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net. |