The Holden R-III School Board heard a report from district superintendent Mike Ringen that his recent meeting with Randy Phillips of R. L. Phillips Construction was a discussion of lingering issues such as the parking lot asphalting projects.
Ringen, presenting the report during the regular November 11 board meeting, said most of the bills have been paid. The amount of $200,000 is currently being withheld until the entire project is complete.
At issue are points such as the damage to the north parking lot in a transition area between the old and new asphalt. Ringen said the one and one-half inch asphalt surface in one area is not sufficient and that it needs to be replaced.    
While Ringen and Phillips visited on the original cost issue,  he didn’t think there was any movement made. Ringen said it was a good visit, but there was no resolution.
Jeff Miller, school board president asked, “what does he think is going to happen?”
Ringen related that several times in the discussion, Phillips said, “I’ve been in contact with my attorney.”
Miller commented, “He got done what he said he would do. We’re not going to see anything else.”
Another issue was the west parking lot which Ringen reported holds water. He said, “We are looking at milling it out.”
In other business, the board heard a student achievement report from Elementary School principal Robyn Sisk on the  Terra Nova testing scores and an overview of programs such as Youth Friends, from Sarah West. West said they were trying to get influential people from the community to mentor at-risk students and try to prevent drop-outs. Mentors would go through a background check and training program and would meet with students once a week.
Another program under development is “Response to Intervention.” The goal is to identify and “catch kids before they fall through the cracks.”
Counselors have developed the “Character Plus” program, which strives for students to develop one positive trait per month, such as respect, and send signs to local businesses to post, reminding the students to practice the trait when out in the community.
Dr. Mike Hough presented the Middle School student achievement report on the seventh grade ZAP (zeroes aren’t permitted) program. This is in answer to teachers’ concerns about students failing to turn in homework. ZAP provides an avenue for students to make up part of missed homework credit by staying and completing assignments. If the program is successful it could be expanded to other grades.
Hough also reported on the Middle School Homework Club where students have an opportunity to complete their homework by staying Monday through Thursday 3:15 to 4:15 pm. The teachers take turns supervising and tutoring students during homework club. Seventh and eighth grade is held in the library media center while sixth grade rotates in various sixth-grade classrooms. Many students ride the activity bus for transportation home.
Hough also outlined the “Adopt a Student Program.” This is a new program that is being developed for “at-risk” students. There are currently 31 students with twoor more Fs.
Teachers volunteer to “adopt” two or three of these “at-risk” students and develop their own plan of action to develop a caring relationship with them. Teachers can meet with their students at various times throughout the day, including lunch. They could also plan occasional activities after school.
Some of the objectives of the program are to promote the character traits of caring, commitment, cooperation, goal-setting, honesty, perseverance, respect, responsibility, service, self-discipline, and self-esteem. The program also aims to increase the leadership role of students, defuse inappropriate behavior, and address academic problems.
Three of Robin Wright’s fifth-grade students presented a film they prepared on Yellowstone National Park. Six students were initially involved in the project which was supervised by Morgan Parrish. The students researched their subjects, wrote dialogue, and appeared on the promotional film. The object was to convince the viewer to visit Yellowstone.
In financial business, the board approved budget amendments to reflect increased income of $209,749 from the discontinued sales tax rollback balanced by an increase in expenditures of $69,442. The adjustment increases the anticipated balance by $137,307.
The next board meeting is scheduled for December 8, 2008 at 6:30 pm.
By Terri Vinck
Staff Writer



Board filing dates were approved at the regular meeting of Kingsville School Board last Thursday night.  Superintendent Kevin Coleman presented the dates as December 16, the first date to file and January 20,  the last date to file for board candidacy.  There will be two positions up for election, according to Coleman, those of Kristel Spies and Ed Barnett; both are three-year terms.
In old business, Coleman recommended moving softball from fall to spring.  “After researching schedules and opponents, I feel it is best for Kingsville to move the program to the spring,” said Coleman.  He added that all 12 girls involved in softball were in agreement with him about the spring session.  The board approved the recommendation.
In other old business, Coleman gave an update on the audit, telling board members it hasn’t been received yet but should be back in time for their December meeting.
In high school reports, principal Lorna Warren told the board attendance was at 96.95 percent, but participation in parent/teacher conferences was only at 35 percent.  She went on to say they had 22 students make the “A” honor roll and 47 make the “B” honor roll.
In sports news, Warren reported the cross country team participated in the state cross country meet on Saturday, November 8, in Jefferson City, placing 13th as a team.  The team took second in district competition, which is  a first in school history.  In basketball, Warren said they had 22 boys and 15 girls who were going out for the sport this fall.
In a music update, instructor Jennifer Carr gave a report on the music department saying November was a busy month for them.  “On November 18, the fourth and fifth graders will be playing their recorders for the PTO meeting.  The Recorder Karate program has worked well for these two classes as a motivator and assessment progression,” said Carr.  “On November 21, students from the seventh-12th grade band will participate in Conference Music Day which will be held in Belton at the Heartland Christian School.  Also this fall, we have started a new instrumental ensemble for six-12th graders called the Instrument Carolers.  These students meet every Monday to practice and will perform holiday carols beginning with their first performance November 28 at the Holden Chamber of Commerce customer appreciation event.  After this, we will play in December at the different lunch shifts  and at the Holden Manor.  The elementary is very busy getting ready for their holiday concert, which is December 11 at 6:30 p.m.  Additionally, Jacklyn Treece and I are working in conjunction to teach dances to the elementary.”
In all-conference news, Warren informed the board that two students from Kingsville made the all-conference volleyball team.  “Lynn Andreas made first team - all conference, and Samantha Lord made second team - all conference,” said Warren.
In elementary reports, principal Angela Helms told the board attendance was at 95 percent.  Participation for parent/teacher conferences is at 96 percent, she added.  Total number of students making the honor roll has increased from last year, Helms said.  “We had 40 students on the “A” honor roll, and 46 students on the “B” honor roll,” stated Helms.
She also reported on Red Ribbon Week which was the last week in October.  “The students participated in activities and the Johnson County K-9 Unit came to do an elementary assembly on October 31.  The students really enjoyed it!” Helms said.
She went on to say the PTO Fall Festival was held October 31 and was a success.  “Many families were in attendance and enjoyed the evening.  I would like to thank the PTO members, Drama Club members and Trunk-or-Treat volunteers for making this event possible,” stated Helms.
She then gave the board an update on upcoming activities which include November 25, Grandparents Day from 1-2:40 p.m.; November 26, half-day of school; November 27-28, Thanksgiving break; December 5, PTO Santa Shop; December 11, winter music concert at 6:30 p.m.; December 12, faculty Christmas dinner at Summit Barbecue in Lee’s Summit.
The regular board meeting of Kingsville School Board closed and they voted to go into executive session.  The next meeting will be December 10 in the board room at 7 p.m.
By Dana Raker
News Staff




Kingsville City Council heard the second reading of a proposed ordinance  to change election processes from ward representation to aldermen at-large elections at their regular meeting held last Tuesday night at city hall.
City attorney Natalie Peterson read the proposal which would discontinue election of council members by ward representation which is currently how they are elected.  The new ordinance would take effect in the regular election in April, 2009, Mayor Lloyd Stever told city council members.  The council approved the reading.  Mayor Stever added he thought the council might benefit from election of a fifth alderman and Peterson will look into amending this ordinance to include a fifth alderman.  The mayor also said his term would expire with the next election.  Also the council will have three terms expire at that time.  City clerk Sherry Johnson will advertise in the newspaper alerting the public to the election and positions open.
In recreation news, Peterson reported that KCP&L donated eight 55-foot poles for new lights at the ball park.  The city is still pursuing the actual lights to go on the poles.
In a new tower update, Mayor Stever asked water supervisor Tony Lerda for an update on the city’s new tower.  Lerda said they were currently opening up for bids on the new tower.  He went on to say they will be monitored for nutrients and bacteria and that Kingsville has oil and grease also.  He added a toxicity report will be required and there will be a lot of changes in the treatment process.  He will be seeking Dwayne Ottmeyer’s help during the process since he is an expert in this area.  “Our overall goal is to find someone to build us a good system,” said Lerda.  He also gave an update on water line replacement and repair to the council.
In the sheriff’s report, Deputy Brian Hobbs updated the board on recent activities and occurrences in Kingsville in the past month. “We participated in Red Ribbon Week at the school, giving a presentation to students,” said Hobbs.  “I attended a class of school violence and learned an intruder drill which I shared with the school.  We experienced some vandalism to stop signs and on a building; some harassing phone calls were reported; and there was a juvenile complaint.”
Mayor Stever asked Hobbs if citizens were still complying with the clean-up effort and Hobbs said in some cases they were while others were not.
Hobbs also discussed the dogs running-at-large policy the city currently has.  “We need to make some changes to our policy as we currently keep the dogs 10 days trying to locate the owners. We need to be proactive in finding homes for these animals so they can be adopted out on the 11th day.  We could take the animals to the pound in Warrensburg but then we have to pay up front for that.  We currently owe money for the kennel that is keeping our dogs for us while we look for the owners, but we haven’t received a bill from the kennel.  We need to have a policy for long-term animals we keep,” said Hobbs.
In new business, Mayor Stever brought up the Kingsville Medical Clinic to council members, asking them if they wished to continue to support the facility as they had in the past.    “It’s a great convenience for the people of our community and I would like to see it continue,” Stever said. There was some discussion about the good the clinic is doing in the community and the matter was tabled until next month.
Johnson updated council members on CDs which were maturing and got direction of what to do with them for the future.
In other financial business, councilman Herb Brockhaus asked Johnson if they could compare the receipts and the revenue of water used in Kingsville.  It was decided he would get with O&M Enterprises and obtain a statement which they could generate.
In other old business, it was reported by councilman Pastor John McRoy that the flagpole and flag had been installed and they are currently working on the lighting.
The regular meeting of the Kingsville City Council closed to reopen next month at city hall.
By Dana Raker
News Staff


On Saturday, November 8, Holden High School band members broke many records, according to band director Jon West as eight students earned spots on district bands.
Max Birdnow, junior, placed as an alternate in the honorable mention band, beating 28 other trumpets in the district.  “Tashina Caylor placed first chair euphonium in the honorable mention band and Courtney Jones placed first chair alto clarinet in the honorable mention band.  I don’t believe Holden has had three students at once,  who placed in the honorable mention band. 
In the all-district band, Jacob Russell placed fifth chair on alto saxophone.  Thomas Hobbs placed second chair tenor saxophone and Monica Dale placed ninth chair flute and second chair piccolo, beating out 36 other flute players.  Jacob, Thomas and Monica will head to Columbia on Saturday, December 6, to audition for the all-state band,” said West.
“Since I have been at Holden, I can think of only two students who have  placed in the all-district band and we had three who made it.  The big record breaker was in the all-district jazz band.  We had two students, Jacob Russell, alto sax,  and Thomas Hobbs, tenor sax, who made all-district band on Saturday.  These students have to have an amazing amount of self-discipline and talent to perform all of the different styles required to even audition for the band. They have worked hard, along with all of the other students, and it is paying off,” West added.
The Honorable Mention Band and All-District Band will perform their concert at Hendricks Hall on the UCM campus on Saturday, January 10.  The All-District Jazz Band, along with the junior high district band, will perform at Knob Noster High School on Saturday, January 17.  “We hope everyone can come and enjoy these students’ accomplishments,” said West.