March 28, 2024

Dr. Ruess began the meeting with a tribute to the board members because March is School Board Appreciation Month. She said:

In the heart of a small town, lay the cornerstone of its community: the local school. For

generations, Festus School District has been the beacon of hope and the nurturing

ground for the town's future, investing in one of the most important components of any

community.. the children. Positive partnerships between the City and the School have

continued to elevate Festus to be a “destination city” in our area. But none of that “Just

happens” behind the scenes, guiding its direction and ensuring its vitality, are the

unsung heroes – the school board members.

Among them, President Wendel, the local Chief of Police with a heart for his community.

Serving on the Festus School Board for 12 years, he has been a consistent leader among

the members. He currently is serving as board President and cares deeply for the

students and staff. His guidance and solid decision making have been instrumental in

increased performance.

Mr. Wolk, serving on the board for 15 years, has been a valuable asset to the continued

success of the Festus School District. His ability to question and analyze situations has

proven to help govern the district in such a way to increase student achievement,

provide for quality facilities, and attract and retain the best educators during his tenure.

Mr. Abrams, a retired city worker, with a heart for service and a love for his community.

His strategic thinking and knowledge about construction and bidding processes has

been instrumental in the continuation of quality facilities management. He is serving in

his 16th year on the Festus School Board and continues to be a constant source of

knowledge about all things Festus.

Mr. Fadler, serving in his 5th year on the board, is currently in the role of treasurer. With

careful stewardship, he has ensured that the school's resources are allocated wisely,

maximizing their impact on student achievement while keeping the community's fiscal

health intact.

Mrs. Berezowski, a passionate educator with a keen eye for intervention, serving in her

6th year on the board. Her years of experience in the classroom has given her a unique

perspective, one that resonates deeply with the needs of both students and teachers.

With unwavering dedication, Doreen has advocated for policies that empowered

educators and enriched the learning experience for every child.

Mr. Martin, serving in his 2nd year on the board, has a quiet demeanor but is very

thoughtful and systematic in his decision making process. He researches and educates

himself on all aspects of a situation before making a decision. His calmness and dedication to the Festus Community has proven to propel Festus School District to one of the best school districts in the state.

Together, they have formed a dynamic team, each bringing their expertise and passion

to the table. Their decisions are not merely about budgets and policies; they are about

shaping the future of our community. When the town faced challenges, such as the pandemic, the board worked tirelessly to maintain the quality of education, refusing to compromise on excellence despite societal pushback. Through their support of innovative programs and partnerships with local

businesses, they make it a priority to ensure that every student has access to opportunities that would prepare them for success in an ever-changing world. Their commitment doesn’t stop at the school doors. Recognizing the interconnectedness of education and community development, they encourage and challenge staff members to foster strong partnerships with local organizations and

government agencies, creating a network of support that extends far beyond the classroom. They have high expectations and hold staff members accountable for the responsibility of providing a quality education to ALL children. As a result, the community has and continues to thrive. Graduates of Festus School District become leaders in various fields. Businesses flourish, drawn to our town by its reputation for excellence in education. And perhaps most importantly, a sense of pride

and unity exists within our city, as Festus residents come together to invest in the future

of their children.

In the tapestry of a community's life, school board members are the silent weavers,

stitching together dreams and aspirations, ensuring that every child has the opportunity

to reach their full potential. Their importance cannot be overstated, for they hold the

key to unlocking the promise of tomorrow. You as board members make a tremendous

difference!

Thank you for commitment, dedication and continued service to the Festus R-VI School

District. We are better because you are here!

• Mya Hairston - state wrestling champion
• Ella Montgomery - Missouri Scholars Academy
• Jimmy Wacker - Missouri Scholars 100
• Suessical
• Bryson Rhine - FHS March Student of the Month
• Project Lead the Way Showcase
• Band and Choir Solo & Ensemble Exemplary Ratings
• Landry Partney - 8th Grade Tournament of US History Champion
• Middle School Quiz Bowl teams 2nd at county competition
• Middle school choirs at Union Music Festival
• Middle School at Special Olympics Polar Plunge
• Middle School Play Unified Track Meet
• Intermediate School Play Unified Basketball
• Elementary school teddy bear drive
• Kindergarten Registration
• Douglass Night
• Festus R-VI School Foundation Grant Awards

The board unanimously passed the consent agenda. Items were:

• February meeting regular session minutes
• Bills payable for the month
• Financial Reports & Statement
• Ledger Subtotals
• Approved Surplus Items
• Approved Cross Country overnight trip to the Chile Pepper in Arkansas
• Approved insurance rates for 2024-25
• Approved 2024-25 Chromebook purchase

• Reminder Summer School will be May 30-June 27 (20 days) - Summer school registration will open soon.
• 4th Quarter TAB dates are April 29th & 30th
• The Performing Arts Center is a polling place on Tuesday. Signs will be posted for voter parking.
• High school production of "Seussical" was amazing.
• Spring sports have begun. Schedules are on the website.
• High school will receive its 2nd National Play Unified Banner School banner on April 11. Festus high school was the first in the state when it received its first banner several years ago.
• MAP, EOC & ACT testing will be conducted April 15 - May 15
• April board meeting has been moved to April 16
• There will be a pre-construction meeting for the Middle School expansion on April 4. Work will begin shortly after that. Work in the kitchen, cafeteria, multi-purpose area will begin May 27 and will be completed by August 13
• Enrollment has held steady in recent months to between 3450-3460 students.

Jefferson College ATS Report - We are excited to continue the partnership with Jefferson College. Festus currently has about 50 students in the ATS program. Many also have intership opportunities through the program.

Student Services Report - The school district has seen an increase in the number of special education students in recent years. Currently about 10% of the student population receives some sort of special education service. The goal is to reduce that number when possible to return students to the regular classroom and the least restrictive environment possible. ELL (English Language Learners) population has increased to about 17 students (up from 5 or 6 in recent years)

New Board Member

Nine people applied to fill the position that opened following the resignation of Marcus Shepherd last month. The board unanimously chose William Conway to fill the position. Conway is a Festus graduate and has lived in the District for 41 years. He says "I am honored to have been voted in and look forward to contributing." He will be sworn in at the April 16 Board of Education meeting.

Facilities Report

• Approved the low bid from Boyer Building & Design of $176,420 for renovation of the 8 classrooms in the Elementary stack-ups.
• Approved the low bid from Boyer Building & Design of $183,468 for renovation of restrooms in the high school and the elementary school.
  

Last night, the Festus R-VI Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of a new head volleyball coach and a new head cheerleading coach for Festus High School. Isabella Kemp will now lead the Festus Volleyball program and Symantha Naeger will lead the cheerleading program.

This current school year is Isabella Kemp’s third with the Festus School District. She has served as the freshman volleyball coach for two years and most recently was the junior varsity coach. Prior to coming to Festus, Kemp served as assistant volleyball coach in Clearwater, and head volleyball coach at Ellington for one year and Bunker for two years. She has a record of 32-44-11 as head coach. Her record with the Festus freshmen and junior varsity was 42-10-3. Athletic and Activities Director Jason Therrell says “We are excited to have Isabella lead our volleyball program. She is a talented coach and very dedicated to our student athletes. We look forward to great things.” For her part, Kemp says, “I am honored for the opportunity to serve our program at this level and I am ready to get started.”

Symantha Naeger has served as assistant cheerleading coach at Festus High School for the past two years. Before coming to Festus she was the assistant cheerleading coach at Farmington High School. Therrel says “Symantha has done a great job as an assistant cheerleading coach and we are happy to have her as our new head cheerleading coach.” Campbell added, “I am very excited to continue working with the Festus Cheer Program as Head Coach. The team has been so important to me since I arrived at Festus. Former head coach Jessica Doyel has created such a strong, loyal, and spirited team. I can’t wait to grow the program more as we cheer on our Tigers.”