CCR-1 Board Reviews Health, Food Services Reports

 CCR-1 Board Reviews Health, Food Services Reports

By Mike Scott Missouri’s vision law, which requires every child enrolling in kindergarten or first grade in a public elementary school in this state to receive one comprehensive vision examination performed by a state licensed optometrist or physician, is causing some confusion. “Some parents think that because we do screenings, it’s no big deal,” Running Fox Elementary Nurse Toni Glasscock told the CCR-1 School Board on Thursday night. Glasscock and Nurse Susan Thompson said there are several Clark County students who have not had the required eye exams. However, the law doesn’t give the district any enforcement authority, and parents can simply write a note excusing the child from the exam. A handful of other students have had vision problems picked up by the district’s screening, and the parents have not taken those students to an eye doctor. There are three or four students whose eyesight is poor enough to interfere with learning. Thompson and Glasscock said there are many programs available to help low-income students get glasses, if necessary. The strengths of the district’s health program included the immunization program, screenings, health classes in elementary grades and a growing number for CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) trained faculty and staff members in each building. The board also heard from Food Service Director Jane Saxton, who cited OPAA’s food buying power as a strength. OPAA Food Management is the district’s food service provider. Saxton also cited an excellent staff and a positive working environment . Saxton’s concerns included aging equipment, much of which is 40 years old or more. She also requested that a number of maintenance items be handled next summer, including painting the Black Hawk kitchen. Elementary Principal Ryan Bergeson presented the district’s Gifted Program report. “It is significantly better, and moving in the right direction,” Bergeson to the board. Changes in the program curriculum which line up with and expand upon work being done in the classrooms has renewed teacher support for the program. Although the program has fewer participants than in the past, with only 23 currently involved, they are busy with such extracurricular activities as Quiz Bowl, Future Problem Solving Teams, and field trips. The board also reviewed bids for diesel bus fuel, hoping to lock in prices for the rest of the year as fuel prices start to climb again. The board asked for bids for four 7200 gallon loads of diesel fuel. “This to me is a no-brainer,” said board member Kevin Ross, “It’s a win-win deal,” After discussion, the board awarded the bid to Two Rivers FS, and will pay for two loads now and the other two loads in July. In other business, the board: –Heard an attendance report. The current average daily attendance is 904.63, up 54.57 from last year. The daily attendance average is 95.82 percent. –Discussed football expenses. Final totals will not be available until MSHSAA reimburses the district for championship expenses. –Approved and overnight trip for the Smokebusters. –Discussed and approved amendments to the 2008-2009 budget.