School
board gives nod
to
Head Start in Platte City
The Platte County Head Start program will call Platte
City home next year.
A unanimous vote by the Platte County R-3 School Board
approved a proposal requesting the implementation of the
Head Start program at Rising Star Elementary.
The program, which is currently located at a Catholic
Church in Weston, serves 25 children, hopes to at least
double the number of children served by relocating to
Platte City.
With the approval from the board, next year's Head Start
program will add a second session and will now include
a morning and an afternoon session.
The board's nod on the proposal places the district in
a one year agreement with the Head Start program. Dr.
Mark Harpst, superintendent of Platte County R-3, stated
that if space becomes an issue within the district, that
both parties agreed Head Start would need to find a new
location.
In other business, Harpst gave the board the January
enrollment update which outlined a 22 student increase
since January.
"The numbers reflect that growth continues in Platte
County R-3," Harpst told board members.
Harpst also gave a legislative update regarding schooling
funding from the state.
"There's a lot of buzzing but not a lot being finalized,"
stated Harpst about the current situation in the legislature.
"There's a possibility of cuts before the school
year's over.
"There just isn't a big enough pool of money there
for everyone to share. It doesn't look very positive right
now."
The board was also given an update regarding the revenue
of the budget. Currently, Harpst stated there are $1.2
million taxes still out there in delinquent and protested
taxes.
"Usually we're at a 95 to 96 percent collection
rate right now," said Harpst. "There's no need
to push the panic button yet, we'll realize that money
eventually, it just may take some time."
While the revenue for the district may be a little behind
where it normally stands, Harpst reported that the expenditures
for the budget are in check and under what was projected
at this current time.
After some concerns warranted by principal evaluations,
and faculty and staff of the district, the board chose
to extend the food service contract with OPAA for another
year.
Concerns raised in the evaluations involved food handling
issues and portion sizes.
"They've had unfortunate issues with staff turnover
which put them in a bind," said Gregg McPherson,
assistant superintendent of Platte County R-3.
After discussion and recommendation from McPherson to
extend the contract, the board voted unanimously to renew
the contract with OPAA.
A ball field project update informed board members they
hoped to begin grating on Monday, as well as start with
the footings for the baseball fields. The old dugouts
and existing sidewalks have also been torn out to prepare
for the new dugouts and seating to be installed.
The next board meeting has been rescheduled for March
14 at Central Office due to scheduling conflicts. Teacher
evaluations are slated to be the main topic on the agenda.
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