Drexel R-4 School District Superintendent Report October 2021

Drexel R-4 School District Superintendent Report

October 2021

It’s hard to believe that the first quarter of school was over on October 15th and we are having parent/teacher conferences on October 25th.

The school year is off to a good start. I could not be more proud of our students and staff and how they continue to work through the start of another school year while still facing the impacts of COVID.

The fall athletic seasons for junior high and high school teams have concluded or are preparing for district playoffs. The district volleyball tournament will be held at Drexel this year. We are anticipating hosting several district football games over the next few weeks. In just a couple of weeks our winter seasons will be getting underway with junior high basketball games starting on November 1st and high school basketball practices beginning on that date as well.

The district has received two separate grants for the purposes of teacher retention and recruitment. The application deadline is January 31st, 2022. There are two separate grants; Teacher Retention Grant is $15,000 and can be used for teacher retention strategies (mentoring programs, stipends, social-emotional needs, wellness, professional learning), while the Teacher Recruitment Grant is $10,000 and can be used for recruiting and selecting strategies (advertising, future teacher programs, scholarships).
Food Service Updates – the food service department is still working to limit any food delivery or food supply issues that may impact the district. During the month of September food service served an average of 137 breakfasts each day, which is nearly 48% of our students – which also includes serving an average of 53 second chance breakfasts each day. During the same month food serviced served an average of 163 lunches each day, which is nearly 57% of our students.

Municipal Bonds/Debt Service Financial Analysis – the district is eligible for a general obligation bond refunding in December of 2021, this would save district taxpayers over $92,000. The district is also eligible for a no-tax increase general obligation bond issue in 2022 or 2023. An April 2022 bond issue would provide $950,000 to complete projects, while an April 2023 bond issue would provide $1,150,000 to complete projects.

ESSER III Application and Budget Status – on 10/11/21 we received some feedback from DESE regarding our ESSER III Application Use of Funds and our ESSER III Budget. I am currently working to make the revisions to the application and the budget and should be able to resubmit for further review within the next few days.

Respectfully,
Terry Mayfield, Superintendent

Obituary - Betty Jean Smith

Betty Jean Smith, 91, Adrian, MO, passed away Monday, October 18, 2021 at her home in Adrian. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian, MO with visitation from 12:00-1:00. Burial to follow in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to Harmony Mission DAR Leta Wagy Scholarship Fund.

Betty Jean Poague, third child of Leslie and Thelma James Poague was born March 27, 1930, Southeast of Butler, in Lone Oak Township, Bates County, Missouri. Unlike the rest of her family who migrated to Oregon, Betty has spent her entire life in Bates County except for two years when she lived in Vernon County, near Nevada, MO. On February 12, 1948, she married the love of her life, Loren Earl Smith of Adrian, MO. They lived with his grandfather, Oscar Askew, for one year. During this time, Betty attended a School of Cosmetology in Kansas City after which she and her mother-in-in-law opened Smith’s Beauty Shoppe on Main Street in Adrian. Loren and Betty lived over the shop for about a year. In 1950, they purchased the home place located near Burdette, MO, which had been in Loren’s family since 1898 and adjoined the farm where Loren had spent a good portion of his growing up years. Betty and Loren lived there together for 56 years until Loren’s passing in 2004. Betty remained at the home until the moment of her death.

For most of Betty’s life, she remained at home raising the family and helping to keep everything running on the farm. Even though she never opened back up her Beauty Shop, she did a lot of hair cutting, perms and styling in her Kitchen. This helped a little with finances and allowed her to stay at home with the children. There were various times she would work part time in town, but always managed to be home by the time the children arrived from school. After her youngest child graduated high school in 1982, she was employed at the Bates County Courthouse, remaining there the next sixteen years. Betty enjoyed sewing and made most of her daughters’ clothes as they were growing up. Among her many hobbies, she has enjoyed making quilts, all kinds of needle work, oil painting, genealogy, riding horses, bowling, and working on the computer. Some of the high points in her life were the birth of four healthy children, twelve grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Having them all come home on holidays and other special occasions brought great joy. Vacation times with the family and traveling had created many wonderful memories over the years and she always looked forward to the next family reunion or vacation. She enjoyed spending time with her friends through various organizations such as Daughters of the American Revolution, McNeil Women’s Club, and the Friday Bowlers.

Betty gave her life to the Lord at age 14 and was baptized in Walnut Creek at Foster, MO. Throughout her married life, she served in the Burdette Baptist Church teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was Church Treasurer for about 30 years. For the last several years, she has attended the Adrian Baptist Church.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband (Loren Smith), both parents (Leslie and Thelma Poague), three brothers (Lewis, Harold, and Willie Poague), one sister (Wanda Newport), and grandson (Daniel Patterson). She is survived by her children, Gary Smith & wife Treva of Adrian, Mo, Steve Smith and wife Teresa of Adrian, Mo, Lorraina and husband Mark of Cody, Wy, and Dianne Patterson and husband Joe of Adrian, Mo, 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, three sisters (Alice Fritter of Richards, Mo, Wanetta Dryer Grants Pass, Or, Viola Kinman, Medford, Or) and many nieces and nephews.

Way to go Sara!

Congratulations to Clinton Middle School counselor, Sara Vaughn who was recently recognized as the 2020 Central Missouri School Counselors Association (CMSCA) Counselor of the Year.

CMSCA is a professional organization that represents school counselors within the central region of Missouri.

Mrs. Vaughn has been an integral part of the Clinton School District for the past six school years. In 2019, she was named the district's Cardinal Rising Star recipient. This award recognizes Clinton School District educators who are making an impact on their students in their first five years in education.

Help us congratulate Mrs. Vaughn on this well-deserved honor.

#CardinalPride

Obituary - Nadine Baldwin

Frances Nadine Baldwin, 79, Nevada, MO passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Nadine was born March 4, 1942 to Frank L. and Evelyn (Garrett) Shutters. She was united in marriage to Eugene Baldwin in Nevada, MO and he preceded her in death.

Following her marriage to Eugene the couple lived in the Nevada area. Nadine worked for Medicalodges for many years as a CNA. She enjoyed spending time with her family - especially her grandchildren, gardening, and crocheting.

Survivors include one son, Roy Baldwin (Shanna), Nevada; seven grandchildren, Susanna Holt, Christopher Lamb (Kalia), Kylee Baldwin, Samantha Bernard (Robert), Brandon Baldwin (Jordan), Megan Hallam (Shane), Dalton Baldwin (Makaylia); 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Donnell Shutters, Georgia; and a brother, Ronnie Shutters, Schell City, MO.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Obituary - Joe Jadlot

On Tuesday, October 19, 2021, Stanlee “Joe” Jadlot, loving husband, father, and grandfather, went to be with his Lord surrounded by loved ones. Joe was born March 5, 1960 in Lawton, OK to Robert V. Jadlot, II, and Anna L. (Collins) Jadlot. On May 23, 1981 he married the love of his life, Vicki Ann Raynor in the Sheldon Baptist Church. They shared 40 years together and raised two daughters, LeeAnn and Cassie.

Joe attended Sheldon School. Following high school he joined the work force, working at various places throughout his life including White Grill, Sheldon Seed Company, City of Sheldon, Sheldon School, and Reaves Construction. Joe was instrumental in forming the Sheldon Volunteer Fire Department where he served as Fire Chief for a number of years as well as being a First Responder. His hobbies included fly fishing, bird hunting, dominos, and cards with special friends.

Joe, a gentle giant, was a kind soul with a funny sense of humor. He loved spending time with his family. His most cherished possessions were his wife and daughters, and the four grandsons, Wyatt, Eli, Grady, and Griffin, that his daughters blessed him with. One of Joe’s biggest enjoyments in life was teaching his grandkids the art of fly fishing. They spent years of weekends at Bennett Springs.

Survivors include his wife Vicki of the home; two daughters, LeeAnn Cox (Brian), Butler, MO, Cassie Boultinghouse (Shawn), El Dorado Springs, MO; four grandsons, Wyatt Cox, Eli Cox, Grady Crews, and Griffin Crews; mother, Ann Jadlot, Nevada; brothers, Earl Jadlot, Honduras, Robert Jadlot, III, Milo, MO, and Charles Jadlot, Nevada; sister, Vesta Cole, Nevada; nieces, nephews, extended family, and numerous special friends. He was preceded in death by his father; sister, Anna Duncan; nephew, Kelly Masters; and a brother-in-law, Gary Raynor.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Special thanks to Heartland Hospice for their excellent care of “Joe”.

Memorials are suggested to West Central Missouri Community Action Agency c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Damaged Property in Osceola

On Monday, October 18, 2021, deputies responded to a call for service in regards to damaged property. Upon making contact with the victim, he stated that he believes that a car ran over the fence while entering the property, then ran the fence over again while exiting the property.

Deputies were able to locate multiple pieces of the car left on the property, some contained stickers and numbers that allowed the deputies to trace the car to a Saturn View.

The car is believed to be dark blue in color and possibly a 2008-2010 model. The victim stated that he believed that it would cost about $2,000.00 to rebuild the fence.

Intercepted letter with contraband mailed to Vernon County jail leads to arrest

Early Monday morning, Detectives with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Nevada resident for attempting to send contraband into the county jail. According to officials at the Sheriff’s Office, Detention Officers investigated a suspicious package marked as “Legal Mail” to an inmate being held in the Vernon County Jail. Evidence inside the package led Detectives to a Nevada residence and a suspect was arrested.

Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher said the suspect sent the letter with a legal firm marked as the sender, but the letter contained only a letter from the spouse of the inmate and a substance in a bag that was determined to be contraband. Mosher said keeping contraband out of the jail is a constant battle and that his staff had just recently went through additional training on screening, detecting, and confiscating contraband when it is discovered. “People have tried mailing contraband to inmates, smuggling it in clothes, books, and even in one case a Bible,” said Mosher.

The suspect was identified as 39-year-old Heather Durossette of Nevada. Durossette was charged with Delivery of Item at a County Jail which Prisoner is Prohibited from Receiving. She was released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court.

Obituary - Sammy Lee Meyer

Sammy Lee Meyer, affectionately known as "Snuffy", age 67, Mound City, Kansas passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2021. He was born on April 9, 1954 in Paola, Kansas the son of Richard Arnold and Marie June Lockhart Meyer. He was a graduate of Louisburg High School. Sammy was united in marriage to Brenda Carol Murrow on June 14, 1974. 

She preceded him in death on March 5, 2020. He worked in the sod and lumber business. Sammy was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing the banjo, fishing eating ice cream, and chewing tobacco. He was also an avid rock climber.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John. Sammy is survived by three sons, Calvin Meyer(Aggie), Jesse Meyer(Kate), and Mike Meyer(Joanna), two brothers, Paul and Larry Meyer, two sisters, Donna Cook and Carolyn Daulton, and six grandchildren, Lillian, Abbigail, Casey, Gabriel, Theryn, and Kyndal

Graveside funeral service will be held 11am Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Mound City, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Friday at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Contributions are suggested to Care to Share, c/o Schneider funeral Home.