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Tyler Dunlap and Annie Court were crowned 2009 Paris R-II Homecoming Royalty during the Friday, Oct. 23, football game versus Louisiana. Left to right, Amber Riechers, King Tyler Dunlap, Queen Annie Court and Cindy Court.

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OATS visits County Commission

It was a packed house at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting room on Monday, Oct. 26, as the Commissioners, Donald Simpson, Glenn Turner and Mike Whelan, and Monroe County Clerk Sandra Francis met with representatives, board members, drivers and volunteers from OATS.
   This dedicated group meets with the commissioners yearly to advise them of the group’s activities, services offered, county citizens served, equipment available and other areas of the group’s operations.
   “I do not think of this (driving for OATS) as a job but as a service,” said OATS driver Barbara Bergthold to the commissioners. “OATS does not get the same support from every county like we do from you (commissioners) and Monroe County.”
   Bergthold informed the commissioners that that the local OATS organization pays about 20 percent of the price for a bus. The rest of the funds are federal or state grant or match funds.
   “Every dollar we get from our riders helps us get more matching money,” said Bergthold. “Presently we have five vehicles (buses) working in the county.”
   “Anyone can ride the OATS bus,” said Monroe County OATS Chairperson Donna Turnbough. “If you have a need the OATS bus is there to help.”
   Turnbough was quick to add that the bus takes individuals to the doctor, shopping, and to other appointments as required.
   “The bus goes to Mexico, Moberly, Columbia and Quincy among others,” said Turnbough. “It is there as needed for a necessity, to go to the doctor or even just for fun.”
   Turnbough noted that donations are taken as far as a fare is concerned.
   The Commissioners thanked the assembled for their support and input.
   According to the group’s history, the seeds for OATS were first sown in 1970 when a group of Missourians returned from a White House Conference on Aging in which transportation was cited as a barrier for many seniors – especially in rural areas.
   Thanks to a grant from Missouri’s Office on Aging, coupled with technical assistant from the University of Missouri’s Extension Division, this group of volunteers was able to form the Cooperative Transportation Service (CTS). They purchased three buses and hired four employees.
   CTS, fostered by the extensive need for transportation, grew exponentially and by 1973 was located in over 80 Missouri counties. That same year, Cooperative Transportation Service became a non profit and changed its name to Older Adults Transportation Service, or OATS.
   OATS serves nearly 30,000 people in Missouri. OATS is no longer referred to as “Older Adults Transportation Service”, as it now serves a wide variety of clientele including those with disabilities or financial struggles who are in need of the services OATS provides. Just last year, OATS provided 1,523,257 one-way trips with a fleet of over 650 vehicles and a staff of 700.
   OATS, Incorporated helps people all over Missouri get to work, doctor appointments, essential shopping, and other places people need to go. As a not-for-profit public transportation system, OATS serves 87 counties in the Show-Me State.
   The mission of OATS, Inc. is to provide reliable transportation for transportation disadvantaged Missourians so they can live independently in their own communities.
   Volunteers are the reason for OATS existence. It was such a group of volunteers that founded the organization in 1971 in order to fulfill a need for transportation in Missouri’s OATS driver assists passengers in rural areas. As a not for profit, OATS has continued to rely on volunteers for fund raising, scheduling of rides and publicity. In most of the counties OATS serves, there is a County Support Committee comprised of 8-24 people – mostly riders who have chosen to give of their time and resources. Each year, a dollar value is assessed for the hours these volunteers give—known as “in-kind”. This past fiscal year, OATS volunteers reported over 64,678 hours devoted to OATS – an in-kind value of $887,330. If you would like to become a volunteer, or to find out more information, contact your Regional Office.
   Cutline: Left to right: First row - Barbara Bergthold, Emma Jo Mudd, Elsie Mallory, Aileen Putnam, Naomi Dooley, Loretta Christy, Dorothy Swindell and Bonny Frisbee. Second row - Presiding Commissioner Donald Simpson, Ann Hoar, Norma Garnett, Carol Comstock, Mary Belle Hartgrove, Sue Mefford and Eastern District Commissioner Mike Whelan. Third row - Western District Commissioner Glenn Turner.
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Sheriff Drug Bust Results in Four Arrests

According to Monroe County Sheriff David Hoffman, on Thursday, Oct. 22, local law enforcement officers served a search warrant at 19551 Monroe Road 235, Paris, in search of narcotics. The warrant yielded controlled substances, a firearm and four persons arrested. The suspects were held by the Monroe County Sheriff pending charges.
   On Oct. 23, Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Nichole D. Volkert filed charges in response to the investigation. Arrest warrants were issued by Associate Circuit Judge Michael P. Wilson that same day.
   The charges and bonds are as follows:
   James D. Griffith, of Madison, for the Class C felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance and the Class A Misdemeanor of Possession of Less than 35 grams of Marijuana. Bond was set at $5,000. Griffith posted bond and was released.
   Robert E. Wolfe, of Paris, was served with an outstanding arrest warrant for the Class A felony of Sale of a Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a School. Bond set at $100,000.00 cash only. Further charges are pending.
   Also, Tanya A. Bennett and Jodi R. Wolfe were charged by summons for the Class A misdemeanor of Possession of Less than 35 grams of Marijuana and released following the posting of a $2,000 bond each.
   The arrests were the result of a joint drug investigation conducted by the NEMO Drug Task Force and the Monroe County Sheriff.
   The charges for which these individuals were arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.   2495 0944 10/29/2009 hdl

A+ Partnership Volunteer Form (complete and return to high school)

Paris R-II A+ Coordinator Danny Bayles is looking to create a community database of businessmen and women, either working or retired, and local community volunteers, who are willing to share their career knowledge with local students.
   “We hopefully will build a database of community people who will share their career pathway and then be matched up with students who are interested in that career,” said Bayles. “You can’t be something if you do not know it is out there.”
   The partnership plan is part of the A+ designated checklist that also focuses on at-risk students. It was discussed at a recent partnership-planning meeting that not only do at-risk students need to be identified in terms of numbers, but strategies must be in place for helping those students succeed. Also discussed was the Workplace Readiness Certificate, and the new Flex Program, to create incentives for students to stay in school on a part time time basis and graduate.
   The group also discussed methods for identifying and establishing a pool of community and business volunteers to share their time, knowledge and career expertise with the students. It was noted by partnership committee members that this group of people could also assist with job shadowing and student internships.
   Some possible job internships and job shadowing possibilities included City of Paris, Orscheln Farm and Home and Moberly Regional Medical Center.
   The committee members also reviewed a staff survey for community volunteers. It was felt that this was a good way to poll the teachers for insight as to how they might utilize a community volunteer in their classrooms.
   If this seems like something you would like to do or if you need more information contact A+ Coordinator Danny Bayles, at 660-327-4111 or fill out the short form found below and return to the high school.   2496 0944 10/29/2009 hdl

During their regular monthly meeting, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Paris R-II board members amended the 2009-10 school calendar changing the high school graduation date from Sunday, May 16, 2010 to Friday, May 14, 2010.
   Board President Laura Long called the board meeting to order promptly at 7 p.m
   The board members approved the consent agenda consisting of Minutes of the Sept. 6, Board training session and Sept. 16, regular Board meeting, financial statement and bills presented for Fund 1 to Fund 4 transfer; attendance report; transportation report and substitute teachers and substitute bus drivers.
   Audit Report: The board members unanimously approved the audit report for the 2008-2009 school year as presented by Superintendent Nancy Henke.
   Fuel Bids: The board members authorized fuel bids for 3,000 gallons of blended fuel with the deadline date for bids to be received as Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m.
   Bus Sale (Surplus): After a discussion the board members authorized bids to sell bus #6 as surplus and to obtain bids for newer used model buses.
   A+ Handbook: The A+ Handbook was approved as presented by A+ Coordinator Danny Bayles.
   Policies: The board members approved the listed policies (#2270, #2280, #2290, #2310, #2320, #2330, #2340, #2410, #2520, #2525, #2530, #2540, #2600, #2610, #2620, #2630, #2640 and regulations #2270, #2310, #2320, #2330, #2340, #2410, #2520, #2610, #2620) and regulations date changes to Oct. 21, 2009, and noted changes to Policies #2525, 2620 and Regulations 2310 and 2610.
   Program Evaluations
   Special Education: Elementary Principal and Special Education Director Terri Udelhoven reviewed with the board members the district’s Special Education Program for the 2009-2010 school year.
   e-MINTS: Teachers Deb Rinz and Suzie Otto presented an update of the district’s e-MINTS program and equipment provided through the e-MINTS grant.
   Superintendent’s Report and Communications: Superintendent Henke informed the board members that the next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.
   Principal Reports
   Principal Udelhoven reported she has attended MOCASE and LACE conferences for Special Education. Principal Udelhoven also reported that preparation has been made for Parent Teacher’s Conferences (held on Thursday, Oct. 22).
   School Principal Tracy Bottoms reported that DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) has started a new program, the FLEX Program, which helps with dropout prevention. Principal Bottoms informed the board members that 17 students of the Academic Letter Club attended the Paris Rotary Club meeting. Principal Bottoms noted grade cards could look different this year as period hour absences will be reported. He also reported that Paris would host the Lewis & Clark Conference Choir this year.
   During an approved closed session, it was reported that the board members voted to pay Kevin Carman an annual stipend of $200.00 per year to cover the use of his personal vehicle for local travel. For the 2009-2010 school year the amount will be $100.00 as mileage has been reported and paid to date.
   With no further business the board members adjourned the meeting at 10:17 p.m.
   Also, during a special Paris R-II Board of Education meeting, on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 6:04 p.m., Superintendent Nancy Henke gave the board members a District Summary of Annual Performance Report for 2008, 4th Cycle. A discussion was held on ways to help students reach desired academic levels. Curriculum writing progress district wide was discussed and the time/resources needed by the teaching staff to prepare the curriculum is under consideration. The board members and administrator’s ultimate goal is to improve achievements of all students.
   It was reported out of an approved closed session that the board members voted to offer an extra duty contract to elementary teacher Amy Moss as the Junior High Assistant Girls Basketball Coach for the 2009-2010 school year.
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