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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
R-T
TRENTON
REPUBLICAN-TIMES
75¢
©Honeycutt Media, LLC
16 PAGES + 2 INSERTS
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 158th Year - No. 71
republican-times.com
Stegman Released As Trenton Superintendent Contract Bought Out For over $299,000 The Trenton R9 School District announced late last week that Superintendent Mike Stegman had been released from his contract. Stegman had two more years on his contract, meaning if his contract ended the district would be required to pay his salary for the remaining two years and his retirement for those remaining years for a total of $299,314.08. His contract read “The Board of Education may completely discharge its obligations under this agreement at any time by paying to the Superintendent all of the contracted salary to which the Superintendent is entitled for the remainder of the contract period, subject to deductions required by law”. Stegman came to Tren-
ton R-IX District in July of 2019 from Cimarron USD 102 in Kansas. The entire school board interviewed superintendent candidates and Mr. Stegman was voted to serve our district. The vote was 4-3 with the Trenton R-9 Board of Education, with Brandon Gibler, Bill Miller, Andy Burress and Jeff Spencer voting to release Stegman from his contract. Dorothy Taul, Melissa King and Jason Hostetler voted against releasing Stegman from his contract. The school district is currently advertising for a new superintendent on the Missouri Teaching Job website and in-district. The board has requested Kris Ockenfels to work this week to help with the last few days of the school year, until the board meets Friday in special session to discuss selecting an interim superintendent for the district.
BRIEFS Fireworks Donations Sought
Fundraising continues for the 2022 community fireworks display being planed for Sunday, July 3. A committee of local residents is coordinating the fundraising effort through the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce. Chairperson Diane Lowrey said the committee hopes to raise between $4,000 to $5,000 for the show, which is being moved back to the North Central MIssouri Fairgrounds area after two years at Black Silo Winery. The family-friendly show will start around 9:30 p.m. and persons will be able to view the display from several locations in and around the fairgrounds area. Persons wanting to make a donation to help with costs for the show can send money to the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce at PO Box 233, Trenton, MO 64683. Persons can also leave their contribution at the chamber office, located at 1846 E. 9th St. (the Eastgate Shopping Center), or by contacting Mrs. Lowrey at 660635-0607, who will pick up donations if needed. Checks should be made out to the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce with “fireworks” written in the memo line. All donations are tax deductible.
P&Z Hearing Set
The Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on June 6, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, for purpose of hearing a request from Jacob Webb for a Minor Sub-Division on property located at 3704 Serendipity Lane.
Cops ‘N Bobbers Event Set
The 10th Annual Cops ‘N Bobbers event will take place on Saturday, June 4 at the North Central Missouri College Barton Farm Campus (96 SE 8th Ave, Trenton, MO). This Cops and Kids fishing event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.The event is free for the kids and lunch will be provided by CFM Insurance. The participating youth will be elegible for prizes. Please note that children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult and youth 16 and older must have a Missouri fishing permit. This even is being co-sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, NCMC Barton Farm Campus and CFM Insurance.
Library To Begin Program
Summer Reading Program Kick-off on Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Grundy County Library children's department. Adults will register upstairs. If you need to get a card, bring proof of address and photo ID. There will be food, program sign-up, gifts, and drawings. Come for the fun!
WEATHER ALMANAC Day: High/Low Rain Monday 82/54 – Tuesday 85/59 .02 Barton Campus Tuesday 86/57 .01
THS Graduates 65 May 14 Sixty-five seniors walked across the stage as Trenton R-9 held commencement exercises on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at C.F. Russell Stadium. The THS Concert Band played “On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss” by David Holsinger, “Danse Bohémien” by Randall D. Standridge, “Joy” by Frank Ticheli, the Processional - “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar, “The Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott
Key, the Alma Mater and the Recessional - “Proud Heritage” by William P. Latham. THS Gold Rush sang “Baba Yetu” by Christopher Tin. The commencement speakers were Valedictorian Kaci Persell and Salutatorian Mallory Sole. Those receiving their diplomas included (H denotes graduating with honors and * denotes National Honor Society membership: Brianna Avery-Marie Armstrong, Marianne Tugade AtupH*, Faith Leora
Kaci Persell
Mallory Sole
Baker, Sommer Lexi Batdorf, Lilly Paige BertiH*, Owen Henry Bland, Braxton James Borders, John Randall Bowden, Hannah
Joy BoweH, Keegan Lee Brown, Nathaniel Robert Burkeybile, Richard Dean Burkeybile, Haven Sage [See Grads, Page 10]
R-9 Board Honors Retirees The Trenton R-IX Board of Education held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 10 at the District Office with all board members in attendance. Dorothy Taul, Board President called the meeting to order with all in favor to approve the minutes, bills and treasurers reports. The board recognized the 5 employees who are retiring at the end of the school year, who together have 83 years of teaching. They were each presented with a gift from the board and the district will also provide them with an 18 month membership to MRTA. Those in attendance and recognized were Kim Foster - 9 years, Kris Ockenfels - 25 years and Kim Holloway - 18 years. Also recognized, but unable to attend the meeting, were Shelly Forster - 9 years and Chris Parks - 22 years. Dr. Jill Watkins, Director of Academics, presented the Trenton R-IX Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) for the 2022-2027 school years. The Trenton R-IX District Mission is to prepare students to be capable, contributing,caring participants in an ever changing world. The CSIP team met with the District Leadership Team in February and determined 4 pillars and smart goals for the CSIP, which has a heavy focus on Academics Achievements, along with Leadership & Development, Collaborative Environment
Submitted Photo
Five employees, with a combined 83 years of teaching experience, were recognized for their retirement at the May 9 Trenton R-9 school board meeting. Those retiring include, pictured Kim Foster - 9 years, Kim Holloway - 18 years and Kris Ockenfels - 25 years. Not pictured are Shelly Forster - 9 years and Chris Parks - 22 years.
and Strategic Planning. The CSIP will be reviewed each year to adjust smart goals and pillars as needed. The Trenton R-IX District Vision is to inspire each student to strive for excellence everyday. Susan Gott presented the Title Program evaluation information survey results. A parent survey was sent out and 26 families responded to the survey, 15 of them have children in the Title I Program, 11 families did not have children in the program. There are also other end of the year assessments that are still being collected and scored. The Title 1 Program has
3 certified staff, 4 Title 1 paraprofessionals who have served 171 students with a current year budget of $375,119. A few of the goals of the program are to raise achievement in math and reading skills, build self-esteem with confidence and partner with parents to become reading and math partners with their children. Superintendent Michael Stegman informed the board about a Pilot Program for MSIP 6 that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has asked Trenton to be involved in. The Trenton R-IX School District [See R-9, Page 10]
City Of Trenton Receives Award The Trenton City Council met on Monday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Council members present were Robert Romesburg,David Mlika, Glen Briggs, Danny Brewer and Marvin Humphreys. Attending via Zoom were Lance Otto, John Dolan and Duane Urich. Mayor Linda Crooks called the meeting to order, a motion was made to approve minutes, all were in favor. City Administrator Ron Urton reported that there has been long lead times on getting the new AMI meters in as conversion has slowed down on them. The order for meters that are to be installed in 2023 has been placed so that they will arrive on time. He also reported that the asphalt plant has sold over 1200 tons of asphalt so far this year. Mayor Crooks spoke to the board regarding the Park Board’s approval of policies on installing security cameras in the parks to deter vandalism and a reward system for those providing information that leads to the arrest or conviction of persons who vandalize or steal from the city parks. Mayor Crooks has also been in talks with USDA members about pollinators and efforts to control erosion at Moberly Park. Kelly Beets, a member of the Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (MIRMA) was in attendance to present Police Chief
Submitted Photo
Kelly Beets, a member of MIRMA presented a certificate to Police Chief Rex Ross for the City of Trenton’s participation in MIRMA’s Risk Management Awards Program. The Trenton Police Department received a $2,700 grant to update camera’s in the police cars
Rex Ross with a certificate to the City of Trenton in recognition of their participation in the association’s Risk Management Award Program. The Trenton Police Department had submitted a grant request to upgrade the cameras in the police cars and was awarded a $2,700 grant.
An ordinance for a conditional use permit for Anita Cheryl Burke to operate a Bed and Breakfast at 731 W 12th Street was approved with all in favor, except Duane Urich who abstained from voting. Perkins Dozing was chosen as the Demolition Con[See City, Page 10]