The Princeton R-5 Board of Education held a meeting on April 8, where the discussion of implementing random drug testing for students was a key focus. The Board has received recommendations from school administrators to begin a review process for introducing random drug testing for students in grades seven through twelve.
Superintendent Jerry Girdner highlighted the school’s dedication to deterring and preventing drug use among students, especially with the increasing prevalence due to the state’s legalization of marijuana. He mentioned that the proposed program would require students participating in Missouri State High School Activities Association-sponsored activities or the A+ program to consent to random drug screenings. Students who test positive or violate the screening process could face suspension or exclusion from these activities.
Girdner emphasized that the sanctions in the proposed policy aim to restrict participation in certain activities without affecting the school’s overall discipline policy related to drugs and alcohol. The Board plans to review more information on the random drug testing in their May and June meetings, inviting community feedback during this period.
Girdner also noted that several neighboring school districts have already implemented similar testing programs. These include South Harrison, Stanberry, Milan, Brookfield, Worth County, King City, Albany, Putnam County, and Green City.
An increase in tuition for new non-resident students to $11,000 was approved, while existing non-resident students, including those from the Spickard School District, will continue to pay the current rate of $6,725. This grandfather clause ensures that existing non-resident students can maintain their current tuition rate. Moreover, all tuition students meeting the Gene Kauffman Scholarship requirements will retain their eligibility for the scholarship.
The necessity for tuition arises from the Princeton R-5 School District’s need to cover the expenses of educating non-resident students, as the district does not receive state, county, or local funding for high school students from Spickard. Missouri statute requires districts without comprehensive high school programs to pay for tuition and transportation for students attending high school elsewhere, thus requiring Spickard to cover these costs.
The current tuition rate is under review due to challenges such as a decrease in local assessed valuation, declining enrollment in Princeton, and a decline in the number of tuition students from Spickard. Additionally, recent legislation, such as Senate Bill 727, which increases minimum teacher salaries, poses financial challenges for the district.
The cost of educating a student at Princeton High School is approximately $14,724.60, significantly higher than the current tuition rate of $6,375. The board also reviewed projections indicating a potential 25% decline in enrollment at Princeton’s junior high and high school by the years 2028 to 2030, affecting sports team participation.
In response, Princeton has entered cooperative agreements with North Mercer and Newtown-Harris for football and previously for junior high school softball. The board approved extending an invitation to North Mercer for participation in junior high school softball next year and discussed future sports cooperation opportunities.
Furthermore, the board decided to include three-year-old students in the preschool program for the next school year, with two classrooms accommodating up to 22 students in total. The approval of summer school for 2024, made possible through an American Rescue Plan grant, will offer educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including drivers education.
A bid for a 2025 Thomas-C2 71-passenger school bus was approved for $134,534. The board also verified the election results, with incumbents Blake Boxley and Chet Ellsworth elected for three-year terms. New officer appointments include Ron Parson as president, Nathan Evans as vice president, Marcie Davis as secretary, and Karla Meinke as treasurer.
Awards and baccalaureate services are scheduled for May 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Hope Baptist Church, with graduation following on May 3. The prom is set for April 20. In a closed session, the board approved Merideth Ussery as the junior high school/high school principal for the next two years, along with various extra duty assignments and resignations.
