Central Decatur Board Approves 4-Day School Week For 2024-25 School Calendar

The Central Decatur School District approved a 2024-25 school calendar which includes a four-day school week. The action was taken with a unanimous vote of the Central Decatur School Board on Wednesday night. The vote came after Central Decatur’s administration reviewed the survey results from staff, parents and community members, the School Improvement Advisory Committee, and students. The general consensus supported the four-day school week. Zach Mendenhall did present a perspective on benefits of a five-day week when the board took comments from those attending.

Board members waived the missed hours for all students in pre-K through 12th grades who missed days due to inclement weather. This year’s school calendar had been developed with a significant number of hours above the required minimum of 1,080 hours.

Board members approved the renewal of the Natural Gas Program Participation Agreement. The agreement will allow the district to mitigate budget risks which may be associated with winter heating and other natural gas consumption.

Central Decatur’s board also agreed to look at options for a new storage shed located by the Livestock Facility on campus. The district has received grant funding for a softball/batting cage/system. The district wants to locate the batting cage by the softball field. The cost to tear down and relocate the storage shed is seen as too costly.

The board agreed to share the 2024 baseball season with Lamoni. Central Decatur agreed to continue sharing boys and girls wrestling, bowling, and eSports with the Lamoni School District.

A Senior Trip request to the Lake of the Ozarks was approved.

A renewal with Tharp Lawn Care LLC was also approved for the 2024 season at a rate of $550 per complete mowing.

Board members approved Alex Ymir to a Special Education Teacher position, Maizee Lindsey as Preschool Teacher, and Mindy Hamilton as Summer School Coordinator.

The board hired Shane Akers as Head Baseball Coach for the 2024 season. Several other assistant coaches hires were also approved.

Superintendent Chris Coffelt also updated the board on the law signed to reform the AEA and establishes a minimum teacher salary at $47,500.

Central Decatur’s board also held a public hearing on the proposed property tax rate for 2025. That rate will be $12.46 per $1,000 taxable valuation.