Domestic violence accounts for more than half of all violent crimes in Parsons and it is behind half of all homicides in the last 10 years.
“That's the crime that's the challenge for the community,” Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks told the USD 503 Board of Education during the board’s regular meeting this week.
Criminal justice researchers say these types of statistics lend to a distorted view of crime data compiled on a per capita basis in small rural communities with less than 20,000 people. At the same time, it also reveals a serious problem impacting many students, and in turn educators.
Spinks said that is why it is important for the PD to have a Domestic Violence Unit in place. It is also why it is important for there to be School Resource Officers available to elementary and middle school students, as well as high school students. Both of those services are being made available in the short term through a federal grant, but long term will be reliant on local support through a half cent Public Safety sales tax that will be on the ballot in 2025. That tax will also help pay for construction of a new emergency services facility, to include fire and police. Spinks said a federal grant will cover $10 million of the cost of the facility, and the half cent sales tax will help pay for the remaining $8 million.
There is information coming out in today’s Parsons Sun detailing all of the specifics pertaining to each topic. Through the Domestic Violence Unit, PD will work in partnership with Safe House here in town.
“We think that that will be a substantive step in the right direction,” he said.
Superintendent Lori Ray will be engaged with the high-risk team which is going to be part of this domestic violence unit trying to bring all the social services agencies together to identify all of the resources that can be brought together for victims and survivors to extricate themselves in such situations. Spinks said they are hoping to work with prosecutors for maybe a reevaluation on how we prosecute domestic violence.
With all of the various actions being spurred, Spinks said “It gives us a fighting chance to make some change in the community with the help of the community.”
Spinks also spoke about the Public Safety Advisory Board and discussions concerning situations that could arise with schools, like Uvalde and the drastic failures that occurred there in an active shooter response. He spoke to how they are training to ensure the same thing does not ever occur here.
“We now have a new 300 degree support simulator which we will be inviting you to come and experience here probably in the fall, so we can maintain our skill set,” Spinks said.
All vehicles have breach kits if needed. If police need to get into a building to save lives, there is nothing that will stop them, Spinks essentially said.
“That's a mindset you know within our agency that we will not be stopped nor deterred to get in to take care of any threat in our school system,” Spinks said.
Conversely, he added, the PD has taken on a couple of volunteers to be medical directors Dr Legler and Dr. Dee from the LCC nursing department.
“Our long-term goal with them is to enhance the level of emergency care that the police officers can give. Our goal is to have our entire staff cross trained as emergency medical responders,” Spinks said, adding he hopes the cross training will help save lives in any kind of natural or man-made disaster.
Recruitment and retention
As a part of the 2019 Strategic Plan, recruitment and retention of quality personnel and talented teachers was a primary focus. Assistant superintendent Jeff Pegues reported to the board the various efforts made in the last four years.
Simplifying the online application process was one aspect and allowing for a quick assessment of those applications and timely response by administration was one goal achieved that has made a difference and allowed for attracting a diverse talent pool.
Last year, Teachers got a 6% salary increase and classified staff got a big bump as well in pay last year as well. To stay competitive in SEK, it is something the district is monitoring.
Employee satisfaction has been being measured the last 3 or 4 years. From those surveys, Pegues stated there has been a 20% increase in school climate, and a 19% increase in satisfaction with staff leadership.
The district is also working to grow its own teachers by looking at starting a teacher education pathway at the high school and helping grow that passion. Teacher mentoring is also in place, and each school offers great instructional coaches to support teachers. Teacher mentorship programs and full-time substitute positions are making a difference as well.
Administration has also been visiting more colleges, developing connections there to help fill positions as students graduate.
Social media presence has increased dramatically the last few years, helping the schools tout the many wonderful things happening in the schools and district.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board:
Heard the district is closing out all ESSER related funding on the budget.
Heard there was a rise in base state aid per pupil and more funding was made available to special education, which required an increase in funding at the local level to meet the minimum match.
Heard there was a 13% increase in health insurance costs.
Heard enrollment continues. There are kiosks set up at every building to allow students to enroll, so parents can stop by schools or call and get a code to enroll online from home. As of Monday, 92.4 percent of students from last year were enrolled.
Heard teachers are returning Aug. 19 for professional development.
Heard Sneak Peak is Aug. 21, 5 to 7 p.m. It is come and go, allowing students to drop items off and meet their teacher.
Heard Aug. 22 is middle school high school open house, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Reminded the public student breakfasts and lunches are free and that technology fees have been waived. Heard Tri-County Special Education Cooperative increased base pay for paras by 55 cents to $13.05 and added $1,250 to the teacher base to $45,000 and added $50 for each of the steps starting on step and added to the insurance.
Approved the social media guidelines with a caveat pertaining to inclusion of parents in all messages if KASB states it should be done.
Approved donations to district schools in the amount of $9,794 for May $978 for June.
Approved a special meeting prior to the regular September board meeting to vote to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate.
Approved Julie Legler as the voting representative for the Delegate Assembly for KASB Convention.
Approved classified staff handbooks.
Approved staff handbooks.
Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Parsons for the SRO position held by Officer Shyanne Dunn.
Approved the Memorandum of Understanding to provide a new SRO for the elementary school level at a cost of $10,000, or $9,000 if St. Patrick Catholic School participates with the officer visiting their school as well.
Ratified the 2024-2025 Negotiated Agreement with the Parsons National Education Association.
Approved security camera and cable installation.
Approved salaries for the superintendent, assistant superintendent, administrators, and directors.
Accepted resignations from Kyle Hostetter, middle school recovery aide; Cyprus Jones, high school Edgenuity Aide; Alycesyn Shelite, Lincoln Title Aide, Dan Swafford, Guthridge Recovery Room Aide; Jason Blansett, bus monitor; Taylor Huggins, Guthridge Title Aide; and Piper Sanders, part-time evening custodian.
Hired Gloria Alvarez as child nutrition staff; Letisha Fontelroy as Garfield Title Aide; Sarah Hunn as elementary art substitute teacher; Alicia Morrison as kindergarten aide; Larissa Morton, Lincoln Title Aide; , Debbie Schneeburger, as Lincoln Billing Clerk; Eric Lyons, high school boys assistant basketball coach; , Marcus Smith, middle school assistant football coach; and Connie Zenk, child nutrition staff.
Approved Transfer of employment for Eric Lyons from Guthridge Title Aide to PHS Edgenuity Aide; Sue Smith from middle school nutrition staff to high school kitchen manager; Teresa Taylor, from Lincoln Behavior Support Aide to middle school recovery room aide.