VIENNA — Vienna High School Principal Tim Metcalf was unable to attend the Jan. 23 Maries R-1 Board of Education meeting, so Special Education Director Joe Edwards presented the high school administrative report to the board.

Metcalf’s report credited the work of teachers and tutors and a revamping of Eagle Time as reasons for an improvement in the number of high school students failing courses in the first semester. In the first semester of the 2023-24 school year, nine students failed courses and there were 11 total failing grades. The number is down from 18 students who failed courses and 27 total failing grades in the first semester of the 2022-23 school year and 24 students who failed courses and 48 total failing grades in the second semester of the 2022-23 school year.

Beginning last semester, the administration reviewed student grades every two weeks to personalize Eagle Time assignments. Failing students or students with missing assignments receive content-specific tutoring during the two-week cycle or until their teachers approve the end of tutoring.

“(The tutoring is) just a little bit of a push for students to get work completed,” Metcalf wrote in a follow-up email.

The report also stated that the middle school will restructure Eagle Time to align it more with high school Eagle Time.

VHS won the Buckle Up/Phone Down Showdown for Class 2 schools. As part of the contest, sponsored by the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, students, faculty, friends and family made pledges to drive safely. In total, 454 people made the pledge in Vienna’s name, which put it 86 votes ahead of second-place Marceline.

For winning the contest, Vienna High School will have a $1,500 donation made in its name to a student safety program of its choosing. The prize also comes with an invitation to the Capitol on April 16 to receive an award.

The Vienna Eagles Boys Basketball team won the Battle in Bourbon Tournament. Senior Cash Stricklan won the tournament MVP award and Elias Miller made the all-tournament team. Stricklan also reached the 1,000-point milestone in January.

Representatives from the South Central Regional Professional Development Center visited the middle school and high school on Jan. 24 to observe classes and present motivational strategies to teachers based on their observations. They planned to return this month.

The district ordered its HALO Smart Sensors for the restrooms and locker rooms. The devices monitor air quality and can detect vapor from electronic cigarettes or other causes for concern such as loud noises.

Four teachers received grants for class pets including fish and small mammals. Students will help care for the pets. Metcalf recognized business technology teacher Angie Combs for helping the school with the opportunity.

The Homecoming dance was on Jan. 27. The middle school dance was on Feb. 10.

Middle school students have begun forming a middle school student council.

Edwards also delivered his own report to the board. He and Superintendent Teresa Messersmith attended a recent Maries County Hazardous Mitigation Plan meeting. At the meeting, representatives from several local entities reviewed the multijurisdictional hazard mitigation plan.

Every five years, the county must revise and resubmit its plan to the State Emergency Management Agency to remain qualified for certain hazard mitigation grants. Several other entities have voted on resolutions to adopt the plan. Later in the meeting, the board approved a resolution to accept the hazard mitigation plan. By approving the resolution, the school district will also qualify for certain grants.

The district has had 20 referrals for special education services, 12 reevaluations completed or in the process of completion, 36 individualized educational plan meetings and five students in the evaluation or reevaluation process.