The Slater School Board met Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m., and was informed by the district administration that school enrollment is up a modest 2.4 percent over last year.Superintendent John McEachern, commenting on the first day of school said, “I think today went very smoothly…I am very pleased (especially) coming from outside.”

McEachern is in his first year as superintendent. He replaced Paul Vaillancourt, who retired at the end of the 2006-2007 term after 34 years with the school district.

McEachern added he was “amazed at how much every (teacher) wants to make this work for the students.”

Alexander Elementary School Principal Jean Dowell referring to the newly-added air-conditioning, said, “We had a wonderful first day of school today. Everyone was working comfortably in their classrooms. We are so appreciative to Slater voters.”

High School Principal Paul Crews was equally enthusiastic, reporting that “We’re going to have a real good year, with 16 boys out for football, the most we’ve had in several years. It was a busy day, but a good day.”

After disposing of routine business matters, the board took up the subject of food service lunch charges.

McEachern, citing collection difficulties, proposed a change in the current policy.

After some discussion of parent notifications, the board approved allowing students to charge lunch once with no penalty; upon a second charge, the student is given a minimal lunch acceptable for his or her dietary restrictions and parents are notified they must pay the balance due.

The manner of payment to athletic officials came under close scrutiny. Officials from other areas of the state have begun to require payment before the athletic event begins, a policy McEachern and the district’s auditors oppose, citing the problem of weather-related postponements and the possibility of personnel substitutions by the officials.

After lengthy discussion, and some opposition from board member Joey Gochenour, himself an athletic event official, the board agreed that checks would be written after athletic events, and sent to officials within 7-10 days following the event.

In other business, the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA) recommendation for background checks for all teachers, staff and volunteers has been updated to require a check every five years.

Although the Slater district has followed this policy in hiring new staff for several years, there are approximately 30 to 35 district employees who have never been subjected to the process.

Board member Jodi Fuemmeler said, “We have to do it,” echoed by McEachern who added, “It’s a good policy. People make mistakes elsewhere we’re not aware of.”

Due to the expense of doing all of the background checks right away, the board tabled the item until more research can be done on how to spread out or mitigate the cost, which could run as high as $2,500.

A short discussion of whether to apply sod or seed to Loop field was tabled until more information on cost can be obtained