Rolla 31 News
February 2023
MO Thespian State Conference Winners
The Rolla Board of Education recognized two students at last night's meeting who received Superior rankings at the Missouri Thespian State Conference held in January 2023 at Kansas City, MO. RHS seniors Jaydin Cooper and Zach Phelps both received Superior rankings in their respective events. Superior is the highest ranking a student can earn. There were 255 individual event competitors with 65 individuals receiving Superior. Jayden Cooper earned her Superior in Solo Musical with a performance of "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" from the musical Grease. Zach Phelps earned his Superior in Costume Design by presenting his design portfolio for the musical "Kinky Boots". Both students qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival held in Indiana in June
2023, if they choose to attend. Also, Zach competed for a Technical Theatre Scholarship by presenting his costume design work to a panel of 20 college representatives from Missouri and nearby states. Fourteen of those colleges offered him callbacks to learn more about their programs and recruit him to attend their schools. Zach received 1 of the 2 Technical Theatre Scholarships presented by Missouri Thespians worth $1,000. This is the first time a RHS student has received this honor. Congratulations, Jayden and Zach!
The students are pictured here with RHS Drama Teacher Kelli McNeven and Board President Charla Jamison.
BOE Members Complete Refresher Training
Congratulations to Rolla Board of Education Members Jessica Barron, Carla Clayton, Sue Eudaly, Tracy Jenkins, and Mark Sells for completing the required CBM Board Member Refresher Training.
Pictured left to right: Mark Sells, Tracy Jenkins, Carla Clayton, Charla Jamison (Board President), Sue Eudaly (President Elect), Jessica Barron, Sophia Kunert (Student Rep to the Board), and Jim Packard.
All-State Band Qualifiers
The Board of Education recognized two students for qualifying for the MO All-State Bands at the December 15, 2022 meeting. Students have the opportunity to audition for the Central District MMEA band in October. Students that qualify for the District band are then eligible to audition for the Missouri All-State Band. This is a state-wide competition held the first Saturday in December at Hickman High School in Columbia, MO. Two bands are selected for this event. One is the Honorable Mention Band where students are recognized for their ability, but they do not meet, rehearse, or perform. The second is the Missouri All-State Band which is comprised of 108 students from around the state of Missouri. This group meets, rehearses, and performs in January at the Missouri Music Educators Association's annual convention held at Lake of the Ozarks. Darien Yu made Honorable Mention Band on Trombone and Zoe Bristow made the MO All-State Band on the Flute.
The Rolla Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Monica Fulton as the next Assistant Superintendent of the Rolla 31 School District, effective July 1, 2023. Dr. Fulton will be assuming the position held by Dr. Kyle Dare as he moves into the Superintendent seat.
Dr. Fulton is originally from Waynesville, MO. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and an Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration from Drury University, a Master’s Degree in Secondary & Elementary Administration and a Specialist Degree in Superintendency from William Woods University, and a Doctorate in Leadership in Teaching and Learning from Missouri Baptist University.
Dr. Fulton began her career as a 6th-grade teacher in Wheaton, MO, (2000), taught at Neosho Middle School (2001-2004), and at Neosho High School (2004-2006). In 2006 Dr. Fulton was selected as the Assistant Principal at Jefferson City High School and served in that role until 2009 when she moved to Rolla and was hired as the Principal of Rolla Junior High. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member for William Woods University since 2019. Dr. Fulton will continue to lead Rolla Junior High through the end of June 2023.
Dr. Fulton has two adult children; Crystal and husband Bill, Kyle and wife Whitney, and five grandchildren; Hannah, Wyatt, Myla, Blake, and Laci. She enjoys spending time at the beach, walking her dog Molly, spending time with her kids and grandkids, and crafting. When asked for a comment on her upcoming move to Central Office, she said, “I want to thank Dr. Dare and the Rolla Board of Education for this opportunity to serve the district as Assistant Superintendent. I have deeply enjoyed my time at Rolla Junior High and all the relationships built there and look forward to being a resource for staff in this new role.”
PROPS I+N: All IN For Rolla
The Rolla Board of Education approved placing a no-tax-increase bond issue and levy increase propositions on the April 2023 ballot at the January 19th meeting. Here’s what you need to know:
Proposition R-31 I will seek voter approval for an 85-cent operating levy increase. These funds will be used to increase teacher and staff salaries across the district. Given the state increase to the minimum teacher salary in Missouri and the competitive local labor market, the district is experiencing challenges in recruiting and retaining faculty and staff.
Proposition R-31 N will seek voter approval for a no-tax-increase bond purchase of $10M. These funds will be used for capital improvements, including HVAC system replacements and continued safety and security upgrades across the district. These funds will not be used to address current construction from the 2020 voter-approved bond issue. (Read more...)
