16 / 84
2015-2016 Odessa City Guide
Page 14
Schools
Odessa R-7
The Board of Education meets in public session at 7 p.m. the
second Tuesday of each month at the high school media center,
713 S. Third Street.
Meeting agendas are available the Friday before each meeting
at the central office. District patrons wishing to place items on
the agenda must submit them in writing to the superintendent’s
office the Wednesday prior to the board meeting, in accordance
with guidelines in the district’s Policy and Procedures Manual.
Aaron Dillon, President
Brian Young, Vice President
Tahnami Gittinger, Director
Henry Grubb, Director
Brian Madsen, Director
Ronnie Steelman, Director
Tim Wulfekotter, Director
Odessa R-7 Board of Education
Odessa R-7 Schools are located in western Lafayette County and
also include a portion of northern Johnson County. The district is
approximately 25 miles east of Kansas City.
The district has consistently earned over 90%of total points possible
on the state’s yearly annual performance report.
The Odessa R-7 District operates under a $4.98 tax levy.
Student population for the district currently totals 2057 in grades
K-12.
The district employs around 251 persons, including classified staff.
Odessa R-7 offers many programs and our students also excel in
their state andnational academic competitiveness.OdessaR-7 students
traditionally receive highhonors in such organizations asDECA,FBLA,
FCCLA, FFA, FEA, Math Relay Team, drama, speech and debate,
band, and vocal music. Both the FFA and engineering instructors have
received honors and recognition in the work they do with students.
Other outstanding programs offered by the district include Drug-Free
World, special education, breakfast, all-day kindergarten, infant care
for teen students and patrons, Peer Helpers,Hi-Step, SOAR before and
after school child care, Parents asTeachers, gifted, at-risk, entitlement,
summer school,computer labs,vocational LexLa-RayVo-TechSchool in
Lexington, with job training courses, student athletic activities, before
and after school tutoring andnumerous organizations/clubs.Integrated
technology is an important element in the Odessa R-7 curriculumwith
students frequently using computers and various media to
problem solve, research and create project-based products.
Students who reside more than one mile from their attending
school may be transported by bus to the appropriate facility. One-mile
requirement does not apply to grade 5 and younger.
TheACEprogramoffers alternative classes for students struggling in
a regular classroom setting.
Parents support the schools through active parent/teacher
organizations. PTO at the elementary level, and STEP at the middle
school give volunteer support and host fundraising activities.
More than 50% of the teaching staff in the district hold master’s
degrees along with an average of more than 10 years longevity. The
R-7 School District remains competitive with the surrounding area
regarding base salary. This is the benchmark of most school districts
and Odessa has managed to keep pace with an experienced staff. Via
the state funding mechanism, the district strives to maintain a salary
schedule comparable to those districts of similar size as well.
Base salary for beginning teachers in the 2015-16 school year is
$34,250.
Academically,Odessa offers students a range of choices fromcomputer
labs in each R-7 school to a physics requirement for each high school
student with four levels of study offered.
Odessa’s athletic program offers football; girls and boys basketball,
track, tennis, golf, cross country; volleyball,wrestling, softball, baseball,
and cheerleading.
In addition to an excellent sports program and other traditional
clubs and academic organizations, Odessa has an outstanding fine
arts program.
The district continues to provide diverse opportunities to ensure a
variety of experiences and opportunities for the students.
According to performance data from state testing, Odessa R-7
surpassed Missouri standards set by the state in mathematics and
communication arts.Almost all students realized gains in achievement
scores compared to the previous year. ACT scores continue to improve
as well.
Security cameras have been placed in all schools and on all buses to
strengthen the safety program.
Brinkley stresses the district has good cooperation with the local
police department.TheDrug Free program is part of the curriculum for
sixth-graders at the middle school. A school resource officer is on site.
The public health and safety department inOdessa assists the school
district. The county health department holds annual immunization
clinics. The fire department is involved in bicycle and fire safety along
with inspection of buildings and fire extinguishers, and insurance
inspection reports.
Front, from left, Janet Tirschel, board secretary, Brian
Young, Aaron Dillon, Tahnami Gittinger; back row, Pete
Rorvig, assistant superintendent, Brian Madsen, Ronnie
Steelman, HenryGrubb, TimWulfekotter andRobert Brinkely,
superintendent.