LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
Thurs., February 16, 2023 |
Plattsburg, Lathrop and Gower, Mo.
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SCHOOLS
Lathrop R-II avoids cutting filled positions by brett adkison leader editor
With several more resignations now official, the Lathrop R-II School District will avoid the need to cut any filled positions moving into next school year. During the regular monthly
PLATTSBURG
Council tackles full agenda for February
school board meeting Wednesday, February 8, the district received the resignations of kindergarten teacher Jacque Gentzell, preschool teacher Patricia Kimrey and elementary librarian Debbie Packard. That makes nine teacher resignations for the year.
District officials have anticipated cutting approximately $500,000 for the 2023-2024 school year, as it’s projected Lathrop R-II will receive less funding from the state because of decreased enrollment. The district has also seen increased costs in personnel, pro-
grams and through inflation. Lathrop R-II Superintendent Chris Fine said last month that, as part of the cost reductions, the district expected to cut six teaching positions and three from the support staff, but hoped to do so ||Continued on A2
PLATTSBURG COURTWARMING
KING & QUEEN
Possible vote on proposed levies will need to wait leader editor
||Continued on A2
one section | 12 pages
Representing at State Comp. See which local high school students will be competing at the state FBLA meet after performing well at districts. || PAGE A6
Sheriff ’s Report Get a comprehensive look at what went on in law enforcement the previous week throughout Clinton County. || PAGE A3
KCI Conference title bouts
by brett adkison
The Plattsburg City Council held its regular monthly meeting Monday, February 13, and took on an agenda loaded with municipal business. The council heard a short presentation from Redgate Disposal, the city’s trash and recycle collection contractor, and later voted to authorize City Administrator Chase Waggoner to enter into a three-year contract extension with the company. Police Chief Dave Couzens reported to the council that the skate park behind city hall has been closed for several weeks due to vandalism, which included ripping the gate down. He plans to reopen it March 1. It’ll be open during the day and closed at night.
INSIDE
The East Buchanan girls, Plattsburg boys basketball teams win KCI titles on Tuesday at PHS. || PAGE A9
Community........A3 Opinion..............A4 Legals.......A10,A11 Sports...............A7
THE LEADER Est. 1895
Plattsburg High School held its Courtwarming coronation on Friday, February 10, during the basketball games against West Platte. Congratulations to Plattsburg seniors James Braddy and Jazelle Bingham, who were crowned 2023 Courtwarming King and Queen. For more, see page A12. brett adkison | the leader
LATHROP R-II
Dr. Adam Willard visits with Lathrop community by brett adkison leader editor
Dr. Adam Willard (left) and Lathrop Supt. Chris Fine
The next superintendent at the Lathrop R-II School District had the opportunity to introduce himself to the community last week. Dr. Adam Willard was at Lathrop High
School on Friday, February 10, to meet and speak with members of the school community ahead of the varsity basketball games that evening. “It’s been very pleasant, very welcoming,” Dr. Willard said of his interactions with the town so
far. “The community has been very warm. It’s just nice to get up and get familiar with the teachers, get familiar with the district, get familiar with the buildings. My family and I are just excited to get back up to Northwest
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VOL. 128, NO. 16