Opinion: 'Common Core' Spells Trouble For Parkway And Rockwood Schools

Chris Howard is a GOP State Committeeman from West County.

Rockwood Interviews Candidates for Interim Superintendent Position

The school board conducting the interviews during a closed session on Monday and hope to have the interim spot filled by July 1.

The Rockwood School Board is on track to name an interim superintendent by July 1 who will oversee district operations while the search for current Superintendent Bruce Borcher’s permanent replacement is conducted. Borchers has accepted a contract to helm the Oak Ridge School District in Tennesse, and his last day at Rockwood will be June 7. On Monday, the board met in a closed session to interview candidates for the interim appointment, which will likely last for one year, according to Chief Communications Officer Kim Cranston. “When a board decides to appoint an interim, it’s usually done fairly informally,” Cranston said. “The board is looking for an experienced, veteran superintendent.” When it comes to finding a permanent replacement…

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Rockwood Board Member Cites Deficit Concerns in Opposition to Raises

Newly elected in April, Jeff Morrell said he doesn't want to worsen the district's budget gap by "stepping on the gas."

Marquette, Parkway South Rank No. 4 and 9 in Missouri in U.S. News Survey

Marquette's ranking is a step up from last year's ranking by the magazine. Do you agree with the list? Parkway South was the only Parkway school to be in the top 26.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the location of Marquette High School Marquette High School in Clarkson Valley was one of two Rockwood district schools—and the only school that serves Chesterfield students—to make the 2013 list of top-ranked Missouri schools released by U.S. News & World Report today. Meanwhile, Parkway South High School was the only Parkway district school to make the top 26 in the magazine's survey, and, in fact, busted into the top 10 with a ranking of ninth. Marquette High also made last year's list, ranked at No. 5. This year, the magazine ranked Marquette No. 4 in Missouri, followed by Rockwood's Eureka High.  The magazine released its annual report of 2013 Best High Schools Rankings …

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Frank Johnson

4:24 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Jim, I must apologize, my initial response was not accurate. Although the Rockwood School District does lists the address for the school as in Chesterfield, I have just confirmed with Chesterfield city government officials that it is in fact in Clarkson Valley. I would also add that the school's address is listed incorrectly on Google Maps as well.   more ›

Rockwood Superintendent Bruce Borchers Accepts Tennessee School District Offer

Oak Ridge school board members approved new superintendent contract, according to Tuesday article in Oak Ridge Today newspaper.

Oak Ridge Board of Education directors in Tennessee unanimously approved a four-year contract with Bruce Borchers—currently the Rockwood School District superintendent—in a short, special meeting Monday evening, as published by a reporter for Oak Ridge Today. Borchers' salary reportedly is $178,000 per year, according to the Oak Ridge article. Bob Eby, Oak Ridge school board vice chair said in the article Borchers is slated to start in the new district on June 18. In the same article, Board of Education Chair Keys Fillauer said Borchers had signed the contract before Monday’s 10-minute school board meeting, making it official once the board approved it. Borchers reportedly will receive a basic $50,000 life insurance policy plus a $200,000 …

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Rockwood Staffing Models Changed at Elementary, Middle School Levels

Rockwood School District administrators recommended changes in elementary and middle school administrative staffing models at an extra Board of Education meeting held Thursday night at Crestview Middle School in Ellisville.

In addition to a building principal, according to Rockwood School District materials, each Rockwood school was to receive: At least that was the policy prior to Thursday evening's Rockwood Board of Education extra meeting. At the board meeting, Rockwood's Executive Director of Pre-K and Elementary Education Karen Hargadine recommended every elementary building have a building principal and an administrative intern (up to 549 students) and a building principal and assistant principal in elementary buildings exceeding 550 students. The net budget impact of this proposal is $226,645 for 2013-14. Rockwood's Executive Director of Secondary Education Jim Wipke also recommended a change in middle school administrative staffing. In the 2011-12 …

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Eureka resident

5:26 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Heck, Why not lay off some administrators, teachers, and some support staff to save some money? That will increase class sizes and creat a really strong educational environment for students to perform really well. Let's make class sizes about 40 and give every building just one administrator to run the circus. That will save millions of dollars and then Wildwood taxpayer/resident will be happy …   more ›

Rockwood Annual Art Show at Crestview Middle School is Next Weekend

This year, the Rockwood School District's annual art and electronic recycling event will be in Ellisville, and is open to the public from noon to 3:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Read what all there will be to do.

More than 7,000 pieces of artwork created by Rockwood School District students will be on display at the 10th Annual District Art Show on April 20-21. The art show will be held from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Crestview Middle School, 16025 Clayton Road in Ellisville. During the event, children can get their faces painted and create their own chalk-painting masterpieces. Professional artists also will showcase their talents for participants to view, according to the event's organizers. Parking shuttles will run from the FCC property at Clarkson and Clayton (next to the Mercy building) to Crestview Middle to help ease parking congestion. A district spokesperson said more than 10,000 people are expected to attend the district’s annual art show, so …

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State Auditors Due to Return to Rockwood School District

Rockwood School District's financial and legislative affairs officer says district leaders are committed to continuous improvement. He is leading the way toward responding to a variety of matters identified by the Missouri State Auditor's staff.

Rockwood School District administrators busily are addressing the recommendations delivered by the Missouri State Auditor's staff on Feb. 27 regarding results of their performance audit of the district. Rockwood's financial and legislative affairs officer Tim Rooney told Board of Education directors and attendees at Thursday's meeting they are getting more effective in important areas, as identified by the audit, as they serve students, families, staff and community. A performance audit includes a review of cash control procedures, expenditures, payroll, capital assets, vehicles and fuel usage and compliance with state laws and district policies. The last time a state performance audit was done with Rockwood, prior to this year's audit, …

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Rockwood BOE Seeks Replacement Director

Beginning Monday, April 8, applications can be secured for those who wish to be considered as the seventh Rockwood School District Board of Education director. Before the month's end, someone is expected to replace a slot vacated due to a resignation.

Rockwood Board of Education directors are seeking applicants to fill the director’s position vacated by Steve Smith, who resigned from the board on March 4. Prior to that, he had resigned the presidency of the board in December. The new, appointed member will serve until the April 2014 election.  Beginning April 8, applications for the replacement role may be obtained from Kathy Chitwood, Rockwood BOE secretary, at the Rockwood Administrative Center, 111 East North Street in Eureka, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Candidates must be: Completed applications must be returned to Chitwood no later than 4 p.m., April 19. Applicants will be interviewed by existing board members in a public session on April 25, starting at 6 p.m. Current …

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Julie Brown Patton

12:09 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Kathy Chitwood, administrative assistant to the Rockwood superintendent and Board of Education secretary, tells Patch no applicants have been received as of this (Tuesday) morning.   more ›