![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. [The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jess] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
School board takes action to address recent controversy
Board releases statement condemning Director Jessica Clark’s comments; removes her from committee appointments
Samantha Haney
At the Sept. 1 Board of Education meeting, Jessica Clark listens to patron comments. Most patrons spoke about comments Clark made at a Real Talk Radio event on Aug. 23.
September 13, 2022
After comments made by Rockwood Board of Education member Jessica Clark on Aug. 23 were widely circulated on social media and in the press, the Sept. 1 meeting at Marquette High School drew a large crowd of community members questioning her ability to adequately serve the district.
In response, the other six board members took three specific steps to address the concern and unwanted attention brought on the district.
Clark made the controversial statements at a Real Talk Radio event. In her comments, she can be heard talking about her role as a newly elected board member.
“I use the word ‘libtard.’ They said I was an ableist. They come in with the kids in the wheelchairs and everything. Whatever. You are a libtard and I mean it and I stand on it,” she said.
The first action taken at the meeting was the approval of a formal statement which was read and then sent out to students, parents and staff. The statement addressed community concerns and was signed by all board members, except Clark.
In part, the statement read, “The Rockwood Board of Education does not tolerate or condone hurtful and offensive language regarding disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation. The Rockwood Board of Education reaffirms its commitment to creating an environment free of harassments or discrimination.”
Members of the board also voted to amend and strengthen its Code of Ethics policy.
.In addition, board member Keith Kinder made a motion, which the board approved, for Clark to be removed from her board committee assignments. Clark will no longer serve on the Rockwood Wellness Committee or as a representative to the Missouri School Board Association.
“I never thought I’d be up here making this speech and I don’t want to make this speech ever again. I want you to believe in the Rockwood Board of Education as our one mission is to make sure all of your sons and daughters and our sons and daughters and granddaughters and grandsons learn to the best of their potential,” Kinder said. “If we don’t do it, we have failed. And if someone doesn’t believe that on the Board of Education, that person needs to leave.”
Clark, who remained stoic amid multiple calls for her resignation from fellow board members and patrons, said in an interview after the meeting that she believes she represents a portion of the community.
“I will say this. I was elected. We failed to address the fact that there are community members that don’t feel represented. So if my presence on the board helps to make sure that parents are represented, that’s what I’m going to continue to do. I’m OK with all of this, I know where my heart is,” she said.
This story was originally published on The Lancer Feed on September 2, 2022.
