WATCH: Full interview with Boonville School District Superintendent Mark Harvey

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

ABC 17 News will interview superintendents of Mid-Missouri schools as the academic year gets going this month.

First up was Mark Harvey, the new superintendent of the Boonville School District. Harvey was the interim superintendent at Blair Oaks before that.

Erika McGuire: As the start of the school year nears, we wanted to check in with districts to see what their plans are for 2023-2024. We're joined now by Boonville R-1 School District Superintendent Mark Harvey, and thank you for joining us this morning.

What did you learn at Blair Oaks that you can apply here at Boonville schools?

Mark Harvey: You know, there were some really good instructional strategies that classrooms were using and teachers were using. So I picked up some great knowledge there. And also, just being back in Mid-Missouri gave me an opportunity to network and make relationships around Jeff City in Mid-Missouri that I think can help us at Boonville R-1 this year, already.

McGuire: Will Boonville use the new school safety app, Raptor Alert? If so how will it be used in the district?

Harvey: We're utilizing a couple of different models in Boonville. Probably the most important thing is we're going to have instant communication with our families, almost right away right as soon as possible. So that should help prepare the community and students and our faculty and staff for whatever type of event we might encounter.

McGuire: Staffing shortages for teachers and bus drivers have been an issue in many districts for the past few years. Now, what is staffing looking like not only for teachers, but bus drivers in the Boonville School District?

Harvey: You know, this is one of the toughest years I've ever seen. I've been in the business for over 30 years, and we've really had a difficult time finding certified employees and certified teachers. We saw that trend occur maybe two years ago with some of our non-certified folks in the field of education. So it was difficult to find non-certified folks then but now the certified shortage is just unbelievable.

McGuire: The Missouri Department of Secondary Education reports attendance has been dropping in school districts across the state. What does Boonville plan to ensure attendance stays at a high level this school year?

Harvey: We've had leadership teams in place in each building and one of our focuses is going to be to make sure that we have good solid attendance from all of our students. If we have someone who needs assistance or maybe is at risk of not making it to school, we're gonna go above and beyond to get those students to school and provide them a good, quality education while they're there.

McGuire: The state also reports reading and math test scores have declined since before the pandemic. How how does the district plan to improve them?

Harvey: We've got a strong instructional focus. Boonville will utilize our instructional coaches as well as our mentor teachers and tenured teachers who have been in the district and seeing great success during their careers.

McGuire: Does the district have a plan in place right now if COVID-19 or another outbreak happens?

Harvey: Yes, we have a plan in place. And it's been in place in one way shape or form since COVID. And I think it's a part of the puzzle that we'll continue to have in place for years to come.