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Board honors outgoing member and SCOPE students, approves naming Beasley playground for "Mister Mike" Edwards
Summary
Mehlville R-IX recognized outgoing board service, student projects and alternative-education achievements; the board unanimously approved naming Beasley Elementary's playground in memory of longtime custodian Mike Edwards.
The Mehlville R-IX Board of Education used part of its April 10 meeting to recognize outgoing board service, student projects and individual student achievements, and to approve a request to name Beasley Elementary's playground in memory of a longtime custodian.
Jessica Popillo, the district's director of communications, recognized Peggy Hassler for serving as board president and thanked Scott Hoogerich for three years of service on the board; students from Oakville High School and Melville High School presented handcrafted end tables and clocks, respectively, for departing board members. Popillo introduced the students and their teachers who worked on the pieces.
The board also recognized academic and program achievements at SCOPE (the district's alternative education program). Scott McMullen, SCOPE director, highlighted a near-100 percent pass rate on the written expression/ELA portion of the HiSET in recent years and said the school currently has an 85 percent pass rate on HiSET overall, exceeding the program goal of 80 percent. McMullen noted the program serves approximately 100 students annually and that a SCOPE graduation is scheduled for May 23.
Separately, the board considered a request from Beasley Elementary staff and former students to name the school playground in memory of Mike Edwards, known to students as "Mister Mike." Board members quoted sample submission letters from former students and community members describing Edwards as a devoted employee and role model. The board approved the naming motion; the transcript records "motion carries 7 0." Members asked that the specific naming match the request as submitted ("Mister Mike Edwards playground" per the request).
Ending: The recognitions and naming vote concluded with unanimous board support; the playground naming will proceed according to the district's memorial/name policy and with notification to Beasley staff and the Edwards family.
