SIKESTON -- A second assessment in support of the Committee for Educational Equality was approved by the Sikeston R-6 Board of Education during Tuesday's regular meeting.
Since 2003, the R-6 district has been part of the lawsuit that challenges the state's funding formula on the argument it's inequitable and inadequate.
"As you know we are in trial right now and probably the last few weeks of the trial itself," Superintendent Steve Borgsmiller told the board.
Some of the expenses have been forthcoming, and as result of the trial, schools involved in the lawsuit were recently asked for a second assessment of $3,704.09, which is derived from student enrollment in September, Borgsmiller said.
"(After the board's approval of the assessment) Our outlay as part of this lawsuit comes to $18,887.55, which is a very, very small investment for what I believe will be a bright future for our children," Borgsmiller said.
Also during Tuesday's meeting, two change orders for bid packages for the Math and Science Center were approved.
The board authorized reducing Fronabarger Concreters' bid package's contractual sum by $4,207 and approved an increase in Miller Drywall Inc.'s bid package by the same amount.
"This was a swapping out of some work," Borgsmiller said, adding the floor work originally intended for Fronabarger was more appropriate for Miller Drywall.
The board then accepted the certificate of substantial completion for a portion of the Math and Science Center.
"This means the building is ready for use; however, a portion of the building, as the board knows, isn't ready for occupation due to water damage we had on New Year's Eve," Borgsmiller said.
In other business, the board awarded the bid for long distance telephone service to AT&T, which was the higher bid over Big River Telephone.
"AT&T is our long distance carrier, and $687 was the estimated excess annual cost prior to ERATE reimbursement. ERATE refunds approximately 80 percent of long distance charges, reducing the actual excess cost paid by the district after refund to $137.40 per month," R-6 Business Director Lori Boardman said.
Boardman recommended AT&T because service is good and minimal savings would be gained by changing to Big River, she said.
Faculty changes were also approved during the meeting.
Kent Gibbs was hired as the high school's new head football coach. The board accepted the retirements of Sally Lape and Dan Wood and the resignations of Terri West and Tracey Gladden.
Also approved was the administrative staff for the 2007-2008 school year, which is the same as this year's staffing.