NEW MADRID, Mo. - As part of the New Madrid County R-1 School District’s efforts to ensure student safety, the playground at the Lilbourn Elementary School will be moved.
During its January meeting, the board accepted a a bid from Zoellner Construction to relocate the playground. The $98,000 cost for project is being funded through the bond issue passed last year by the district’s patrons.
According to Dr. Sam Duncan, new fencing was planned for improved safety at the district’s elementary schools at Lilbourn, Matthews and New Madrid. However, because of the location of the Lilbourn playground there was no feasible way to secure it.
As part of the Lilbourn project, the company is to salvage as much of the equipment as possible and move it to an area closer to the school building. What equipment can’t be salvaged will be replaced.
When completed, Duncan said, all three elementary schools will be fenced in and have similar equipment with improved accessibility for students with handicaps
The bid from Zoellner was one of two received by the board. Duncan described the bid as the lowest and best of the two.
“We are confident not only that this is a fair price but also that it is going to be done to ensure student safety,” he said.
Also during the meeting, the Board approved the superintendent’s contract through June 30, 2024.
Duncan, who is in his sixth year with the district, called it an honor to continue to serve the Board and the community. He also praised his administrative team.
“We have an exceptional team here. The team works well together,” he said. “I thank the community for letting me continue.”
In other personnel matters, Christopher Nance was transferred to special education process coordinator from special education teacher. Victoria Duenne was employed as a girls physical education/female fitness instructor at Central High School. Also the Board approved Anthony Comstock to provide additional security services at Matthew’s Elementary.
In other action during the January School Board meeting:
• The 2021 school calendar was amended making Feb. 12 a student attendance day. The evening parent-teacher conferences, originally set for Jan. 14 and Feb. 11, were eliminated.
• A parent request to transfer children to Matthews Elementary due to employment was granted.
• Several new policies were adopted.
• The Board reviewed the draft of the Missouri Department of Education Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.
• In a review of the district’s CD investments, the superintendent noted the returns are positive and slightly higher than last year.
“We are not banking money away but this is an indicator that we are handling the funds available to us responsibly,” Duncan said. “We have managed to maintain a balanced budget for five years now. This is thanks to the county and the county commissioners and their work to move the county forward and our administrative team’s effort to be frugal.”