R-6 construction on schedule

SIKESTON — Construction of Sikeston R-6 School District’s new elementary and high school building are on schedule and budget.

During its regular monthly meeting Tuesday at Central Office, the Board was briefed by Jere Sheehan with Navigate Solutions on the construction progress of the district’s new Lee Hunter Elementary and C Building.

“This meeting is wonderful to be at because it’s all good news,” Sheehan told the Board.

All of the concrete has been poured at Lee Hunter Elementary, and steel began being installed on Monday, Sheehan said. Steel work will continue along with face brick at the gymnasium, he said, adding workers will also soon install curbs and the south parking lot at Lee Hunter.

At C Building, Sheehan said the foundations are continuing to be put in place including the under slab plumbing and electric. The asphalt drive has been completed, but not striped/painted yet. Striping will happen next week, he said. Work will then continue with underground plumbing, electric and foundation followed by masonry at the hallway to allow for slab poor.

“The budget is great and the schedule is going well,” Sheehan said.

Asked by a board member if he had any material concerns, Sheehan said it’s constantly on his mind, and he’s carefully monitoring it.

Board President Aaron Boyce said the Board just didn’t want to be blindsided with any material concerns.

“I will certainly share any hiccups that might pop up,” Sheehan told the Board.

As most people know, the pandemic has created multiple supply shortages, including in the construction industry, and unlike anyone has seen.

“It’s not like a normal condition and you just keep on top of it and make sure they order it,” Sheehan said. “It’s very different.”

Also, as information only, Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson told the Board the high school administration’s No. 1 choice for the name of the new C Building is Bulldog Hall.

“They chose Bulldog Hall because there’s going to be a lot of pieces in the front of the building that deal with the history of the school,” Robinson said.

R-6 Assistant Superintendent Shannon Holifield said by not using a subject with the building’s name, the district doesn’t tie its hands on what can be taught in that building. Memorabilia featured in the building would be old uniforms and pieces with a red, black and gray color scheme, she said.

The Board will make a formal vote on C Building’s name at a future meeting.

Also on Tuesday, the Board made two amendments to the “The Sikeston R-6 COVID-19 Operational Plan and Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan” for the 2021-2022 school year. The Board initially approved the revised plan during a special meeting last month.

One change approved on Tuesday included mandating face masks on school buses due to the federal mandate in place; the plan previously made wearing face masks optional on buses, Robinson said. However, face masks and other personal protection equipment remain optional for students and staff elsewhere in the district.

The other change to the plan was to update the plan at a minimum of six months, the superintendent said.

Also on Tuesday, Board member Matt Tanner asked how many students signed up for virtual learning this school year compared to last school year at this time.

Holifield said 40 students were signed up for the fall semester compared to 400 who were signed up last year at this time.

In other action by the Board, an addendum for an expansion of services to the SEMO Health Network agreement was approved. The addendum was in regard to adding immediate family members and their definitions to the agreement, Robinson said. Board member Rebecca Steward noted there was no increase in insurance premiums or cost due to the change.

Following last month’s resignation of employee Yolonda Clarke, who served as the Board of Education’s assistant treasurer, the Board appointed Elyssa Bright, who is the district’s payroll coordinator, to assume the role as assistant treasurer.

The Board approved a budget adjustment for fiscal year 2022, the 2021-2022 Professional Development Plan and the following courses for the Junior High curriculum: introduction to Spanish; Spanish; Introduction to Drama; Drama; 3-D Design and Coding; and Project Lead the Way Automation and Robotics.

Cheryl Essner, R-6 director of finance, provided the Wellness Program report and a finance report to the Board. The district’s tax hearing will be at 5 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Board of Education Offices, 1002 Virginia, in Sikeston.