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2023-24 budget includes new track, additional campus security measures
NEW MADRID, Mo. - The New Madrid County R-1’s 2023-24 budget is already funding improvements throughout the school district.
One big ticket item is the new track to be built at the High School with a price tag of $550,000. Other purchases include 200 new chairs for the High School commons at a cost of $19,000 and $30,000 for new folding cafeteria tables at the Middle School.
Each of the District’s elementary schools has work scheduled for the summer including road work at Lilbourn along with the purchase of additional chrome books and iPads for the schools at New Madrid, Matthews and Lilbourn.
Security measures continue to be part of the expenditures for the coming year.
The District will purchase additional metal detectors for use at football games, basketball games and other locations as needed. A laminate window treatment will be added to windows to prevent individuals outside of the buildings from being able to see into the classrooms.
Approved at the June Board meeting, Dr. Sam Duncan, superintendent, described the budget’s expected expenditures and revenues as “very close at $23 million on either side of the balance sheet.” However, he said, it also anticipates an operating fund ending balance of 32.58 percent, which he described as double the minimum operating percentage.
The biggest expenditures in the 2023-24 budget, according to the superintendent, are salaries and related personnel costs. Earlier this year, the School Board approved a base salary increase to $38,000 from $36,000 for new teachers and a 5.56 percent increase for all other employees.
“The Board wanted to let the employees know how much they appreciate the work done in the school district,” Duncan said about the pay hike.
Work is continuing at the District’s Technical Skills Center, however, Duncan pointed out this is being funded through grants or 50-50 money.
Duncan presented a construction update to the Board noting much of the activity will center around the football field. In addition to the track work, new football field lights will be installed this summer. The lights are primarily funded through insurance money.
“The FEMA shelter is right on track,” he noted. “Right now work has begun on the connector for the building and the Middle School. The date to have that open is just prior to the start of the school.”
Two head coaching positions were officially filled during the June meeting. Jordan Kimball will serve as the head baseball coach for the New Madrid County Central Eagles and Dontre Jenkins was officially named the Eagles basketball coach.
“Both of these head coaches come with great deal of experience and both of the head coaches are very familiar with New Madrid County Central,” Duncan said. “The two coaches they are replacing have had stellar careers. These are big shoes to fill but I can’t imagine having two better young men to take those spots.”
Also employed by the Board during the meeting were: Jacob Keene, special education assistant; Regina Gossett and Robert Green, Skills USA sponsors; Margery Waller, Color Guard sponsor at Central High School; Jenny Sexton, assistant High School softball coach; and Connor Watkins, assistant High School track coach.
Transfers approved were Benjamin Palmer Campbell from assistant baseball coach at the Middle School to the High School and Tyler Fullhart from assistant baseball coach at the High School to the Middle School.
The following resignations were accepted: Joanne Gardner who is retiring from instructing computer literacy at the Middle School; Rhiley Smith as assistant track coach; Jonathan Haddon as assistant wrestling coach and Brittany Garner (Wilson) as a teacher assistant.
In an update on the remaining open teaching and extra duty positions, Duncan said the positions of secondary math at the High School, business education for the Technical Skills program, computer literacy instructor for the Middle School; assistant wrestling coach, FBLA sponsor, Quiz Bowl sponsor, Middle School Student Council sponsor and school nurse at the Middle School need to be filled.
“Math and business are two difficult positions to fill but at this point I feel great about where we are. We have been able to hire and retain certified and highly qualified people,” he said.
Following Board action, one additional position will need to be filled. The Board voted to add weightlifting for girls as an extra duty program.
Duncan noted the District currently has weightlifting and conditioning rooms at the High School and Middle School.
“We intend to hire a female to consider how best to work with female athletes in weight training and younger students with lifting weights and conditioning. We want to give our students the best opportunities to be as strong as they can be and confident in what activity they are doing,” he said.