School work: FEMA/multipurpose building construction gets underway during Christmas break

As one list of construction projects nears an end, the New Madrid County R-1 School Board was drawing up a new list to tackle.

During the December Board of the Education meeting, Scott Vilas and Corey Bextermueller with Navigate presented a construction update. The Board was advised construction on the FEMA multi-use building would begin as soon as students left for Christmas break.

According to Dr. Sam Duncan, superintendent, the contractors were queued up to ship all structures down Interstate 55. Weather permitting, all walls are to be up, the crane removed and construction cleared by the start of school Jan. 3.

Employees of Lawrence Fabric and Metal Structures had work well underway on Dec. 19 as they worked to widen the front awnings to allow two buses to unload/load students in front of the new Madrid County Central High School. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Employees of Lawrence Fabric and Metal Structures had work well underway on Dec. 19 as they worked to widen the front awnings to allow two buses to unload/load students in front of the new Madrid County Central High School. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

“The inside work is not extensive. The interior work should be completed between Jan. 3 and spring,” Duncan said.

In addition during the holiday break, work began to extend the canopies at New Madrid County Central High School as well as at Lilbourn Elementary School. The new awnings are designed to provide shelter to students loading and unloading from buses during inclement weather as well as shelter patrons entering the NMCC gymnasium.

The FEMA multi-use building and the new canopies are the final items funded through the Safe and Secure bond issue passed by voters in 2020.

Sections of the FEMA/multipurpose building are welded into place as the structure is pieced together next to the Central Middle School. When completed the building will provide a safe place for students and the community to shelter in the event of an emergency as well as additional space for student activities. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Sections of the FEMA/multipurpose building are welded into place as the structure is pieced together next to the Central Middle School. When completed the building will provide a safe place for students and the community to shelter in the event of an emergency as well as additional space for student activities. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Also during the December meeting, a bid of $62,667 from Garage Door Company of Sikeston for the Technical Skills Center’s overhead doors was approved. The new doors are funds by a Delta Regional Authority grant.

The replacement of the doors is expected to begin this spring.

Duncan praised the work by TSC Director Andrea Harris on the project, noting the bid was under budget.

“This allows us to continue with the painting and other upgrades that we want to make to the Center,” he said.

In the summer, work will begin on air-conditioning those TSC areas which currently do not have it. This work will be paid for with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

“We are proud of the work by the faculty at the Center,” Duncan said. “When these upgrades are complete it will be even a much better place to be.”

A bid from KT Power for the replacement of the football field lighting system was approved. The project will be paid in full by the District’s insurance company, the Missouri United School Insurance Council, or MUSIC, minus the deductible of $1,000.

According to Duncan, after wind damaged light poles and deterioration was noticed on some concrete bases, the insurance company was contacted. The insurer agreed to completely replace the stadium’s lighting system, including wiring, poles, lights and cover panels.

The bid by K.T. Power of $401,000 accepted by the Board will not only provide better lighting on the field but also improve illumination in the parking lot, the superintendent said. Work is expected to begin this spring.

Also approval was given for a bid from the Garland Company Inc. for roof maintenance at Lilbourn Elementary. According to Duncan, the section of roof to be repaired is under warranty and will be repaired at no cost.

Several financial issues came before the Board during the meeting.

The renewal of the District’s property/fleet/liability coverage with MUSIC was approved. The cost of the annual renewal is $302,000 for approximately $103,485,000 in insured property.

Sealed bids to serve as the District’s bank depository were opened. Duncan explained the bids are sought annually for a variety of the District’s banking needs.

The Board requested staff review the bids to answer questions on tabulations and interest rates. Final approval is expected at the Jan. 12 Board meeting.

Rheanna Greer with Beussink, Hey, Roe and Stroder LLC presented the 2021-22 audit report. Duncan said there were no findings, praising the work by Heather Schuerenberg, the District’s director of business and finance, and others in the school office for their work.

The Board then approved the audit of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

Following several years of work, the Board officially adopted the New Madrid County R-1 Continuous School Improvement Plan required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Duncan explained the 12-page plan is based on the objectives of maintaining safe and supportive schools, academics and student outcomes and readiness to move to the next level of academics or career.

“This is what everyone felt they wanted us to be all about, but the action steps will change as we go along,” Duncan said. The plan is posted on the District’s website as well as provided to state education officials.

In other action during the meeting:

• The Board was updated on the District’s curriculum development. The R-1 District received a letter from its consultant, the Southeast Regional Professional Development Council, which applauded the faculty on their work on curriculum.

“We are already seeing a difference in classrooms because of the curriculum work,” Duncan said.

• Joe Moss, Central Middle School principal, presented the results of the parent survey and discuss next steps regarding cell phones at CMS.

At this point, Duncan said there are no planned changes to the policy but noted the comments from parents and teachers resulted in a number of good ideas as they continue to monitor cell phone use.

• The Board reviewed the CD investments.

• The Safe Return to In-Person Continuity of Services Plan was approved with no changes.

• Approval was given for an increase from 15 hours to a maximum of 40 hours due to the new federal requirements for bus driver training. According to the superintendent those drivers employed by the District will be compensated for the training.

• The Board approved the updated principal evaluation form.

• In response to rising costs an increase in meal allowances while traveling was approved. For adults the meal allowance increased to $10 from $7.50 for breakfast, to $15 from $12.50 for lunch and for supper to $20 from $17.50. For student meals, the allowance increased to $10 from $7.50 for breakfast and lunch and to $15 from $10 for supper.

• Genevieve Hunter was selected as the District’s candidate for the John T. Belcher Scholarship.

• In personnel matters, Allen Fry was transferred from maintenance/bus driver at Matthews Elementary School to bus driver.

Employed were Pate Hogan as golf coach, James Davis, bus driver, and Keith Trout as custodian.

Retirements at the end of the year were accepted from Mary Landers, business teacher with the Technical Skills Center; Lisa Godwin, special education psychological examiner; and Jeanna Johnson, special education teacher assistant.