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New Madrid County R-1 budget includes replacement of roof on Central’s C-pod
NEW MADRID, Mo. — The New Madrid County R-1 School District will head into the new year with a balanced budget and money in reserve.
At the June meeting of the New Madrid County R-1 Board of Education approval was given to the 2024-25 budget.
Dr. Sam Duncan, who was heading up his final meeting as superintendent, described the budget as good with solid balances. The current budget shows 30 percent in reserve, which would provide the district about four months in operating expenses.
“We are not in the business of making money and stashing it away, we are in the business of teaching and using the resources as we can for the kids we have now,” he said. “I think this budget reflects just that.”
Among the biggest expenditures, approximately $1.3 million is being spent on replacing the roof on C-Pod at the Central High School. According to Duncan this is the last roof in a series of roof replacements and due to a drop in the cost of roofing materials the Board decided to replace the entire roof.
In a related budgetary item, the Board approved the maximum transfer allowed from the Capital Projects Fund of $583,270 to the Operating Fund.
Joe Moss, principal at the Central Middle School, discussed attendance with the Board.
Duncan said in the District’s annual performance report attendance was listed as an area in need of improvement. Currently the District is dealing with some problems of students being absent for days or even weeks, he said.
“Teachers deliver instruction everyday that is vital to students learning. Until we have students in buildings at a higher rate of attendance our District will struggle with literacy,” he said. “
According to Duncan, the Board will continue to work on its attendance policy and finalize it at the July meeting. He said parents will be able to access the policy in the school handbook and that the school principals will also discuss the policy as students return to class in August.
“There really is nothing new for 99 percent of our students and parents who understand how important attendance is,” he said. “(Our policy) basically is come to school, we want you here, you need to be here if you are going to learn and we have great things here for you.”
Also during the meeting:
• The Board approved a well water easement deed with the city of Matthews.
• In personnel, the resignation of Lacey Fields as an ECSE teacher at Lilbourn Elementary was approved and Sherry Rosson was transferred from social social studies teacher to special education teacher at Central High School. Employed were Connor Watkins as Central High School Student Council sponsor and Leslie Johnson as CHS concession stand sponsor.
• CD investment were reviewed.