Sikeston R-6 buildings ready for new school year

SIKESTON — Despite receiving significant damage to several buildings and properties from the May 26 tornado, the Sikeston R-6 School District is ready for the first day of student attendance on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

Superintendent Shannon Holifield provided an update of the Sikeston Career and Technology expansion project and storm damage.

Although G Building has some roofing left to complete, the teachers are in their classrooms and ready for the new school year, Holifield said. There are also a few items left to complete at the Alternative School, but teachers are also in their classrooms and ready to go, the superintendent said.

“That has been a miracle in itself,” Holifield said during the Tuesday, Aug. 13 regular board of education meeting. “There have been a lot of people and a lot moving parts working to make sure that we are ready for teachers and students.”

Holifield commended Lorrie McClenton, director of R-6 Buildings and Grounds, and her team for their work over the summer.

“Thank you, Lorrie, for working and getting these people in there and getting them organized to get the work done because I know it hasn’t been easy,” Holifield told McClenton.

Holifield said Bulldog Hall is also ready for students and their teachers.

The superintendent then addressed the district’s tennis courts which saw its fencing downed and mangled by the EF3 tornado that swept through Sikeston on May 26.

“I know that is somewhat of an eyesore still,” Holifield said, referring to the remaining fence.

However, some of these storm repairs and replacements take time to get accomplished, she said. Plans are in place to start taking down the tennis court fence in the coming days, Holifield said, adding it’s a more detailed process than one might think as the concrete has to be cut and sawed, which takes some pretty hefty equipment to get the job done.

“The plan for the tennis season, as far as a timeline, is — hopefully, if everything goes well and the weather works in our favor, we could possibly have the tennis courts ready to go the last two home games for tennis,” Holifield said, adding that’s what was done last school year for volleyball when the renovations took place at the Field House.

Holifield also credited the City of Sikeston for assisting the district.

“Our city has worked really closely to allow our girls to practice at blocked-off tennis courts and a couple pickle ball courts at the complex,” Holifield said. “Any meets up to the completion of the tennis courts will be played on the road.”

The superintendent noted there has also been a lot of tree work of cleaning up branches throughout the campus in preparation for the new school year.

Holifield also addressed I Building (SCTC) and the SCTC expansion at the former Orscheln building.

“We will be ready for students on Aug. 20,” Holifield said. “There are a lot of things that still have to happen. We did a walk-through punch list this (Tuesday) afternoon with Dille Pollard (Architecture) and Zoellner (Construction) at the Orschlen side of things. A lot has happened. There is still a lot still that needs to be done.”

Staff started moving equipment on Thursday, Aug. 15 to the Orscheln site. Technology updates still need to happen at the new site; however, it will be ready for students on the first day, according to Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Tiffany Morgan.

“Our plan has been since the tornado, these students are going to learn how to set up shop,” Morgan said. “That’s going to be part of it — a learning process. If they’re owning their own business, they will learn how they would set up things.”

Desks and tables will also be set up in those classrooms before students arrive on Tuesday, she said.

The situation is similar at I Building, Morgan said. More equipment will be moved and students will learn how to set up the equipment and getting those things in place, she said.

“Again, I can’t say enough about how Lorrie and her crew have worked really hard to make that happen,” Holifield said.

In regard to the Sikeston Field House, Holifield said the boys P.E. locker room is almost complete, but the district is waiting on lockers to arrive. Once they arrive, they will be installed, she said.

R-6 Finance Director Cheryl Essner noted the district’s tax rate hearing is scheduled for noon Aug. 27 at the district’s Central Office.

In other business, the Board on Tuesday approved the 2024-2025 professional development plan.

Also on Tuesday, public comment was made by the guardian of an elementary student requesting the district to consider alternatives for the transportation of students to and from a specific daycare before and after school. Per district policy, the board could not engage in a discussion with the guardian.