A centerpiece in the Neelyville High School gym will soon get an update.
The Neelyville R-IV Board of Education voted unanimously for Aalco Manufacturing of St. Louis, Mo., to install a new motorized curtain in the gymnasium for $15,433.
Superintendent Brad Hagood said he favored the more expensive motorized curtain from Aalco of the three quotes received because of the option to take the curtain off the floor.
"This can keep kids from hanging on the curtains and swinging on them," Hagood said, prolonging the life of the curtains.
The $15,000 price includes a track for the motorized curtain, parts and installation.
"The company knows what they are doing with the installation," Board member Donna Akers said.
The board agreed having the installation included in the cost was a benefit.
Hagood also updated the board on an active shooter training scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20, from members of the Poplar Bluff Police Department for all faculty and staff of the district.
A professional development day is scheduled for Tuesday as well, so students will not be in school.
The board unanimously approved the 2018-19 school calendar with Monday, Aug. 13, as the first day of school.
Hagood said he sent the calendar to teachers and administration for suggestions and "more than the majority" of the staff was pleased with the calendar.
A certain amount of professional development days are built into the school year Hagood reported and parent teacher conferences are normally held on Thursday evenings at the end of each quarter.
The change for next year will include professional development days on the Thursday at the end of the quarters from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and parent teacher conferences from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Graduation for the Neelyville Class of 2018 was set for 7 p.m. Friday, May 11. This is a change from normally holding graduation on a Saturday evening.
Curriculum Director Heather Wells updated the board on Neelyville High School receiving the Exemplary Professional Learning Community (PLC) School award.
The school was one of 22 schools in the state to receive the honor and one of only two high schools.
"This is a very high honor," Wells said.
The school had to be proficient in six standards, receive an on-site visit, self assess and present data to support student success to receive the recognition.
The next goal for the school, Wells said, is to work toward the Sustaining Exemplary PLC school award.
"This is a great honor for our little school," Board President John French said.
During Executive Session the board accepted the resignation of High School Counselor Carmel Dare.
Contracts were also extended by one year for Wells, Elementary Principal Aaron Burton, Assistant Elementary Principal Debra Parish, High School Principal Justin Dobbins and Special Education Director Dr. Sabrina Morehead.
The next Neelyville Board of Education meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at the Central Office board room.