With the end of the school year quickly approaching, the Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education began looking into summer projects around the district.
Last month, the board was given a list of maintenance projects.
The board accepted bids on two projects during Thursday evening’s meeting. Those included the window walls at O’Neal Elementary B building and high school Dryvit wall repair.
Miller Drywall was awarded the contract for both projects as the only company to supply a bid.
The cost to repair the window walls at O’Neal Elementary B building will be $62,806, which reportedly is in line with other projects of this type completed by the district.
The district will also invest $17,000 for HVAC and electrical upgrades.
The high school Dryvit repair will cost $95,695.
Associate Superintendent of Finance Rod Priest also presented the board with a few cost estimates for some projects that could be completed while school is not in session.
Topping the list were reroofing the main gym and bleacher repair all at the Middle School.
With bleacher repair companies in short supply, Priest told the board he would gather some numbers for the repair and see when the company is available.
He also added he would formally put a bid out for the roof to get the board a cost.
Salary Schedules
The board was presented with two options to consider for salaries.
The board requested until next month’s meeting to look over the information before making a vote.
The first option is adding $500 to the base, which would cost the district in the range of $1.3 million, bringing the base to $34,085.
The second option is adding $915 to the base, costing in the range of $1.6 million, bringing the base to $34,500.
The current base salary is $33,585.
Priest reported he felt the second option was a little more competitive with larger neighboring school districts including Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Farmington.
“I think the district can do it and it’s fair to our existing staff,” Priest said.
He went on to add the difference between the traditional $500 increase and $915 would be just $283,000, a small number when looking at the budget versus the increase.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill added he believes the district needs to be proactive in maintaining the base to continue recruiting and retaining the highest quality instructors for the students.
Financial Report
Priest reported to the board total revenues for the month increased from last March by $160,103.
Total expenditures for the month totaled $4,508,842. This was an increase from last March as well, by $721,830.
Overall, Priest said, the change in fund balance for the year is up $6,566,103.
While the change in the fund balance increased, the total change in position year-to-date from last year decreased $1,694,422.
According to Priest, when considering the Early Childhood Center construction payment, the comparison is adjusted to being down $98,897.
Also approved was the tuition rate for 2019-20 of $9,744 for out-of-district students.
Next meeting
The next Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. May 16 in the central office board room, located at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd.