The Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education voted unanimously at last night's monthly meeting to move forward with the Long Range Planning Committee's proposal for a new Early Childhood Center. Board Member Heather Tuggle made the motion to further explore costs associated with the project, before approving a final decision on whether or not to build.
"This was part of the original (long range) plan that was proposed to the public," she said. "I think we should see what it's going to cost."
An illustration of the building by Architect Benjamin Traxel of Dille and Traxel shows the new construction connecting to the current Kindergarten Center. Approximate square footage is roughly 36,000 square feet, he said.
"A benefit of this plan is collaboration (between ECH and kindergarten teachers) and students staying on-site for more than one year," Traxel said.
Superintendent Scott Dill said moving the center from its current location at the newer Mark Twain school building on Main Street, will give the district an opportunity to expand the program and also means a child potentially could spend three years on the proposed campus if they elect to participate for two years in the ECH program before spending a year in kindergarten.
Longtime ECH teacher Pam Stucker attended the meeting to support the committee's proposal.
"Early childhood has always been put into a building that is a leftover," she told the board. "I really hope the teachers are involved in the planning and design process. A lot of zeros thrown around tonight have been directed to athletics and I'd like to see it contributed to academics."
Board member Roger Hanner supported looking further into the project, but cited cost as his primary concern.
Dill hopes that if the project if approved, the then-vacant Mark Twain building can be converted into an alternative school to benefit students whose needs are not met in a "traditional brick and mortar" school system. He said his long-term vision for an alternative campus will create multiple paths to success for students in the district.
"Behavior issues often have their root in learning issues," said Dill, suggesting when a student has to choose between misbehaving or appearing as unintelligent, he or she will usually choose to misbehave.
Board members also voted to approve a proposal by Superintendent of Personnel Dr. Amy Jackson for a 40-hour per week clerical and tracking position. The new nine-month position will assist Attendance Officer Misty Dodson, who told the board at September's meeting that her workload has increased substantially in the last few years.
Athletic Director Kent Keith said the athletic program has grown by 75 students since the previous year.
"I'd attribute a lot of that to the junior high soccer program," he said. The impact of the junior high pom squad won't show until next year's numbers, he added.
Keith also said the grade point average for Poplar Bluff athletes is "steady in the B range."
Board members approved the bid purchase of Blue Bird 77 passenger bus for $79,923.00. According to Director of Transportation Ronnie Martin, the current 40-bus fleet is enough for an average school day but said he wanted to add an additional bus as a safety net in case of emergencies.
"With the 40 in the fleet, when we have four or five buses on a trip, that leaves me one or two spare buses," Martin said. "If one bus is in the shop, that puts it pretty close. If I've got two buses in the shop, we're out."
Board members also approved bids from Mills Iron Supply for a semi-load of paper at $18,858 or $22.45 per case, and from TKO Education Solutions for replacement desktop computers through bid for $41,220.00.
The next Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 in the Central Office Board Room.