Newly elected board members Bruce Goodrich and Lee Wright were sworn in Tuesday night during the reorganizational meeting of the Twin Rivers R-X School Board.
The board also elected Keith Parker and Goodrich to serve as president and vice president for the new term. Tonya Jones will continue to hold her current positions as board secretary and treasurer per board vote.
During the regular session board secretary, Jones stated the district is currently over budget by $30,000 regarding fuel costs. Revenue is also down from 4.67 percent in March to 4.46 percent at present, added Jones.
According to district financial reports the decrease in revenue is attributed to a combination of rising fuel costs, $40,000 replacement of the Qulin gymnasium floor, technology services through Tyler Tech and food program costs.
Discussion of additional expenses listed on the financial reports in excess of $2500 was tabled and moved to closed session. According to the board packet documents the tabled expenses include Cape Janitorial $3,747.50; unemployment claims $3,045.60; Home Service Oil $25,313.90; Ozark Border Electric $12,546.81; Tyler Technologies $11,644.24; Rogers HVAC $50,000; Chartwells $76,188.75; Liberty Utilities $3,076.18 and the junior class fundraiser $3,289.40.
The board motioned for and approved a district travel mileage reimbursement rate increase from .35 per mile to .46 per mile. Superintendent Dr. Ben Johnson stated he had surveyed other area schools to compare mileage pay rates. Johnson noted R-X had not had an increase in mileage pay rates since the 1990s and that the district was falling well below the area average on payout.
A representative from Chartwells food service informed the board expenses to operate the district meal program are up nearly $6000 more than two years prior. Chartwells noted that all federal government waivers put in place during the pandemic began will end on June 30 and federal changes to the district’s reimbursement amounts for the free and reduced programs will decrease. Overall cost of food and supply chain issues have negatively affected the program, Chartwells added.
The board also approved the 2022-2023 professional development plan.
In old business, the board motioned for and approved a $35,000 budget to purchase and equip a driver’s education vehicle for the high school. Special Education Director Tracie Austin stated Esser funds would cover the cost of the vehicle and peripheral equipment if budgeted accordingly through Esser.
Two special session board meetings have been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21 and 6 p.m. Friday, April 22 to interview candidates for the position of R-X superintendent. The final regular board meeting of the 2021-2022 school year is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 17.