The Poplar Bluff school board in the coming weeks will consider whether to sell or fix the Hentz Center, the former home of the Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff that is currently in need of major repair.
The center is owned by the district, who for 12 years has leased it to the club for $1 per month. Damage to the gymnasium roof necessitated the club end activities there in September 2016 and relocate to Poplar Bluff Middle School.
"In regard to the Hentz Center, the primary question is, in my opinion, one of utility to the school district," said superintendent Scott Dill. "Of what value, educationally, is this facility to the students in the Poplar Bluff School District? Does it fit into our long term education and facility planning goals?"
While insurance negotiations are ongoing, repairs could far exceed $180,000, officials said during the Thursday school board meeting.
"Of secondary concern, but only slightly so, is the question of effective use of taxpayer funds. As Mr. (Rod) Priest indicated at the board meeting, the costs for repairs to the Hentz Center are, potentially significant," Dill said.
Board members tabled the pending motion for the time being, but expect to make a vote on the status of the building at the May meeting.
"We, as a school district, have an obligation to leverage taxpayer dollars for the maximum benefit of our students. We will, working in concert with the board of education, move forward in this discussion to make the best possible decision for our students, and for our community," Dill said.
Another tabled item that may see a vote at the May meeting is the addition of a pom squad at the junior high school. Athletic director Kent Keith spoke in favor of the program, saying it would benefit students and high school coaches.
"I see this as a real need and an opportunity to create some self confidence in some young ladies who may have been cut from the cheer squad and other teams, and also during the fall and winter seasons to be actively involved in our football and basketball games," Keith said.
"The other thing, it will help coach (Stephanie) Halter at the high school later on as we see young ladies finish out their junior high years and try to get in the high school program," he said.
Board members asked for cost estimates - expected to be minimal athletic officials said - and agreed to further the discussion at the May meeting.
A $500 increase to certified employee base salary is under consideration, but also tabled until the May meeting. The raise would cost $330,972 in fiscal year 2018. However, with Missouri school funding yet to be decided in the state senate, anticipated district revenue remains cloudy.
School meal prices will increase 5 cents next year per federal mandate. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun increasing prices across the nation to equalize the difference between free and paid meals.
USDA believes some U.S. schools are using free and reduced meal reimbursements to keep the cost of paid meals low. Thus, board members approved an average lunch price increase of $2.15 to $2.20 to take effect in the 2017-18 school year.
A proposed policy related to alternative suspension for drug offenses was also tabled until the May meeting. The change adds language a student under the influence is cause for discipline, outlines steps for positive or altered drug screens and mandates cooperation with county juvenile authorities for drug offenses.
Board members approved more then $88,000 in technology purchases during the Thursday meeting. ViG Solutions, a national retailer based in Texas, will furnish 200 HP desktop computers at a cost of $53,000. NovaCopy/Shelton Business Machine based in Malden, Mo., will provide the district an industrial firewall device at a cost of $35,805.
Upcoming school event dates include senior prom at 7 p.m. Saturday at Black River Coliseum and high school graduation at 7 p.m. May 25, also at the coliseum. The last day of school is May 26.
The next meeting of the Poplar Bluff R-I Board of Education will take place at 7 p.m. May 18 at the administration building, 1110 North Westwood. The meeting is open to the public.