The Twin Rivers R-X School District, along with the CTS Group, have been busy over the summer making improvements to buildings throughout the district.
At the Fisk campus, the middle school received several energy efficient updates including updated windows in classrooms and air units. Cosmetic updates included new carpet in the library, painting several lockers and doors and Job Corps from Mingo is sandblasting and painting poles outside the school. The lower elementary building received a new roof over the summer.
New air and heat units were added at both the B and C buildings at the Broseley campus. The C building also received new windows as well as a drop ceiling, and the outside of the building is being power washed and painted.
Qulin Middle School also was on the list to receive a new air conditioning unit and windows while the parking lot at the elementary is being repaved.
Twin Rivers Superintendent Jeremy Siebert said the updates are an ongoing process.
During the regular board meeting, Donna Sue Fincher-Ashcraft updated the board on the Back to School Fair, which will be held Aug. 2, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Broseley Gym.
The fair is open for Pre-K through 12th grade students in the Twin Rivers School District.
On-site, many services will be offered for free of charge just in time for back to school including vision exams, dental checks, hair cuts by the Black River Beauty Academy as well as school supplies items and backpacks.
Physicals will be offered during the day by Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center along with a physical therapist on-site.
Fincher-Ashcraft said two-thirds of the student body turned out last year for the popular event.
Anyone can have a booth at the Back to School Fair, the only requirement is to have some sort of back to school items for students.
To register for a booth, call Fincher-Ashcraft at 573-328-4867 or 573-429-4180.
Employee handbook revisions and the accident policy for students were approved unanimously by the board as well as the free and reduced lunch income policies. There were no changes in the household income eligibilities from the previous year to qualify for free or reduced lunches.
Four bids were accepted during the meeting, all from the lowest bidders in each category.
Three companies bid for the entire items for the food service bid. The bids between Kohl Wholesale and US Foods were only separated by a little over $680, with Kohl Wholesale being the lowest bidder. Kohl was unanimously accepted by the board as the food service provider.
Three propane bids were submitted with Southeast Cooperative Service being the lowest bidder and accepted by the board.
Only one bid was received and accepted for septic services from C&S Septic Service.
The two bids for termite and pest control the board received were the most debated among, but the board decided to accept the lower bid from Ham's. The buildings are sprayed monthly and the company will return in between visits as needed for a monthly fee of $185.
The approval of the athletic handbook was tabled until next meeting. Board member Billy Watson expressed he would like to have more time to study the handbook before voting.
Siebert said the only addition was to hold parent meetings before the beginning of each sport season, while the rest of the items were from MSHAA rules. Siebert added the scheduling of parent meetings for fall sports will still move forward.
During executive session, all personnel items were unanimously accepted by the board. Those included Missy Norrid's resignation as a social work aid, hiring Scott Kirkman as a full time bus driver, hiring Cathy Provance as a high school special education teacher and hiring Emily Ward and Courtney Barnett as cheer sponsors.
The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at the Central Office Board Room in Broseley.