For at least 64 consecutive days a layer of dirt and at times standing water have covered a portion of the track at Poplar Bluff High School while administrators and maintenance crews devised a plan to reroute runoff from the steep hillside behind it.
At last night's monthly Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education meeting, a tentative plan to build a retaining wall with a "better drainage system" behind it was proposed to board members and discussion regarding how to proceed commenced.
According to Superintendent Scott Dill, the drainage issues are at no fault of either the engineers or the builders and said the current system "simply doesn't work."
Superintendent of Finance Rod Priest said the retaining wall would span approximately 340 feet and estimated costs to land between $70,000-90,000. The project would be funded with capital reserve funds which Dill described as "healthy."
Board of Education President John Scott expressed frustration with how long it is taking to get the situation under control. He first addressed the issue at the May 18 board meeting and today said the lengthy amount of time it is taking to find a solution is unsatisfactory.
"The situation with the track is unacceptable," Scott said. "Since we first talked about this at the May meeting 64 days ago, the problem has gotten worse. The track needs to be cleaned and the problem fixed."
Board member Roger Hanner agreed. He said while he thinks the retaining wall is a good idea, it's not the only thing that needs to happen to fix the problem. Hanner said finding a way to stop the erosion coming down from the hillside above is also a key factor.
"The frustration is we have school and football starting in a month. There needs to be a sense of urgency with this. (Fixing the problem) should have been a priority last year and needs to be one of the priorities we look at with a sense of urgency," he continued.
Hanner was referring to additional water control issues occurring at the middle school. During heavy rain, water continues to permeate the lower gym lobby flowing well into the building. Dill said during last week's downpour, administrators and maintenance staff were able to catch the flooding before any permanent damage could occur.
Scott also expressed concern during that discussion, adding that he'd rather look into a remedy for issues pertaining directly to students than dedicating such a large amount of time to the athletic stadium.
Dill said he hopes to find a solution for the track in order to provide the public with the quality facility it deserves.
"Through nobody's fault of own, we have a problem out there. I would like to move forward with securing a permanent solution to this problem."
Board members approved an increase to adult school meal pricing. Lunches will now be $3 and breakfast will be $1.85 beginning in the upcoming school year. The board also approved the 2017-18 program and assessment schedule.
Dill said students at the Poplar Bluff Graduation Center will be relocated from 1316 Maude St., to the former home of the Poplar Bluff Practical Nursing Program at the Technical Career Center.
Dill said the fix should be temporary while he and the Long Range Planning Committee work to find a permanent home for the students. However, he said removing them from the run down building was of the utmost importance.
Stuff the Bus, an annual school supply drive, will be held Aug. 5 at Walmart. The first day of school is set for Aug. 17.
The next Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 24 in the Central Office Board Room, located at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd.