The Poplar Bluff R-1 School Board on Thursday approved an annual salary increase for faculty and staff for the 2023 fiscal year budget.
The addition of a step on the certified salary schedule will also include a $750 increase to the base for FY23 with a comparable amount added to the classified salary schedule.
These salary increases mean an overall budget increase for the district of $1.9 million, costs that Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill, Board President John Scott and several other members voiced support for in order to attract and retain the highest quality faculty and staff.
A proposal to renew the district’s health insurance plan was unanimously defeated, following Dr. Dill’s recommendation to do so.
Dr. Dill cited the 9.3 percent increase in premiums with no change in benefits offered as reasons to reject the proposal from Anthem, the district’s current insurer. Other options will be presented to the board in the near future.
After considering a proposal for new Sho-Me Band uniforms from music director Stephen Winters, the board chose to table the decision until actual uniform samples could be viewed at a future meeting.
The proposed uniform style features a maroon-and-white jacket over black pants. Some of the board members questioned the color choices and wanted to see different color options.
The bid from Fred J. Miller, Inc., would replace the band’s current uniforms, which are about 10 years old, for $100,000.
In technology improvements, the board approved a replacement Chromebooks purchase through Archangel Tablets for $347,985. These student computers will replace units throughout the district that have exceeded their six-year period of effectiveness.
The technology department will also be able to replace all the outdated computer switches in the district with the approval of the E-Rate FY2022 purchase through Novatech, Inc., for $706,598.
The E-Rate program will fund 80% of this cost, with the additional 20% coming from ESSER COVID relief funds. It will improve wi-fi signals and computer performance in every school.
The new Junior High building project took two steps forward with a pair of board approvals. The first will facilitate the Junior High Shop building demolition through Strack Excavating for $21,750.
The second decision awarded the Construction Manager At-Risk position for the Junior High Project to C.E. Norton Construction, Inc. of Poplar Bluff.
In further construction news, the board approved the first payment to Brockmiller Construction, Inc. for $87,495.95, for construction of the new school district administration building in downtown Poplar Bluff.
The board also approved the High School gym floor repair bid to Charles Luebbert Hardware Floors, Inc. for $60,672 as well as the District Paper Bid through Mills Iron & Supply for $31,500.
In the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Scott Dill informed the board that the school district currently stands at zero active COVID-19 cases. He indicated that the district will begin “dialing back restrictions” on in-school activities in light of the positive data.
Finally, the board approved an amendment to the current school year calendar to remove a collaboration day on Monday, March 28 in favor of a regular school day in which students will be in attendance.