The Poplar Bluff R1 School Board approved a reimbursement payment Thursday of $240,350 to the Athletic Booster Club for purchase of the senior high football field scoreboard, which includes coverage of any remaining installation costs.
In discussing the expense, several alternatives for scoreboard advertising were presented, including allowing high school marketing classes to oversee sales and production of scoreboard ads as well as allowing the Booster Club to post ads in other locations around the stadium.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill pointed out that whoever raises advertising revenue, all the proceeds go to benefit student-athletes. Dill expressed his intention to open a dialog with the Booster Club about different advertising alternatives going forward, and the measure passed without further clarification or objection.
High school Principal Dr. Valerie Ivy informed the board the annual graduation rate at PBHS was 92.9%, which is 1.6% lower than the previous year.
Ivy attributed the downturn to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated virtual learning on the part of many students. Ivy said virtual learning had a negative impact compared to having students present in classrooms and on campus.
“It is clear our students have a need for the emotional and behavioral support that comes with the students being at the school,” Ivy said.
District Athletic Director Kent Keith presented a report on athletics and extracurricular activities that highlighted the success of the inaugural girls’ golf team, which culminated in two golfers participating in the Missouri state finals.
Sophomore Olivia Thetford finished 22nd at state, with freshman teammate Rhyan Waddell placing 33rd.
Keith called the performance “the miracle of our girls’ golf program this year.”
Voted into existence by the board in July, coach Tyler Davis was hired the same month and had his first practice Aug. 8. Their first tournament was on Aug. 30.
Along the way, the team roster grew to nine golfers, and then ended the season with five, which was enough to compete in the playoffs.
During the season, the team never finished a single tournament in last place, outpacing many other schools with larger, more well-established programs, according to the discussion.
Keith also reported on plans to start Junior High baseball this year, his concerns about declining numbers on the Trap Shooting team, and the news that 20 student-athletes were awarded college scholarships this year.
The board approved the third scheduled payment of $166,183.30 to CE Norton Construction for the ongoing work on the new high school stadium concession and restroom project.
Technical Career Center Director Charles Kinsey requested and received approval to apply for an ARPA Missouri Area Career Center Grant to focus on the areas of highest need at the TCC.
Kinsey identified these areas as seven security entrances throughout the center and upgrades to the older parts of the center, particularly the roofs.
The grant is a 75/25 matching grant. If the district is awarded the maximum amount of $533,333, it will receive $400,000 back in return from the grant.
Transportation Director Jon McKinney informed the board they are working with students and drivers to conduct bus evacuation drills so that all can be prepared in case of an emergency.
This effort coincides with National Transportation Week, which stresses the importance of safety on school buses.
McKinney also announced an upcoming initiative to install cameras on the stop arms that extend from the front of buses when students are loading and unloading. These cameras will increase student safety and also provide information when motorists illegally pass a stopped bus.
Earlier in the meeting, Joshua Ivy, the technology specialist for the transportation department, was given special recognition for overseeing the TransFinder software, which gives real-time information about each bus in terms of location, speed, status and condition.
Dill praised Ivy and the whole department, saying, “Technology has infused every aspect of our operations, and transportation is no exception.”
Dill informed the board in his report that he has been approached by community members about the possibility of starting a junior high girls’ softball team. He asked the board to consider that for possible action in the future.
He also said that in progress with the downtown administration building, they are waiting for mechanical engineering to be completed, but that there are many construction projects throughout the area, which have caused delays.
Dill expects once the final engineering work is completed, request for bids can be sent out to proceed with the actual construction.
The starting time for the next board meeting, scheduled for Nov. 17, was changed to 7 p.m. to accommodate a visit from state education officials.