Twin Rivers School Board discussed accepting bids for the building of a 30X30 concession storage building for the booster club, as well as the installation of an awning and a 14x14 stand-alone freezer unit. The 2023-2024 calendar was also discussed and approved during the meeting.
A design and bid were submitted by R.L. Persons Construction, Inc. out of Poplar Bluff for $139,999, in regards to building the concession storage building. The matter was tabled, during their recent February meeting, for further consideration after they discussed the possibility of using ESSER funds as well as Booster Club fundraising to fund the new building. ESSER funds are federal funds that were disbursed to schools to assist during the pandemic.
Bids were also accepted in regard to the erection of the awning and freezer unit.
“We’re not picking up the tab for this. It still comes back from our DESE rebate,” said Superintendent Rob Brown, who explained, “We had that $95,000 balance with DESE food service. That money has to be used for food service items.”
Two bids were considered in regard to the freezer unit and awning, a bid from Winchester for $21,200 and the other from Keith Payne for $11,550. According to Brown, the quotes include the labor, awning, concrete pad and materials. The vote was unanimous amongst the board to accept the bid from Keith Payne.
The calendar approved for the next school year was carefully considered by board members. They voted and unanimously approved a calendar that will allow for unforeseen weather days. Students will attend school on the Monday and Tuesday of the week of Christmas, as well as the Monday and Tuesday of the week of Thanksgiving.
Brown said, “I have operated on this calendar once before as a high school principal and it’s two holiday weeks. They are still getting the same amount of time for Christmas and I always worry about having to extend it into late May or early June. Nobody wants that.”
Also briefly discussed was the current legislative push for open enrollment of schools. The current senate bill SB1010, according to MO.gov, establishes provisions allowing enrollment of nonresident students in public school districts and modifies provisions regarding transportation costs for certain districts. Brown stated concerns about the new legislation, the board agreed with the concerns and they unanimously voted to adopt a resolution allowing the school to opt in or out once a final decision has been made in the house.
The next board meeting has been scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, March 16.