The R-1 School District School Board met on Tuesday evening, November 17. Board members Ken Truska and Patrick Martin were absent.

The agenda included bids from several companies for roof repairs; refurbishing the  parking lot at the Intermediate School, fencing and the downspouts at the high school. The Board tabled the bids received for the  engineering plans until they could determine which company had actual licensed engineers creating the plans. Board Chair Dr. Kelly Burlison identified the law regarding licensed engineers as; Mo Revised Statutes 327.421:

As taken from the statute; “327.421. This state and its political subdivisions including counties, cities and towns, or legally constituted boards, agencies, districts, commissions and authorities of this state shall not engage in the construction of public works involving the practice of architecture, engineering or land surveying, unless the architectural and engineering drawings, specifications and estimates and the plats and surveys have been prepared by an architect, professional engineer or professional land surveyor whose license is current and in good standing, as the case may require.”

They also tabled the two roofing bids until some questions could be answered about the taxes, decking and ultraviolet material engrained in the roofing material to enhance longevity. One bid was received from Huffman Roofing and the other from Geissler Roofing out of Belleview, Illinois.

Two bids on the Intermediate school parking lot were received; one from Carl Jones and the other from Spain Trucking.  Jones was on hand at the meeting to answer questions from the Board.  He also explained his plan of work and said he carries all the necessary insurance and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA) training. The Board decided to table the bids until they had time to contact Spain Trucking and ask for updated information regarding their bid and related costs.

Several fencing projects were bid on by only one company; Burch Fencing in Farmington. The school district has used the company in the past and has not had problems according to the general consensus of the Board. The bid prices included projects at the Middle School tennis courts and high school. Some of the work will be paid for by insurance claims from the May 8 storm damage according to Burlison. The bid also had provisions for fencing around the air conditioner units that are on the ground at the high school. The Board motioned and accepted the bids for all the projects, except the air conditioning units because the cost for the A/C fencing was not part of the insurance settlement.  Of the two options for wire, 11 gauge or 9 gauge; They decided to use 9 gauge fencing wire at the Bus Barn project.

The bids for repair/replacement of the 21 downspouts came from

Sargents Construction  (Base bid of $11,492). Plaster repair priced at $6,621 and metal priced at $485 according to Board President Dennis Bess as he opened the bids.

Sheet Metal Contractors of Desoto (Base bid of $7,639 including plaster repair as indicated in the bid). Two options were included in Sheet Metal’s bid; one for $21,270 and one for $11,990.

The school has a total of 42 downspouts according to Board members. Greg Burns was on hand from Sheet Metal to answer any questions. They have worked at the high school before.

The Board agreed to repair 21 downspouts and wait until a later date to work on the remaining 21 downspouts. The work entails repair on some plaster around the downspout holes and either spraying on protective material or adding rubber lining to the guttering. The rubber lining would require replacement at the time the second batch of downspouts were repaired, causing an additional cost; if the work is not done all at once on all 42 downspouts.

The Board approved the substitute teacher’s list with Leo Francis abstaining on the vote.

A short report by delegates Xandra Sonderman and Richard Allgier was given to the Board regarding the trip to the Missouri State MSBA meeting.  One issue that was raised talked Senate bill 291. http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=683252

The bill was pending further surveys due in December, 2009. A short list of possible students affected by the bill will be examined according to Burlison.

Dr Burlison mentioned the College Night that was held at the high school. (Another College Night is planned for the near future according to some Extension Council members).

Some of the light poles on school campuses may be damaged from the May 8 storm according to Chadd Starkey. The board will be looking into the issue.  The poles were probably installed in 1949 as best as can be determined.

Representative Shelley Keeney may be at the next School Board meeting scheduled for December 15, 2009.

The agenda also included the following activities:

Dec 4-FFA Barnwarming

Dec 5- Elementary School breakfast with Santa

Dec 8-Elementary Music Program 6 PM.

Dec 10 P.A.T. group meeting-6-7:30 at the Elementary Cafeteria

Dec 12-Madrigal Dinner; High School cafeteria.

Dec 13-Holiday Concert (cost involved).

Dec 15-December Board meeting and Christmas dinner. 6:00 p.m.

January 30-Fredericktown Night at Mineral Area College.

Dr. Burlison said the attendance has been running about 89 to 90 percent and the disinfecting procedures are still being applied.

Closed session followed for a personnel issue.