The Salem R-80 School District held its monthly board meeting Thursday, July 18, during which school administrators shared how preparation for the upcoming school year was coming along.
Present for the meeting were president Dru Howard, vice president Sammi Parker, secretary Andrew Wynn, member Jason Green, member Steven Patterson, and member Marjorie Pyatt. Treasurer Philip Mercer was absent.
Also in attendance were superintendent Nathan Wills, assistant superintendent Dan Copeland, high school principal Jody Heavin, middle school principal Rachel Green, upper elementary principal Branden Piatt, and William Lynch elementary principal Herman Blau.
Superintendent report
Wills shared with the board that there haven’t been any changes to the personnel handbook this year. He updated the board on the greenhouse progress, stating that supplies have been ordered and construction will begin as soon as they arrive. The greenhouse construction is part of the insurance claim from hail damages, he said.
Cahill’s Construction is on schedule with the FEMA shelter. The goal is to complete the project by the end of August. There is security fencing surrounding the project, and a project trailer nearby. Crew members had to remove trees to prepare a thoroughfare for material transport.
Wills notified the board that meetings will soon be streamed online. There was a plan to stream the July 18 meeting, but there were technical difficulties due to YouTube restrictions. He thanked KSMO Radio for the assistance in getting preparations underway for streaming.
Dan Copeland, assistant superintendent, shared an update on new tiger training. Training is set-up for Aug. 13 and Aug.14. Training will include introductions, meeting with principals, touring buildings, and some technology training.
Wills and Copeland invited board members to breakfast and staff recognitions on Aug. 19 at 7:15 a.m.
Wills shared that MAP and EOC score are in and will be presented in the coming months.
Administration reports
High School Principal Jody Heavin
Online registration is going well. A lot of parents gave compliments regarding the ease of registration. Several teachers went to the South Central Learning Summit and other annual conferences and are looking forward to the start of the school year.
Middle School Principal Rachel Green
Green is pleased with the progress being made throughout the middle school building. The hallways are being waxed and some painting needs done this week—other than that, the middle school is ready for August.
Green stated that communications will be coming out regarding the electronics policy to be enforced this coming year, in which phones are to be left in backpacks and lockers during instructional hours. She said students have been told and are aware of the policy. Communications will be coming through Infinite Campus or Facebook making parents and guardians aware of the policy, as well.
There was a huge turnout at the South Central Learning Summit. She was proud of how hard the middle school teachers are working.
Upper Elementary Principal Branden Piatt
Piatt shared that at the St. James awards banquet, Upper Elementary was recognized. Piatt shared that plenty of teachers are in “back-to-school mode” and getting their rooms ready for the coming year. Several teachers attended the South Central Learning Summit in Rolla. Upcoming PD days are scheduled at the beginning of August.
William Lynch Elementary Principal Herman Blau
Blau shared that he attended the St. James awards banquet, where William Lynch received a tier 3 Award of Excellence. Blau also shared that for the first time in two years, every position is hired for.
In New Business:
• Wills explained that it’s time to approve the bids from the insurance claim on the roof project. Three bids were submitted for the entire packet. Patterson made the motion to approve SRI Contractors LLC. roof bid, seconded by Pyatt. The motion passed, 6-0.
• The motion was made to authorize Wills to solicit bids for propane, gas, and pest control by Wynn, seconded by Green. The motion passed, 6-0.
• There was a first reading of a board policy reading. Wills will be giving more information next month on the update.
• Meal prices for the 2024-25 school year have gone up a dime. The motion to pass was made by Parker; seconded by Wynn. The motion passed, 6-0.
• Wills explained that the tin gym has been cut off technologically, which has become an issue. The motion to approve the bid for fiber to the tin gym with Advanced Telephone LLC. was made by Wynn, seconded by Green. The motion passed, 6-0.
• The motion to approve Progressive Ozark Bank Season Pass Debit Card proposal was made by Patterson, seconded by Green. The motion passed, 6-0. Local schools in Houston and Mountain Grove are also participating in the program. There is no cost to Progressive Ozark Bank customers or the district. Wills explained that Progressive Ozark Bank would be giving the district a check at the end of the year for the amount of accounts linked with the particular debit card.
• A tax rate hearing was set for Aug. 15 at 5:15 p.m., while the regular August board meeting was set for 5:30 p.m.
In closed session, from 5:51 p.m. to 6:19 p.m., the board discussed student issues and real estate issues. Wills also notified the board of the internal moves of Jody Parker, RN UE Nurse; Christine Smith, aide at William Lynch; and Terry Nash, bus driver.
The board also unanimously approved the following:
• the salaries of Mary Hinkel and Brian Andrews
• extending Carmen Vaughan’s contract by five days from 203 to 208 days
• Tammy Herpich as teacher, pending background check
• hiring John Smith
• Brandon Schloemer as MS Football Volunteer
• Lonnie Lee as Assistant Track
