Chamois R-1 school board members at their August meeting voted to keep the tax rate the same as last year at $5.1076. Assessed valuation in the school district did increase in 2022 by a total of $930,810. Real estate was calculated at $12,261,920 for 2021 and now is assessed at $12,499,270. Personal property has also increased in value with the assessed value in 2021 at $4,048,134 and the value for 2022 at $4,741,594. The total tax revenues generated for the school district would be $880,594, assuming a 100% collection rate. 

Superintendent Lyle Best noted that the school board has voted to leave the tax rate the same for several years. A recalculation of the State Assessed Railroad and Utility Calculation Program (SARRU) would have allowed the school board to raise the tax rate ceiling to $5.2093.  

“There is revenue that we could get that we are deciding not to,” Best said.

In other business, the school board approved a bid from Higgins Asphalt Paving Company to pave the overflow parking lot next to the main parking lot at school and the preschool parking lot for $64,120.50. Higgins Asphalt’s bid specified that the areas would be graded, shaped, and laid with three-inch asphalt; wheel stops would be removed before construction and reset after the project is completed. No timeline was specified for the project, and there will be an additional cost for painting the stripes for the parking spaces. 

Board member Rebecca Mehmert requested that there be practice lanes painted for the track team at the same time if there is adequate room. Principal Jeremey McKague thought that there would be enough room for something for the track team.

“It may not be perfect, but it could be good for practices,” McKague said.

• A structure to provide shade for the preschool playground was approved by the school board from All Inclusive Rec, LLC for $7,180.75. Board members have discussed the need for a shaded area at the playground at several previous meetings. Best is not sure when the equipment will arrive.

• A new water softener was approved for the school from Ecowater Systems for $7,504. Water softener was one of the items specified by Harold G. Butzer, Inc. to minimize further damage to the boiler system that the school uses for heating. The school board did not approve the $72,038 estimate from Harold G. Butzer to make needed repairs to the boiler system. Board President Steve Cramer suggested that the repairs for the boiler be tabled until the next meeting.

“I know there is a big push at the state level to get new systems in the schools, so there is a certain amount of fresh air in the facilities,” Cramer said. “I think that would be important to look at.”

Best noted that air quality was one of the areas in which the school tested poorly when the air quality survey was done several months ago.

Board members asked Best at the last meeting to get additional bids on adding mini-splits for heating instead of spending more money on the aging boiler system. Best explained that it was difficult to get bids for a new system without specifications on exactly what the school was looking for and without knowing how serious the school board is on putting in a new system.

“We would have to schedule a meeting with an architect or engineer to sit down and say what we are looking at and what would be involved so it could be bid out to give the board the best information possible to make a determination because there is a lot of variation,” Best said.  

There is also concern that there is insufficient electrical capacity for a new heating system.

“The electrical part is a little scary because typically, any time we’ve had people here looking at our facility, they are concerned (about the electrical system),” Best said.

Best explained that even if the school district bid to have a new heating system, it would not be installed and ready to use this winter, so repairs to the old boiler system would need to be made regardless.

“Even with the mini-splits, you usually end up with a supplemental heat source because on cold days, they can’t keep up,” Best said. “Ideally, that would be the existing boiler system.”

Board members will revisit the issue in October.

• The school board approved a revised Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Service (SRCSP) that aligns with the newest Center for Disease Control (CDC) policy. New guidelines maintain that anyone that tests positive for COVID-19 will stay home for five days and can return to school after symptoms are gone. They will need to wear a mask for an additional five days at school in places where they cannot social distance. Someone exposed to COVID-19 will need to wear a mask for 10 days in areas where they cannot social distance themselves and can remain in school as long as symptoms do not present themselves. Both policies are the same regardless of a student or staff member’s vaccination status. 

Chamois R-1 has the ability to test students and staff members if requested. McKague noted that students can social distance in most classrooms, so students required to wear a mask would only be doing so for part of the day. Board member Kris Wuelling questioned the need for any masking requirements at all and would like to see things go back to normal.

“We’ve been fairly consistent with following the guidelines, and this continues that,” Best said. 

The school district is required to review the SRCSP every six months.

• The school board approved a pay schedule with slight increases in some areas. 

— Substitute teacher pay (1-10 days) will go from $85 to $90 per day; (11-20 days) will go from $105 to $110 per day; (over 21 days) will remain at $175 per day (no change).

— Support staff will see an increase from $9.50 to $10.50 per hour.

— The pay for activity drivers increased from $9.00 per hour to $9.50 per hour, while pay per mile stayed the same at $.50.

— Reimbursements for mileage increased from $.49 per mile to $.55 per mile. Meal reimbursement for breakfast ($10) remained consistent with past years, while lunch increased from $10 to $15, and dinner will go from $15 to $20 per meal to reflect increased costs.

• The school board also approved the following pay schedule for extra duty with the percentage based on a base pay amount of $31,100: athletic director (12.5%), boys and girls head basketball coach (10%), boys and girls basketball assistant coach (4.5%), boys and girls junior high basketball coach (5%), volleyball head coach (6%), volleyball junior high coach (2%), cross country coach (8%), boys and girls head track and field coach (7%), boys and girls assistant track and field coach (4.5%), boys and girls junior high track and field coach (4%), high school academic team (2.5%), junior high academic team (2%), elementary quiz bowl (2%), senior sponsor (5%), junior sponsor (5%), FBLA sponsor (4.5%), FFA sponsor (5%), band (9.5%), and yearbook (2%).

Additionally, a stipend schedule was approved for the following positions: test coordinator ($1,500), title program coordinator ($1,000), teacher mentor/buddy ($300/$150), summer school teacher ($146 per day), summer school administration ($188 per day), approved after-school tutoring ($20 per hour), supervising during plan period ($15 per hour), Educator Rise sponsor ($1,150), gatekeeper ($10 per game), clock-keeper ($15 per game), scorekeeper ($15 per game), Parents as Teachers visit ($80/$50), Parents as Teachers ($30 per screening), parents as teachers group ($20 per hour), seasonal maintenance ($12 per hour), professional development committee chair ($300), professional development committee secretary ($300), professional development committee members ($200), after-school program director $20 per hour), after-school program staff ($15 per hour), and district leadership team members ($300 each).

• Board members approved changes to School District Policy #1450: Public Assess to District Documents. The revision appoints the school board secretary as the custodian of records. The previous policy did not designate one person for this role.

• The school board approved the state model as the school district’s Special Education Compliance Plan.

• Board members approved points of contact for the following federal education programs: English Language Learners (Leah Koenigsfeld), foster care (Meghan Birmingham), and homeless and migrant (Jeremey McKague).

• The school board approved outstanding bills for the month totaling $60,422.79.

• Chamois R-1 had the following balances in their accounts: general ($1,381,607), special ($88,533), and capital projects ($461,637).

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent Best reminded the board members that the school improvement committee planning meetings will be held on Sept. 7, 12, and 21. The sessions will start at 4:30 p.m., and there will be a meal/snack break. Best noted that the leadership team is currently trying to recruit business leaders and parents in the community to be a part of the meetings and serve on the committee. 

“We are hoping to exceed our expectations in forms of participation as one of the more difficult requirements, but an important one, is to have proper representation of groups within the community and not just the school itself,” Best explained. “We are reaching out to a lot of people so we can do that.”

• The parking lot work behind the preschool is cleaned up, although Mike Nolte had to bring in more fill than expected. The area is draining better than before as it has had standing water in the past.

• Several window air-conditioning units have been replaced over the summer. The new phone system has been installed, and the school is making the transition. The school district will retain the same phone number of 573-763-5666. The school district will be dropping to one fax-line number as well.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

“The facilities have come together very nicely,” McKague said. “The custodial staff have done a great job. Our facilities may be a little older, but we take great pride in making them look good.”

• The school district will be utilizing Josten’s for school pictures and the yearbook. The cost will be the same for the yearbooks, but there will be added flexibility for the yearbook staff.

• Band camp went well this summer.

• Chamois R-1 is adopting the portion of Rt. K in front of the school, from Hall Street to the Keilholz farm. The school will be responsible for picking up trash four times a year. The Missouri Department of Transportation will provide trash bags, safety vests, and a sign. 

“I think that is the least we can do for our community,” McKague said.