Fatima school board members at last Wednesday’s meeting voted in favor of approving the budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The approval came despite a deficit of $92,693.00 which is down from the $289,955.00 deficit faced last year.

“Last year at this time we had a budget showing a deficit of $289,955. While we are not able to close the books out quite yet, it appears we will close the year much better than that,” said Superintendent Chuck Woody in a letter submitted to the board at the meeting.

Woody went on to say in his letter that the Annual Secretary of the Board Report (ASBR) closed the prior fiscal year with a fund balance of 43.54%, which allows the district to handle times such as these.

During the meeting board members were given a presentation by High School Principal Sharyl Kelsch, Elementary School Principal Mellissa Wright, Special Education Director Kristie Scrivner, and Woody on the latest iteration of the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 6). MSIP 6 is focused on continuous improvement for all schools, the preparation of each student for life beyond high school, and promoting practices that lead to healthy school systems. MSIP 6 will take a closer look at what districts are doing to implement effective practices and sustain improvements, while increasing the focus on individual student growth. Board members will use this information to plan future goals for the district.

Kelsch made a proposal to the board that an alternative diploma option to students who may not otherwise graduate be offered. This option would allow students who meet minimum state requirements to receive a diploma alongside their classmates during the district's graduation ceremony. Current state minimum requirements are 24 credits while Fatima requires their graduates to have 27.5 credits.

“I want to make graduation an attainable goal for students who may have suffered during COVID or earlier in their academic careers,” said Kelsch.

Board members approved the proposal.

REPORTS

Scrivner informed the board she was going over her budget and working on scheduling and that they were transitioning from the Lumen program to SpedTrack.

Wright reported summer school will end on June 29. Wright told the board 246 students were enrolled, but due to vacations, attendance has been around 220. Wright also informed the board that current enrollment for next year is 260 with 39 of them being kindergarten students.

*Summer school field trips begin next week.

Kelsch asked the board for guidance on the virtual schedule. She mentioned that survey results showed staff was split on the process, with it being split 50/50 with those in favor of it and opposed. The survey was about those in favor of the 30 minute schedule or those in favor of regular bell hours.

“I would like to go ahead and keep it the way that we did it this last year,” said Kelsch. “Where we did 30 minute classes in the morning, a lunch break, and then the afternoon was for teachers to work, meet with students individually online, that type of thing.”

Kelsch was hopeful that they wouldn’t have to use the virtual schedule very much.

*Summer School Physical Education is going well with more than 20 participants.

*Summer class on Digital Animation had to be cancelled. Only six of those who had signed up showed up for the class.

*Credit recovery is going well in summer school.

*Health class has started in summer school.

*Kelsch reported that between 65 and 70 students have participated in high school summer school at some level.

*Summer camps for wrestling and dance teams have begun.

*Board Members approved the PDC plan and budget for 2021-2022.

*Board Members voted to accept a bid to replace flooring in the elementary music room from Freeburg Home Center in the amount of $6,266.16.

*Board Members voted to approve policy changes for the Missouri School Boards’ Association policies and procedures.

*Board Members voted to renew the Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) contract.

*Board Members voted to approve updates to the high school handbook.

*Board Members approved $854.72 in a food service transfer to cover staff lunches for the last year.

*Board Members approved a choir trip to Nashville, TN for March 31 - April 3. The cost is $1,200.00 per student and will not be paid for by the district.

*Board Members approved soliciting bids until July 12 at 3 p.m. on the following surplus items:

1 (one) 2006 Miller Millermatic 251 MIG Welder, set up for .035 wire and gas (tank not included). Minimum bid $750.00

2 (two) 07-08 Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 amp Arc Welders. Minimum bid $75.00 each

1 (one) 2006 Hypertherm Power max 1000 G3 Plasma Cutter. Minimum bid $500.00

13 (thirteen) 30” x 72” tables

5 (five) 36” x 72” tables

32 (thirty-two) Orange student desks

20 (twenty) “Fatima” folding chairs

1 (one) elliptical machine

1 (one) stationary bike

1 (one) curling machine

1 (one) ADVANCE 240LX 24 volt Scrubber (works but batteries are dead). Minimum bid $500.00

1 (one) 220 volt squirrel cage fan

* Bills were approved for $220,019.84.

* The next meeting is scheduled for July 21 at 7 pm.