Fatima R-3 board members at their May 20 meeting decided not to hold summer school this year, as the district will not break even with the number of students currently interested.

Superintendent Chuck Woody said an average year draws about 250 elementary students for the summer session, but this year, only 147 students had indicated an interest. Usually about 120 students in grades 7-12 turn out for summer school, but last year was about 80 and approximately 50 have expressed an interest this year.

“We’ve always used the rule that we need 10 kids in a class in order to pay that teacher’s salary,” said Woody. “I know the benefits of getting kids back to school, and I know everyone around this table understands that, but I can’t social-distance them on the bus. We have a hard call here.”

Other schools have decided to hold summer school, including Linn and Chamois, but Woody said he believes numbers are lower than normal.

Foundation Formula funding is based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA) with summer school hours, and Fatima can use last year’s numbers (2018-19) as its ADA.

“If we don’t have the numbers, we’ll be in trouble,” said Woody of future ADA calculations.

Woody said his biggest concern is the safety aspect. “I think if you do summer school and we have someone come down with (COVID-19), how to we answer that? We could have someone come down with next fall, or not at all, but I think there’s going to be some guidelines,” said Woody.

Board member Matt Robertson noted the school should follow these guidelines as best it can, and if something happens, it can be addressed.

Board member Keith Huhn asked if there is a plan in place for cleaning and disinfecting the school during a summer session.

“If we have guidelines and we can’t follow them, we can’t have summer school,” he added.

High School Principal Sharyl Kelsch said one consideration is the curriculum, which teachers will have to rewrite if summer school is held, and if the curriculum is changed, and summer school is not held, “They’re going to be hot.”

Kelsch added that with the time involved before the initially projected June 2 start of summer school, there wasn’t enough of a window to get it done. Further, it’s tough to get the classes ready for those who have expressed an interest in certain courses, or get enough kids in each class.

There is no way to know how things will play out, but Kelsch said that if the school is in the same situation in the summer of 2021, remote summer school could be an option as students now have Chrome Books, and with a year of preparation, remote learning would be more feasible than it is this year.

Transportation costs are another concern, noting that six buses would be required.

Woody said other districts are asking parents to bring their kids to the school to free up room on buses for social distancing.

“That won’t work very well for us,” said board member Suzanne Massman.

Of not offering summer school, Huhn said he believes it’s the right call.

“I agree, but part of me feels like it’s an overreaction,” said Robertson.

“I’ll agree with that, but from society as a whole, not from us as a board,” said President Doug Luebbering agreed.

“We’re being forced into this,” Robertson said.

In other business, the board opted to remain with Mueller, Walla & Albertson for auditing services at a cost not to exceed $4,590 per year for the next three years. Also bidding were Graves & Associates ($5,000, $5,250, $5,525) and Gerding, Korte & Chitwood ($5,900, $6,100, $6,300).

* Three very similar bids were received for banking services, and Fatima opted to go with Mid America Bank, which offered interest-bearing checking at a rate of 100% of the 91-day T-bill rate (plus 25 basis points), and investment savings/funds management at a rate of 100% as described above.

Also bidding were Maries County Bank, which offered interest-bearing checking at a rate of 100% of the federal funds rate plus .15% (currently at .40%), and investment savings/funds management  at a rate of 100% of the federal funds rate plus .15% (currently at .40%), and Legends Bank, which offered interest-bearing checking at a rate of 100% of the federal funds rate, with a minimum of .25% guaranteed for one year, and investment savings/funds management  at a rate of 100% of the federal funds rate.

* A propane bid of $0.69 per gallon was accepted from  MFA Oil for the main campus, as Ferrellgas offered a cost of $0.765 gallon, and Lock’s Mill Propane submitted a bid of $0.77 per gallon.

* A bid of $1.15 per gallon was accepted for propane at the Fatima R-3 Preschool.

* Contract Paper Group will again provide paper to the district at a cost of $24.65 per case. Also bidding were Office Depot ($25.50 per case) and Schriefers Office Supplies ($29.95 per case).

* Fatima will continue to provide Career Ladder for eligible teachers. Woody said it’s a great program for teachers, who have to provide tutoring and other activities with students.

* The board hired James Monzan as a custodian, elementary teacher Amy Rush and high school teacher Laura Kesel.

* Woody told the board in his report that a Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) resolution notes that any federal or state law passed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will supersede school policy.

* Professional Development days will be held June 16, 17 and 24, during which teachers will work on vertical alignment and look at strategies for different options in the coming school year. Woody explained there needs to be plan for in-person school, remote education and a hybrid of the two.

* A hearing regarding the first day of school will be held at 6:45 p.m., just before the next meeting June 10.

* Curriculum Coordinator Janah Massman noted that most juniors had signed up to take the ACT test June 2.