WESTPHALIA  — Fatima R-3 board members reviewed updated plans for the new building to be constructed if voters approve a bond levy on April 4.

Superintendent Chuck Woody explained that new plans would result in the addition of two more classrooms, bringing the total to 19, if there’s enough funding.

“It will cost more to build those classrooms, but that space is our priority,” he said. “We will have to review the numbers at our budget workshop next week and see how things look.”

With a levy of 65 cents, Fatima would generate about $11 million, and the project may cost approximately $1.5 million more. Woody noted the board could decide to build up the capital projects fund and pay the difference in cash.

In addition to new classrooms, the plans created by Porter, Berendzen & Associates of Ashland call for a two-level gymnasium to replace the current building constructed in 1974. Woody noted that, currently, there isn’t enough space for various teams and organizations to hold practices or events simultaneously. “That would be corrected with this project,” he said. “We want everyone to have a place to do their thing.”

A significant benefit to the new design is that the campus would be enclosed. The last levy was approved in 2011 and provided new high school classrooms, but the elementary campus remained relatively unchanged. Further, the band room is accessible from the outside, which would not be the case in the new plan.

Additionally, parking on the east side of the building is another plus.

Woody noted that some classes would remain in the current high school building, and other rooms that may be vacated can be repurposed.

As plans are developed, Fatima will hold town hall meetings at locations within the district. The first will be held at 7 p.m. on March 6 at the Loose Creek Community Center. On March 7, a meeting will be held in the Sacred Heart School cafeteria in Rich Fountain, also at 7 p.m.

Additional meetings will be held at the American Legion Paul A. Hasenbeck Post 305 in Freeburg (March 14, 7 p.m.), the Fatima High School gym (March 21, 6 p.m.), and the Meta Fire Station (March 22, 7 p.m.).

Woody encouraged district patrons to attend a meeting. “We want to make sure everyone understands what we’re proposing, how much it will cost, and what to expect moving forward,” he added.

If you can’t attend a meeting, please call Woody at the school or talk to a board member.

In other business, board members approved the renewal of the district’s insurance through the Ozark Schools Benefit Association (OSBA), a self-funded group, with an increase of 5.2%.

Woody explained that when Fatima joined OSBA, the understanding was that the district would pay an increase of 5.2% in each of the first three years on a tiered plan. Had the consortium seen an increase above that amount, Fatima would have been responsible for paying the difference.

“Everyone is very healthy, so rates did not go up for OSBA,” Woody noted.

That means R-3 will simply pay the 5.2% increase.

Whether Fatima will absorb part or all of that increase has yet to be determined. Woody said the issue would be discussed at the upcoming budget workshop and revisited next month.

• Salary Committee members requested an increase of 5% to the base and adjustments to the education and experience steps to bump veteran teachers to that amount. “We want to give teachers what we can, but the pie is only so big,” said Woody, again citing the budget workshop as an opportunity to determine what increase the district can afford.

• Board members approved the 2023-24 school calendar, which shows a start date of Aug. 22, and a final day of May 17, with release at 11:22 a.m.

Woody noted the calendar includes 176 contracted teacher days and 169 student days. Teachers are required to participate in seven Professional Development days.

One decision to be made is whether the district will participate in the state’s Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) program.

According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), schools will not be required to make up hours that are lost or canceled due to exceptional or emergency circumstances (up to 36 hours) if the district implements a DESE-approved AMI plan.

With the plan in place, students may work from home when school is not in session under these circumstances. Elementary students would have instructional packets, and students in grades 7-12 would utilize Google Classroom.

Woody noted that the plan must be accepted or denied as is, meaning DESE does not allow modifications. Board members will review the decision at the March meeting.

• Following Principal Sheryl Kelsch’s retirement announcement last month, the board promoted Assistant Principal Matt Verslues to fill her position and will seek his replacement.

• Several surplus items were sold. Randy Lockwood purchased a 1985 Chevy truck with a bid of $2,752; Eric Winkles purchased nine sets of lockers for a total bid of $1,900; and Janet Kliethermes submitted the winning bid of $250 for a Vulcan 32-quarter mixer.

• Bills were approved totaling $314,309.40.