WESTPHALIA — Fatima school board members, at their meeting on Wednesday, June 17, approved the purchase of a 15-passenger Sprinter van, to be paid for by the Athletic Booster Club. Superintendent John Kitchens explained that the school has been discussing purchasing an additional van for some time. Kitchens noted that Rudroff Bus Company owner Joe Neuner would be willing to help train individuals who would like to obtain a chauffeur’s license and help transport students.

“When we look at the number of students in volleyball this upcoming year, and other sports, this expands our ability to use something, and the Athletic Booster Club wants to fund it,” Kitchens said.

The district owns several vehicles and three buses.

“With the price of gas, this could really save us some money,” Kitchens added.

In other business, Kitchens asked board members how the district determined which textbooks to purchase on any given year.

“I don’t know how we handle this,” Kitchens said. “Do we do a rotation?”

Kitchens said that he thought the cost of new textbooks would be a lot more than the ones that were recently purchased. He was surprised at how affordable they were.

“I thought they were going to be $100,000 and they were more like $5,000,” Kitchens said.

School Board Secretary Sarah Brendel explained that the school was purchasing new social studies books because they were requested by an incoming teacher.

The textbooks were included in the budget.

Board members asked how new textbooks were selected.

“Each teacher is an expert on their own content,” said Special Education Coordinator Janah Massman. “If the Ag teacher wants to update something, they are the expert, and I trust them. We start the process by getting them different ones to look at, and then we go through them together.”

Elementary Principal Renee Ellingworth-Albert noted that this was the same process for elementary teachers.

“We want the teachers to be invested in what we are buying,” she said.

Massman noted that the Social Studies textbooks needed to be updated since they listed former President Barack Obama as a senator.

“We need to be able to update them,” Massman said.

• Board members approved Mueller, Walla, & Albertson Accounting in St. Louis for the upcoming financial audit at a cost of $9,340. The district had asked for sealed bids for the auditing services for the next fiscal year and only received one additional bid from KPM CPA’s & Advisors for $15,000 for remote services only.

“We’ve used Mueller, Walla, & Albertson Accounting in the past and they send someone here and go through it with us,” Kitchens said.

• The board approved an amendment to the 2024-25 budget to correct a $1,505.71 shortfall. The change was a transfer made for adult meals.

• The board tabled approval of the revised elementary school handbook. Ellingsworth-Albert noted that the changes that were made to the handbook were minimal.

“The mission statement was incorrect, so I fixed that,” Ellingworth-Albert explained. “I just went through and made updates and updated the wording. I basically looked at how we reworked the preschool handbook and copied it.”

Ellingsworth-Albert noted that the handbook is reviewed, revised, and approved annually.

Board members wanted additional time to review the handbook before it was approved.

The disclosure must be approved every other year.

• Board members approved Brooke Schwartze for speech therapy for the elementary campus and parochial schools at Massman’s recommendation.

The board also approved the Special Learning Center to continue providing physical therapy and occupational therapy for students as needed.

• The board tabled discussions about hiring a food service company. Kitchens noted that all the information that the school district received was good information that was helpful.

“It’s great information and guidance,” Kitchens said. “I think I was expecting a little more savings out of this right now.”

Kitchens said the current kitchen staff had been concerned about the recent discussions and feared they would lose their jobs.

“It was a shock to our staff, which led to several one-on-one discussions with staff members,” Kitchens said, adding that he was not opposed to looking at options in the future for the district’s food service program.

• Board members approved the Board Member Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure, which outlines processes and procedures to make sure that all school board members avoid situations where their decisions or actions conflict with the mission of the district.

• The board approved $341,191.99 in outstanding bills.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Kitchens noted that he has been attending area events over the summer, including parish picnics and an Athletic Booster Club tournament.

Kitchens noted the great job summer staff is doing getting things ready for the new school year.

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL REPORT

High School Principal Somer Hinshaw was not at the school board meeting but reported that senior surveys came back with positive reviews for activities, staff, and the experiences at Fatima High School.

• Hinshaw also reported that there are 46 students enrolled in summer school.

• The Koi Pond will also be renovated by Ag students.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Ellingsworth-Albert reported that 260 students were enrolled in summer school.

She noted that the district has been handing out weekly attendance prizes and has different themes planned through the session.

• She also wanted to note that the janitorial staff is doing an excellent job cleaning and sprucing up the new school year.

SPECIAL EDUCATION REPORT

Massman noted that she is working on the budget for her department and Title 1 funding will be less than expected.

“We’ll get final numbers in July, but it is going to be about $42,000 less than last year,” Massman said.

She explained that the district uses those funds to pay Title 1 teacher salaries.

“When you are looking at that significant of a drop, we know that money has to come from somewhere,” Massman said. “We can’t just not help the kids that need help. It’s something we are going to have to be a little creative about.”

Massman also noted that several first step referrals have come from Parents As Teachers. Massman will have staff come in over the summer to complete these evaluations.

Massman also noted that the district is still looking for a part-time Parents As Teachers helper.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Athletic Director Matt Baker was not at the meeting, but Kitchens reported that Baker has 99% of the fall and winter sports schedules completed and is working on finishing up the spring schedules.

Sports camps are currently in full swing.

The old gym is scheduled to be refinished in July, and there will be no access to the gym for several weeks.

Baker is concerned about traveling for the fall sports seasons and believes that the schedule and number of students will be a challenge.

• The next meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, at 6 p.m.