California school board discusses baseball field concession stand

Checking out the area proposed for the baseball/softball restroom/concession stand to be constructed are the
administrators, teachers, board members and others in attendance at the California School Board meeting
March 16.
Checking out the area proposed for the baseball/softball restroom/concession stand to be constructed are the administrators, teachers, board members and others in attendance at the California School Board meeting March 16.

The California R-I School Board recently discussed the addition of a new concession stand/restroom building for the baseball/softball field. Plans are to locate the building on level ground north of the dugout and south of the concrete parking lot. The project will be discussed at greater length following the gathering of additional information on costs for needed materials. Although the general location of the building has been determined, the exact size and placement may be changed after it is determined where gas lines and other utility service lines are currently located, and where the new lines for water, sewer and electricity are best placed.

The board approved a bid for tuckpointing the original high school building at a cost of about $39,129, the low bid from Staat Inc. This work is to remedy moisture problems in several areas. This work does not include the newer additions to the facility. Also approved was work on roofing and guttering to take care of water problems on the north side of the middle school building around the main entrance. The amount approved for that work is less than $5,000.

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Tea Party Express Rally for sectionfront

Kirri Ziesman received her CHS diploma, earned under the Missouri Options program. Friends and family were present for the presentation by School Board President Jay VanDieren. The new holder of a California High School diploma plans to pursue a career in welding.

The board also approved several staff resignations which will be effective at the end of the school year. Resignations were accepted from Rhonda Stephenson, paraprofessional; Jennifer Dampf, elementary teacher; Katherine Cuba, high school drama and language arts teacher; Callie Spurgeon, elementary teacher; and Dustijn Hollon, band director and instrumental music teacher. Avie Apil, speech/language pathologist, informed the board that she will not contract with the school for the next year.

The elementary school enrollment was at 629, an increase of one from last month. Principal Daniel Williams reported that 60 future kindergartners were represented at the annual kindergarten information night.

Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy reported enrollment at 286. He reported that the middle school and high school social studies teachers are continuing to meet with Darci McFail and representatives from several history curriculum publishers. The object is to select a new curriculum for next year, from a publisher to utilize electronic devices as much as possible, promoting the 1:1 device initiative (one device for each student), and also provides an accurate and detailed curriculum.

High school enrollment was 391. Principal Sean Kirksey reported that top qualifying FBLA students will compete in the state competition in April, to be held in Springfield. They are Katie Imhoff, who received the highest score in the state on the agribusiness preliminary assessment, and Jarod McKee, who posted the highest score in the state on personal finance preliminary assessment. On the Academic Team, Jarod McKee and Morgan Carpenter were named to the all-conference team at the Conference Meet Feb. 19. CHS tied for third in the conference this year.

Because of the need to swear in board members and reorganize the school board after the election, the next regular board meeting is April 13, a week earlier than usual.