California BOE meets

California High School
California High School

Meals at the California schools will cost 10 cents more this coming school year.

At its regular meeting July 20, the Moniteau County R-I School Board agreed to the increase, which only will affect those who pay full price for breakfast and/or lunch.

The meal prices had remained constant for three school years, said Superintendent Dwight Sanders.

The last two years, the district has subsidized with local money the difference between the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's formula, costing up to $6,600 per year.

The food service has "operated in the black" the last few years, due partly to the a la carte sales at the high school, noted Board President Craig Ash.

After reviewing the expected costs for the 2016-17 school year, Sanders estimated the district would need to subsidize $7,000 and so recommended the price increase. He also compared California school meal prices with surrounding districts and found them to be lower on average.

"It seems like a minimum impact on the folks it impacts the most," said Boardmember Philip Burger upon endorsing the dime increase over the nickel.

The change will not impact those who qualify for free or reduced meals, which is about half of the student body.

The board also approved raising the costs of sports attendance passes, considering the addition of gate fees at baseball and softball games.

Last year, 17 annual family passes were sold, nine individual annual passes and four fall passes.

Individual passes will go up $10 for the fall pass and the winter pass. The annual passes for adults or students will increase by $20. And a family annual pass will go from $150 to $175.

Board member Rhonda Meyer voted against the measure, concerned that a 30 percent increase might keep students or parents from buying a pass to attend the full season of games.

The board also reviewed maintenance projects throughout the district facilities this summer.

Watkins Roofing, Columbia, received the job at $5,700 to replace guttering, water protective membranes and downspouts at the middle school.

The two parking lots, playground, drive and circle drive at the middle and elementary school complex will have the asphalt resealed by All-Pro Sealing Asphalt Maintenance and Repair, California, at a cost of $7,750.

The Guy Rush Memorial in front of the high school is near completion and a dedication for the space to commemorate staff and students who died while at CHS will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The high school's brick has been weatherproofed.

The concrete slab has been poured for the new concessions and restroom building at the ball field. The building should be erected by early August and then volunteers will be sought to finish the interior.

In other business, the board:

Reviewed the Hugh E. Williams Educational Trust Investment Policy Statement, in regard to $800,000 which was donated to the district for a scholarship fund to be established.

Accepted the resignation of cook Lisa Duvall.

Accepted the bid for bread from the Ellis Bakery, Prairie Home.

Accepted the milk bid from Central/Prairie Farms, with a two-cent reduction in cost per half-pint.

Awarded a one-year extension for the school's banking to Central Bank.

Learned changes to the Athletic Handbook and the Student Handbook have been made to be consistent on issues, such as "respect your coach" and regarding alcohol, drug and drug paraphernalia.

Declared 62 desks, one rolling office chair and one four-drawer filing cabinet obsolete.

Learned the high school parking lots will be restriped; the front will be striped at an angle and spaces widened, losing 12 spaces.