The Moniteau County R-1 School District Board of Education met July 15 to discuss updates within the district, including a draft of a re-entry plan for the fall semester.
The board looked at the surveys sent out to California's staff and parents July 14, and superintendent Dwight Sanders shared a draft copy of a re-entry plan that will be modified as necessary based on the results of that survey. The board discussed extra-duty contracts with a potential re-entry plan in mind, as well as what the plan would be if school were shut down or if the athletic seasons had to be canceled because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
"The board made the decision that those extra-duty contracts will be paid out even if COVID-19 forces a shut down," Sanders said. "We are blessed to have a caring and supportive board."
The board also discussed the possibility of the district providing dual participation athletic opportunities during the same season for athletes that would want to pursue that option. Athletic Director Rick Edwards will work on an agreement or contract that the athlete, coach and administration would sign highlighting some of the parameters of this offering.
Sanders presented an update on the various bond issues. For safety, classroom lockout devices, called "z-locks," are planned for installation in summer 2021, and security cameras have already been installed at California Elementary School and California High School. A network infrastructure upgrade has been completed, as has resurfacing of the track at CHS and replacement of the CES gymnasium floor. CHS parking lots and sidewalks will be completed in September of this year, as will repairs and improvements to the gym bleachers at CHS, and asphalt lots and concrete sidewalks will be installed at CES and California Middle School following the completion of the new addition. For the new addition, the board chose a brick sample to match the brick at the elementary school. The high school roof was removed and replaced.
In other business, the board approved the bread and milk bids for the food service program. It was decided to continue to use Ellis Bakery for bread products and Central Dairy for the district's dairy products. The two are able to deliver four days a week, ensuring fresh products and less storage, unlike their competitors.
The board also approved the hire of Stacey Karabegovic as the new ESL teacher for the 2020-21 school year.
"Stacey has more than a decade of public school experience and even some overseas experience," Sanders said. "She will be a great addition to our staff and an awesome resource to our ESL students."
Finally, due to a late summer school and the need to provide a deep and thorough cleaning to all classrooms, the school buildings will be closed to classroom teachers Aug. 3-7.
The Moniteau County R-1 School District Board of Education's next meeting will be a special meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 3, to review and discuss the school's re-entry plan for the fall semester. The Board's next regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 19.