The Trenton R-9 Board of Education took action on two items that will realize the district nearly $320,000 in savings during a meeting on Tuesday night.
On a vote of 7-0, the board gave approval to a resolution that would allow for George K. Baum and Company to begin the process of marketing the district’s general obligation bonds, which is anticipated to result in a savings of approximately $186,000 over a 10-year period. Dr. Brent Blevins told the board that interest rates have significantly decreased and now would be a good time to refinance the district bonds, especially in light of federal legislation that, if approved, would not allow for advance refunding of obligation bonds. The bonds the district would be refinancing are the 2010A series, which were used for building projects at the Rissler Elementary School and the high school. Refinancing would involve bonds being paid beginning in 2020 and would not extend the time the bonds are scheduled to be paid off, which is in 2030. Dr. Blevins anticipates the projected interest rate for the district would be around 2.3 percent. He is to bring additional information to the board at its December meeting for final approval.
Superintendent Dan Wiebers announced that the district will be receiving a refund of $132,437 from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, which represents the amount of premiums paid into the health insurance plan that were not used during the period of July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Wiebers will come up with a plan as to what will be done with the refund, which will be presented at the December meeting. He suggested the board look at refunding the money to those individuals who paid into the plan, which would include the school district as well as those who paid for dependent coverage.
The board approved a bid from Phased Electric (Andy Gannon) to construct an addition to the district storage building, located behind the district office. The bid was for $53,000 and was the lowest of three received. Director of Supportive Services Kris Ockenfels said that he anticipates work to begin soon.
Also approved by the board were several MSBA policy updates. One update regarding technology included the appointment of Ockenfels and Taya Ray as technology liaisons while Kayli Burrows was appointed the foster care liaison. The board did not adopt a policy regarding a requirement that computer passwords be changed every 30 days, however, board member Brooke McAtee said she would like to see the district look at requiring passwords to be changed every 90 days.
The hard surface bus routes for the school year were approved and Wiebers presented information regarding late starts, calling off classes and early outs due to inclement weather.
Following a presentation by the THS speech class, the board voted to pay for ACT testing for all juniors at a cost of $4,140 for 90 tests. The testing date would be in February. It was noted that the state had paid for the tests the last two years, but were not funding them this year.
The board reviewed the 2016-17 school audit, which showed the district ending the year with a $4.5 million fund balance. This was down about $515,000 from the year previous due to capital projects. Mark Higgins of Conrad and Higgins LLC said the district was in good financial shape and that there were no findings in the audit, which will get final approval in December.
Summer School Principal E’Lisha Gass presented information regarding this year’s summer school program, which served 337 students, including 27 who do not live in the district. There were 158 students with perfect attendance while another 84 missed less than 14 hours during the 24-day session. A total of $24,000 in incentives were given. Parent surveys gave the program strong support as did a staff survey. Mrs. Gass said that curriculum for the program is being revised. Financially, the district realized a net gain of $73,688.73. The state paid $318,937 to the district, with $143,825 being paid to Catapult, which provided the program and paid for transportation and incentive costs, while another $101,423.27 was paid for personnel and supplies.
The board approved a $500 grant application made to the Missouri Department of Conservation by first grade teachers to purchase materials that will teach students about life cycles, specifically a turkey.
Filing dates for the April 3 election will be Dec. 12 to Jan. 16. The terms of Martha Roberts and Cliff Roeder will be expiring. Roeder said he plans to re-file for a three-year term while Mrs. Roberts said she has not made a decision.
The board reviewed information regarding the Gifted Program as well as monthly principal reports. They also received a safety report regarding water quality, in which Trenton Municipal Utilities tested water systems at the district buildings and found them to be well under the EPA action level for lead in drinking water.
Following an executive session, the board accepting the resignation of high school science teacher Aaron Stark, effective at the end of his contract, and cook Amanda Bruner, effective this Friday. Tammaria Brundage was hired as a substitute.
The next meeting of the board is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12.
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