Sheldon R-8 to redo its gym floor

Wednesday’s meeting of the Sheldon R-8 school board reviewed details of the resurfacing of the gym floor, discussed flooring in the elementary area, selected a bid for the purchase of a new freezer and warming oven and approved student handbook changes.

For several years, the board wanted to resurface the gym floor. At its May meeting, they authorized Superintendent Jason Irwin, to obtain bids for resurfacing the floor of its gymnasium.

With the Missouri General Assembly, in May, adopting a budget which claims to “fully fund” the school foundation formula and with positive projections on what remains for capital improvements in its 2016-2017 district budget, the board felt it could safely proceed with the gym floor project.

When Irwin contacted Acme Flooring — the same company which, last year, resurfaced the gym floor at Northeast Vernon County R-1 High School in Walker — the bid was within budget but Acme said its schedule of summer projects was rapidly filling and so a decision had to be made prior to the June board meeting.

Irwin apprised the board of the situation and received their enthusiastic approval to accept their bid and get added to the list of summer projects. Irwin told Acme they can begin any time after July 3; the sanding, painting, coating and drying time is three weeks. Irwin informed the board the air conditioning will have to be running during the curing time.

Last month the board had accepted a bid of just over $19,000 to replace the carpeted rooms and areas in the school’s elementary section with epoxy flooring. While test holes were bored and moisture levels measured, the individual winning the bid abruptly backed out, claiming to be too busy to meet the early August deadline for installation.

The board suggested Irwin file a claim with the bonding company and ask the individual to find another firm to complete the work or pay for violation of contract.

Irwin said he had not obtained the bonding information and thought it would bring ill will in the community if the matter was pushed too far.

Said board member, Jerod Lamb, “Mr. Irwin, I’ve seen contractors play games and leave folks holding the bag. We have to protect the district.”

President of the board, Bill Nance added, “There’ve been plenty of times I’ve used friends or friends of friends to get work done for me, but I’ve learned the hard way, you always have to handle things professionally. You have to have signed contracts and they have to show proof of bonding. And I don’t mean to make a big deal about this but in the future, always get the bonding information up front before you allow a contractor to do any work.”

Irwin agreed and then asked the board whether they wanted to rebid the project or go with the alternative method and bid which was to have Floors and More, of Nevada, install tile at a bid of under $18,000.

Board member Michelle Claflin expressed concern about the time involved in getting companies to submit new bids and still have the work finished prior to the start of the new school year.

Said Lamb, “The bottom line is to make the teachers happy and that means getting it taken care of this summer. So let’s go with the tile option and get it done.”

The board voted unanimously for this option.

The board accepted a set of bids for the replacement of a freezer and warming oven. The school’s parent-teacher organization will make a significant contribution towards the purchase price of each.

Principal Carolyn Compton reviewed and the board adopted 15 pages of changes to the student handbook for 2017-2018. Areas included attendance policy and specifics on detention as well as in school and out of school suspensions for various violation of rules.

According to Compton, the three weeks of Summer School had an attendance of between 105-113 students. The 22 participating high school students were offered English and physical education for one-half credit.

The school has six Future Farmers of America students attending the five-day Washington Leadership Conference which will close with a side trip to New York City.

Compton said Coach McDuffey is holding a basketball camp on June 21-23 for district students in grades third through eighth.

In his report to the board in May, Irwin pointed out the district is losing a good deal of money in its food service program.

“A big reason for this is the low cost of meals to adults,” said Irwin. “We have been charging $1.80 at breakfast and at lunch. I propose we raise this $2 for breakfast and $3 for lunch. Compared to eating at any place locally or in the area, this is still a bargain.”

The board agreed and voted unanimously to adopt the change.

The board approved continuing as a member of the Missouri School Board Association, selected DSWA Certified Public Accountants to perform the audit for the 2016-2017 school year, welcomed news that the only teachers needing to be replaced are those retiring and will meet on June 28 for a special budget meeting.