Bus Barn Right On Schedule

At the McDonald County R-1 School District Board of Education meeting on Jan. 12, the School Board heard an update on the new bus barn from Al Willis of Controlled Technology Solutions.

Willis told the board the builders spent a good deal of time getting ready for the concrete slab, which is in now, and the iron has started going up as well. He said the project is making good progress and is right on schedule. The new bus barn is located behind Pineville Primary School. The 9,425-square-foot facility will have a four-bay garage with a pit in one of the bays; a driver area with restrooms, shower and a conference room; and storage for parts and tires.

Matthew Holloway spoke to the board about a vocational rehabilitation summer work program, which was conducted last summer. He is seeking permission to do the program again this summer. He reported a lot of good results came out of last year's program. It is a program for students interested in employment who have been diagnosed with a disability that interferes with their ability to hold a job.

Last year the program was held at an elementary school during summer school. Students in the program were in a daily classroom setting as well as working in job roles. Two of the six students worked as dietary aids with OPAA, two were teachers' aides, and two were custodians. The students were all juniors going into their senior year.

"The positive feedback we got was overwhelming," Holloway said. "I was thrilled with the results."

He said he wants to expand to a second work site this year. The board approved his request to continue the program.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Stanton told the board about an idea to improve the old ROTC building and bring all business classes together there to create a business building. The building needs to be updated both inside and outside. The district's budget is $450,000, which will take care of the inside. The outside can be updated later as a phase two, Stanton said. The board authorized Stanton to find a company to run the project.

General News on 01/19/2017