At its Aug. 9 meeting, the McDonald County R-1 School District board of education voted to install turf on the football field.
The board hopes to have the work completed by early March before track season begins. John Kelsh of Controlled Technology Solutions, which will be doing the work on the project, told the board the cost will be $1,058,983, and the price includes moving the long-jump pit, new goal posts and new soccer goals. The board also approved an additional $9,200 for red accent marks at the 20-yard line and red shadows behind designs on the field. The turf will say "McDonald County" in both end zones and have a Mustang in the middle. The field will have an eight-year warranty.
The board also discussed selling ads on the field. Kelsh said each ad would cost $4,000 to make. They could be added to the field at any time. Board members had some concerns about the field looking too cluttered with ads but ultimately decided to approve selling ads on the field.
Regarding the progress of the athletic sports complex, the board voted to add to the pricing and design a concession stand and a mezzanine, or a lookout area.
Athletic director Bo Bergen proposed cutting the school district's drug testing in half. He said the district has been drug testing for two years. The company that does the testing randomly selects students every two weeks. They test 50 students per month at a cost of $22 per test, adding up to $15,610 per year, he said.
"We've had zero failed tests in two years of doing it. Statistically, that tells me we don't have a drug problem," he said.
He suggested cutting the testing in half, which would bring the cost down to about $7,700.
School board president Scott Goldstein said, "Part of this is about being a deterrent. I would rather keep it where it is."
He said $7,700 is "pennies" compared to other expenditures the board has made.
Board treasurer Chris Smith said cutting the testing in half would still be enough to be a deterrent.
The board voted to cut drug testing in half.
Assistant superintendent Angie Brewer presented the board with the stipend rate for teachers who work after school tutoring students. The rate is $25 per hour, which matches summer school, she said. Upon learning this was the third time for this rate to be brought to them, board members wanted to increase the rate. They agreed the finance committee would meet to consider an increase.
Brewer also presented the board with a policy regarding dual credit classes. The board decided last year to pay tuition for dual credit classes and to revisit the issue this year.
Goldstein said, "In the best interest of the kids, I think this is money well spent."
The board approved continuing to pay tuition for dual credit classes.
General News on 08/16/2018