The Dexter School Board faced a busy agenda at its October meeting. Several policy updates were approved along with the budget and assessment report.
The updated board policies were presented by Superintendent Amy James at the September meeting for the board to review and hold a final vote at the October meeting. The policies are recommended to the board by the Missouri Consultants for Education (MCE). Some policies established by the MCE are mandatory so as to be in compliance with legal requirements. The new policies addressed multiple areas including a shortened filing time period for school board elections, filling a board vacancy, reporting student abuse and providing specific facilities for employees and students to use as a lactation room.
James briefly went through the updates again with the board after which the board approved the updates.
Audit
James said the overall financial condition of the district continues to remain strong. The unrestricted fund balance went down from last year by 8.62%. James said the district still sits at 38.33% as of June 30. The total net position of the district decreased by $2.1 million to $10,348,818 in 2021. James said the decrease was due to the decrease in capitol expenses due to completion of projects and the increase in salaries and benefits. The total increase in salaries and benefits was $1,155,903, which was mostly in the instructional and early development areas. The district has $255,045 in restricted funds for food service and $132,309 in restricted funds for Parents as Teachers.
Total revenues increased by $1.2 million. James said the increase was due largely to federal revenue, which increased $1.2 million in total. This was from the district’s receipt from ESSER funds, and funds from COVID-19 relief. James said the Department of Health Summer Food Service Program was extended through the 2021 school year. The extension of this program resulted in $643,163 more in federal revenue. This was a state program in previous years.
The district saw major fluctuation in instructional, improvement of instruction, food service, operation and maintenance, community service and early childhood.
Instructional expenses saw an increase of $669,828. James said maintenance saw an increase due to the purchase of cleaning and sanitation supplies for COVID-19.
The food service decreased from $445,073. James stated that all contractual services were extended or classified as community service expenses given the food program was federally funded rather than state funded.
The community service expense rose $861,969 due mainly to a full year of contractual food service cost, as opposed to the partial year due to the shutdown due to the pandemic.
The facilities acquisition and construction cost dropped from $13,409,956 to $1,255,379 in 2021 due mainly to the completion of projects and the majority of the cost was paid in 2020.
James said the community services functional area generated a profit of $364,579, which as of June 30 profit balance and restricted funds accumulated for food service $255,045 and the PAT program up to $132,901.
The PAT program is partially funded by the district and the majority of the program is funded through state programs.
James said the auditor said the district continues to do a good job operationally and policies and procedures are sufficient and operating effectively.
The board accepted the audit. Patrick Kintner with Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper and Associates will be at the November meeting to answer additional questions on the audit.
Assessment Plan
and A+ Report
Central Elementary and T.S. Hill Middle School have started the OLSAT (OTIS-Lennon School Ability Test) and Southwest Elementary will start the test in November. This is a nationally normed standardized test to measure the students achievement against other students the same age.
The preliminary SAT test has been administered to select sophomores and juniors to help prepare them for the SAT exam. End of Course (EOC) assessments have been given to select students who were homebound and for A+ eligibility. The district had 75 students scheduled to take the ACT this past Saturday, October 23. The ACT will be administered again in December.
The district had 92 out of 135 2021 graduates qualify for the A+ Scholarship. This is the highest Dexter has ever had due partly because the state waived the Algebra 1 EOC requirement. This is not waived for the 2022 class. Students can earn the A+ Scholarship by meeting certain requirements. The scholarship then can be used at participating public community colleges or vocational/technical schools.
The district has nine students at TRC, two at State Technical College and three at the Sikeston Regional Campus of SEMO. The majority of the Dexter students at Sikeston use the Copper Dome Scholarship, which is a four year scholarship as opposed to the A+ which is a two year. The A+ Scholarship also cannot be combined with grant money.
The district has 123 of 181 freshmen enrolled in the A+ Program, 107 of 157 sophomores, 100 of 134 juniors and 97 of 130 seniors.
Superintendents report
James shared a brief COVID-19 update saying the number of students and staff in quarantine has remained consistent. The lowest number has been 29 and the highest 65 with the average at 55. She said the schools are consistently implementing and mitigating measures and adhering to guidance from the Stoddard County Health Center and the CDC.
James recognized the technology department of James Sneed, Brandon March and Jonathon Davis for their work on campus supporting and maintaining the district’s technology.
Other Business
The board approved the new ala carte prices for the 2021-22 school year. James said the breakfast entree will increase from 75 cents to $1.50, lunch entree will go from $1.50 to $2.10, all sides will go from 50 cents to 75 cents and milk will go from 40 cents to 50 cents. The board approved these new prices.
James was asked by board member Herman Morse if districts in the area were having trouble getting food. James replied it was her understanding that it is still difficult and the National Guard has delivered food to some districts. She did not specify where these deliveries took place. James said a member of the kitchen staff with the district’s food provider, Chartwells, anticipated issues based on ordering difficulties she had last spring. She obtained permission from James to stockpile dry goods, non perishable and frozen items to have on hand so the district would have enough to provide for the students.
James said Chartwells is having some issues and there are times an item on the menu has had to be replaced with a different item but the district has the components to provide a meal.
Executive Session
The board approved the hiring of Hannah Thurmon as a substitute teacher for the 2021-22 school year.
The board approved hiring of Chassi Zook-paraprofessional at Southwest in the pre Kindergarten and full-time bus driver, David Davidson-full-time bus driver, Aleigha Tilley-paraprofessional at Southwest for the 21-22 school year pending favorable background checks and appropriate certification.
The board approved the following resignations and retirements for the 2021-22 school year: James Deberry, assistant high school track coach, Eric Sitze, middle school girls basketball coach at the conclusion of the season, Megan Denkins, paraprofessional at Southwest, Stephanie Monroe, high school dance coach at the conclusion of the season, Matthew Aaron Pixley, retirement at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year, Rhonda Duckworth, retirement at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year and Cindy Justice, retirement at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year.
The board approved a $500 sign-on bonus for new bus drivers through the end of the second quarter. Two hundred and fifty dollars would be provided at the conclusion of 30 days of employment and an additional $250 would be provided at the conclusion of 60 days of employment.
The board approved payroll changes for the transportation department.
The board approved 10 days of paid sick leave for specified reasons due to COVID-19. An employee is eligible for this benefit if they are quarantined for a positive COVID test, are mandated to quarantine for being a close contact and unable to report to work under the essential worker declaration, are caring for an individual living in the employee’s household who is mandated to quarantine, or have a child whose school or place of care is closed due to COVID.