The Willow Springs School Board voted at its November meeting to approve a bid for a new playground surface, as well as a new security camera.
The board met Nov. 13 in regular session, beginning the meeting with approval of the consent agenda, which included a financial update. The current balance of all funds is about $3.53 million, down slightly from last month’s balance of $3.64 million. The balance this time last year was $5.87 million.
Approval was given by the board to hire as substitute teachers Stacie Johnson, David Wait, Linda Weatherford and Zoe Lowe. Katrina Sidorovich was hired on as a paraprofessional and April Shanks will join the food service team.
Administrative reports were given under the informational portion of the meeting, followed by an update on the Middle School Science Club given by its students and advisers. Superintendent Marty Spence and board members Matt Hobson and Debbie Bryan apprised the board of information they learned by attending a recent Missouri School Board Association conference in Kansas City.
Career and Technical Education Director Josh Owens gave updates about current progress and plans for the new CTE campus housed in the former Missouri Department of Transportation maintenance building, and Spence reported on training facility updates.
The district hired a communications director, Jenny Hayward, at the beginning of the school year, and board members heard from her regarding district communications protocol and an overview of her first few months in the role.
Items presented for information to be voted upon by the board during the action portion of the meeting included bids for resurfacing the preschool and middle school playgrounds, a proposal from Spence to move a professional development day this spring from April 1 2024 to April 8, a reminder regarding election filing dates and a discussion regarding the district’s current security camera system.
The playground resurfacing bids were reviewed and accepted as presented by a unanimous board vote, and Spence’s recommendation to change the professional development day was likewise approved.
Filing for school board candidates will open at 8 a.m. Dec. 5 and close at 5 p.m. Dec. 26. Two three-year seats and a one-year seat are open. Filing may be conducted on days when schools are in session.
Regarding the camera system, board discussion centered around the current system becoming too much for the Willow Springs Schools tech department to keep serviced. The possibility of outsourcing some information technology work to increase camera quality and use the district’s network more effectively was considered. A suggestion for a new security camera system was presented and board members voted to approve it as presented, without opposition.
The board moved into executive session to discuss student matters concerning scholastic probation, expulsion or graduation. Upon returning to open session after a closed record vote, the meeting adjourned.
Also present for the session were board President Mac Gum and members Brent Colley, Adam Webb, Jeff Lovan and Scott Foster, who attended by phone conference, plus secretary Mandy Scarbrough and student representative Nolan Perkins.
Guests in attendance were Rashelle Jernigan, Cole Chatman, Natalie Chatman, Heather Miller, Shaylee Welch, Alaina Jernigan, Thomas Chatman, Jax Jenson, Aowynn Crowl, Aubrey Lindsey and Kyell Robertson.
The Willow Springs School Board typically meets the second Monday of each month. The public is welcome.
