Buildings and Budgets and more

 

Here are some highlights from our board meeting held June 16:

Brooklynn Holtman, who just won state track championships in the 400-meter dash and the 200-meter dash, was our featured Showcase. It was great to hear from her and to learn about her experience. She’s already looking forward to her upcoming senior season.

The board approved a training program agreement between the Northwest Technical School and Missouri One Start, a program that provides tailored workforce strategies and helps with customizing services like pre-employment screening, recruitment and designing job-specific training.

The board approved building plans for the next NTS Building Trades house in the Harmony Hill subdivision of Maryville. Director Jeremy Ingraham reported that the size of the planned build is a bit larger than houses in the past, but with a large number of students enrolled in the class, it actually works out well.

We went over the 2021-2022 budget proposal. By state law, the board must approve the budget by June 30. However, several factors are still in play this time of year such as local taxes, grants, and state and federal revenues, so we use estimates. We generally have a clearer picture by August when we will vote on a final version of the budget. At this point, the budget is about $20.3 million for the 2021-2022 year and is slightly larger than last year. This is due, in part, to salary increases initiated over the past couple of years. All in all, revenues beat expenditures, so our budget will again be in the black.

While we hope COVID is in the rearview mirror, we must continue to provide a safe environment for learning (in the event of a COVID resurgence or new pathogen). The board discussed and passed the district’s Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services plan. The District’s plan will be fluid and take into account current environmental factors and guidance from experts and governing bodies such as the Nodaway County Health Department, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, the Center for Disease Control, and/or the American Association of Pediatrics. This document relies heavily on last year’s COVID and Alternate Methods of Instruction plans and includes topics such as face coverings, physical distancing and other mitigation factors and prevention strategies. It also addresses the need for recouping lost instructional time and additional assistance for students with regards to academic or social delays related to COVID. The District will identify the most impacted students in each building within 15 days of the first day of the 2021-2022 school year. The District will utilize the following methods to determine who the most impacted students are: 1) Any student who had less than 95 percent in-person attendance during the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID. 2) Any student who attended virtual instruction greater than one semester during the 2020-2021 school year. 3) Any student who is determined “at-risk” according to beginning-of-year benchmark assessments. This plan will be reviewed often by a committee of stakeholders, including students, parents and staff.

This plan is tied to our access to ESSR III funds. Once it is in place, a budget for our allocation may be submitted. Superintendent Dr. Becky Albrecht reported that our allocations to date for ESSR monies includes the following - ESSR I: $164,225 (used for supplies and salaries); ESSR II: $655,325 (not yet received); and ESSR III: $1,454,292 (not yet received). ESSR II and III monies will be budgeted for a variety of one-time expenses such as HVAC units, electronic signage, online courseware, technology, etc. Twenty percent of ESSR III money must be dedicated to student academic needs due to lost instructional time related to COVID. Federal and County Cares monies were used for technology, online learning platforms/Spoofhound Academy courses, cleaning supplies/equipment, etc. As you can see, these are significant amounts of money and will be vital in overcoming the devastating effects of a pandemic, in addition to preparing for future events.

Assistant Superintendent Steve Klotz reported that the District Technology team is busy preparing Chromebooks for the next year and learning about Apptegy, the district’s new app that will utilize web and social media platforms of communication.

He also said the food services program once again finished in the black. We were able to access significant reimbursements from DESE, and similar assistance will continue throughout summer school and the 2021-22 academic year. It’s been a dream for many to be able to provide free meals to students. I’m very thankful to those at the federal and state levels of government who have worked hard to make this possible for public school students. Fingers crossed this will be the way of the future!

Mr. Klotz emphasized that families still need to assist the District in completing Free and/or Reduced Lunch forms even though meals will be provided. Collecting this information is extremely vital because that same information is used when applying for grants and to help with items such as the Foundation Formula.

Thanks once again to all who are working together to help us provide a stellar public education to our students. Have a great summer!