South Barber Board approves new track upgrade after storm, subs hired
Some parents request baseball/softball at South Barber
October 11, 2017
The board of South Barber USD 255 met Monday night for their October meeting. Board President Steven Allen called the meeting to order with the following members present: Mike Miller, Mark Pollock, Melissa Simpson, Deb Helfrich and Mariah Doherty. Superintendent Dr. Andi Williams and Board Clerk Julie Johnson sat at the head of the table with Allen.
The meeting opened with parent Tara Duncan addressing the board about the desire of some parents and students to establish a baseball and a softball team at South Barber. She said they've discussed joining together with Attica school to play baseball and softball. Duncan they have considered the effect on track and finances.
Duncan told the board that several Attica people had wanted to attend this Monday night meeting but were unable to due to conflicting school schedules. If the partnership was established, Duncan said practices, etc., would be split between Kiowa and Anthony.
Superintendent Updates on Several Subjects
Superintendent Williams told the board USD255's total out-of-pocket costs from the storm damage are $109,956. That amount includes a $25,000 upgrade for the new track around the football field. The track was heavily damaged in the early August storm. Insurance will pay $154,000 for the new track. The board approved the (not to exceed)$25,000 upgrade Williams recommended which makes the cost $176,000. South Barber's current track takes in water and damages it. The upgraded track is better quality and is not to take in water, she explained. Williams also reported on the boiler at the high school “that has outlived it's 30 year capacity.” It's had maintenance, but is on the list for replacement due to its age. She said a boiler replacement is estimated at under $50,000. The superintendent said the school sent out surveys and they need to have more returned as they are only at about 30 percent. When Doherty asked when the board would decide about the request for co-oped baseball/softball, Williams said the survey will help answer questions. The superintendent also said USD255's accreditation team is established. The school is in year one of the accreditation process. An outside team will meet with Sb's.
South Barber Board Action
Current bills of $311,120.05 were approved by the board. Chieftain Oil gave a gift to the elementary school students of homecoming shirts totaling $1529. The board officially accepted the gift Monday night.
Kiowa man Jerry McNamar received the board's approval as an emergency substitute teacher. The board also approved Catherine Colborn as a substitute teacher.
Principals Talk Upcoming Events and Student's Accomplishments
Grade Pre-K-6 Principal Eric Stoddard the school's Parent/Teacher Conferences are Oct. 16-17. During the conference there is a Book Fair with a western theme this year, he said. New K-12 Music Teacher Naicee Gugelmeyer plans an Elementary Fall Concert on Oct. 24. The teacher plans an Americana Concert Nov. 2 in the auditorium at the high school. Veterans Day is Nov. 10. Grade 7-12 Principal Brent Shaffer said they only had a participation rate of 40 percent at the high school and 57 percent at the junior high for Parent/Teacher Conferences. He plans to change it up for next spring in hopes of better attendance. The end of the First Nine Weeks is Oct. 19 and school will dismiss at 1 p.m. with NO SCHOOL Oct. 20.
Shaffer gave an update on high school and junior high fall sports. The Chieftain football team is 5-1. If they can win the three remaining games, they will be district champions. The high school volleyball team is 17-8. They play in the league tournament this weekend. Junior High Tornado Football is 4-2. Junior High Tornado Volleyball is 4-8. Last weekend the girls went 2-2 and took 3rd place. Junior Taylor Pollock made it to state in singles with a sixth-place finish at regionals. Read about her in a separate story.
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