South Barber's Board of Education December meeting lasted nearly three hours with two presentations made. One of those was by Steve Noble, director of business development for Mammoth Sports Construction. This was his second presentation to the board regarding a new building at the football field for concessions, restrooms and tickets. The presentation, which was relatively short, also included options for resurfacing or redoing the track and possible turf for the football field.

The other over-an-hour presentation was by retired locksmith Jerry Rice of Arkansas. He's considered a locksmith expert as Rice said he's done locksmith-related work most of his life. He and his wife Sue traveled to Kiowa with tables-full of locks and related equipment they set up in South Barber's Central Office for the meeting. Rice knew Superintendent Dr. Mylo Miller through colleagues when Miller was superintendent at a charter school in Oklahoma City. Rice listed some of his customers as Tinker Air Force Base and Phillips 66.

Rice said now retired he doesn't need all his locksmith equipment. He gave a beyond-intricate presentation where he and his wife held up poster board describing key codes; entered the codes to make keys; and passed around various locks for board members to see; and more. He said some of the pieces were never used and are still like new while others were used heavily.

Rice told the board he'll sell the expensive equipment at a major discount – an example is a $100 lock for $15. The school board is interested in this good deal as many of the old locks and keys for school properties are on their last leg. Dr. Miller said they have some lock issues school-wide and it's "a safety issue."

Before taking action, Dr. Miller said they want to get a solid price from Rice.

Concessions Building, Football Field and Track Have Near $1M Pricetags

All board members were present when President Mark Pollock called the December board meeting to order Monday night including: Bryan Quick, Deb Helfrich, Jenna Mostert, Mike Miller, Karen Watts and Emily Lohmann. Superintendent Miller also sat at the head table along with Board Minutes Clerk Alyzza Gonzalez. Elementary Principal Kaynette Scheck also attended. Grade 7-12 Principal Brent Shaffer was at a school event.

The meeting opened with the Mammoth presentation by Noble. He presented a Field, Track and Accessory Building Concept Design complete with drawings and estimated costs.

The concessions/restrooms/ticket building has three options. They range from $901,000 to $1,034,000.

This new concession entire building is 1600 square feet. The existing concession stand is just 250 square feet.

Dr. Miller expressed concern to Noble about the proposed cost of the new concession stand which he said is more than expected. When asked what money will fund this project, the superintendent said capital outlay and donations.

Noble said, "You can build a Taj Mahal or a Porta Potty."

Building the concession building would be a three month project Noble said.

The track and football field proposal has four options: OPTION ONE a full conversion of the football field to turf from $1.1 M to $1.3 M; OPTION TWO to resurface track and put in new runways, $240,000 to $260,000; OPTION THREE to remove rubber from track and replace and put in new runways, $325,000 to $360,000; OPTION FOUR to dispose of old track and rebuild, $1.1 M to $1.2 M.

Other South Barber Business

Business/Computer teacher Steven Neal got the board's approval to be Head Track Coach for next spring (2022-23) while teacher Clint Erikson is deployed with the National Guard. Neal is also teaching some of Erikson's classes. Additionally Neal is the junior high assistant basketball coach.

The board accepted the retirement of 3rd grade teacher Dale Jean Probst at the end of this school year. Dr. Miller said, "She's done a fantastic job!" He said she wants to spend more time with her grandchildren.

The school calendar for 2023-24 was approved with proposed changes (moving parent's night, etc.).

The board approved implementing KanPay Kansas Information Consortium online to pay for school meals. Dr. Miller said it can also be used possibly to pay for enrollment, for daycare, etc.

A district-wide parent-teacher communication application was board approved. Known as "Remind" it is an app on your phone to keep you updated in all that's happening in the district. The board approved Remind for five years for $5,395.50. "There's lots of positive information going on," Superintendent Miller said.

Monthly expenditures totaling $308,390 were board approved.

The board selected Friday, February 25 for them to have a Strategic Planning Meeting.

The board held three executive sessions totaling just over 30 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel.

South Barber Principals Comment on Students

Principal Scheck commended teacher Katie Hughes on going the extra mile to make the Scholastic Book Fair a huge success. The book fair brought in $5,044. Read more about it in the Newsgram next week and see what the principal had to do.

Scheck also commended music teacher Erin Place for having a good elementary Christmas Program. "It was nice to

have people back in the building!"

Principal Shaffer's report listed high school students' finals schedule. He said basketball is underway.

Two of South Barber's livestock judging teams competed in the Panhandle State University Interscholastics contest last month. The Senior Livestock Team ( Jessica, Reagan, Bryce and Cash) were 3rd out of 32 teams with Jessica placing 15th high individual out of 100 students. Junior Livestock team members Tyten and Cody competed also. FFA Adviser Tommy Hutson reminds that Blue and Gold bacon, sausage, and chicken strips are still available. Contact Mr. Hutson to purchase.