Archive for 2020

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held regular meeting Thursday evening at the district administrative offices. After the board approved the consent agenda, Brad Wegman from Larry Hart and Associates talked with the board about considering the refinancing of the current school bonds by authorizing the issuance and sale of Series 2020 General Obligation Refunding Bonds. These bonds would have a short call feature of 2024 and with the lower interest rate, the school could save over $106,141. The school already refinanced their initial Series 2013 bonds with Series 2016 bonds that saved the school over $511,000 in interest savings. With these savings, the total interest saved from the initial bond issue could come to over $641,000. The board approved signing a Resolution that authorizes the issuance of $3,245,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020 for the purpose of providing funds to refund the $3,245,000 Series 2016 General Obligation Bonds that can become callable March 1, 2021. Superintendent Lynne Reed said the September membership count was 1,413 while the average daily attendance for the month was 1,314 students with 173 virtual students. She said she and Mr. Anderson made a presentation at the Salem Chamber of Commerce on the tax credits available for the new Construction Trades Building. She said they would be making personal appearances to continue to find investors for the project. Reed also said the school continues to monitor the amount of cases of COVID-19 at the school and quarantine where needed while the hybrid system is in place. High School Principal Marty Anderson said that 252 students are “A” students and 257 are “B” day students. He said 63 students are completely virtual while 42 additional students are attending four days a week due to learning needs or Internet needs. Upper Elementary School Principal Melanie Wisdom said picture retake day would be October 20th. This is important as there were students quarantined when pictures were first taken. She also said there would be a Virtual Night where students who are learning virtually will come to the school from 6:00 to 7:00 on October 22nd to check in, answer questions and get a treat. Wisdom said parent/teacher conferences will be held October 26th and teachers have the option of meeting with parents in person, zoom, phone or other alternative method. Chairman of the Committee to name the football stadium, Andrew Wynn said their committee recommended naming the football stadium the Bill Schuchardt Football Stadium. There will be a formal ceremony held at a later date. The board approved effective Monday to raise the substitute teacher pay to $100 per day. The board will discuss at the next meeting the need to address the bus driver shortage. The board approved a number of policy updates except for one that discussed unbudgeted purchases before going into closed session.

The City of Salem Utility Committee held a meeting on Thursday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The committee heard presentations from Paymentus and Exceleron regarding an online customer billing portal. This would allow customers to view their usage and view and pay their bill online. This software program would be a voluntary use program and give customers more information and options regarding their utility service. The committee also heard a draft report from BHMG, the consulting firm hired to evaluate the AMI meter installation and billing schedule. Verbal Blakey with BHMG stated that the entire problem with the billing delays and errors can be traced back to the InCode accounting system that the city uses. InCode is a flat file system and does not integrate with other software programs, such as the AMI system. She made it clear that the issues that the city has experienced were of no fault of the city personnel and that the employees have been working with InCode to correct the issues. The committee also discussed a pre-pay option that would allow customers to prepay their account with money that pays for the electricity before it is used. This option could benefit customers that have received a high bill that they cannot pay all at one time, avoid disconnect, and allow them to pay over time and prepay future electric consumption, thereby not getting behind on their future bill. City Administrator Ray Walden reported that August bills are going out now and September bills will be out by the end of October.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet tonight at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden will update the board on city projects. In the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, the board will hear Bill #3464 that would amend the city’s code of ordinances Chapter 111 pertaining to city officials, Article IX for the Director of Engineering qualifications. The board will then go into closed session to discuss personnel and contracts. The meeting is open to the public.

A one vehicle fatality accident happened Thursday morning at 5:00 in Texas County on Route BB about one mile west of Highway 63 near Licking. According to the report from highway patrol, a 1997 Dodge 1500 being driven by 35-year old Justin Creech of Licking was eastbound when the vehicle crossed the centerline and traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Creech was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:31 by Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater. Creech was taken to Fox Funeral Home in Licking. According to the report, Creech was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Towing.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reports that on Tuesday, October 13th, the Child Fatality Review Board established pursuant to Missouri RSMo 210.192 met to collaborate on the recent child fatality that resulted in the filing of charges for criminal neglect resulting the death of a child. The members of the panel include the prosecuting or circuit attorney; the coroner or medical examiner for the county or city not within a county; law enforcement personnel in the county or city not within a county; a representative from the children’s division; a provider of public health care services; a representative of the juvenile court; and a provider of emergency medical services. The panel discussed the information currently available and requested additional information to review at a meeting to be scheduled upon receipt of the autopsy of the deceased child. The formal autopsy has not been made available to any members of the panel at this time. Upon receipt of the autopsy and the additional requested information, the panel will reconvene to develop recommendations that will be made available to the public, media and potentially the legislature. The recommendations will be targeted to prevent future acts of child abuse and/or neglect consistent with the purpose of the Child Fatality Review Board. A press release will be provided at the conclusion of the board’s review to be distributed to the public. This particular case has the full attention of the Child Fatality Board at this time.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks is launching a new state park and historic site status map providing the public with one convenient location to easily view closures and information that may impact upcoming visits to a Missouri state park or historic site. The map highlights temporary closures that may be experienced while visiting a park or site including closures related to trails, roads, beaches, parking lots, gates, shower houses or restrooms. Visitors are encouraged to check the map prior to leaving for the park or site in preparation of their visit by visiting https://mostateparks.com. Capacity at state parks and historic sites is being monitored closely in order to prevent overcrowding. If nearing capacity, parking lots or gates may close temporarily. When visiting a park or site, the public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others amid ongoing public health concerns. Come prepared with hand sanitizer and bottled water, avoid large and congested crowds, and please stay home if sick. Face coverings are encouraged and may be required by local order.

Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed today as “Buckle Up Phone Down” Day in Missouri and fellow Missourian and former race car driver Carl Edwards is lending his famous name to the cause, all in an effort to encourage Missourians to fasten their seatbelts and put their phones down while driving. As part of the promotion, Missourians are invited to join in a virtual BUPD Day kickoff event starting at 9:00 this morning at www.facebook.com/MoDOTStatewide. This is the fourth year MoDOT and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with safety partners throughout the state, will mark “Buckle Up, Phone Down” Day with events and activities designed to encourage drivers to buckle up and avoid cell phone use. Since the program began in 2017, more than 13,000 individuals and businesses have accepted the BUPD challenge to always wear their seat belts and put their phones down while driving.

A one vehicle accident happened in Dent County on Highway 72 about eight miles north of Salem Tuesday morning around 7:20. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Chevy Silverado driven westbound by 22-year old Edward Ferguson of Salem, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck an embankment. Ferguson suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to the Phelps Health in Rolla. Ferguson was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy Silverado sustained extensive damage and was removed by Whitaker’s Towing.

On Monday, October 12th the Salem R-80 School District was notified that a middle school staff member had tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Students, their families, and other staff members in close contact with the staff member were notified by the Dent County Health Department as it relates to possible quarantines. The Salem R-80 School District will continue to work closely with local health officials to monitor evolving circumstances and revise our plans as needed. Interested persons may view the dashboard on our website where they can view reporting information for the entire district.

The Salem Police have released information on an accident that happened on October 11th at the intersection of Highway 32 and Highway 72. According to the Salem Police report, a 2009 Kia Sportage driven by Dorothy McDonald of Salem was stopped in traffic on Highway 72 waiting to turn left onto Highway 32 east. At that moment, a 2005 Ford Mustang on Highway 32 driven westbound by Zane Keeney of St. James at speeds over 70 miles per hour, attempted to turn north on to Highway 72 and was unable to make the turn. The Ford slid and skidded before T-boning the Kia in the driver’s side. The Kia spun around after being struck and was facing north. McDonald was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private vehicle with injuries while a passenger in the Kia was taken to the Salem Hospital by EMS. Keeney was also taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital with injuries by the Dent County Fire Protection District. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by American Towing LLC.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released a number of cases heard in Dent County Friday in front of Judge Megan Seay. In the first case, Curley reported that Rachel Miller of Salem pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and for resisting arrest. She was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO Section 559.115 as requested by the state. In the second case of the day, Jacob Eaton of Bixby pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine. He was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by the state. Also on Friday, a probation revocation hearing was held for Josh McAfee of Washington, Missouri, and he was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections as a result of the hearing. Also on Friday, Adam Hilburn of Springfield, Missouri had his probation revoked. He was sentenced to serve five years in the Department of Corrections. The final case Friday involved Keith Colgrove of Salem who was on probation for domestic assault. According to Curley, Colgrove’s probation was revoked and he was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state.

Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting at Montauk State Park at 3:00 Saturday afternoon at the campground amphitheater. The public is invited to share comments about the park and its operations during the meeting. Staff will be present to provide information and answer questions. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings, which are being held in all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give staff the opportunity to inform the public of the current status and future plans for the park or historic site, while also offering visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others amid ongoing public health concerns. Come prepared with hand sanitizer and bottled water, avoid large and congested crowds, and please stay home if sick. Face coverings are encouraged when social-distancing measures are difficult to maintain, and may be required by local orders. Montauk State Park is located 22 miles southwest of Salem on Highway 119 in Dent County. For more information about the meeting, call the park at 573-548-2201.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting this evening at 6:00 for their regular meeting. After the consent agenda and communications, the Board will consider a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of Series 2020 General Obligation Refunding Bonds with L.J. Hart & Company. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed will give her report including the September membership count, tax credit update, Chamber presentation and COVID update. The principals will then update the board with reports on each building before the board hears new business. In new business, the board will discuss the football stadium name proposals, substitute pay and policy updates. The board will then adjourn and move into Executive Session to discuss personnel pursuant to RSMO 610.021(6) including Job Description for position replacing SRO and Superintendent’s Evaluation. The regular board meeting will be in the district administrative offices boardroom and is open to the public.