News – Tuesday, September 24th 2024

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County resident Rick Emory was in and talked about the rain received and the fact that a culvert needs to be moved as water is backing up on his property. First District Commissioner Wes Mobray said he would talk to the road crew and will also check it out. Grant Wilson from Congressman Jason Smith’s office was in and updated the Commission on immigration laws and citizenship, more funding for the Secret Service, bills passed out of the House, penalties for those who leak taxpayer information, interference from foreign countries in electronics, and improving social security to reduce identity theft. In the road report Mobray said his crews were out checking roads today and working on Flap 77 to get environmental approval from DNR. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said his crews were also checking roads for washouts. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that payroll was being approved and that Tuesday is the first day for absentee voting with an excuse, the last day to register to vote is October 9th, and no excuse absentee voting begins October 22nd. Larson did share that he had visited with Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams, and they confirmed that all Opioid Committee members are in place so they will start working on applications, but no funds will be distributed until 2025. The next regular meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting last Thursday afternoon at the district office at 5:30. After approving the agenda and the consent agenda, The board recognized Salem Middle School student: Westin Stites and his part in the upcoming Musical Elf Jr. in December. During the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Nathan Wills referenced CSIP Goals, updated about the upcoming Coffee Connections tomorrow morning, at 8:00. Dr. Wills also updated the board on the FEMA Storm Shelter progress, the New Tiger Training Survey data, the establishment of a District Leadership Committee, and the establishment of a Student Advisory Committee. He also spoke about the District Drink Contract, the status of roof repairs throughout the district and the Ag/FFA program inquiry of a potential grant funded Animal Science Lab. Following his report, the board heard reports from the District Administrators, before moving on to New Business. The Preliminary 2023-2023 Annual Secretary of the Board Report, as well as the three year Bid for Gas were unanimously approved. The Board also approved the MARCO three year contract for copier maintenance, and the Hold Harmless Agreement – keeping Christmas at Home from UE. The motion to approve Bus Routes, and a contract with Dalton Sanders for Bus use was unanimously approved. The board approved the Discovery School Contract and they approved Nathan Wills and Dan Copeland as authorized signatures for the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The District experienced two new hires, one transfer, one retirement and two resignations. The meeting then adjourned to closed session. The next Board of Education meeting is set for the evening of October 23.