Your World Today

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held a special meeting Thursday evening at the District Administrative Offices. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed discussed preliminary numbers in getting the budget prepared including the cost of current staff if the board opts into the legislature’s proposal to increase the minimum wage for teachers to $38,000. Reed reported the estimated cost would be $193,550 and the state would pick up $135,485 of that and R-80 would pay $58,065. Salem would also have to pay $28,065 more in retirement benefits and $2,800 in Medicare. She also discussed what it would cost if the board approved an increase for classified staff of 1.75 percent which would be $28,766, and if the increase were 3.0 percent, the cost would increase to $51,531. Reed went on to say if the board wanted to give teachers that already made $38,000 on the salary schedule an extra payment of $500, it would cost the district $42,477; and if the board authorized an additional $1,000, the cost would jump to $84,954. The board was concerned as to what happens if the program is not funded after one year and how or if the district would be able to sustain those salaries. The board also agreed that no changes would be made to the current salary schedule, and they were leaning toward making a 13th payment at the end of the year to cover the increase in salary if the Governor signs the bill. Superintendent Reed said the transportation department will receive $93,375 for fiscal year 2022 and will be fully funded at $227,014 for fiscal year 2023. She went on to discuss the moving of $813,535 in WADA funds and the recoding of Classroom Trust Fund proceeds that would come to $528,972. By doing that, the balance at the end of the 2022-2023 fiscal year in Fund 4 which is used for capital projects and building is expected to be $2,158,000. After the discussion, the board approved a step increase for all employees for the 2022-2023 fiscal year but took no action on the state grant to pay teachers a minimum salary of $38,000, or on the extra payments for classified staff or certified teachers. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in attendance to answer any questions about the ten-year loan at 3.75% from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks to make up the difference in the shortage of YOP Tax credit funds to get started with the Construction Trades Building project. Board member Phillip Mercer said he got a quote on a Red Iron Building from Roberts-Judson about the same size as the proposed building for about $140,000, but that would be a change from the original plans submitted. The board took no action except to see if there are federal procurement guidelines that need to be followed and to see if the CDBG grant would accept a change to the Construction Trades building plans. After a long discussion, the board agreed to accept the municipal lease with a buy-out option for $1,857,291. The lease is for a ter- secured through Signature Public Funding from m of 15-years at a 3.39% interest rate that is ESP for the Tin Gym and Locker Room renovations. The board also approved a resolution to join MOCAAT which is an investment company dealing with schools and municipalities. They can provide a three-year cash analysis for the school. There is no cost unless the school would use their services. The board accepted the resignations of high school English teacher Alec Conner and Sean Guffey who was in high school special education. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened Saturday afternoon in Phelps County on County Road 1030 about two miles north of St. James just after 1:30 that resulted in injuries to two teenagers. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Polaris RZR 800 being operated by a 16-year-old boy of St. James was travelling north when it began to slide off the road. The Polaris then overturned and ejected a passenger, a 15-year-old girl, also of St. James. The vehicle then came to rest, partially blocking the roadway. The 16-year-old driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by family to Phelps Health Hospital. The passenger was transported by Phelps Health to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis with serious injuries. The report went on to state that neither were wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. The Polaris sustained minor damage and was removed by C & C Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released several reports. On Sunday, May 29th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 68. During the stop, a 59-year-old Salem woman was found to be intoxicated and in possession of a firearm. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold. Later that same day, a deputy responded to Dent County Road 4155 for a reported assault. During the investigation, a 34-year-old person from Salem was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. The suspect was fingerprinted, photographed, and charged on a criminal citation of Assault in the 4th Degree. Then on Tuesday, May 31st, a deputy responded to South Warfel Street for a reported wanted subject with outstanding warrants. During the investigation, a 27-year-old Salem woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was incarcerated on multiple warrants. On Thursday, June 2nd, deputies responded to the Salem Eagle’s Club for a reported theft of money. Upon arrival, suspect information was provided and the investigation is ongoing. If you have any further information regarding any ongoing investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated materials would be added and grading done on numerous county roads including Dent County Roads 5130, 6220, 6600 and 6620 while only grading would be done on county roads 5140, 6240 and 6610. Mobray went on to say brush would be cut on county roads 4110, 4180 and 4210. He stated the commission would seek bids on their 1996 New Holland 6640 Tractor with the Tiger Brush Cutter. The tractor has new brakes and air conditioner and more. Bids will be accepted in the county clerk’s office until 10:00 the morning of June 23rd for the tractor. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2210 while only grading would be done on county road 2020. He said rock would be added to county roads 2030 and 3180 and brush was going to be cut on county road 4280. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to congratulate the Salem Running Club and thank all the sponsors and participants of the First Annual Salem 5K/10K and Color Run held this past Saturday morning on making it a tremendous success. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said applications for the Lead-based Paint Hazard Control Program issued through the Meramec Regional Planning Commission are available at the courthouse. The program is to address childhood lead poisoning in all the Meramec Region including Dent, Crawford, Phelps and other counties in south central Missouri. Our goal is to determine if a child is being exposed to lead-based paint hazards in the home. If lead-based paint hazards are present, the MRPC will then determine the best strategy to eliminate the hazards from the property and to make the home lead safe. The Lead-based Paint Hazard Control Program is a grant funded program. Every project is eligible for up to $15,000 in funds. Owner occupant projects are completed at no cost to the resident. Rental property projects require a 15% cash match by the property owner. This includes the process of lead inspection/risk assessment, lead removal, clearance testing and temporary relocation (if needed) while the lead safe work is being performed. For more information, contact Patrick Stites at the MRPC office at 265-2993, ext. 135 or e-mail pstites@meramecregion.org. Curley also said business that have liquor licenses with the county must have them renewed by June 30th in order to legally sell alcohol. She recommends you bring in your renewed state license when coming to her office to renew your county license. Fees vary on the type of service your business offers. Harold Tubbs from Dent County Road 5015 was in to inquire about some ditch and culvert work needed at his home. At the last meeting, the commission heard from Dent County Health Center Director Zach Moser as he discussed with the commission various projects they could use ARPA funds for. The commission did unanimously approve a project to increase the Community Messaging Capability up to $37,000. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem will be doing curbside yard waste pick-up on Monday, June 6th. Items that will be picked up by the city include limbs and branches that are cut to a length of 4 feet or less, and grass that is bagged in recyclable leaf bags which can be purchased at the city utility office $2.50 for ten bags. The city will pick up yard waste that has been properly bagged, cut, and placed at the edge of the curb or sidewalk. They ask that you do not block the sidewalk or place items in the street. The city of Salem reserves the right to charge for exceptionally large volumes of yard waste or to recommend removal by a private company. Items that will not be picked up include appliances, household trash, tires, electronics, lumber or building materials, furniture, or recyclables. For more information, call the city at 729-4811.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is conducting a Youth Academy Program from July 28th through the 31st for high school students interested in a career in law enforcement. Students must be between the ages of 16 and 18 and must be in good physical condition. There is no cost required to attend. Cadets enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to become a law enforcement officer, experience police training, and participate in military drills. They will be exposed to the different jobs available at the Missouri State Highway Patrol including the canine division, the aircraft division. the water patrol, criminal investigations and more. The camp will be held this year at Camp Mahaska in Bourbon and they will accept about 40 students to the camp. For more information or to get an application, contact Corporal Tony Sandoval at 573-308-8507 or e-mail him at antonio.sandoval@mshp.dps.mo.gov.

Be sure to visit the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center from June 6th through July 31st for a display honoring Missourian Thomas Hart Benton. On display will be a scaled replica of the Thomas Hart Benton mural. The mural was commissioned in 1935 and completed in 1936. The mural explores the history and tales of Missouri’s past. If you have questions, would like more information, or would like to volunteer please call Liz Condray at 573-729-0029.