Local News – Monday, October 22nd, 2018
The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting Thursday evening at the District Administrative Offices. At the meeting, Superintendent John McColloch said that as of September first, Salem R-80 had 1,031 resident students and 309 non-residents attending school. That is a total of about 1,340 students from grades from Kindergarten through 12th grade and that number does NOT include 64 pre-Kindergarten children. McColloch said the Phase 10 construction work continues with the footings being set for the restrooms at the football field. He said the masons would be at the football field Tuesday to start installing the block building. McColloch also reported that conduit has been installed in the gym and McKinstry was to have pulled the wire through for the air conditioning. McColloch went on to tell the board the curbs for the air conditioning units on the roof were to be installed Monday. McColloch also told the board that he would like to create a long-term project committee to create a long-term facility plan that would include educational adequacy, facility assessment, operations and sustainability, community impact and the implementation assessment. The initial meeting of this committee will be Thursday, November 1st at 6:00 at the Salem R-80 District Administrative Offices and it is open to anyone who is interested. If anyone has question about the committee, contact Superintendent John McColloch at 729-6642. High School Principal Marty Anderson reported on the construction trades program at the school. He said their projects would be limited to within the City Limits of Salem and a couple of projects have been submitted for heir consideration. Principal Scott Roberts of the Middle School wanted to thank Conway Construction and Healthy Dent County for their new obstacle course at the school. The board approved the board policy updates that had to be changed due to the passing of Senate Bill 603 and they will go into effect January 1st, 2019. High School Choir Director Elaine Russell came in to discuss with the board the choir’s desire to travel to New Orleans in the spring of 2019 for competitions. Russell said 20 students, 1 instructor and three chaperons would go April 11th through the 14th and it would cost each person about $600. This money has to be earned by the student working fund raisers and doing other jobs in order for them to go to the competition. She said there are other options available if the New Orleans trip would fall through within driving distance. The board approved their request. The board then went into closed session.
A one vehicle accident occurred Friday afternoon at 1:15 on Route B about two miles north of St. James. According to the report, a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, driven by 17-year old Steven Counts of St. James, was northbound when he lost control of the vehicle and traveled off the right side of the roadway, then struck several small trees and overturned. Counts suffered minor injuries and was transported by private conveyance to seek his own treatment. Counts was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Pontiac sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.
The Delta Regional Authority announced that they will contribute $174,124 to St. James as part of a total investment of $1,135,883 for a business expansion and infrastructure improvements that include upgrades to city streets, storm sewers, sidewalks and curbs to support expansion of a manufacturing business. The business currently manufactures glass showcases and displays, cabinetry and does other millwork for national and international customers and they will be adding a new product line. The total investment is expected to help create 33 new jobs and retain 100 existing jobs.
Salem Parks and Recreation Tye Lydon was recently qualified as a certified Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) by the National Certification Board (NCB) and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). To be AFO certified Lydon had to pass a nationally administered examination testing his knowledge of mechanical concepts involved in the functioning of a swimming pool, his ability to demonstrate familiarity with all systems, equipment and peripherals that are required to contain, circulate and filter, plus heat and treat swimming pool water. Lydon examination covered his ability to perform preventative maintenance and basic repairs, his competence in all areas of water chemistry pertaining to pools and his knowledge of risk management practices. Lydon’s AFO certification is valid for five years. Congratulations Tye.