Local News – Monday, September 25th, 2023

Due to a lightning strike Sunday afternoon, KSMO-AM is not currently on the air. We will work diligently in getting the transmitter repaired and back on the air as quickly as possible. KSMO-FM 95.7 is currently on the air and broadcasts the same programming as KSMO-AM. We appreciate your understanding in the matter.

The Missouri Department of Transportation needs your input on a planned bridge replacement project on Highway 19 in Dent County. Especially important to the team is feedback on the timing of the planned 45-day closure. That closure window has not yet been determined and the project team welcomes input from stakeholders about that issue or any other aspect of the project. MoDOT will host an open-house style public meeting to discuss the current plans, proposed detour, and other construction details this Thursday afternoon from 4:30 to 6:00 at the Salem Community Center at the Armory, located at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem, MO. Members of the project team will be there to answer questions, provide information, and receive comments. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees may come at any time during the open house. Exhibits will be on display showing the current plans for the project. Comment forms will also be available at the meeting. If you’re unable to attend in person, you can find the same exhibits that will be at the open house on the project’s webpage at www.modot.org/missouri-route-19-bridge-replacement-over-standing-rock-creek-dent-county. A comment form is located at the bottom of that page. Additionally, comments may be emailed to CDCR@modot.mo.gov or mailed to Dent County Route 19 Standing Rock Creek Project, c/o MoDOT, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO, 65102. All comments must be received or postmarked by October 13th.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting Thursday at the district administrative offices. At the meeting, the board heard from A.J. Tinker with the Construction Trades Program who said he had 42 children in the program featuring eight seniors and nine juniors. Six of those seniors after graduating plan on staying in the construction trade business. Tinker said projects they are working on are the trim work of the old Fleming’s Store, work on the second floor of Dr. Ouzts Veterinary Clinic, and a new roof for the Dent County Feed building. They will also be building a weight lifting platform for the coaches. Mike Wilson reported the slab has been poured and walls are going up on the new construction trades building. He said he would like to make the public aware when the roof is installed. ESP representative Chris Saltzman gave a financial report on the “Tin Gym” project where he said ESP was able to come in on budget even though costs had gone up saying the school will get $16,000 in contingency money back from the $1,857,000 project. He did admit there were a number of issues with a project manager and construction manager, issues with the floor and roof, and problems with the door. The board asked questions about the energy savings and specific costs that Saltzman will address at the next board meeting. In the Superintendent’s report Dr. Lynne Reed said the district auditors were at the school last week, and the district received official notice they were awarded the FEMA grant. Dr. Nathan Wills reported on the results of the MAP and End of Class testing from last year, but the results were only available to the board and are embargoed from the public until December. After the school principals gave their reports, Reed talked about the final Continuous School Improvement Plan, better known as CSIP, the administration prepared and the board approved submitting it to the state. They also approved this years’ bus routes and the Opaa CACFP contract. The board went on to approve updating MSBA policies and approve the overnight trip for 19 FFA students to attend the FFA Convention in Indianapolis in November. Two Salem FFA students will be getting their American FFA Degrees. The board approved the community engagement plan before approving name additions and changes to the scholarship bank account. The board approved Kristi Steelman, Sarah Sanders, Jody Heavin, Lacie Kolbe and Nate Wills to be on the signature card. The board was notified of the resignations of Lesa Hogan as registrar, Suzy Kaffer in food service, Megan Preson as a paraprofessional, Steven McDonald as a custodian and Jessy Kissir as an aide. The board went into closed session where a student issue was heard, a personnel item was discussed, a real estate issue was talked about, and an A Plus appeal was approved. The meeting was then adjourned.