Local News – Tuesday, July 25th, 2023

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance at the start of the meeting for a family emergency but later called in and had nothing to report except to say that engineer Corky Stack would be by to talk with the commission about what to do with the scrap aluminum and copper removed from the courthouse. District 1 commissioner Wes Mobray was appointed to serve as acting presiding commissioner for the day. Grant Wilson from Representative Jason Smith’s office was in attendance and updated the commission on the Biden IRS Investigation, and also talked about the investigation with the FBI and Department of Justice to find out the facts as to why US District Attorney David Weiss was unable to file charges against Hunter Biden. In the road report, Mobray said his crews were out checking roads for washouts and downed trees from the storm early Monday morning. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said crews were adding materials to Dent County Roads 2170 and 4380 and would try to grade county road 4380 as well as county road 3140. Polk said downed trees were removed from county roads 4380 and 2540, crews would be cleaning out a culvert on county road 3200 and also repairing a washout on county road 2150. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said all tax entities should be scheduling their public tax rate hearings and advertising them as required by law. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reported the City of Salem Board of Alderman has signed a four-year contract with the county to collect their real estate and property taxes as well as the taxes of the Salem Public Library. The next meeting or the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the district administrative board room. The board received a “thank you” note from Caleb Ingram for receiving the Jeans Scholarship. In the superintendent’s report Dr. Lynne Reed discussed with the board the 2023 assessed valuation for real estate and personal property, the current bonding capacity of the district, and potential ballot initiatives. She also said the district is putting together a punch list to give to ESP that will finish up the tin gym project. Reed said the board and administration will hold an upcoming pre-construction meeting on the Construction Trades Building with the general contractor as well as the MRPC and representatives from the CDBG. Reed said the middle school has been identified as a school for Additional Targeted Support for Improvement (ATSI) by DESE. The district is working on the middle school Plan to address this and so that it will align with the CSIP. Reed stated the new “Tiger Training” is scheduled for August 14th and 15th while the administration back to school meeting with all staff will be August 21st. The board is invited to the breakfast on August 14th and August 21st. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills is working on a process to comply with the new legislation requiring testing water in schools for lead. Reed indicated the tech department is in the process of installing new phones throughout the district’s buildings. This is a huge upgrade for the district as they are making the transition to “Infinite Campus” as the student information system. After the reports from the building principals, the board approved the revised Chromebook policy, Personnel Handbook changes, and revisions to board policy JG-R4 concerning the dress code. The board approved putting out a request for proposals for a camera system at the district, approved a contract with Wagner Portrait Group for school pictures through 2026, and approved declaring a freezer as surplus property. The board reviewed the building handbook changes and considered Board Governance training before approving a memorandum of understanding for changes with the Dent County Health Department. The board went on to approve the 2023-2024 meal prices and the OPAA! Food Management, Inc. contract. The board then set the tax rate hearing for the Salem R-80 District for 5:30 on August 17th with the regular board meeting scheduled to begin at 5:45 that same evening at the district administrative offices. The board accepted the resignation of custodian William Machs and the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed effective June 30, 2024. In closed session, the board approved hiring Rene Moncrief as a teacher and they also talked about a personnel issue. The board then adjourned the meeting.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will be holding their regular meeting this evening beginning at 6:00 at the city Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, the board will hear bids on a new batwing bush hog and then discuss an invoice from Rood and Associates for an independent cost estimate needed by the city for the construction of the airport “T-Hanger.” City of Salem Treasurer Stacey Houston will then present the actual end of the fiscal year financials that show an increase of $2,822.72 in the total fund balances over fiscal year 22-23. She also said sales tax revenues came in about 9.4% more than the previous year. In almost all cases, revenues came in more than what was budgeted while the expenses came in less that what was budgeted. The board will hear the first reading of Bill #3554 which would amend the annual budget for the city for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2023. In the second reading of bills, the board will hear Bill #3553 that would create an ordinance to allow the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission to aid in the construction of a six unit T-Hanger at the Salem Memorial Airport. After reports from city officials are presented, the board will go into closed session to discuss contracts. The Salem Board of Alderman meeting tonight is open to the public.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways will host a one-day workshop about the basics of fly fishing for youth between the ages of 12 and 16 this Thursday at the Akers Visitor Center. These free workshops are limited to 10 youth participants and at least one parent or guardian for each youth. Reservations are required. Park Ranger Mark Van Patten will lead the workshops and demonstrate various fly rod casting techniques, proper catch and release techniques, and strategies for fly presentation. Instruction will also include lessons on aquatic entomology, recommended equipment, reading the water, and understanding flies. Fly rods and reels will be available for those who do not have their own. The clinics are expected to last the full day. Participants should bring the following: Valid Missouri fishing permit and trout stamp if 16 years or older. A Trout Stamp is required for all ages, if under 16 the cost is $5.00. Waders or something to wear while wading but no open-toed shoes. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, lunch and water. For more information or to make reservation, please contact the Pulltite Ranger Station at (573) 858-3397