VIENNA — The Maries R-1 School Board, at the board’s January meeting, were presented with positive financial information pertaining to increased local tax revenues and more state money than was expected.

In her report to the school board, Superintendent Teresa Messersmith said 2021 local tax revenue increased $92,816.93 from 2020. The school district has received $1,772,502.89 in current taxes, $5,935.50 in delinquent taxes, $15,048.69 surtax, $853.42 in financial institution tax, $297,313 in utility tax for a total of $2,091,653.50.

The school district’s assessed valuation increased over $3 million from 2020 to 2021. In 2020 the district’s assessed valuation was 59,721,970 and in 2021 it increased to 62,763,310. This does not include railroad and utility assessment. 

The monthly revenue the school district receives from the state also showed an increase in January. The Formula/CTF revenue for the month was $119,552.64, up $12,360 on the four-year average. Prop C revenue for the month was $51,123.90, up $17,019 on the four-year average. And, transportation revenue was $8,219, up $1,842 on the four-year average. 

Board member Matt Novak asked whey the revenues had gone up and Messersmith said they don’t know. Board President Vicki Bade said the school district had funds withheld last year, and board member Dave Garro said transportation funds have been withheld for some time. Messersmith said the money R-1 gets will vary. 

The school district’s January electric bill was $3,801.40, up $47 for the same month last year. Propane was purchased in January at a cost of $12,789.44. The school district’s current propane contract is with Lock’s Mill at $1.36 per gallon. 

Also in her report to the school board:

—Messersmith said there were 25 students and four staff members who tested positive for COVID-19 since the last board meeting. She said the attendance numbers were back up that day as students come back to school. It was noted there was an increase of 43 students in the elementary school that day.

—Messersmith gave a construction update. Bales Construction isn’t working on the punch list. The company is waiting on glass in order to continue with the construction stand/hallway project and it may be two weeks before it can move forward. Without the glass put in, they can’t lay the flooring, or install cabinets, columns and duck work. 

Rommel Doors is almost finished with the door project as the company waits on parts. The new keyless entries are working. Novak asked what happens if a person loses an entry fob. Messersmith said it will be shut down and re-programed. She said it is a good system and can do several things. 

Board members Mike Kleffner said he heard some claim the weight room flooded. High School Principal Ian Murray said during the tornado and high winds a gutter was moved and some water came in. He said it was a puddle. 

—Maries R-1 received ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) II funds of $351,235. The revenue was used to pay certified staff salaries. ESSER 111 money is expected later in the school year.

—Maries R-1 is scheduled for a DESE food service review and inspection Feb. 8. Amy Rowden has been preparing for it and sending documents. 

Messersmith reported effective Jan. 1, 2022 the reimbursement rates will increase by $0.25 for the Seamless Summer Program to help offset the higher pandemic costs. This is federal reimbursement for feeding the students in the cafeteria at no cost to them during the pandemic. 

—Messersmith said R-1 Technology Director Kevin Schwartze worked hard on an emergency connectivity grant. She said “he stepped up and found a grant for $50,000,” which the district received. The money will be used to buy 150 new Chromebooks. The grant is federal money. 

—There will be no school on Feb. 21 to observe the Presidents’ Day holiday. About snow days, Messersmith said if Maries R-1 does not go over the built-in 60 hours, the school district won’t have to make-up days. 

—Messersmith reported she plans to attend two MASA workshops, one on insurance Feb. 1, and one on personnel on Feb. 10. The RTI meeting/luncheon is Feb. 23. 

—The Missouri Highway Patrol bus inspections will be held March 23. The school district will ask to use the county highway shed for this. Lindell Patterson will assist with inspections that day and Messersmith said she will be there, too.

—Elementary school enrollment is 234 students with attendance at 94.27 percent. Middle school enrollment is 97 students with attendance of 94.94 percent. High school enrollment is 162 students with attendance of 93.42 percent. Total Maries R-1 enrollment is 493 students with an attendance rate of 94.21 percent.