VIENNA — The Maries County R-1 Board of Education approved a bid to repair the school’s track for $89,702 at its March 31 meeting.

The board discussed various reports from the different board members and approved multiple contracts for the school district. For board appreciation month, the board provided snacks for the members.

The track and field needs resurfacing and some localized repairs. Two companies bid on the project. The resurfacing will take place this summer.

St. Louis company Byrne and Jones Construction’s base bid was $150,005 with the two alternative additional packages being $2,300 and $45,240 respectively. The total was $197,545, but Superintendent Teresa Messersmith believes some math was calculated incorrectly on the third alternative.

Pro Track and Tennis, from Elkhorn, Nebr., gave a bid for $76,702 base and $8,500 and $4,500 for the two alternative packages, for a total of $89,702. The board approved Pro Track and Tennis to complete the project.

The school cleaned the classrooms and made numerous improvements over spring break. The boys’ locker room now has a new urinal and plumbing repairs. Parts of the gym were repainted to prepare for the upcoming graduation ceremony. The weight room and elementary restroom floors were redone as well.

During the summer, the school plans to repair the roof with Missouri Builders Service in June. The school buses will have cameras installed.

The school is working to provide free lunches to students through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Seamless Summer Option. If finalized, students can eat hot lunch for free; they do not need to be enrolled in summer school.

Board President David Long inquired about installing dash cameras on school buses to catch those who do not stop when a bus’s lights are flashing. The Missouri Driver Guide requires drivers in both directions to stop in both directions for a stopped school bus when on a two-lane, undivided road. This is so that children can safely get off the bus and cross the street. Messersmith said that she will see if the district can afford them.

“But if we got a camera that we can get a license plate, at least go talk to them. Say, ‘Hey, lights are flashing. You’re supposed to be stopped,’” Long said.

The board approved a contract to switch from ApplicantStack to Nimble for its hiring needs. At the end of the year, the school will switch its job postings to the new platform, which posts openings to online job boards and provides a portal for candidates to apply.

The Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DSE) is encouraging schools to use Nimble and will pay 100 percent for the first year, 75 percent the second year and 50 percent the third year. After that, the school district will decide whether to continue using the platform or switch to something else.

The board also approved rehiring the school’s 16 probationary teachers, two teachers gaining tenure and 17 tenured teachers. The board will, if necessary, rehire the two critical shortage teachers.

During the meeting, the board also approved other agenda items, including the KPM CPAs audit engagement letter, the reading success plan, the Ozarks Schools Benefits Association program, the PowerSchool student information system contract renewal, and a new Bowman’s Solutions postage machine.

Faculty and staff members resignation letters were also read and accepted by the board. Beth Edwards is retiring from her paraprofessional position after the school year but plans to return as a substitute teacher. Lesley Cremer announced resignation as a high school science teacher.

“After much consideration and reflection, I have decided that it is time for me to step away from education and move to different opportunities in order to better support my family. It has been an incredible journey teaching biology at Vienna for the past 12 years,” Cremer said in her resignation letter. “I have had the privilege of working with outstanding students, collaborating with dedicated colleagues and being part of a vibrant academic community.”

Sharlene Hallett resigned from her position as assistant girls’ basketball coach to pursue a master’s degree in math to better serve the high school as a teacher.

“It has been a privilege to work with our middle and high school girls as they grow in their knowledge of basketball and mature as a team,” she said in her resignation letter. “I have benefited from Coach (KC) Curler’s mentoring these past two years and have learned how to bring a variety of talented young ladies to work as one team.”

The board approved hiring Melinda Matthews to help Hallett in teaching high school math classes. Tabitha Hunter, who has 27 years of experience, will be moving from the Fort Zumwalt School District to become an a third grade teacher.

Elementary Principal Shanda Snodgrass, High School Principal Tim Metcalf, Special Services Director Joe Edwards each gave their administrative reports.

Snodgrass updated the board on the elementary school, including completing disaster training, Vienna placing No. 2 in Battle of the Books sponsored by the Heartland Regional Library, family night on March 12 and summer school May 26 – June 24.

Metcalf gave updates about academic and sports achievements, the pre-ACT, and parent-teacher conferences held for students with low grades.

Edwards informed the board about compliance with safety regulations for the school and upgrading the campus to meet the DSE’s requirements. He also shared with them regarding testing students for services for learning disabilities.

Head Basketball Coach Tim Simmons also updated the board with how the eight archers did at the Missouri state tournament. He said that the No. 1 archery students in middle, elementary and high school are all from the same conference as Vienna.

Messersmith also mentioned that the school district is $10,000 under budget, and with the rising price of fuel, she will have the propane tank filled up as late as she can on this year’s budget for next year.

The board’s next meeting is April 13 at 6 p.m., within the 10 days of the election, as required by Missouri law.