The Willow Springs School Board, during its October monthly meeting, heard from Superintendent Dr. Marty Spence regarding future facility projects including the possibility of a safe room at the district’s elementary school, and from School Resource Officer Jeff Cunningham regarding safety measures.
At the top of the Oct. 9 meeting board members passed the consent agenda, which included approval of the agenda, minutes and budget report, plus bills payable; the district’s balance of funds is about $3.64 million, down slightly from $3.76 million last month and up from $3.08 million last year. Substitute teachers approved with the consent agenda were Lorene Fogarty, Violet Hohn, Kimberly Collins, Katlynn Hunter, Griffin Taylor, Brooke Berry and Sherry Tice.
Spence's and Cunningham’s updates were given under the informational portion of the meeting, following general administrative reports. Cunningham, who also serves as director of school security, spoke first, reviewing the district’s current safety measures and giving updates regarding a school safety grant, staff instructional videos, the Raptor program and an Arrive Alive national safe driving campaign tour stop in Willow Springs.
Earlier this month, Gov. Mike Parson announced Willow Springs was awarded $150,000 in the second round of the state’s School Safety Grant Program awards. In a statement to the Quill published Tuesday, Spence said the funds will allow the district to continue upgrading current safety practice and install a more secure entrance to the middle school building.
In May, Gov. Parson announced the state has contracted with Raptor Technologies to provide public and charter schools across Missouri with what his office called a “silent panic alerting system.” The program works to send a silent alert through a mobile device or computer to 911 within seconds to provide location-based information, school campus maps and other critical details for first responder and law enforcement use.
In his updates to the board, Spence began with an explanation of the way average daily attendance of students is used in the state’s formula for determining how much funding a school district will get. He then presented an overview of possible future facility projects, including a discussion of seeking funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a potential safe room at the elementary school. The district currently has a FEMA shelter on the high school campus known as the Bears’ Den.
With no action items on the agenda, the board moved into executive session to discuss real estate and personnel matters. Upon returning to open session after a closed record vote, the meeting adjourned.
Also present for the session were board President Mac Gum and members Brent Colley, Adam Webb, Debbie Brian and Matt Hobson, plus secretary Mandy Scarbrough. Board members Scott Foster and Jeff Lovan were absent. Guests in attendance were Kasey Wake, Tru Love, Travis Taylor, Leland Wake, Sandy Wake and Katie Jamison.
The Willow Springs School Board typically meets the second Monday of each month. The public is welcome.
