Sweet Springs school board tweaks plans for high school building addition

Changes to the plans for the high school's addition were made at the Sweet Springs Board of Education meeting Tuesday, March 17.

The board voted to change the plans for the addition to the high school to add 10 feet to the width of the gym. This was done in order to increase seating in the gym, said Superintendent Boyd Jones, by an amount "equal to the current seating on either side." The cost for this addition is $92,810.

"Theoretically, we're going to subtract $92,000 from the overall cost," said Jones, but before that can be done, all costs must be exactly known. The overall cost will be $3.6 million, Jones said.

Jeff Sims, president of the Sweet Springs Fair Board, was present to inform board of education members of his group's desire to purchase the elementary school once its students have been moved to the high school, pending voters' approval of Kids First, the bond issue related to the high school's planned-for additions.

"We want to do what's in the best interest of the community," Sims said.

He suggested that wedding receptions and other community functions could be held in the building.

The board accepted the resignation of Mike Smith, high school principal. Smith will finish out the school year before his retirement takes effect. Smith has been part of the staff at the high school for two years.

Besides Smith, the board accepted the resignations of Spanish teacher Carla Blecke, guidance counselor Janell Castle, kindergarten teacher Julie Keller and instrumental music teacher Ashley Hibbs, all of whom will also finish out the school year.

The board approved the official ballot for the April election. The candidates for the Sweet Springs Board of Education will be John Dorman, Rodney Heaper, Christy Evans and Darla Reid.

The board voted against a previous request by Mike Viets, father of a Sweet Springs High School student, to replace fall girls' volleyball with fall girls' softball.

The board voted to approve the calendar for the 2009-2010 year. It will be almost identical to the 2008-2009 calendar with the exception of moving parent/teacher conferences back one week from the previous dates set. The 2009-2010 school year will begin Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009.

Dates for 2009 summer school were also set from May 26 through June 26, which Elementary School Principal Donna Wright said corresponds to last year's dates.

To avoid holding the final day of the 2008-2009 school year on a Monday, board members voted to hold school on Tuesday, April 9, and end the school year on Friday, May 15. This decision will automatically be voided if, for any reason, classes are not held on a day for which classes are scheduled.

The board went into closed session to discuss personnel. During this session, all teachers were rehired, except those who resigned.

All board members were present.

The next board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, at 8 p.m. in the high school library.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net