School is out for the summer, but school business never ends

The El Dorado Springs R2 School board met on May 9. Along with the retirement of Darrin Griffin, the board reviewed the construction update of the new bus barn. The building, built by Miller Construction, is finished. 1st Student, the bus contractor, is in charge of putting in the chargers for the electric busses. According to Superintendent Brad Steward, the new buses will arrive sometime in July of this year.

The board approved the Career Ladder plans. According to Seward, the amount paid to individual teachers is set by the state. Part is paid by the district and part is paid by the state. Stage 1 teachers are required to perform 50 hours of service for $1,500; stage 2 – 75 hours for $3,000 and stage 3 – 100 hours for $5,000. Steward said 78 teachers will be in the program next year. Participation is voluntary.

The school has received a $150,000 safety grant which will be used to improve the school’s internal communication system.

The board discussed the potential restroom and concession project. Steward said that something had to be done about the restrooms and concessions in the football field area.

The roof over the upper gym sustained damage in April due to the continuous storms in the area.

Along with Steward were board members David Leonard, Mark Burley, Craig Carpenter, Nathan Murry, RJ Kinnett and President Josh Floyd. Member Justin Jacobs was absent.