NEVC’s Board Asked to Partner in Storm Shelter

By Johannes Brann

With only board member David Bruce absent, the six attending members of the Northeast Vernon County (NEVC) School Board plus Superintendent Christy Jones heard about possible severe budget cuts if the property tax is replaced by sales taxes. The board heard separate assessments on the roofs of the district’s two buildings as well as on the district’s technology and cybersecurity. Since March is school board appreciation month, those on hand were thanked for their service.

After reviewing and voting to pay bills and salaries, the board heard a presentation by Clint and Raye Swopes, members of Walker Community Betterment.

March is School Board Appreciation Month and pictured is NEVC R-1 District Superintendent Christy Jones presenting a certificate of appreciation to school board member Mrs. Heather Brown.

Said Clint Swopes, “Our group was approached by Build Vernon County to partner with them as they want to expand grants across the county.”

He reported the group’s focus is on grants for the construction of a community storm shelter. The grants would not be from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“On most days, the biggest number of folks in town would be students and staff at this school,” said Raye Swopes.

“And so we came to ask if we could site the shelter somewhere on your grounds; maybe even attached to your building,” added Clint.

Superintendent Jones explained that attaching it to the building would likely be a problem.

All board members welcomed the idea of a storm shelter on school property with board member Scotty Pritchett saying, “I like the idea; let’s keep in touch as this moves forward!”

A major component of school funding comes from district property taxes. In her monthly report, Jones spoke of how proposed changes by the Missouri General Assembly would largely abolish property taxes and make sales tax revenue the major source of school funding. Jones reported this would result in an estimated cut of 18 percent for each school district.

Said Jones, “This would be a loss of $1,800 in revenue per student which, for us, equals the loss of four teachers or seven support staff. We’ve already cut back so that our school counselor as well as our art and music teachers serve both buildings.”

With a bit of exasperation in her voice, she noted how the district’s teachers have been working hard to raise test scores in both buildings. Jones stated such cuts might mean the school would have to combine grades and that would decrease the amount of instructional time available for each subject.

She added that the proposed state budget would eliminate funding for public schools in the Parents As Teachers (PAT) preschool education program. The 2026-2027 school year is the first in many where the R-1 district has its own PAT program; it currently serves 11-preschoolers.

Mr. Grant DeShone, Missouri Sales Manager for Coryell Roofing of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reviewed a recent analysis of the various sections of roofs on the district’s buildings. Drone photos identified the four distinct sections of roof at Schell City and six at Walker; a slide presentation noted the condition of each.

Receiving a grade of “F” (already leaking) is the roof covering the cafeteria and adjoining classrooms. Receiving a grade of “D” was the east section of roof on the high school gym. The Schell City campus had two sections receiving a “D” grade. One is the roof over the gym and the other is the roof on the building’s west side.

Mr. DeShone passed around samples of two different roofing materials: a board to cover standing metal seams with a thermoplastic membrane attached over that (Duro-Last, 30-year warranty) or a less expensive elastomeric spray on coating (15-year warranty).

CCR Roofing of Blue Springs, Missouri had to cancel its presentation at the last minute.

In response to queries about financing, Jones told the board “If you want to look at pricing and finance options, and possibly doing things in stages, we could issue an RFP (request for proposal) and present this at our April meeting.”

Board members expressed interest in doing just that.

March is School Board Appreciation Month and Jones expressed the district’s and her personal gratitude for the service of board members. On hand to receive certificates were board members Heather Brown, Deland Prough, Heath Brown, Connie Gerster, Scott Pritchett and Tisha Bailey.

A slide presentation was made sharing the results of an information technology assessment of the R-1 school district by Norman, Oklahoma based Adira LLC. Presenting was former school superintendent Dr. Jack Green. He labeled areas by means of green, yellow and red traffic lights. Areas receiving “red light” notice included the district’s firewall and telephony systems. He shared how better use of federal E-Rate funds could help pay for some system upgrades. The board took this under advisement.

Principal reports noted 91 students at Schell City and 86 in Walker for a district total of 177. Graduation will be on May 9 with the last day of school on May 12.