Recently we have received many phone calls and visits from concerned citizens and District residents.  In an effort to keep you informed, in this article we will answer your questions and hope you will better understand the current situation. 

When we made the decision to publish these articles, we agreed to be straightforward and to tell the good, the bad and the ugly. We will stand by our word and provide you with information as it becomes available to us.  We will admit serving on our school board has been very rewarding, but also very trying at times.  Recently we have been in the public eye possibly more than ever, and have been both commended and criticized by our community.  We have spent numerous hours in meetings, have been in much discussion with individuals of the community out of our meetings and have also spent sleepless nights contemplating, analyzing and reflecting on board issues.  Yes, we had a good idea of what we were getting into when we ran for these positions and we feel honored to have been chosen to serve our community.  We will continue to serve the public in the most effective, scrupulous and professional manner possible.  Please always remember our students and their education have always been our number one priority and will always continue to be. 

A lot of you are concerned about our school start date.  Our contractors tell us we will be able to start school as scheduled with classes beginning on August 20.  Be sure to check the "Back To School" insert in the August 5Democrat News for enrollment times/dates and Open House information.

 To give you an update on the new Preschool building, work is progressing daily.  The building has been divided to house four classrooms, windows are being installed in classrooms and restrooms are being constructed.  Currently the district is waiting for an inspection from the Fire Marshall, which is required of preschool facilities.  We are unsure at this time if the building will be ready for the beginning of the school year.  

YES, the Board, Administration and Athletic Department are doing everything possible to ensure our Blackcats will be playing their home opener, September 11 in our stadium.  It took several months and many meetings to make a decision regarding our High School renovations.  The stadium project is no less important.  The Board members felt we had to have all bids and information at hand before we could commit to any final decisions. At Tuesday's regularly-scheduled Board meeting we postponed any decisions until additional bids could be secured.  These bids were received midweek.  Therefore, a special meeting was held Saturday morning to discuss the stadium project.  The Board voted only to replace the bleachers at this time.  The bleachers were fully covered under the District's insurance policy.  There is a possibility the seating will not be completed for our first home game.  Be prepared to bring your lawn chair just in case.  There will be portable restroom facilities and concessions available.  Bids will be taken at a later date for the construction of a press box.  Further discussion will be held concerning the locker room/concession and restroom area.  We are reviewing preliminary estimates, construction bids, and grant opportunities to help us through this challenging decision-making process.  Please know we do not want to make impetuous decisions which will affect the community and the District as a whole.  Please be patient with us as we consider this project.  We want to make it very clear NO tax levy money will be used for any of these stadium projects

The Board understands the community is concerned if and how insurance settlements will effect how we use our new tax revenue.  At this time we have only received preliminary estimates from our insurance company.  Therefore it is difficult to determine to what extent the settlement money will affect the use of the tax levy money. We apologize for the lack of information, but currently it is beyond our control.  We will continue to keep you updated on this matter. While the May 8 storm has caused some upheaval, rest assured we are committed to accomplishing our list of goals that have been set forth by the Board and the Administration. 

We would like to invite the public to our Board meetings.  Regularly scheduled monthly meetings are the third Tuesday of each month.  If you have a topic you would like to bring before the Board, please call the administrative office and have it placed on the business agenda.  Attending a Board meeting is the best source of District information.

We sincerely appreciate your interest and concern regarding our students and the Fredericktown R-1 School District.