The Purdy school board reorganized at its April meeting and reviewed recent facilities needs.
The board welcomed four-term incumbent Ken Terry back after a one-term absence, and Mason Roller, who was appointed to the board in 2023 after election filings closed. Four-term incumbent and past board president Todd Schallert has chosen not to run for re-election. David Young, who has served on the board since 2020, was elected president, and Levi Roden tapped as vice president. Both Young and Roller attended the meeting virtually.
The board accepted the resignation of Misty Hughes as an elementary special education teacher. Brian Andrus was added to the substitute teachers list.
A reception for five retiring teachers and staff was set for 3:30 p.m. on May 12. Honored will be Kay Wright, business teacher, years with the district; Glenn Terry, maintenance, 29 years; Kimberly Utter, administrative assistant, 27 years; Barbara Warnick, sixth grade teacher. 27 years; Rebecca Greenway, 25 years; and Susan Thomas, 18 years.
Superintendent Travis Graham reported progress in resolving the elementary bathroom sewer problem. Davis and Son from Monett installed a grinder pump to discharge effluent to a new sewer line going to the exterior courtyard, enabling the abandonment of the old sewer line that ran under the high school.
Graham said the FEMA and fine arts building had been hit by lightning recently, impacting the heating and air conditioning system. The insurance company will send a $22,000 check to cover repairs. New load protectors should protect compressors in the future. He noted the audio-visual equipment was on a separate system with a surge protection system. He agreed to run a check on those units. Graham further noted a humidifier for the gym floor had a burned-out circuit board. Lightning or a short were likely responsible. Repairs would cost less than the $1,000 insurance deductible.
At the baseball field, Graham said the doors on the concession stand and the two bathrooms had been replaced with industrial steel and new locks installed. He planned to pay special attention to that facility during summer play.
Financial outlook
Since the board authorized Graham to negotiate a bus lease, he reported success in extending the lease for two buses for two more years, saving the district around $50,000. Next year, when other buses roll off the lease with close to 100,000 miles on them, he would like to revisit the issue, agreeing with Roden that replacing buses then made sense. Graham hoped to move to a five-year rotation where buses could be retired with around 80,000 miles. The cost of buses, however, runs up to $130,000 each, making purchasing more difficult.
Board members talked at length with Tony Rosetti and Becky Esrock, from Stifel Institutional, about the district’s finances. Graham explained the district switched to a different financial manager after the firm they had said interest rate changes prevented the district from accessing $3 million of its funds and still make bond payments. The switch to Stifel provided access to different financial products and interest rates that made options available.
Rosetti reviewed school financing structure and discussed new pressures, such as the ability under new state law for senior citizens to have their property taxes frozen at the current level if they sign up by the end of the calendar year. Experts anticipate federal funding under the Trump administration may drop 25 percent from Title 1, removing around $105,000 that Purdy previously received.
Rosetti said architects presently project new construction on schools will cost $430 a square foot. While lease purchases cost more with higher interest rates than general obligation bonds, he said leases still fill in gaps caused by prices spiking after construction plans begin.
Esrock praised the board for the quality of its facilities and its current financial position with reserves at 22 percent.
Principals’ reports
Elementary Principal Julie Dalton walked the board through a number of outstanding student achievements in the past month. These included the sixth-to-eighth grade volleyball team wrapping up an undefeated season. Seven students advanced to state competition earning exemplary ratings at the district solo and small ensemble music festival.
Eight high school students won first places and four team trophies at the Crowder Business Contest. Purdy’s team won first place at the Missouri State University Culinary Showdown. The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America team won gold at the FCCLA State Leadership Conference, with a team of three taking second in state and a team of two winning fourth.
Missouri Achievement Program standardized testing will run April 22 to May 2. Graduation will be on May 10.
