MOKANE, Mo. - The South Callaway R-2 Board of Education unanimously approved a new facility rental agreement for the district at its December meeting Wednesday night. The board also discussed recent legislation that allows trained staff to carry guns on school grounds.
Athletic Director Tony Brandt presented a proposed rental agreement last month. After discussion and some amendments to the draft, the board approved the new agreement. It is an overhaul to the district's current rental policy, which has not been updated since about 2008.
Brandt told the board he has received requests for non-South Callaway groups to use the football field this fall.
"With our new facilities we are going to be inundated with requests to use these facilities," Brandt told the board last month.
The district made major improvements to its football field this year. And maintenance director Hal Dooley said Wednesday that South Callaway's combo field should be finished in a couple of weeks.
One of the most significant changes made to the draft since last month's discussion was the definition of a South Callaway group, which would get to use the facilities free of charge.
The original draft of the facility rental agreement stated at least 85 percent of the group had to be from South Callaway to be considered a South Callaway group. That was changed to 20 percent after school board members said 85 percent was too high and would exclude too many groups.
Legislative update
Superintendent Kevin Hillman updated the board on some legislative items Wednesday night, including state legislation that allows specially trained school employees to carry guns on campus.
"It seems to be picking up steam as some schools are moving quickly to utilize this. Some are very scared." Hillman told the board Wednesday night.
Under the new law, a school district can designate one or more school teachers or administrators as school protection officers who are are "authorized to carry a concealed firearm or self-defense spray device."
If South Callaway decided to participate in the program and have guns on campus, Hillman said the district's insurance company would want to meet and the insurance rate would likely increase.
Hillman said he is "on the fence" about the possibility of having trained staff carry guns.
"We will research and get you more information," Hillman told the board. "This topic will grow and I'll be back with updated information and potentially a proposal for us to take action."
Hillman also mentioned that with the state's commissioner of education retiring at the end of the month, some communication has been slower and called Common Core and testing the biggest question marks.
In other news, filing for school board seats will open Dec. 16; two members of the board are at the end of their term - Ryan Arrowood and Greg Kimminau.
The board also voted to allow Hillman and the district to solicit and accept bids for new school buses with an eye to purchasing two additional general use buses.
District principals discussed having lower attendance due to illness again this month.
Elementary Principal Corey Pontius said the school has 86 percent of students at 90 percent or better attendance. High School Principal Heather Helsel said attendance has also been down due to illness.