CALIFORNIA, Mo. -- Federal regulations may impede the California board of education from making the best decisions for its constituents.
It is a growing problem for many local districts, the board members discussed at the Wednesday regular meeting.
Several policy changes were recommended by the Missouri School Boards Association. Most were minor changes to existing policy and were approved.
However, it tabled the vote on a recommended policy that would prevent contractors who helped the district develop a bid or request for proposals from bidding on the project.
"I'd hate to see us adopt a policy that takes away our ability and might not be in our best interest," Vice President Philip Burger said.
Considering the school's recent major project to build its football field, the board recognized it struggled to receive three bids and some of those vendors were not viable.
Superintendent Dwight Sanders suggested school districts may no longer reach out to local businesses for assistance to develop projects and instead rely more on sharing documents among school districts to address similar projects.
Sanders agreed the new measure "does take away our local control."
"The taxpayers elect us to spend their tax dollars well," Treasurer Jay VanDieren said. "I don't feel comfortable having that in there when they're trying to take away our local control."
Member Joe Kirby said he wouldn't mind if the policy was written more as a "guideline."
However, Board Secretary Susie Gorrell clarified the policies are required because the school receives some federal money - only 8 percent of the operating budget.
"It's tying our hands," Burger said.
The board also did not vote on the changes to the bullying policy, as components are still being developed, Sanders said.
In other business, the board:
Noted filing for the upcoming April school board election opens Dec. 13. The seats of Kirby, Burger and President Craig Ash will be filled.
Learned the Evaluate testing program has shown a 5.5 percent increase of learning in the math and language arts areas at the middle school.
Heard the elementary school is developing its new reading program, Journeys.
Learned that former teachers Paul and Lenda Lebeck have donated $1,000 to the district to be used at its discretion.
Reviewed the districts APR scores.