The Jefferson City School District has extended its Thanksgiving break to show appreciation to staff and offer respite to staff and students during the ongoing pandemic.
The Board of Education voted Monday to approve the calendar change, providing an extra two days for Thanksgiving break as the district did last year.
JC Schools will be closed Nov. 22-23. The district was already scheduled to be closed Nov. 24-26, with Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 25.
While COVID-19 cases have been low, the district has faced numerous staffing shortages - including substitute teachers, bus drivers, nutrition and food services staff and custodial staff - which have "worn heavily" on staff and students, Superintendent Larry Linthacum said.
"This will give our staff and our students an opportunity to rest, recharge and finish the semester strong," Linthacum said.
The calendar will still meet state requirements, as it had more hours built in than required.
In other business Monday, the board approved a budget amendment due to two significant revenue changes.
The district had budgeted $2.9 million in the operating budget and $670,000 in the debt service budget for county stock insurance based on last year's revenue, but the district actually received $6.3 million - a $2.2 million increase in operating revenue and $529,000 increase in debt service revenue.
The county stock insurance is hard to predict since it can fluctuate significantly each year, Chief Financial Officer Shari LePage said.
The second revenue change is in the district's property tax. In August, the district adjusted its tax rate down by 7 percent. Since there is not an increase in assessed valuation of current properties, the district anticipates its property tax revenue allocation to the operating budget will decrease by about $1 million, LePage said.
The board also approved the following contacts:Two contracts with Foresight for design and bid management of roof replacements at West Elementary School and Lewis and Clark Middle School, each for $16,381.
Two contracts with The Architects Alliance for renovation design and bid management at Moreau Heights Elementary School for $135,515 and Thorpe Gordon Elementary School for $199,485.
A $120,000 addendum to a current contract with energy-efficiency company Navitas for renovation design and construction management at Moreau Heights and Thorpe Gordon.