School board purchases laptops early to avoid extra cost of tariffs

Belt tightening in anticipation of state and federal funding cuts … and tariffs … was a theme Tuesday during the monthly Webb City R-7 Board of Education meeting.

Adam Bell, director of internet technology, received approval to replenish the stock of student Chromebooks earlier than usual – before the prices are expected to go up drastically because of tariffs.

Moreover, he said grant funding for technology purchases are no longer available.

He presented an offer from a distributor at roughly $229 per unit. “That price won’t be available after July 1 (when the next school year begins),” Bell told board members. By making the purchase now, he said the district will be saving $25,000. The total price of the deal is $195,800.

Bell said a similar purchase last summer cost the district $240,000. The laptops being purchased now are a different brand, but he said his staff has determined they will be of sufficient quality. He said the same laptops that were purchased last year are expected to be $135 higher.

The board also approved the purchase of cases for the Chromebooks at a cost of $18,440 and 60 replacement iPads at a cost of $19,440.

Superintendent Brenten Byrd continued to stress the need to conserve dollars available for capital improvement projects because of the poor funding outlook.

In addition to expected to state funding cuts, he said “we’re told to expect” federal cuts of $250,000 for Title I and $150,000 for Title II.

Byrd characterized the current Missouri Legislative session as an “attack on public education. That’s what it is, 100%.”

Open enrollment has a better chance of passing this year, he said, because Gov. Mike Kehoe strongly favors it.

Board member Jason Woodmansee, who serves as a legislative liaison, said the district could lose up to 3% (or about 150) of its students choosing to enroll in neighboring districts under the proposed law.

“There are lots of things wrong with it (House Bill 711),” said Byrd. He urged those who have the ear of legislators to “let them know we oppose it.”

Regarding a school safety bill, Byrd said he’s in favor of school boards making those decisions.

He also cited a bill loosening restrictions on home-school students participating in public school extracurricular activities. Accountability for students in school and not for students at home is the issue with that, he said.

Byrd added there’s also discussion at the state level about reducing property taxes, which would reduce funding for school districts.

Board reorganizes

After certifying the April 8 election results, Cheryl Chaney swore in three board members. Stephen Crane and Dan McGrew were reelected for new three-year terms. And Scott Smith was elected to complete the last year of a three-year term.

Crane was elected president, and Erin Taylor was elected vice president.

In other action:

• Allison Pope, assistant superintendent for instructional services, announced that district teachers and students are entering the annual period for standardized testing, including the MAP test.

• The board approved a $98,940 bid from Crossland Construction to install a chair lift going down to the industrial arts department at the high school.

• Board members agreed with a policy allowing high school students to request permission to participate in two sports at the same time. Both coaches would have to agree.

• They also agreed with a policy limiting bus travel for athletic summer camps to 500 miles one way.

• High school senior Emma Cox was recognized for her national and world competition in tumbling.

• Two resignations were approved:

– Kiley Marti, counselor at Webster Primary Center – seven years with the district.

– Keith Robertson, middle school principal. He has been selected at the new principal of Carl Junction High School.

• Michelle Gannaway’s retirement letter, after 24 years with the district, was accepted. She will continue as a physical education teacher at Webster until the end of the calendar year.

• Ashley Cox’s request for a one-year leave of absence was approved.

• 12 teachers were offered contracts.

– Heather Roush, second grade, Webster.

– Meaghan Lindsey, first grade, Webster.

– Durand Henderson, physical education/health at Webster after Michelle Gannaway retires. He’ll be a full-time substitute teacher until then.

– Ruthie Bond, high school special education.

– Monica Pelham, speech language pathologist. With Pelham’s return to the district, Kayla Cullers, director of special education, announced that increasing the salary  for SLPs in August was the difference in all of the district’s SLP positions now being full.

– Mariah Newby, fourth grade, Harry S Truman Elementary.

– Sydney Chapman, second grade, Harry S Truman.

– Selena McCamish, kindergarten, Carterville Elementary.

– Rachel Price, fourth grade, Carterville Elementary.

– Logan Bell, junior high career explorations.

– Mary Landreth, junior high special education.

– Alex Pickett, high school social studies.