Fourth Grade Art Club Presents to WP School Board

The West Plains School Board of Education discussed surplus items, policy updates, an agreement with the college, and heard a presentation from the elementary art club at their November meeting held last Tuesday. 

 

West Plains Elementary Principal Virginia Uphaus introduced their fourth grade Art Club, led by Tiffany Bryce and Maddyson Callahan. The instructors were with students Mary Lambert, Aurora Barks and Bentlee Due showcasing their art project, where the students recreated their favorite book artwork on concrete pavers. The pavers shown were of “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss, “Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin, and Wild Animal Families' book “Charlie the Cheetah”. Each student was awarded a Sonic gift card as a token of recognition. The instructors said they were anticipating around twenty students to join the club but, current membership sits over forty students.

 

During the meeting, Dr. Ashley Cooley was presented with the “Newcomer of the Year” award from the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. The board chose to recognize her during the meeting, and the MIAAA will officially recognize her in spring 2025. 

 

The district approved a facility use agreement with Missouri State University – West Plains for the use of Zizzer Ballpark from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. The agreement covers the times and purpose of use, fees, food service, compliance with applicable laws and policies, damages, and insurance requirements, and other terms and conditions. There are certain rules university students must follow while at the ballpark and very particular rules while on the turf. These include prohibiting any food on the turf at any time, banning the use of metal spikes on the turf at any time, and not allowing university players or spectators in the ballpark or on district property without supervision by university staff or coaches, to name a few. The agreement also covered rental costs for practice, games, repair and maintenance costs, and more. 

 

The board declared seven items from the welding technology program as surplus. Bids on the items will be accepted at the SoMoTech offices until 4:00 pm on Dec. 13 and the highest bidder will be accepted. The items are a Millermatic 200 wirefeed welder, a Toyota two-ton forklift, a Enco horizontal bandsaw, two Miller Syncrowave 210 welders, and two Lincoln power MIG welders.

 

During building and project reports, Matthew Orchard told the board that there are efforts to return “Second Chance Breakfast” at the high school to enhance student nutrition, as well as plans to launch an after-school food program, offering free meals to students in after-school activities. Orchard also discussed the recent flooding on Nov. 4-5, saying the maintenance teams were able to resolve them quickly. He also announced that the above-ground fuel tanks are installed, operational, and awaiting fuel. 

 

Superintendent Dr. Wes Davis announced to the board that the Missouri United School Insurance Council (MUSIC) insurance cost would be increasing by 29%. The rise in costs was tied with the drastic increase in severe weather in Missouri over the last three years, showing a graphic with roughly 70 severe weather events in May 2021 and over 300 in May 2024. The graphic tracked tornados, severe wind, and hail.