By Annabeth Miller
ShowMe Times Editor

With funding from the state for summer school programs still in doubt, the Dexter Board of Education gave the superintendent authority to develop a summer program that fits into today’s uncertain state budget.

The Dexter board made that unanimous decision in its meeting Monday evening on the recommendation of Supt. Dr. Thomas Sharp.

In the past, the state has funded summer school programs, enabling local districts to participate in offering classes and enrichment opportunities during the summer months. But Missouri’s budget problems may close the school building doors this summer.

It could be May before the Missouri General Assembly decides what to do with funding for summer programs in the state. That sort of tight timetable can mean for a lot of last-minute scrambling to prepare for programs that would begin in June. Therefore, the local board gave Sharp and the district’s administrators the authority to “make every effort” to schedule a summer school program that is fully funded by the state. This authority from the board includes making the appropriate applications, including food service plans.

Sharp said the plan to offer a “pay as you drive” Drivers Education program is still on the table. The board voted last month to offer Drivers Education to students for tuition. No tuition cost or other plans for the traditional summer program have been announced.

Sharp said new legislation would allow for limited funding for summer school programs, as long as courses offered were in the core subject areas.

“We want to provide as much as we can for summer school, but are concerned about the cash flow,” Sharp said. “That’s somewhat tricky. It’s important we offer the best program we are permitted to allow. We don’t want to spend money that we aren’t going to have coming in. Our object is to plan accordingly.”

School Food Service

The board approved the agreement for OPAA!! to operate the food service program in the local district. The 2010-2011 academic year is the first for the food management firm in the Dexter district.

Sharp said the conversion to a food management firm has proven to be a successful move for the district, Sharp explained.

“Opaa!! has illustrated that their purchasing power, employee training programs and existing accounting and control systems can provide student meals for less money than out own district-operated food service program,” he said.

The board also approved the meal prices for the 2011-2012 academic year. The rates will not increase next year. Rates include

• K-5 Student Breakfast - $1
• 6-12 Student Breakfast - $1.10
• K-5 Student Lunch $1.40
• 6-12 Student Lunch - $1.50
• Extra mill - $.35

In other business Monday evening, the board:

• agreed to move the April board meeting to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 12

• approved a plant to re-seal the roofing seams and recoat portions of the roof at T.S. Hill Middle School during the summer months. This work will extend the roof warrant for 10 years.

• tentatively agreed to a special meeting for 6 p.m., Thursday, March 24 to hear a presentation from the vendor recommended by the district Insurance Committee. The meeting date may need to be adjusted if arrangements cannot be made on short notice.

• approved a bid to refinish selected gym floors this summer

• Sharp also discussed a plan for asphalt work for this summer.

• approved a request from the Bearcat Booster Club to be able to continue using the high school gym for certain fund raising projects, such as Donkey Basketball.

Photo Above: Dexter School Board member Jackie McKuin receives a plaque from Board President Rick Williams in recognition of her years of services on the local school board. McKuin is not seeking another term on the board in the April 5 election. (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)