History of the Hopkins Journal Printing Presses

The Hopkins Historical Society was established in 1998, beginning with the donation by Russell and Anna Cross of the building that housed the Hopkins Journal, a weekly newspaper published for over 100 years. The Journal was first published in 1875 by owner and editor James M. Pierce who owned it for 2 years. From 1877-94 six different editors tried their hand at publishing. William Lincoln Moorhead, the “Deacon” as he was known, became editor and publisher in November 1893 until his death in 1939. His daughter, Helen Moorhead Wright and her husband Joe became editors and publishers for 19 years. Russell was a foster child of the Moorheads and worked in the Journal office as a young boy, until eventually he and his wife Anna bought the business in 1958.  From 1893 until the Journal was sold in 1977, it was continuously run by family, ending with Russell and Anna in 1977. 

The printing  equipment used by the Journal was donated with the building and is still housed in the Museum. From it’s founding in 1875 until 1909, The Journal was printed on a completely hand-operated, one-page Washington printing press. In 1909 a Country Campbell printing press, powered by a gas engine, later replaced by an electric motor was used until 1953. At that time a Babcock 10 Optimus was purchased from the Wright’s from the defunct Maryville Tribune. The Babcock, known as “Big Bertha,” came with a “folder.” From 1875 until 1909, every page of The Journal was folded by hand; but with the addition of  the Dexter folder, which operated off the same drive shaft of the Country Campbell, made the weekly folding job much faster. From being folded by hand to turning out 1,000 to 1,200 quarter-fold copies an hour was a huge improvement. However, the Dexter had a few quirks, and the Deacon and later on Joe Wright were known to use foul language to help it along.  During these times, Lawrence Sargent, longtime pressman and strong Christian, was warned to cover his ears. Most of the printing equipment used by Russell and Anna for the Journal and their printing business later on are still on display in the museum for viewers to enjoy. 

The massive, yet delicate, spring activated hot metal (525 degrees) linecasting machine on display is a Linotype Model No. 5, manufactured about 1910, was rebuilt and purchased by Deacon Moorhead for the Journal in 1927 and was  used for 70 years until it became obsolete. It weighed approximately 2000 lbs  and was geared to make six castings per minute, which in newspaper work is about 3 columns per hour.  It was rebuilt twice in the Journal shop, in 1950 and 1965. 

The Galley Proof Press on display was manufactured by Nolan. It was used to pre-proof linotype and advertising composition before the type is locked on a press for final printing.

The Chandler and Price 12 X 18 Craftsman Platen Printing Press on display was used for commercial printing  in the Journal and later in Cross Printing for 45 years. The press was purchased from the defunct Maryville Tribune in the mid 1950’s.

A metal casting on display was originally the bed of a one-page printing press used by the Journal. It was replaced by the Country Campbell in 1909 and thereafter used as a makeup table.

There are several other antiques such as a hole punch, ad plates, pig molds and a table top cabinet with many drawers of letters in different styles and sizes to put together an article one letter at a time.

Last but not least, a wall in the front room of the museum was dedicated by Russell and Anna Cross to “The Way It Was.” This wall holds the last 8 pages of the Journal printed letterpress with columns of print and ads. Also on the wall are several “tools of the trade” for viewing.

The Hopkins Historical Society is located on the East side of the North/South Main street of Hopkins and is open from the first Tuesday in May to the last Tuesday in October from 1 pm to 3 pm or by appointment.  The museum has many items of Hopkins history besides these mentioned above. Visitors are always welcome!

Credit to Co-Publishers, Russell and Anna Cross, Hopkins Centennial and A Time Capsule of Hopkins History

Mary Roach 1927-2024

Mary Madonna Roach, 97 of Grant City, Missouri passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Mary was born in Hillsdale, Oklahoma to Donaldson Bly and Carrie Annie (Maylan) Jones on March 31, 1927 and welcomed by her older brother, Gerald (Red) Jones.

They moved to Irena, Missouri in her early years where she attended the Victory School near Honey Grove and later moved to Grant City when she was in the 8th grade. She graduated from Grant City High School in 1945. 

Mary was united in marriage to Garland Ray Roach on November 14, 1945 and they celebrated 73 years together. They spent 37 years on their farm in the Nation around Allendale, MO and moved to Grant City in 1982 where they became active in the community.

Mary, along with her husband, Garland was very active for years in the Allendale Baptist Church where she enjoyed helping out with Vacation Bible School. Mary was also active in the Lotts Grove Ladies Club and the Women’s Missionary Union. They were both active in the VFW and they enjoyed traveling together and going to Garlands’ Navy Reunions and visiting friends they had made over the years. They also enjoyed going to coffee and catching up with friends.

Mary and Garland were blessed with two sons, Alan Ray Roach and Daniel Lee Roach. She was a dedicated wife and wonderful Mother and worked hard to make a home for her family. She was a very caring, compassionate woman and instilled a strong work ethic in her sons and loved caring for her family, those around her and others in need. 

She is survived by her son Alan and wife Donna of Shawnee, Kansas and her son Daniel and wife Debbie of Grant City, MO; her grandchildren, Justin Roach (Janette), Darcie Searles (Jason), Jonathan Roach (Amber), Nicholas Roach (Keeley) and Kristin Roach and 10 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Garland, parents Donaldson and Carrie Jones and her brother Gerald Jones.

Funeral visitation will be at 10 am Wednesday, April 24th followed by the service at 11 am at Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home, Grant City, MO.

Memorials can be made to the charity of your choice.

NEN Hires Noncertified Staff, Approves Extended Contracts

The Northeast Nodaway Board named the Non-Certified Staff and approved extended contracts at their regular board meeting.

Non-Certified Staff hired or rehired were Kristin Sybert, Terry Runde, Casey Schmidt, Melody Adwell, Stephanie Meyer (part-time), Taylor Emery, DeAnn Redden, Michelle Holaday, and Holly Karr. 

Extended contracts were approved for Abbie Groomer, Sydney Meek, and Sikoya Trelow.

The board voted to renew the bus contract with Precious Cargo out of Ravenwood.

New board member Courtney Kennard and was sworn in for a three year term. Cody Adwell returns to the board; he was not present for the meeting. He will be sworn in at the May meeting.

Jeff Redden nominated Karl Wilmes for President and Karl Wilmes nominated Jeff Redden. The vote on Wilmes was 2 yes, 3 no, and 1 abstain. The vote for Redden was 4 yes, 2 no, and Redden was elected Board President.

Karl Wilmes was named Vice President, DeAnn Redden Board Secretary and Treasurer, and Leslie Wilmes as the Alternate Board Secretary. Cody Adwell was the MSBA delegate with Heather Jackson as the alternate. Heather Jackson was named the Park Board rep and Karl Wilmes was named the City Council rep.

The board voted to increase the non-certified pay by 75 cents.

The board voted to approve 6th grade participation for softball, basketball, and cheer.

The board approved the Career Ladder plan for the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

The board approved Hayston Wilson of Hallelujah Counseling for the Mental Health counselor.

Principal Heidi Beatty reported that Preschool and Kindergarten Roundup was held. The school saw 10 Kindergarten students for next year along with 15 preschool students (with one absent). 

Northeast will hold a Decision Day for seniors and preschool students for May 1st at 2 pm.

Elementary field trips are being held or scheduled between now and May 16th. As a new law, all parents attending must fill out a Volunteer Form and complete a criminal background check. This is the case for all public school volunteers.

Trips were lined up to reward students. Grades 3-6 who did well on the MAP and End of Course will go to Beal Park. Grades 7-8 and High School End of Course will go to Beal Park and sports fields. There will be indoor glow games and pizza for Pre-K and elementary students who met their reading goals. This is sponsored by the PTO.

Pit Bulls Running Loose, People Setting Dogs on Other Dogs Discussed at Grant City Council Meeting; Jeff Mozingo, Catherine Runde Sworn In

Water Superintendent Ryan Fletchall reported to the Grant City Council Meeting that he had been getting calls about pit bulls running loose in Grant City, people setting their dogs on other dogs that were tied up, and getting calls on his days off. The council suggested making some sort of schedule so that when he was off, someone else could take calls. They directed him to document reports that he is getting. Recently, the Missouri Legislature passed a law stating that cities could not pass ordinances against pit bulls. This superseded pit bull ordinances in Grant City and Sheridan. There are city ordinances against dogs running loose.

In Missouri, it is illegal to incite fights between animals. This includes baiting or fighting, permitting it on your property, promoting such a fight, attending animal fights, and selling animals for the purpose of fighting. People who are found guilty are deemed guilty of a Class E Felony. In 2007, NFL star quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty over his involvement in a dog fighting ring and served 21 months in prison. 

There are changes underway at City Hall. Former City Administrator Meggan Brown left the city; her last day was April 5th. The city recently advertised for a new Deputy Clerk to serve under Farrah Richey. Catherine Runde was reelected and sworn in. Jeff Mozingo, who was appointed earlier this year, ran as a write-in and was sworn in to a full term.

Donald Mancuso sent a letter to the council reporting that his trash was not being picked up.

Linda Phipps discussed the dangerous intersections of 46 and High Street as well as the intersection of McKinley and 1st Street. She said there are now signs that flash whenever there are motorists turning behind a hill. She said that the one at High Street and 46 didn’t use to be dangerous before 1981, when the railroad still came through Grant City, but that since the tracks had been taken out, it was a lot more dangerous.

The city got two bids for flooring for the Sheriff’s Office, from Webber and from Eckard’s. The city awarded the bid to Eckard’s out of Stanberry and directed the Sheriff’s Office to pick the style they wanted. The Sheriff’s Office will do their own labor to save costs.

The city appointed the Northwest Regional Council as the administrator of the $5 million wastewater grant.

The lead service line project attracted a lot of interest after the DNR put the bid solicitation on its portal. Previously, the city had awarded the bid to Snyder and Associates out of Maryville, but the DNR told the city they had bid the project out too soon. The city then rebid the project.

Better by Design out of Brookfield bid $149,275. Schulte Supply out of St. Peters bid $143,596. Reconn Utility Services out of New York bid $258,465. HBK Engineering out of Chicago bid $187,078. Environmental Works out of Kansas City bid $165,075. Byrne & Jones out of St. Louis bid $169,205. Total H2O Solutions from St. Louis bid $168,115. Bahr Hydroexcavation out of Arnold (MO) bid $163,405. Snyder and Associates of Maryville bid $95,000. Nail Excavation of Bethany bid $276,727. The city awarded the bid to Snyder and Associates.

Farrah Richey reached out to collection agencies to collect delinquent city taxes. Three expressed interest. Commissions are between 30-35% of the amount owed, rising to around 50% if it goes to court. The city would not pay unless they collect. Collection agencies can also report people to credit bureaus. The city will put an ad in the paper stating they are going to move forward with collection efforts. The city will select a collection agency at their next meeting.

Public Works Director Carl Staton reported that the city had started mowing. They put in new meter pits, and he found a new place to send the odometer to get it calibrated that was less expensive and quicker. The council put the old John Deere mower and the trencher on Purple Wave and the city will use the proceeds to buy a new John Deere mower. 

Water Superintendent Ryan Fletchall reported that he had gotten a quote for the lift pump by Kenny Hughes’ shop. To repair it would cost $5,796 and be done in 3-4 weeks. To purchase a new pump would cost $10,265.75 and it would be 8-10 weeks. The warranty for both would be one year. The city elected to have it repaired.

Fletchall also reported that he had attended asset management training for waterworks. He is in the process of getting rid of duckweed in the lagoon.

Clerk Farrah Richey reported that C&H had replaced the lights in City Hall and the Sheriff’s Office. There is one light that illuminates the painting overlooking the council chairs that is constantly flashing on and off. The city received a letter from a third grader from Colorado; Farrah will respond to it. 

The council voted to approve a building permit for Edward Cleveland for a new fence.

Junior High Tiger Girls Third at Rock Port, Boys Fourth; Brooklyn Smith Wins Long Jump, Bentley Frisch Wins Pole Vault

Brooklyn Smith won the Long Jump for the Junior High Tigers and Bentley Frisch won the Pole Vault Thursday at Rock Port in cold, damp conditions. 

For the girls, Rock Port ran away with the meet with 169 points. East Atchison had 69, Worth County 66, Mound City 63, Albany 26, South Holt 22, Union Star 13, North Andrew 12, Nodaway Valley 12, North Nodaway 7, and NEN 6.

For the boys, Rock Port had 100, Mound City 78, North Andrew 70, Worth County 53, Nodaway Valley 50, East Atchison 47, South Holt 33, Union Star 15, Albany 8, NEN 8, and North Nodaway 3.

For the girls, Brynn Chapman got a personal best in the 100 with a time of 17.79. Brooklyn Smith was fifth in the 400 with a time of 1:11.65. Hadley Rush was sixth in the 800 with a time of 3:15.62. Jolynn Hawk got a personal best with a time of 3:31.92. Audrey Runde was fourth in the 100 Hurdles with a season best of 19.26. 

The relay teams all placed. The 4x100 was second with a time of 59.44. The 4x200 was second with a time of 2:06. The 4x400 was fourth with a personal best time of 5:22.79, beating their old time by almost six seconds.

Brooklyn Smith was second in the High Jump with a personal best time of 1.32 meters. Paige Chaney was fifth with a time of 1.22. Megan Tracy was tied for second in the Pole Vault with a time of 1.98 meters. Hartley Fitzgerald was sixth with a personal best of 1.83. 

The highlight of the afternoon on the girls side was Brooklyn Smith winning the Long Jump with a jump of 4.48 meters. She beat her previous personal best by .32 of a meter. 

Megan Tracy was third in the Triple Jump with a personal best jump of 8.61. 

The Tigers may have found a new thrower. Audrey Runde, after starting off throwing between 16.94 and 17.62 meters, took a big leap forward and finished fourth with a throw of 21.95. Bella Blankenship was sixth with a throw of 19.45. 

For the boys, the Tigers placed two in the 100 Hurdles. Brock Healy was second with a time of 19 seconds. Mason Hiatt was fourth with a time of 19.67.

The 4x100 was third with a time of 56.86. The 4x200 was fourth with a time of 1:57.03.

The highlight of the afternoon for the boys was Bentley Frisch winning the Pole Vault with a height of 2.91 meters. It was a close three way race between Frisch, Cole White (Mound City), and Brock Healy, who really upped his game that afternoon. Frisch won out, with White second at 2.90 and Healy third with a personal best of 2.89. 

Maverick Cox tied for third in the Long Jump with a jump of 4.97 meters. Brock Healy was third in the Triple Jump with a jump of 9.59. 

Brock Healy was fourth in the Discus with a throw of 27.83. Wesley Brown got a personal best with a throw of 23.70. 

NEN

Piper Gray got a personal best in the 100 with a time of 15.79. Holly Bennett got a season best in the 200 with a time of 38.47. Rylee Scadden got a season best in the 400 with a time of 1:13.80. Sadie Hall got a personal best in the 100 Hurdles with a time of 21.54. 

The 4x100 was fifth with a time of 1:03.36. The 4x400 was fifth with a personal best time of 5:28.31. 

Piper Gray got a personal best in the Long Jump with a jump of 3.78 meters. Khloe Burns was fifth in the Shot Put with a throw of 8.79 meters. She was ahead of all the sixth and seventh graders; she will be a favorite to win that event next year if she works at it. 

Wyatt Scadden continued to move up the ranks in the 100, getting third with a personal best of 13.71. He was ahead of all the other seventh graders. He will be a favorite in that event along with Jackson Keho of North Nodaway next year if they work at it. 

Jaxen Taylor got a personal best in the 200 with a time of 37.56. Wyatt Scadden was sixth in the 400 with a time of 1:05.42. Liam Cordell got a personal best in the 800 with a time of 2:49.04. He got a season best in the 1600 with a time of 6:06.89. 

The Bluejays got two personal bests in the Long Jump. Xander Bodle got a personal best jump of 4.06 meters. Gracin Runde got a personal best jump of 3.69.

The field was loaded for Jace Burns in the Shot Put, but he beat all the seventh graders with a throw of 7.92 meters. He will be one to watch if he works at it. 

Brady O’Connell was sixth in the Discus with a throw of 24.68.

North Nodaway

Trynzlee Ebrecht got a personal best in the 400 with a time of 1:16.74. It was an improvement by over seven seconds from last year. Zoey Pearson got a personal best in the 1600 and was sixth with a time of 6:55.64. She beat her old mark by nine seconds. 

The Mustangs got two personal bests in the 100 Hurdles. Trynzlee Ebrecht got a personal best mark of 20 seconds. Pyper Smith got a personal best mark of 23.87.

The highlight of the day for the Mustangs was Ebrecht getting third in the Long Jump. She got a personal best mark of 4.15 meters, improving by almost half a meter. Zoey Phillips also got a personal best with a jump of 3.45. 

For the boys, Jackson Keho was sixth in the 100 with a time of 13.94. Gannon Stricker got a personal best time of 1:14.59 in the 400; it was an improvement of 3½ seconds. Robbie Forney got a personal best in the 100 Hurdles with a time of 21.83. It was an improvement of 1.56 seconds over last year.

The 4x400 was sixth with a personal best time of 5:08.80. It was an improvement of over seven seconds from their time at Mound City.

Tristen Wray got a personal best in the Long Jump with a jump of 3.26 meters. Jackson Keho was sixth in the Triple Jump with a personal best of 8.94 meters. 

North Harrison Names Extra Duty Staff

The North Harrison School Board, at its regular board meeting, named its extra duty staff for 2024-25. The school has openings for Assistant Football, Boys Basketball Assistant, Junior High Cheer, Varsity and Assistant Baseball, Varsity Track, Junior High Track, and Color Guard.

For Varsity Girls Softball, Justin Joiner was named head coach and Kiley Taylor his assistant. Dylan Hogan will coach the junior high, assisted by Tanya Norris. 

Aaron Long will coach the boys and girls golf teams. 

Long will coach Girls Basketball. He will be assisted by Krissi Cox. Justin Joiner will coach Boys Basketball. Dylan Hogan will coach Junior High Girls Basketball, and Justin Joiner will coach the junior high boys. Aaron Long will be their assistant. 

Korissa Robertson will coach varsity cheer.

Tabrey Kimbrough will coach both high school and junior high Academic Team.

Jenny Hartschen will coach the Junior High Boys Track Team.

Kristy Reno will sponsor the National Honor Society. Kelly Briggs will manage the pep band and music programs. Reno will do the school webpage. Marrisa Irvin will supervise the yearbook. Christine Sweeney and Dylan Hogan will sponsor the senior class. Jenny Hartschen and Kara Smith will sponsor the junior class. Marrisa Irvin and Tabrey Kimbrough will sponsor the sophomore class. Brandon Craig will sponsor the freshmen. Kristy Reno will sponsor the eighth grade. Aaron Long will sponsor the 7th grade. Kiley Taylor will sponsor the 6th grade. 

Kara Smith will run the concession stands. Janie Gates will be the Core Data Coordinator. Kara Smith will be the District Testing Coordinator. Kelly Briggs will run the Elementary Music Programs. Kristy Reno will sponsor the FBLA. Brenda Adcock will sponsor the FCCLA. Brandon Craig will sponsor the FFA.

Worth County Board Reorganizes, Names Extra Duty Staff for 2024-2025

The Worth County School Board reorganized and named its extra duty staff for the upcoming school year at its meeting Wednesday.

Amanda Gilland and Tish Warner were sworn in for another term. Warner was named President, Amber Monticue Vice President, Gilland Treasurer, and Abby Hern Board Secretary. 

For Senior High Athletics, Jon Adwell was rehired as Football Coach with Les New and Cree Beverlin as his assistants. Tiffany Bliley was named Head Girls Basketball with Megan Cassavaugh as her assistant. Les New was named Head Boys Basketball coach with Mason Hawk as his assistant. Janice Borey was named Girls Track and Cree Beverlin as Boys Track. Josh Smith will assist with track. Tiffany Bliley was named Girls Softball Coach with Ashley Briner as assistant. Janice Borey was named Girls Golf Coach. Cheer sponsors were Abby Hern for the football cheer squad and Dominique Badell for the basketball cheer squad.

For the junior high squads, Dan Collins was named Junior High Football Coach with Chris Healy as his assistant. Ashton Lewis was named Junior High Girls Basketball Coach with Daniel Gladstone as her assistant. April Healy was named Junior High Boys Basketball Coach.  Cody Green was named Junior High Softball Coach with Emiley Maudlin as his assistant. April Healy was named Junior High Girls Track Coach with Chris Healy taking boys.

For summer camps, all varsity sports coaches were put in charge of summer camps for their respective sports. Dan Collins was put in charge of junior high strength and conditioning.

The school has openings for a boys golf coach and a junior high cheer coach.

For school clubs and organizations, Cree Beverlin was named Activities Director, Amber Hawk as Special Ed Director, Caleb Smith as Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, and Band Camp, Merry Spiers as Academic Bowl Coach for both varsity and junior high, Nanci Drury as Musical Drama coach with Darin Drury as her assistant, Selina O’Connor as Concessions Manager, April Healy as FBLA Sponsor, Rebecca New as FCCLA Sponsor, Reese Zollman as FFA Sponsor, Megan Cassavaugh as Flag Coach, Jeannie Fletcher as Field Prep, Karen Andrews as Student Council Sponsor, and Jamie Degase as Parents as Teachers coordinator.

Elementary Principal Chuck Borey reported that there are 10 students signed up to attend Preschool next year. There are 24 students expected to attend Kindergarten. The Elementary had 100% participation in the Parent Teacher Conference recently.

Jamie Degase of Parents as Teachers has been hosting story times on Tiger Talk. So far, she has had herself, Tiffany Bliley, Chris Healy, Allie Rush’s Kindergarten Class, Caleb Smith, and Mrs. Gilland read stories.

The Extension office came and talked with fourth and fifth graders about composting.

Paige Hubbard and Chase Davidson qualified for State Math Competition in Columbia.

High School Principal Josh Smith reported on the various learning activities students are doing. English II students are learning how to do research papers. English I students are learning how to develop conclusions; they are reading “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Junior High Music students are learning how to convey meaning through artistic work and basic techniques. 

Students attendance was 96% with the sophomores getting the highest attendance with 97.56%. 

Superintendent Chris Healy reported on the education landscape. Senate Bill 727, which passed the legislature recently and is awaiting Governor Mike Parson’s signature, will see a $40,000 teacher minimum salary with the difference funded by the state, a $48,000 minimum for teachers with a Masters and 10 years experience, a $300 million increase in the State Funding Formula, and voucher expansion. 

Healy gave revenue estimates for the upcoming school year. Local money is expected to decline from $1,890,501 this year to $1,850,000 next year. Reduced assessed valuation because of construction work in progress and no Patterson Early Childhood Grant money next year are the reasons. County revenues, which come from state assessed railroad and utilities, are expected to decline to $300,000 from $351,074. State revenue is expected to decline from $1,791,138 to $1,700,000 due to less state transportation revenue. Federal revenue is expected to decline from $562,217 to $350,000 due to ESSER III money expiring. Total revenue from all sources is expected to decline from $4,594,930 this year to $4,200,000 next year.

As for spending, Healy has done projections with a $1,000 increase to teachers not affected by the Minimum Salary Grant and $500 for those benefiting, along with adding increases for steps. If the school does that, the teacher salary budget will go from an estimated $1,694,231 this year to $1,827,925 next year, an increase of $133,694. Recommendations will vary, depending on what the legislature does over the next six weeks. 46% of teachers benefited from the Minimum Salary Grant. The other 54% have received the normal increase from steps and the base increase.

Currently, the non-certified staff is budgeted for $689,417 for the current school year. The first option will be to increase by 3% plus a step, which would take it up to $715,000 for next year. The second option is to increase by an 8.2% average, which would take it up to $732,000.

For this year, the extra duty budget is $106,752. If the school continues to use $33,500 as the base salary and increase according to the salary schedule, the estimate for next year will be $110,000. If the board uses $38,000 as the base salary, the estimate will be $116,370.

The preceding figures are not recommendations; they are just outlooks before the board approves salary schedules in June after the legislative session ends.

The board approved a contract with EdCounsel to provide policies, manuals, handbooks, and guide documents for the district. The cost will be $13,000 for the first year of service and $2,500 for the next four years. They have four offices, in Columbia, Independence, Lake St. Louis, and Springfield. 

With the passage of the Bond Issue, the board began approving projects. The board approved Jensen Concrete out of Stanberry to provide concrete for the new football bleachers at a cost of $12,500. They were the lone bidder. The bid includes concrete, labor, and materials to complete the job.

The board put out bids for the electrical work at the softball field. This will include underground wiring for everything that is currently wired as well as the new lights. Pinnacle Electric of St. Joseph was the lone bidder for a total of $69,298, which was accepted by the board. The board bid the lights and the electrical work separately. Evergy has donated removal of the current poles, saving the district around $7,000.

Plans for the secure hallway and vestibules, the other main part of the bond project, are being completed and will be put out for bid this summer.

The board voted to continue the Career Ladder program for the next school year. 

Future meeting dates for board meetings will be May 22nd at 7:30 am, June 19th at 7:30 am, and July 17th at 6 pm.