Ash Grove Board Education checks boxes as school year nears

As the first day of school, Tuesday, Aug. 25, quickly approaches, the Ash Grove Board of Education, led by vice president Jordon Miller, made a slew of decisions regarding purchasing at the body's July 22 meeting.
The board voted to accept bids from local MFA Oil for gas, diesel and propane purchases; Ash Grove supermarket Muncy's for bread, and Highland Dairy for milk needs in the district.
As the federal allocation continues to decline, the board also voted to increase the school lunch price across the board by 10 cents, the maximum increase in accordance with state guidelines.
In an effort to update Chromebooks, the board opted to spend $71,600 with Vivocity for a new round of the laptop computers.
 
Building updates
Superintendent Shane Medlin gave an update on the substantial projects underway at both Ash Grove and Bois D'Arc campuses. 
Medlin said the Ash Grove project is roughly a week-and-a-half behind schedule, while Bois D'Arc remains on time. Although the Bois D'Arc parking lot had been removed and is currently a dirt hole, a newly laid asphalt lot is set for Aug. 10. 
Medlin also announced that the canopy planned for the front of the new Bois D'Arc addition had been reduced from eight panels to three, leading to a savings of roughly $52,000.
 
 
Tax rate hearing
The annual tax rate hearing for the district is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at Ash Grove High School, which will be followed by the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Some taxpayers anticipate a potential rate increase ask in the district as funding from the state legislature continues to dwindle. 
 
Closed session
During the closed session of the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Daryl Cartwright, and hired Adely Madewell and Kelby McMillen as co-varsity cheer coaches. Thereafter, during a July 30 closed session meeting, the board hired Michelle Sims as a math teacher. 
Earlier in the summer, during the closed session of the board's June 24 meeting, several personnel changes were made. 
Amanda Leach was hired as a paraprofessional for the year, while Randy Crouch submitted his resignation, as did Roger Clawson and Sharon Gadient.