The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Superintendent Dan Schrock reported to the board that the leak creating the water damage to the gym floor was because of a leak in a fin tube of the heaters in the gym. In the written report to the board Superintendent, they have "wrapped up the mitigation efforts by Day Spring restoration as of last week. They came and removed the equipment that was used to pull moisture from our gym for in the area that experienced a significant water event. Time will tell if other gym areas are affected, and we are keeping a close eye on the gym floor. I have asked our insurance company to test the floor for black mold. The test was highly recommended by both other administrators that I know who have had their own water events to manage, as well as Paul from Western Sports Floors. The area that sprung the leak is called a fin tube or what I can best describe as a radiator that receives hot water for the heater. The age and condition of the fin tube dictated that it be replaced as opposed to fixed. We could, in theory, attempt to fix the hole, but there is no guarantee that a fin tube that was structurally compromised to spring a leak may not spring another leak, and we hope to eliminate that from occurring again. It was also recommended that we replace the fin tube as opposed to attempting to fix it for that very reason."

He also mentioned that he "would be working on specific bid language for the advertisement inviting the public to bid on our transportation contracted services in April as they we need to either go with a contractor or get prepared to advertise for our own divers in utilizing our fleet of buses in the event that no one bids on the contract to provide transportation services for the District."

Business Manager and Clerk of the Board Maryetta Engle sent in her resignation letter. It was accepted. She has enough sick and vacation leave that June 30th will be her last day. She asked the Big Sandy School district to pay for her Health Insurance for one year. The board tabled the issue pending the need to research the subject. It will be brought back up at the next board meeting.

Three candidates will be interviewed this week to be considered for her replacement.

Kody Strutz, representing the Big Sandy Student council, presented the following to the Big Sandy School Board. The student of the month of February was Cooper Taylor. Voting for a student for the month in March will be limited to the sophomore class. They are also putting on another Dance for Junior High on March 30th, using Prom Decorations . All the money goes to the Junior Class. On April 6th there will also be another buddy day. All 7-12 grade get a buddy and they will read together then do an Easter egg hunt at the elementary school.

The Board hired Suzanna Johnson as Elementary Secretary.

The following Certified tenured teachers were offered teaching contracts for next year: TJ Bond, Shelbi Darlington, Katie Hanson, Demrece Keller, Sheri Moore, Traci Rodewald, Shersteen Cline, Tucker Taylor, Layne Taylor, Melanie Schwarzbach, Samantha Weaver, Calista Worrall, and Amy Terry. The following non-ten-year teacher were also offered a contract for next year, Syndie Stellpflug, James Sant, Jessie Jaramillo, and Marl Ray.

AD Melanie Schwarzbach wrote in her report. "The girls' basketball team held a wonderful fundraising event shortly before the state basketball tournament. I reached out to MHSA for guidance as to how we could use those funds to support our team as they traveled to the state tournament. Through our conversations, I was informed that the way we have allotted money to our students for meals during the post season violates the MHSA award rule as it can't be guaranteed that the funds students receive are actually used for food. Our practice had been long standing since before I came to BSHS and seemed to make the most financial sense, as it guaranteed overspending couldn't occur. The rule violation required me to self-report to the MHSA outlining our infraction, along with a plan of corrective action. That has been completed. I also learned that none of the fundraising money could be given to the team as a direct cash contribution (like we did meal money from the school). A portion of the funds were allotted to the coaches to pay for a meal for the players after their last game."

"Along with the rule violation for meal money, we also violated the award rule by allowing our team to stay overnight after the divisional tournament in hotel rooms purchased by parents. Had the bus returned home as scheduled, and had the students been checked out by parents, we would not have been in violation. This is also self-reported, and a plan of corrective action was submitted."

The Booster club presented to the board a plan to replace the existing mats at both ends of the Big Sandy High School gym. Mat concerns were brought to the attention of the Big Sandy Booster Club in 2019. The mat costs have increased by 42% since then. The Booster Club will be giving $8,000, Big Sandy Education Foundation will be giving $2,850, and the School Board approved $2,850 as well.