 The Holden
R-III School Board accepted a bid in the amount of $65,300 from
Construction Systems and Flooring for asbestos tile removal and
carpet and tile replacement in the elementary school at their
regular meeting Monday night.
Director of auxiliary services Larry Arnone said the project
has been needed for some time. The quality and overall look of
the tile, he says, has been an issue for the past couple of years.
“In some spots, the tile is broken up and in other spots it just doesn’t
look good,” explained Arnone. “The floors there have been an issue
we have been meaning to address for the past few years.”
The project will begin as soon as school closes for summer break.
Since summer school is held in the new intermediate building,
Arnone says the renovations will not interrupt any educational
plans. The new floor, he added, will not include the cafeteria
flooring which was replaced recently. The project is scheduled
to be completed before the start of next school year.
Arnone also told the board that the central office addition has
begun with concrete work and shared cost estimates of approximately
$40,000 with the district completing most of the project through
their own maintenance crew.
In other business, high school principal Matt Lindsey was given
approval to set the date for graduation next year. The class
of 2007 will graduate on Sunday May 13, at 2 p.m. The date which
once again falls on Mother’s Day, met with opposition from
two of the board members. Board member Pat Zvacek said she did
not think it was appropriate to hold graduation on Mother’s
Day and added she had received a number of complaints on the
issue. She and Renita Dougherty voted against the proposal but
it passed, 4-2.
Lindsay said he had not received any complaints
In other business, athletic director Kelli Spies announced there
will be a drug testing forum open to the public on May 16 at
8 p.m. to present the pros and cons of having random drug testing
for Holden’s extra-curricular participants. Also, El Dorado
Spring’s athletic director will attend to give first hand
insight on the benefits of such a program.
Superintendent Scott Slava Shared with the board the proposed
support staff pay increases which include a 5.9 percent increase
on the base scale of each schedule, making all custodians 12
employees while adding 10 percent to the hourly wage of any instructional
aide who is required by the district to have at least 60 college
hours. Substitute teachers also received a fifty cent per hour
raise in pay, moving their pay to $7.50 an hour.
“Something like this has to raise the morale,” commented board
member Pat Zvacek.
In news from the middle school, principal Gregg Montgomery informed the
board of a new program for eighth grade students making the transition to high
school. In an effort to better prepare future freshmen, they will be required
to attend a summer bridge program if their grade point average is less than
the equivalent of a C-. As of right now, the projected attendance for this
summer’s program is 20 to 25 students. “This will make it easier
for those students to make a smooth transition into high school,” added
Montgomery.
Elementary school principal Robyn Sisk expressed the frustration felt
by the teachers because the Terra Nova tests that are being administered at
the end of the year contain information that has not yet been introduced into
the curriculum for those students.
“The situation is frustrating and stressful for teachers and it’s
something that we need to look into,” added Sisk. She also reported that
the pre-school program is working wonders for those taking advantage. “ The
kids who attend pre-school are really more prepared for kindergarten,” Sisk
stated. The average score for the end-of-the-year assessment test for Holden
was a 72 out of a possible 90 which is well above the state average of 52.
To wrap up the end of the school year, the board announced it is hosting
a dinner on June 21. Invitations will be extended to members of the city council
and the county commissioner’s office. Jeff Miller, board president, proposed
it would be a good idea to get everyone acquainted. “It’s especially
nice because we have a new superintendent (Scott Slava),” stated Miller.
In the meeting, some miscellaneous dates were announced and included:
the PTO Academic Awards, Thursday, May 11, 6:30 p.m. at the high school gym;
Baccalaureate, Saturday, May 13, 7 p.m. at the high school; graduation, Sunday,
May 14, 2 p.m. at the high school; end of the year luncheon for the middle
school, Friday, May 19 at 6 p.m. and the board work session on Tuesday, May
23 at 6 p.m. in the high school library.
In executive session, the board accepted resignations from Jennifer
Aamodt, high school science; Michael Compton, intermediate instructor;
Brandon McDannald, middle school and high school band; Michael
Abbott, intermediate counselor; Mary Burgess, sixth grade instructor.
The following individuals were employed: Lindsey Farrar, elementary
and intermediate music; Laura Schmutz, high school science; Marion
Robey, part time intermediate and middle school Target teacher;
Trina Davidson, intermediate instructor; Gerry Pierce, middle
school and high school At-Risk counselor; Jennifer Edgar, high
school English; Janice Henke, Title I paraprofessional.
The board also announced extra duty employment and support staff
employment.
Prior to the meeting, the high school men’s chamber choir
performed a song that earned them a I rating at district and
state competition.
By Brandon Foster
News Staff
Farmers and
Commercial Bank president Bob Mickey presented the Holden R-III
School Board with a proposition that would contribute up to $150,000
toward a “first class” track for the
local high school at their meeting Monday night. Mickey and a
former Holden graduate who prefers to remain anonymous, say they
have solid commitments of up to $125,000 and added they
are confident another $25,000 could be raised through private
donors.
The offer has several stipulations including a matching amount
from the school district to complete the cost of the project
estimated to be approximately $300,000. The proposition
also calls for the installation of an eight-lane, asphalt surface
with a rubber top along with facilities for all field events.
The primary donor, who Mickey says lives out of state, has also
requested that Mickey serve as the overseer of the project and
to have final say in the design, materials and construction of
the project.
“The donor group sees this as an opportunity for the school to leverage
its resources and provide our students a top-notch track and field facility
for years to come. There will be an opportunity for the athletic department
to collect some revenue at the gate for larger track meets and we also see
it as a facility that would be open to the public for walking, jogging or running
for at least some reasonable hours.”
Mickey also said the donor group would like to see an attempt
to begin and finish the project this summer before the start
of football season in the fall of 2006.
“The primary donor has a strong preference to have the final result be
a well-designed facility that makes a positive impression to all who see it
and use it,” he added.
Recently Mickey, Kelli Spies, athletic director; John Roberts,
director of the HOPE Coalition, Freddie Wells, grant writer and
Superintendent Scott Slava traveled to Jefferson City to petition
for a federal grant to assist with the project.
“The most we could get from the grant is $50,000,” stated Slava
and the grant would not be available until next spring which conflicts with
the private donors’ wishes.
School board members were excited about the new proposition.
“We have to step up and do our part on this one. This is something
that we cannot pass up,” expressed board member Rodger McConville. Board
memb er Mike Watterson reiterated that it would be a great opportunity for
not only the school, but the community too.” Athletic director Kelli
Spies agreed saying, “This is something that the entire town could benefit
from.”
The board directed superintendent Scott Slava to meet with the
architect as soon as possible. Slava will review the prioritization
of district projects, which already include the track, and rearrange
the order of priorities and ensure available funding. He will
present his findings at the May 23 special meeting.
“This might bump back other projects, but I think it’s a good idea.
We will have to weigh it against our other options and look into our finances
before we finalize this,” added Slava.
By Brandon Foster
News Staff
The board
of directors of the Holden R-III School Foundation, Inc. voted
unanimously to use “Pennies From Heaven” money
toward the development of a general scholarship fund.
The funds were given without a specific designation except they
be used for furtherance of a student’s educational goals. According
to Marion Robey, foundation president, it is the board’s
intention to use them for a general scholarship for next school
year.
The finance committee also suggested that funds that are not
in immediate demand be put into certificates of deposit so they
may reap interest at a higher rate. In some cases, these
monies are existing CDs that have come due.
In other board business, $50 was set as the base amount of donation
for an individual to become a member. Titles and levels
for donors should be decided in the May meeting.
It was also reported that the foundation has received its Missouri
State Sales Tax Exemption Certificate.
In a last item of foundation business, Kelli Spies reported that
she has not been able to make contact with Broken T Golf Course
and suggested that the foundation’s golf tourney fundraiser
scheduled for September 30 be moved to Pertle Springs Golf Course
in Warrensburg.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
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Repair of Holden’s existing
water system along with possible future expansion were discussed
at the regular meeting of the City of Holden’s Board of Public
Works last Wednesday night.
The meeting had actually been scheduled for Tuesday, but absence
of a quorum had forced the postponement to the next night.
A five-year plan for water and sewer line work is being prepared,
and according to Holden water superintendent Tony Lerda, the projects
will now need to be prioritized.
After approval by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources,
the plan, which shows the most effective flow according to computerized
modeling, can then be prioritized.
According to Lerda, financing for the work can either be worked
into the budgets on a yearly basis, or financed in its entirety. The
plan is for existing flow and some possible expansions. The superintendent
also addressed the present controversy between the Holden Water
Department and the Public Water Supply District #2 over crossing
of boundary lines, and in particular Williams Town Acres owner
Sara Henderson’s desire to hook up to rural water when her
property, adjacent to 10th Street, is in the Holden city limits.
He addressed a memorandum covering the situation to the BPW with
a copy to Holden mayor Mike Wakeman. The text of that memorandum
is included in this issue.
Editor’s Note: The following is a memorandum sent
from Holden water superintendent Tony Lerda to the city’s
Board of Pubic Works with a copy to Holden mayor Mike Wakeman. The
subject matter deals with the discussion between the Holden Water
Department and Public Water District #2 concerning utility boundaries. Specifically
it deals with the request by Sara Henderson to connect to rural
water on her property known as Williams Town Acres which is within
the city limits.
Questions have come up regarding the feasibility of extending city
water services to serve the proposed Henderson housing development
versus allowing Public Water Supply District No. 2 (PWSD #2) to
encroach into the Holden city limits and serve this development. Some
feel all of the facts are not being considered, some have said
it would not be feasible for Holden to serve this development,
and some have gone so far as to say it will be less costly for
these potential residents of Holden to purchase their water from
PWSD #2 than from the Holden Water Department (HWD). Here
are a few facts for your consideration:
The following is a projection for Holden water utility extensions
up to and throughout the Henderson housing development in southwest
Holden. The projected costs in this proposal are based on
Holden’s most recent water main extension, after updating
with current material prices.
Design plan: To extend an eight-inch ductile iron main from the
intersection of Lexington Street and Tenth Street, west along the
south side of Tenth Street to the east edge of the proposed Henderson
development. Then extend a six-inch ductile iron main from
that point south, to the south border of the Henderson development. Also
to extend an eight-inch ductile iron main from the intersection
of Eighth Street and Niagara Street, south along the east side
of Niagara Street to connect to the eight-inch main along the south
side of Tenth Street installing appropriate fire hydrant assemblies
and valves along the way.
Finance: There are many options available for the city, or the
Hendersons to finance this project. Two of the simplest
options available to the city are: a general obligation Bond (GO)
or a Neighborhood Improvement District (NID). It is likely
that either program can be assessed similarly to the properties
that will benefit. For this scenario we will assume the total
cost of the extension can be assessed per linear footage of property
frontage adjacent to the utility. This proposal is for the
addition of approximately 4,625 lineal feet of new water main,
at a total estimated cost of $105,923. By assessing the properties
along both sides of the main the footage/frontage is doubled from
4,625 to 9,250 potential feet of property frontage available for
service. Dividing $109,783 by 9,250 serviceable feet equals
an assessment of $11.45 per foot of property frontage to the utility. Estimating
the Henderson development lot widths to be 289 feet, at $11.88
per foot, the cost to each lot would be $3,431.46 per lot. Financed
over 20 years at four and three-quarters percent interest, the
estimated annual debt service assessed to each of the six Henderson
development lots would be approximately $270.
Holden Water Department - PWSD #2 comparison: Holden’s drinking
water has been purified to a much higher level of quality than
the water from PWSD #2. Many homeowners using PWSD
#2 water will see as high as $200 per year in additional plumbing
maintenance, or higher utility costs due to lack of plumbing maintenance. This
is primarily due to the high levels of total dissolved solids in
the PWSD #2 water, much of which comes out of solution in the customer’s
home.
Statistics tell us that consumers, in newer homes, use more water
on average than do those living in older homes. For the comparison
chart, we will use a monthly average usage of 6,000 gallons per
months per home.
Yearly cost for water: HWD, $505.20; PWSD #2, $816. Yearly
debt service: HWD, $270; PWSD #2, $0. Additional plumbing
expense: HWD, $0; PWSD #2, $200. Total annual cost: HWD,
$775.20; PWSD #2, #1,016. Total annual savings: HWD, $240.80;
PWSD #2, $0. Savings over the term of the loan: HWD, $2,889.6;
PWSD #2, $0. Annual savings after 20 years: HWD, $510.80;
PWSD #2, $0.
Holden’s economic development: Over the years there have
been numerous demographic studies done by the city’s consultants
and engineers, the Holden Chamber of Commerce and the Warrensburg
Area Industrial Development Corporation. All of them conclude
the same thing: Holden needs working class housing. Extension
of the city utilities for this subdivision would provide an additional
85 acres of land inside of the Holden city limits with water service. Further,
this extension would greatly enhance the options for the development
of an additional 111 acres within the Holden city limits.
Financial obligations: Holden has over $1.3M in COMBINED WATERWORKS
AND SEWAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, approved and issued by a vote
of Holden residents, and secured by water and sewer revenues, present
and future. These bonds are assessed to all of the water
and sewer customers, and/or future customers within the bounds
of the city limits for the entire term of the loan. Holden
does not have exclusive authority to negotiate away this collateral.
The law: The city limits are the utility boundaries.
Summary: Future residents of Holden would benefit financially,
and their quality of life would be substantially enhanced with
service from the Holden Water Department over PWSD #2. If
the Holden Water Department were as excessive in their utility
rates as PWSD #2 is, we would be drafting from our citizenship
an additional $340,000 per year for their water service. That
number would double if we were to exercise the same management
practices in our wastewater department as well. If we were
to lower our water’s quality to that of PWSD #2, we may be
imposing upon our citizenship, as high as $220,000 per year in
collective, additional household maintenance. Why would we
consider depriving any of our citizens, or future citizens, of
our high quality, affordable drinking water and services?
The city limits of Holden, Missouri are our boundaries. PWSD
#2 has no authority within these bounds. Holden’s water
and sewer services are affordably available to every property within
those boundaries. If we work together as a community, perhaps
thinking outside of the box, there may be many creative options
to achieve our goals. By combining this project with other
community capital improvement needs we may increase benefits to
all of our citizenship. Simply by finding a way to extend
the term of the loan in this particular project to 30 years, will
increase the savings to these six homeowners by 30 percent.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Area High Schools
Set For Graduation
Holden High School graduation will be held Sunday, May 14 at 2 p.m. in the high
school gymnasium. Baccalaureate is scheduled for Saturday, May 13 at 7
p.m. with speakers from the ministerial alliance. Scholarships will
be awarded on graduation day. A senior breakfast will be held at 9 a.m.
on Friday followed by practice for graduation.
Project Grad is hosting a trip to Paradise Park in Lee’s Summit on Sunday
evening.
Kingsville High School seniors will graduate on Friday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. in
the high school gym, with baccalaureate being held on Wednesday, May 10 at 7
p.m. All scholarships will be awarded on graduation day.
Other activities Kingsville seniors will enjoy is a senior breakfast on Friday,
May 12 at 7 a.m. at the school and a class trip to Branson on Friday night.
Public Forum
Set For Drug Testing
Tuesday evening, May 16 at 8 p.m., Holden High School will host a public forum
on random drug testing for grades seven through 12 students who are involved
in extra-curricular activities and those who drive to school. Presently, the
Holden R-III district policy is that students can be tested for drugs only if
they have been identified as a possible user by school officials, parents or
law enforcement agencies.
Superintendent Scott Slava feels that the district should move to a stricter
drug prevention policy which would included random drug testing for students.
District activities director Kelli Spies asks that students, parents and any
interested parties “come, listen and give us your input.”
City-Wide Garage
Sale Set For June 3
The annual city-wide garage sale sponsored by the Holden Image and the Holden
Chamber of Commerce will be held Saturday, June 3.
In order to participate, you must have your garage sale ad to the Holden Image
no later than Thursday, May 25. Proceeds from the advertising will go toward
paying advertising costs for out-of-town publications.
Brandon Foster Joins News
Staff
Brandon Foster, a 2006 graduate of Holden High School, has joined the Holden
Image as a part-time news reporter.
Foster plans to attend Central Missouri State University in the fall majoring
in journalism.
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