R-I board OKs athletic emergency plan

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The Palmyra R-I Board of Education provided guidelines to its school and emergency personnel with the adoption of an athletic event emergency plan.

The board approved the plan during its meeting last week, at which they also refinanced some bonds, heard a report on Parents as Teachers and heard an update on transportation.

In addition, the board accepted the resignation of Kirt Malone, R-I superintendent (see related story).

The 2021-22 school year athletic event emergency action plan provides guidelines in case of medical or weather emergency at an athletic event at the high school, middle school or at Flower City Park.

The plan includes instructions for administering general first aid, including the location of AEDs if those are needed, as well as outlines protocols for concussions and COVID infections.

It also lists emergency contact numbers for hospitals, ambulance and fire.

The plan also outlines the procedure to follow in case of lightening and/or severe weather.

In addition, the plan includes guidelines to follow for the athlete to return to practice, whether it is from an injury, concussion or COVID.

In other new business, the board approved an agreement between the school and L.J. Hart & Company for municipal bond underwriting services for the refinancing of Series 2016 and Series 2017 debt service bonds. 

“The school board elected to refinance Series 2016 and Series 2017 bonds with an average interest rate of 2.68 percent at a rate of 0.91 percent for an interest savings over the life of the bonds of a little more than $600,000,” Malone said. “We are able to take advantage of an opportunity to once again save the district a tremendous amount of money in our debt service fund because interest rates continue to be at historically low rates.”

Kathy Nicholson was also present at last week’s meeting to discuss the Parents as Teachers program.

 Palmyra R-I serves 200 families, including 263 children. PAT has identified 74 children who are eligible to be in kindergarten next year. 

She also noted PAT Playgroup has started back up this year after some time off due to COVID restrictions.

The board also heard an update from Brian Wosman, transportation director

The district runs 10 daily bus routes, and buses have logged 15,753 miles from the first day of school through the beginning of October. 

The district runs four Early Childhood/Pre-K routes Monday through Friday, and those routes have logged 1,715 miles so far this school year, Wosman said. 

District buses have had 57 trips logging 5,395 miles so far this school year. 

Wosman added, this summer the district purchased a new software/camera system and installed six cameras on each route bus. 

“The program can be used to create more efficient bus routes and provide accurate pick up and drop off information for the school,” he said.

In new business, the board also approved the fiscal year 2021 audit.

In old business, the board discussed the annual school board retreat and work session, which is set for Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.

The board hired Cody Ash as a high school paraprofessional and middle school boys basketball coach, and accepted the resignation of Jessica Grainger from Parents as Teachers.

Two resignations due to retirement were accepted, including Malone’s and Debbie Stratton, whose resignation is effective the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

The board voted to approve additions to the substitute teacher list as presented.