Palmyra R-I board approves upgrade, new key system

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by Patty Cheffey

The Palmyra R-I Board of Education approved an upgrade to the existing phone system and approved a new key card entry system.

Both decisions were made during last week’s board meeting, at which members also discussed upgrading the security camera system, approved splitting an extra duty into two positions, voted to sell some surplus property, and approved several back to school appointments.

With the previous phone voicemail program over 25 years old, the board approved having United Systems establish a new voicemail setup.

The new phone system will be internet based and will cut the cost of the monthly phone bill by over half. The cost of the upgrades will be $8,200.

The new system will include upgrades to the middle and elementary school fire alarms as well. The high school fire alarms have already been upgraded.

The board also approved the annual pure access cloud door license from United System.

This license will allow staff to use key cards to enter exterior doors throughout the district, noted Superintendent Jason Harper. 

The license was approved with a cost of $1,337.

Although no decisions were made, the board also discussed upgrading the camera system in all three buildings.

Many of the current cameras are between 10 to 12 years old, and the current coverage of the camera system needs to be reviewed, Harper said. 

The district is looking at multiple options for cameras, software and web-based systems.

“The camera system will also require a budget amendment,” Harper said. “We feel it is a safety issue that must be addressed.

“We want to do our due diligence on this and get a system that will be effective for day to day disciplinary issues and, of course, emergency issues.”

While the board continues to look into that, they did approve the purchase of a 2022 Club Car Carryall 300 from Smith Brothers Honda for $6,000.

“The purchase will come from money collected from the scoreboard advertising that we collect,” Harper explained. “It was not specifically budgeted for, but we have that money set aside for improvements to our facilities and grounds. This fell in line with improvements in those areas.”

In other business, the board approved splitting up responsibilities for the two choir positions at the elementary and middle schools. 

Devon Breitling will be responsible for the Junior Singers group at the elementary school, and Brianna Holder will be responsible for the Honors Choir at the middle school.

It has yet to be determined if the two groups will perform concerts together or separately. 

The board also declared the following as surplus property and voted to sell it to help keep the storage room under the bleachers in good shape.

Items for sale include, two incline benches, two bench press benches, two squat racks, five weight trees (designed to hold Olympic weights), 60 assorted – ¾” 4’x4’ or 4’x6’ heavy rubber floor mats, three orange high jump mats (these will be sold together as one) and black pole vault mats (these will be sold together as one).

Bids can be placed in a sealed envelope at the Palmyra R-I Central office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Sept. 8. 

Bidders should have a bid on each item they are interested in, and a phone number in the envelope. The highest bidder for each item will have the choice to buy one or as many of the items available at their bid price. 

The next high bidder will have the option to buy the remaining items until all items are gone. 

Interested parties can call Harper at 573-769-2066 with questions.

The board also

• approved the local IDEA Compliance Plan for 2022-2023. This plan is designed to help the special education in the decision-making process at the local level;

• approved Marty Smyser as the homeless coordinator, foster parent liaison, and migrant coordinator for the 2022-2023 school year;

•  approved Kinsey Cissna as the non-discrimination/anti-harassment coordinator, and Section 504 coordinator for the 2022-2023 school year;

• accepted the resignation of Shawn Burchett as a high school paraprofessional and middle school scholar bowl sponsor; 

• approved Liz Frankenbach as a sophomore sponsor;

• approved three voluntary football coaches, Mark Loman, Joe Drebes and Zach Jones; and

• approved the substitute teaching list as presented.