Bloomfield clears hurdle for building grant

Brian Orr, engineer with Bates and Associates, said historically every project that had been approved by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been approved by FEMA. He said the grant application was submitted to SEMA two weeks ago and was now being considered by FEMA. He went on to say that it is usually about two months before FEMA gives final approval. He told the board "I don't foresee it not being funded."

The project would be in the form of a 75/25 percent matching grant. The requested amount from FEMA is $1,108,578 with the Bloomfield District having to provide $369,526. Orr said the district's matching funds could include in-kind work. He also noted that FEMA regulations prevented the grant money from being used for painting, floor covering, suspended ceilings and other "finishing work."

Orr went on to say that the district could use the facility for other purposes than just a safe room. He said regulations did not prevent the district from building a two-story facility which could be used s a gymnasium and the building could be expanded at a later date to include classrooms or other needed facilities. The primary location of the new safe room as submitted by Bates and Associates would be where the current High School library is located on the corner of School and Missouri Streets. The secondary location is east of the high school on what is now a parking lot.

Dr. Nicholas Thiele, superintendent, said the first location was preferable because it was centrally located for all three schools.

Board member Dave Cooper asked where the library would be located if the old one is torn down. Thiele said the old multi-purpose room at the Middle School could be converted into a two-story structure with the upper half used as an elementary library and the lower half used as a high school library. The multi-purpose room currently serves as a gym, but it does not meet the required dimensions by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

Orr was asked whether there would be restrictions on public use of the facility. Orr said FEMA allowed use of the building to the public. He said the safe room could be open or closed to the public, depending on the board's decision. He said the safe room could be closed to the public during the day during a disaster and open to both students and the public at night. He added that the safe room "cannot be used as an overnight shelter during storms." The safe room is to be used only for temporary protection from storms or disasters, Orr said.

Orr went on to say that Bates and Associates had seven safe room projects at school districts around the state submitted to FEMA. The safe rooms are funded through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. He noted that a project at the Puxico School District has also been approved by SEMA and was awaiting approval from FEMA.

Orr told the board that construction costs on the project were "based on a high estimate." He said the project cost had been calculated at $180 per square foot, but with the current economic climate the "last one came in at $95 per square foot."

Board member Bill Robison asked about when the district would have to begin paying for the project. Orr said no money was due to the engineering firm or anyone else until final approval was received. He said the engineering firm would not be owed anything until the project was approved and ready for construction. At that time the engineering firm would begin billing for their work. The contractor for the project could be paid during construction from draws made from the FEMA grant.

The building must be made of concrete, Orr said. He said the most economically feasible was either a "pre-cast or tilt-up" structure which is manufactured elsewhere and assembled at the site.

Steven Warlick, vice president of Bates and Associates, distributed an "artist rendering" of the safe room. He said FEMA had certain restrictions on the use of brick and other exterior treatments, but it could be made to blend in with the other architectural look of the district buildings.

Warlick stressed that the artist's rendering was only an example. After the grant is given final approval, he said he would meet with the board to determine dimensions, uses for the building, design and appearance. He echoed Orr by telling the board that nothing would be owed to Bates and Associates until the board decided to proceed with the project.

No action was taken by the board with all members present.

The board moved through a short agenda rather routinely. They accepted Thiele's recommendation that Bootheel Counseling Services be retained for referring "students who have been identified as exhibiting behaviors or making statements that could be perceived as threatening to themselves, other students or faculty ad staff." It passed by a unanimous vote.

Thiele recommended that the superintendent be appointed as educational liaison for children in foster care. Senate Bill 291 established a "Foster Care Education Bill of Rights" and appointing a liaison is part of the legal requirements. Thiele said he did not want to be appointed personally, but rather the office of superintendent be appointed.

Some board members and faculty gathered prior to the regular board meeting to watch a replay of President Barack Obama's speech to students. Thiele asked that the board approve allowing social studies and history teachers in the district to use the speech as part of their curriculum. Thiele said he wanted the board to view the speech prior to showing it because of concerns that were raised about the speech .

Cooper inquired, "What were the concerns?"

Cooper said other presidents had addressed students in speeches without major public reaction.

"I think it was fueled by the media, which was fueled by partisan politics," Thiele said.

Board member John Newell said, "I think timing was an issue. It came during the health care reform discussion."

Newell said he received several phone calls opposing the showing of the speech to students, but they were prior to the speech.

Cooper stated that he also received phone calls, but "they were upset because students didn't get to watch it."

Thiele said he had requests from four families that their children not be required to watch the speech. He said he did not have a problem with arranging for students not to watch it if their parents objected.

The board approved using the speech within the context of the social studies curriculum by a unanimous vote.

The board approved entering a board of directors float in the Bloomfield Fall Festival Parade to be held Oct. 9.

The board also approved moving the October regular meeting from Oct. 12 to Monday, Oct. 19 because Oct. 12 is Columbus Day.

In executive session the board voted to hire Cindy Whitaker as Middle School social studies teacher, Chassi Zook as special education/Title I aide and added the names of 10 substitute teachers to their list for the 2009-10 school year.