Spencer-Owen board approves contracts, fee increases and donations in unanimous votes

The Spencer-Owen Community Schools Board of Trustees on April 9 approved a string of contracts, donations, field trips and fee changes intended to finish school-year projects and shore up costs for next year.

The board voted unanimously, 7–0, to approve donations A through G —including $1,000 from the Owen County Community Foundation for the high school Governor’s Work Ethic certificate program, $1,000 from Solution Tree to send the Owen Valley cheerleaders to a summer cheer camp, and several Backpack Buddies contributions (food and monetary donations totaling more than $3,500 in separate gifts). Superintendent Klein read the donation list and the board approved the full slate in a single motion.

On facilities and maintenance, the board approved a $34,972.81 quote from Bloomington City Glass to repair leaking glass panels at the Owen Valley High School atrium, and a $148,970 contract with Pell Roofing and Siding Company to replace the high school/middle school auditorium roof. Both motions passed 7–0. The glass repair was clarified during discussion as covering atrium glass panels (not door mullions).

The board also approved a $20,000 concrete bid from Weddell Brothers to install a band conducting tower in the high school parking lot, and accepted a $113,000 bid from Stray Dog Strength to upgrade the Humboldt Valley High School strength and conditioning room; the strength-room work will occur during the summer moratorium.

On programs and fees, the trustees increased the 2026–27 pre-K daily rate from $20 to $25 (half-day $12.50; registration fee unchanged at $60) after the superintendent said reductions to On My Way pre-K vouchers created a shortfall. The board also approved a latchkey fee schedule that raises the hourly rate from $2 to $4 for 2026–27 to make the program breakeven. Both fee changes were approved 7–0.

The board approved two field trips — an overnight third-grade trip to Blue Springs Cavern (May 20) and a senior out-of-state trip to Kings Island (May 8) — and approved personnel items (resignations and employment recommendations) in a single motion, both passed 7–0.

Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda (minutes, financials, reports): approved 7–0 (mover: Jack; second: Rick). • NEOLA policy updates — second reading (volume 38, nondiscrimination): approved 7–0. • Donations A–G: accepted 7–0. • Field trips (overnight/out-of-state): approved 7–0. • Bloomington City Glass repair quote: $34,972.81 — approved 7–0. • Roofing contract (Pell Roofing and Siding): $148,970 — approved 7–0 (to be paid from remaining bond funds per bond counsel). • Concrete bid (band conducting tower): $20,000 — approved 7–0. • Pre-K daily rate increase: $20 → $25/day (half-day $12.50; registration $60) — approved 7–0. • Latchkey fee schedule: $2 → $4/hour — approved 7–0. • Boys & Girls Club on-site after-school contracts (Gosport, Patricksburg, Spencer, McCormick’s Creek): approved 7–0. • Humboldt Valley HS weight-room improvements (Stray Dog Strength): $113,000 — approved 7–0. • Personnel (resignations/employment recommendations): approved 7–0.

The meeting packet included bid documentation and memos; several trustees asked clarifying questions about scope (for example, whether repairs covered mullions or glass panels, and whether strength-room bids included masonry and floor repair). Superintendent Klein and staff indicated they received three bids for several projects and recommended the lowest responsible bidders. The board chair said bond counsel had cleared the use of remaining bond funds for the auditorium roof.

The board adjourned after unanimous consent and set its next meeting for May 14 at 7 p.m. at Central Office.