(Missouri Independent) – The House Budget Committee will submit its revisions to Gov. Mike Parson’s $34.1 billion state operating budget to the full House this week without the benefit of clear guidelines for spending new infusions of federal cash. The committee must also decide whether and how it will use a record general revenue surplus. The fund’s cash balance […]
Missouri could lower the requirements to become a K-12 substitute teacher. To help alleviate a substitute shortage, State Representative Ed Lewis is proposing to reduce the required college credit hours from 60 to 36. Lewis, of northern Missouri’s Moberly, has been a teacher for more than 30 years. During a House education committee hearing on […]
The Grundy County Commission approved March 23rd, on a vote of two to one, a motion involving the Natural Resources Conservation Service Streambank Stabilization near the Highway 6 Thompson River Bridge. Commissioner Don Sager and Presiding Commissioner Phillip Ray voted in favor of the motion, which involved entering into a contract with NRCS, with the […]
Without discussion, the Trenton City Council on Monday night adopted budgets for the city and Trenton Municipal Utilities for the year beginning May 1st. Members of the finance committee have met several times with city officials in recent weeks in developing the two budgets. Salaries have been established by city ordinance for the 2021-22 fiscal […]
The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri support legislation aimed at keeping registered sex offenders away from state Conservation areas. House Bill 1090 is sponsored by State Rep. Barry Hovis (R-Whitewater), a former law enforcement officer with more than 30 years of experience. The House Public Safety Committee approved the bill 8-0, and it’s […]
Trenton Park Superintendent David Shockley reports a special Park Board meeting will not need to be held to accept a bid for a pad near the diving board at the Trenton Family Aquatic Center. The bid received was less than $6,500, and the board approved at its last meeting purchasing a mat with a cost […]
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education increased tutoring pay and approved field trips on March 15th. Secretary Kelli Girdner reports tutoring pay was raised from $20 per hour to $25 per hour. Field trips included one for the end of the year to Hannibal on May 13th and the Positive Behavior Support program to Chillicothe […]
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education on March 15th approved paying $575.08 toward employee health insurance plans. Insurance will continue through the Ozark Schools Benefits Association. Superintendent Lucas McKinnis reported that the district offers seven plans, and insurance costs are less than last year. Employees can upgrade to a PPO plan, but they may have […]
Rural hospitals that suffered from business interruption due to COVID-19 are now eligible to receive reimbursement funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic Security (CARES) Act. $10 million has been allocated for this assistance. The 62 rural hospitals that provide services to rural and underserved populations are eligible to receive these funds if they can […]
The Grundy County Commission signed a letter of agency with Granite phone service on March 16th. The letter gives the company permission to contact AT&T on behalf of Grundy County. Presiding Commissioner Phillip Ray says going through Granite for the county is estimated to reduce the cost of three AT&T lines from $500 a month […]
The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education has approved a health insurance plan and a four-day week calendar. The district will work with Missouri Educators Trust for the insurance. The plan will provide all full-time staff a $3,000 health savings account for $549.91. Staff will have an option to buy up to three other plans […]
The Grundy County Commission is accepting bids for pipes and fuel. The metal or polyethylene pipes are for 2021. Bids are to be for two and two-thirds-inch by half-inch and three-inch by one-inch standard round corrugated, riveted metal pipes and riveted polymer-coated pipes and/or polyethylene pipes per foot with fittings and accessories approved by the […]
The Missouri State Board of Nursing recently announced the award of substantial nursing education program grants to three Missouri universities. The Nursing Education Incentive Program (NEIP) grants were established in 2011 in order to increase the physical and educational capacity of professional nursing programs in Missouri. The funding, through legislative appropriations, comes from the Missouri […]
The Trenton Park Board, at a special meeting on March 12th, approved the building of an 18 by 20-foot carport at Van Meter Park not to exceed $2,500. The structure would replace a smaller shelter house taken down after its roof was damaged by hail. Board President Duane Helmandollar reported he got a quote from […]
The Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau approved a budget proposal on March 10th. The budget proposal for the city council to review March 22nd includes $20,000 for digital marketing and $4,000 for print marketing. The Branding Committee drafted the request for proposals for digital marketing. There was discussion about using the city hall address with […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education approved salaries for administrators for the next school year in an executive session on March 9th. The superintendent salary will increase by about $4,100 ($4,106) to $117,164. Other administrators will also receive raises. Salaries will include director of supportive services $91,090, Trenton High School principal $77,860, THS assistant principal […]
Governor Mike Parson announced a special cycle of the Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Youth Opportunities Program (YOP), making $21.8 million available to assist nonprofit organizations and other entities providing services to at-risk youth. “Missouri nonprofits have been a lifeline for many Missourians throughout the COVID-19 crisis, providing critical services during […]
The Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education approved several resignations during an executive session on March 9th. The resignations are effective at the end of this school year for Art Teacher Phoebe Duff and Fifth Grade Teacher Melanie Warren. Custodian Meghan McLain’s resignation was effective immediately. The board voted to hire Whitney Barlow of Trenton […]
The Laredo R-7 Board of Education accepted health insurance through the Ozark Schools Benefits Association on March 8th. The district will pay $530 for 2021-2022 plus vision and life insurance. The board approved field trips. They included the eighth grade to Kansas City, kindergarten through second grade to Shatto Dairy, and third through eighth grades […]
The Jamesport City Council on March 8th approved purchasing a security system for the maintenance building. The cost of the system is expected to be $650. There was a discussion about the Sesquicentennial for Jamesport to be celebrated in 2022. Mayor Dana Urton agreed a committee should be formed, and plans need to begin as […]
