Hannibal schools have put off finalizing a list of building improvements until January.
The list was to have been done in December, but the school board agreed Wednesday to wait a month.
The delay was due to busy holiday schedules and not to unpreparedness. Administrators continue to develop cost estimates for projects.
“The problem will be narrowing the final list,” said Superintendent Dr. Jill Janes. “We just have to decide what our priorities are.”
At the top of the list are a new Mark Twain Elementary and an Early Childhood Education Center.
The new grade school would be across the street from the 106-yar-old existing structure at 2714 Bird.
A specific location for the childhood center has not been set, but it could be built next to Veterans Elementary.
The package would include one to two projects at all district buildings.
The bond issue, estimated at $13 million, would go before voters in April and require a simple majority for passage.
If voters OK it, the district would start projects in spring 2011 and be finished in summer 2013.
A campaign aimed at bolstering voter support would begin in late January.
Illness update
So far, Hannibal has escaped widespread illnesses that have plagued other Northeast Missouri districts.
Assistant Superintendent Susan Johnson reported average daily attendance the last month has been 90 percent to 93 percent.
Only one case of the H1N1 virus had been confirmed in the district, and that was in early October at Veterans. The fourth-grader recovered.
Johnson credits efforts by staff to keep schools clean, hygiene lessons by teachers and action by parents to keep sick kids at home until they’re well.
“All of those measures have helped us to maintain attendance,” Johnson said.
Districts that have had to close for several days because of illness include South Shelby, Canton, Clark County and Scotland County.
Good reports
The board got two good reports.
The 2008-2009 audit, performed by the Hannibal firm Wade Stables P.C., showed no bad findings and classified the district as a low-risk auditee.
The annual performance report from the state showed the district got 12 of the 13 possible points and met all performance standards.
The report means the district will again qualify for Missouri “School of Distinction” status.
Other action
The board also:
• Approved a professional development plan at a cost of $143,978.
• Learned that parent-teacher conference attendance was perfect at all five grade schools and ranged from 56 percent to 82 percent by grade in other buildings.
• Reviewed evaluations of the health services and wellness programs.
• Gave consent to check interest in the early separation agreement program by sending letters to staff.
• Heard from three young authors at Eugene Field Elementary and the Hannibal-LaGrange College students who’ve been working with them.
• Learned that election filings for the board seats of Henry Sweets and Jim Humphries can be made Dec. 15 to Jan. 19. The election is April 6.
