School sets minimum bid on building trades house, HALO tuition and fees

Members of the Houston board of education discussed several matters during a meeting Monday, May 20.

Board members approved the minimum bid on the building trades house at 513 Primrose Lane in Houston to begin at $315,000. Bids were also sought last December for the 3,600 square-foot home that features three-bedrooms, three bathrooms and a three-car garage. The earlier option would have allowed a successful bidder to customize it.

Tuition and fees for the Houston Alternative Learning Opportunities (HALO) program, which will be at Ozark and First Streets, were approved for non-resident students. Tuition is $2,000 monthly, one-to-one paraprofessionals are $2,625, physical therapy is $85 hourly and speech/language therapy (non-Exceptional Child Cooperative school) is $85 hourly. Transportation fees were tabled and will be revisited.

In other matters, members:

• Unanimously voted for the district to pay for retirees’ first year of membership to Missouri Retired Teachers Association.
• Discussed track and field options. A board work session to discuss the matter will be scheduled at the next regular meeting.
• Tabled a Dake Wells Schematic Design Agreement for further negotiations.
• Heard from Kelsen Gilbert, technology director, regarding the district’s fiber needs and pricing estimates. No action was taken.
• Approved bids for propane services, Chilton Oil; paper needs, Contract Paper; exterminating services, Ozark Pest Control; milk, Hiland; and bread, Bimbo.
• Approved a one-year continuation agreement with Simmons Bank for depository services. Marty Merckling voted no. The board will revisit the bid process next spring.
• Approved a proposal as presented by Catlett & Associates for audit services beginning July 1 through June 30, 2027. Marty Merckling voted no.
• Entered into a one-year agreement with Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper Bottling Company for full-service beverage vending services, including the option to renew for two additional years pending satisfactory review by the district.
• Were presented 2024-2025 handbook changes. No action was taken, the board will revisit it at the next meeting.
• Were presented the school resource officer memorandum of understanding with the City of Houston for review. No action was taken, the board will revisit it at a later date.
• Approved the RootED memorandum of understanding as presented.
• Approved the extra and co-curricular activities program evaluation as presented by Brent Hall, athletic director.
• Approved the parental involvement program evaluation as presented by Jody Jarrett, elementary principal.
• Heard updates from administrators regarding ongoing activities on the school campus.

The next regular board meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 in the high school library media center. The meeting adjourned into closed session at 7:49 p.m.

The full minutes can be read here:

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