The Platte County R-3 Board of Education members voted to spend nearly a quarter million dollars to increase security at two campus locations — Platte County High School and Paxton Center, located south of the high school.
The board voted 7-0 to award a contract to Lee’s Summit based American Legacy Construction for $247,773, plus five percent contingency — for any doors needing full replacement — for electronic security upgrades that were planned in the capital improvement budget for this fiscal year.
The proposal calls for upgraded door hardware, electronic controls and monitoring capabilities.
A video entry door intercom system with door release for the main entry will be installed in both buildings. An exterior door alert, monitoring and scheduling capabilities will also be installed.
The video surveillance management systems will include integration with the existing equipment at both locations.
The plan is for this security system to be installed at all of the campus locations within the next two years.
Other bidders — not including the 5 percent contingency — were Control Service Co. for $279,124 and DH Pace for $281,398.
School Calendar options
A variety of factors went into the proposed school calendar for the 2019-20 school year and later this month, the Platte County BOE will vote on the issue.
The public review portion of the draft calendar runs until Jan. 11 and the board will vote during the meeting on Jan. 17.
The proposed start date is Aug. 15 and school will tentatively be out on May 20. Christmas break will run from Dec. 23 to Jan. 5, 2020, with school resuming on Jan. 6. Spring break will run from March 16-20.
Platte County High School graduation is set for May 17, while the Northland Career Center graduation is May 9. ßComments for the proposed schedule can be emailed to the board secretary, Vicki Diggs at diggsv@platteco.k12.mo.us.
Candidates File
The filing date for candidates to apply for a spot on the R-3 BOE concludes on Tuesday, Jan. 15.
There are currently two spots on the board for the April 2 election, with the winners each set to serve a three-year term.
Incumbent Gary Brown has filed, as has Alisha Elliott, Derek Espeer and Gena Ross.
The other spot open belongs to Adam McGinness, who is currently the board vice president but is not running again.
Parent IgNIGHT
Platte County recently held its first parent IgNIGHT session which was designed to increase the awareness of social media behavior.
Russ Tuttle of Stop Trafficking Project was the guest speaker of the event, which was streamed via Facebook Live on the district’s Facebook page. The streamlined version will be posted on the district website under the ‘parents tab’ after editing by PCHS students is completed.
Other program are scheduled for later this year. On March 13, there will be ‘Reading, Math and Study Strategies at Home’ from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Pathfinder Elementary. On May 1, there will be ‘Safeguarding our Children, Part II: Drugs, vaping, Alcohol and other Distractions’ from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Platte County High School.
Notes
Platte County juniors Karoline Kilkenny and Rhett Spell were chosen for the 2019 Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program.
Platte County football player Peyton Stoner was one of three finalists for the Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith 3rd and Long Foundation Service Award, which honors athletes for their off the field service.
A curriculum night for eighth graders is slated for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14 at Wilson Auditorium at PCHS. Parents and students are invited to attend to learn about each core class from the department’s perspective. For more information contact Platte County Middle School counselor Dixie Wirsig or Barry School counselor Becky Brandt.
PCMS special education teacher Teresa Harvey was the December SCHIVIR Me Timber honoree. She was recognized for her student focus in bringing ‘Pirate Perks’, a mobile coffee and treat carts that her students run.
The district received a clean audit from Westbrook & Co., offering an ‘unmodified opinion.’
The YMCA Kids Night out is Saturday, Jan. 12 for kids ages three months to 11 years old, where they will make dinner, make crafts and plays game. The YMCA Kids Day In will be Jan. 21 for kids ages 5 to 12 to have a ‘constructive’ day off from school where they can swim, play board games and make snacks.