November 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM - Workshop

WC EMS Substation Proposal Discussion

WC EMS presented a proposal to consider utilizing a portion of the LES property for a new substation. Currently, 911 response times are 10-12 minutes due to route changes caused by flooding. Establishing this substation would significantly reduce response times.

Key points discussed include:

• Property Agreement: The board and county would need to draft an agreement ensuring the Highway Department maintains the property.
• EMS Proposal: EMS shared a drawing outlining the substation layout, noting the rescue truck would perform dual roles. The substation would be owned by Washington County.
• Space Requirements: The proposed area would extend 65 feet back from the property/pavement. No fencing is planned at this time.
• Future Considerations: Board members emphasized the potential need for fencing later for safety.
• Reversion Clause: If the substation is no longer required, the property would revert to county ownership.
• Mr. Riddle requested a valuation of the property, suggesting it could support ongoing needs at Lamar.
• Mr. Fleenor expressed agreement with the project.
• Mr. Boyd will present the proposal to the HEW Committee on December 4th.

The board recommended adding this project to the agenda for the next board meeting on December 5th for further discussion and consideration.

Rep. Tim Hicks: In a recovery process, things change daily. One thing we can all agree on is that it has been a challenging couple of months.

Proposal:

• JMS Usage: The facility could serve as a central hub for organizing relief efforts, storing furniture and supplies (e.g., washers/dryers, plumbing fixtures), and accommodating up to 25-30 volunteers at a time.
• Amenities: The gym could house furniture and supplies, and cots for sleeping may be an option.
• Additional Use: The Ag Extension Office might temporarily set up there due to damage from a fallen tree on their building.
• Current Setup: Burleson Construction has a trailer at Lamar Ruritan.
• Importance of Organization: Effective coordination of volunteers and resources is critical for recovery efforts.
• Operational Costs:
  • Mr. Fleenor appreciates the efforts but expressed concerns about the $10,000 monthly operational costs.
  • Mr. Ervin asked who would be responsible for paying the electrical bill.
  • Mr. Hale provided estimated monthly operational costs: $4,000 for JMS and $5,000 for the elementary school.
• Rep. Hicks' Response: He emphasized the need to assess the overhead costs and reach an agreement. He also requested a walkthrough of the building to evaluate its suitability.
• Mr. Boyd suggested that Rep. Hicks inspect the old JES elementary school as a potential alternative site.

• Mr. Riddle expressed full support for the initiative.
• Mr. Boyd reminded the board that WCS is contracted to sell the property.

Rep. Hicks concluded by reiterating the importance of evaluating the building and gathering more information to make an informed decision. Mr. Boyd and Mr. Hicks will do walk through next week to determine which building will accommodate his needs.
 

Mr. Boyd: High schools need additional support as academic performance is not where it should be. Principals are fully committed to addressing these challenges.

• Program Cost: The proposed program costs $60,000 per school per year, but we are securing the service for $47,750 annually.
• Focus Areas: Principals have identified specific areas for improvement and have significant strengths to build upon. Supporting them in this process is crucial.
• Implementation Timeline: The program would begin on January 1, 2025.
• Mr. Fleenor: Asked if there are referrals for the group providing these services.
• Mr. Boyd: Confirmed familiarity with the organization, citing quick and effective outcomes from their work with other schools.
• Mr. Barnes: Applauded Mr. Boyd for introducing this initiative, highlighting the importance of making impactful decisions. He noted that funds are available to support the program.
• Mr. Ervin: Requested a clear scope of the program, detailing current efforts and expected results after a year of implementation, given the $100,000 investment.

Mr. Boyd's Response:

• Emphasized caution regarding claims of drastic improvements but shared examples of significant progress achieved by the group in a short time.
• The program will establish clear, measurable goals, with schools being monitored throughout the year.
• The commitment is for one year, with the ultimate goal being academic improvement, particularly in math, and increasing "Ready Graduate" numbers.
• Student Engagement: High school engagement levels need improvement.
• Support for Principals: Younger principals, in particular, require additional support to drive change.
• Mr. Fleenor: Stressed the urgency of addressing these issues, as high school students only have four years to benefit from improvements. Both high schools have tremendous potential, but the current performance gap is too large to ignore.

The proposal was requested to be placed on the  December agenda for further consideration.

Lewis Group Project Updates

Final updates on ongoing projects are provided in the attached documents.

• DBHS House: Demolition has been completed, and the site has been cleaned up.
• Security Upgrades: Significant progress has been made on high school security enhancements, with both sites on track and moving forward successfully.
• Elementary School Security:
  • Mr. Fleenor requested that discussions on revising security measures at elementary schools be added to the January meeting agenda.
  • He suggested revisiting the initial drawings provided for the elementary school security upgrades.

Request to Donate Old Scoreboards

Mr. Barnes proposed donating the old scoreboards to Carver Recreation to support their programs and facilities. He expressed a strong desire to assist Carver Rec in this way.

 Add this to December 5th agenda for board consideration.

Fencing Quotes Discussion

 Add to the December agenda to: Obtain a boundary survey of the property, Locate utilities, check alley 

• • Dr. Wolfe is requesting approval to contract a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to provide one-on-one support for a student.
  • The duration of the need is uncertain, potentially ranging from one to six months.
    • Pay rate: $15-$18 per hour.
    • Schedule: 4 hours daily, 5 days a week, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
    • .Mr. Boyd: Expressed the intent to move forward, stating that it is the district's responsibility to serve students within reason.
      • Mr. Barnes: Voiced full support for the request. 
      • Allocated funds are available for these types of services.