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School Receives Federal Funding For Tornado Shelter

The multi-purpose shelter will not only provide protection for students, staff and members of the community living near the school in the event of a tornado, it will also serve as a physical education facility. It will be similar to the one being constructed as a gymnasium and shelter at the Smithville High School, which was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado in April 2011.

By Jack Gurner
Reporter


WATER VALLEY – A dome-style shelter capable of withstanding strong tornadoes will be constructed at Davidson Elementary School.
    The school district received a letter of approval for phase one of the “safe room” project, Superinten-dent Kim Chrestman informed school board members at their meeting Dec. 18.
    The first phase of the project includes survey, geotechnical, soil testing and architectural and engineering fees that amount to $85,160 with the federal government’s share of $76,644 (90 percent). The non-federal share of $8,516 is to be paid by the Water Valley School District.     
    The project was originally approved in July of 2013 when the board authorized Leo Wood, senior project manager for Broaddus and Associates, to begin the application process.
    Wood estimated correctly that it would take from 18 months to two years for the project to move through the federal bureaucracy.
    The multi-purpose shelter will not only provide protection for students, staff and members of the community living near the school in the event of a tornado, it will also serve as a physical education facility. It will be similar to the one being constructed as a gymnasium and shelter at the Smithville High School, which was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado in April 2011.
    Among other actions at the Dec. 18 meeting, trustees:
    • Approved the school’s dropout prevention plan.
    • Accepted donations from the Yalobusha Soil and Water Conservation District at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Foundation for a total of $2,500 for the archery program.
    • Approved a request from the school cafeteria to sell a surplus refrigerator.
    • Accepted bids for several pieces of excess property including an automobile used for drivers’ education and a non-working pick-up truck. High bids were $700 for the auto and $245 for the truck.
    • Paid claims and heard a financial report. District Business Manager Randy Goodwin reported that the fund balance as of Nov. 30 was $1,116,761.63.
    • Heard the Superintendent’s Report from Chrestman, who noted that report cards will go home on Jan. 8, formally ending the first semester.
    The superintendent also said the Mississippi Board of Education has released the 2016-2020 strategic plan. The goals are (1) All students are proficient and show growth in assessed areas; (2) Every student graduates high school and is ready for college and career; (3) Every child has access to high-quality early childhood program; (4) Every school has effective teachers and leaders; and (5) Every community uses a world-class data system to improve student outcomes.
    “I did notice one thing absent,” Chrestman added. “Funding for anything.”
    The next board meeting will be held Tuesday night, Jan. 20, in the board room of the district office on Market Street.

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