The Purdy school board reviewed pressing facilities needs and updates on operations at its September meeting.

Superintendent Travis Graham reported Oak Ridge Roofing Solutions of Monett found a way to plug the leak in the library roof. Graham was gathering quotes on fixing roof issues, noting most of the campus roofs are 30-40 years old.

The most immediate issue stems from the district’s intercom system. Assistant Principal Jennifer Cornelius reported some rooms were cutting in and out. The system seems to depend on “three very small thin wires that go into a little box” that have been compromised by lightning over time, especially last winter. The system is around 30 years old. Cornelius said only Emily Kooi, the director of technology, and she know how to run the entire system. “At any moment, all of it could die,” she said. As a backup, teachers have alarms set on their phones to know when to dismiss class, or an administrator can stand in the hall and verbally make declarations.

Graham reported initial estimates he received put replacement around $180,000.

Board members reviewed new policy updates, several focusing on school safety. Graham noted the district had proactively prepared for some of the proposed changes. Last year, the district purchased eight additional automated external defibrillators. Two were placed at the baseball and softball fields, and the rest distributed throughout the campus. The main offices have also stocked Narcan in the event of a drug overdose. The district has also purchased 25 blood kits.

Policies also looked at comprehensive security of school grounds. Graham said the latest recommendations call for installing anti-intruder door locks on interior classrooms.

As for the state standardized tests from last spring, Graham reported student performance has grown at the elementary and middle school from last year, with slight growth in certain areas at the high school. This year Graham said a strong focus will be made on literacy, especially on comprehending what is read. He saw particularly big gaps there. Details on test scores will be presented to the board on Oct. 16.

Graham plans to take a close look at the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, emphasizing Goal No. 1 as quality education in instructional programs.

While serving as interim high school principal as well as superintendent, Graham finds himself “still in discovery mode.” He said.

“We need to put the right pieces together for our great teachers,” he said.

Graham noted he has had a few surprises, particularly where he thought some things had been done but hadn’t. Wearing two hats has made Graham more difficult to find as he moves between two offices.

The district’s financial situation, while eased by the release of most title program funds, remains a concern with more cuts in federal funds expected for fiscal year 2026 or late in 2027. Graham is closely watching Gov. Mike Kehoe’s task force on modernization of school funding. For the current year’s budget, Graham used last year’s state adequacy target numbers, figuring on the minimum amount the state may pay per pupil this school year. Based on that, Purdy could end the year with a surplus.

“The board goal for me is to get our fund balance up to 25 percent,’ he said. ‘Currently, we’re at 22.15 percent.’

The elementary school reported a large turnout for the Grandparents Day ice cream social. More than 200 thirdthrough ninth-grade students attended the special celebration for showing growth or reaching the advanced and proficient levels on their Missouri Achievement Program test scores.

The new program to boost math skills, like the elementary school’s reading program, is still developing. The same staff that focuses on reading is figuring out how to add the math emphasis into the extra time they spend with students needing additional help.

The board voted to raise its pay for substitute teachers from $100 a day to $140 a day. Pay for long-term substitutes, serving 11 days or more in the same position, rose from $115 a day to $155. The district has around 12 long-term substitutes presently.

One additional paraprofessional was hired at the meeting.

Graham noted he sent out a climate culture survey in mid-October to faculty.