By Ralph Echtinaw

Voter approval of a St. Louis Schools bond issue on Aug. 2 allows the district to refinance an existing 2014 bond issue, resulting in major savings.

“We are able to refinance our 2014 bond for a lower interest rate, which in turn will save our tax payers approximately $450,000 over the rest of the life of the bond,” said Superintendent Jennifer McKittrick at Monday’s board meeting.

The $15,580,000 bond issue was approved on Aug. 3 with by a vote of 459 to 251. Voter turnout was 13.5 percent.

There will be no change to the district’s millage levy of 8 mills, so property owners will pay no more in taxes as a result.

Work expected to be done with money from the bond includes the follow at the high school:

Replace roof over annex and administration wings.

Replace masonry veneer with metal siding.

Build a new greenhouse.

Turn maintenance building into a wood shop.

Turn classroom near gym into wrestling room.

Remodel media center.

Update lighting.

Middle school:

New roof.

New sound system for cafetorium and gym.

Replace boilers and condensing units.

Update lighting.

Build playground pavilion.

Renovate tennis courts, baseball field, softball field, storage building and concession stand.

Nikkari Elementary:

New roof.

New entry canopy.

Upgrade mechanical systems.

New gym/cafeteria flooring.

Upgrade playground.

New playground pavilion.

Install LED lighting.

Carrie Knause Elementary:

New roof.

Upgrade mechanical systems.

Security cameras.

New classroom carpeting.

Resurface parking lot.

Upgrade playground.

Install LED lighting.

Westgate building:

New roof.

Replace boiler and add one boiler.

Install LED lighting.

Bus garage:

Add three new buses and utility tractor.

Install LED lighting.

Additions and subtractions

The following resignations were received: Nikkari special ed teacher Valerie Shaw-Weisbarth, high school math and science teacher Kevin Stedman (took a counseling job with Ashley Schools), fourth grade teacher Rebecca Budka (took a job in Midland schools), Seventh grade volleyball coach Jade Berkley, softball coach Mike Filipiak.

And the new hires: Varsity football coach Julian Paksi, varsity boys basketball coach Kyle Deuling, junior varsity volleyball coach Kelly Thompson, middle school wrestling coach Andrew Graham.

Four women were hired to handle the students who will take their lessons virtually on a computer screen instead of attending classes. These women are Tiffany LaBlance (kindergarten to second grade), Alyssa Camp (grades three to five), Angela Ziems-Starry (grades six through eight) and Erin Busch-Grabmeyer (grades nine through 12).

However, only a handful of kids have signed up for virtual learning; Two for sure and two considering among Carrie Knause students. Three at Nikkari. And none from middle school or high school.