R-2 Board of Education members expressed willingness to work with members of the Gasconade County E-911 Board of Directors on a proposal which could eventually lead to the development of the site in Rosebud for dispatching operations. First, however, E-911 directors want to review R-2 documents pertaining to the building and research what it might cost to upgrade the building for the county’s communication needs.
“We’re not prepared to make an offer,” said John Adams, an E-911 board member on Monday addressing the R-2 board at its regularly scheduled meeting. “We don’t know where to start.”
Adams was joined by fellow board members Betty Estes and Karen Hubenthal-Arnold, Lisa Schlottach, manager of E-911 operations, and Stephanie Helton, assistant manager. Adams noted “we’re just out of room” in leased space above the Owensville Area Ambulance District’s headquarters and shed in the former doctor’s office building occupied by the late Dr. Paul Baker.
Adams noted they have operated out of their present location for 12 years. He said the Rosebud site offered access to fiber optic telephone services nearby. A communications tower, or access to such a tower, would be required should they move there. He stressed they were in the fact-finding stage and wanted to learn more about the building. Adams said Tuesday they would arrange a time to meet with district staff to review documents prepared by the Long Range Planning Committee since it was formed in 2004.
The R-2 Board of Education opted this spring to move its Early Childhood program out of the building rather that undertake an extensive roofing project and other upgrades to prolong its use of the building. It was constructed in 1966 for $158,475, according to figures supplied to the planning group. District documents indicate a roofing project was completed on the building in 1984. The site includes office space, a small gymnasium with a stage, six classrooms, rest-rooms, a small kitchen area, and two maintenance rooms.
Superintendent Dr. Russ Brock’s report to the board noted there was another party interested in the building. He said Tuesday there had been another inquiry but that no bid had been received for the building. However, the E-911 group has been the only one to make a site visit. “They’re obviously interested enough in the building to come to the board meeting to talk about it,” said Brock on Tuesday.
Board President Chris Lenauer, noting he was “just one person talking,” agreed with Adams’ comment that E-911 offers a valuable service to the county. Leneaur noted the board was willing with work with E-911 and added “the tax payers have already paid for that building once.”
R-2 board member John Schaefferkoetter, a former president of the board, questioned if E-911 could afford the cost of upgrading the building.
“Do your due diligence,” said Lenauer. “You’re at the top of our list right now.”
R-2 board members also approved a proposal to seek a request for proposals (RFPs) for energy upgrades at Gerald Elementary and across the district. Two firms made preliminary visits and one made a proposal which included upgrading water fixtures at Gerald. The district would need to bid out services following review of the RFPs for the energy performance contract.