CC/E receives positive audit review

The Clay Central/Everly school board on Tuesday was all smiles following the district's annual audit report.

Murray Stanley, of Schnurr & Co., LLP, gave CC/E a passing grade with few critiques, noting the district's revenue in FY22 tallied $4.87 million while expenditures were $4.43 million.

"It was just a fantastic year," he said. "Everything worked out well."

While finances are trending positive, enrollment is an entirely different story. Superintendent Kevin Wood said after the audit report that student numbers need to increase in the coming years.

CC/E's K-6 enrollment right now is at 54, ranking it the second-smallest elementary school in the state behind Twin Rivers in Bode. There are nine students in preschool at CC/E, but preschool students do not receive State Supplemental Aid monies.

"We've gotta get people here," Wood said.

Due to low enrollment, CC/E ceased offering grades 7-12 following the 2019 school year. Since then, the district has operated grades K-6 only out of the building in Royal.

Director of Student Services Michelle Huntress said she's received positive feedback about new students potentially coming to Royal next fall. The school is trying to be proactive by showing off CC/E's positive attributes through a variety of outreach methods.

"We have been working our tails off in recruitment," she said. "I think this is the most aggressive we've ever been this time of year."

Wood noted enrollment predictions for the upcoming school year are always a bit touch-and-go before kindergarten round-up, which is slated for March 14.

"Hopefully we'll have a better idea about what we're looking at after that," he said.

• Tunnel project tabled, again

The board once again tabled approval of the ongoing tunnel project, as more bids are needed for certain portions of it.

The project will address various plumbing issues that have developed in recent years in the tunnels that run underneath the elementary building. Issues are centered on steam lines for the boiler and water lines.

Asbestos abatement is included in the project, which will need to be completed when classes are dismissed.

• Make-up days

Though no action was taken this month, the board indicated it will approve a snow make-up day plan at the March meeting.

The district will follow the make-up dates set by Spencer, as CC/E whole-grade shares 7-12 grades with that district. Many elementary students have siblings who attend school in Spencer, and the board previously agreed to mirror the district's schedule so there aren't days when a family has some kids in school and others at home.