CLAFLIN — The Wilson Daycare Center, operated inside Wilson Elementary School, will close for the summer.

During the May 12 Central Plains USD 112 Board of Education meeting, the board approved the resignation of Macy Squires and Mya Squires as Wilson Daycare Center director and assistant, respectively.

“We’re going to try to advertise,” Superintendent Bobby Murphy told the board.

Board President Tamara Dody asked about placing information in the newspaper.

Board Clerk Diane Ney said the district could place an ad in the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter and also suggested a Russell-based radio station.

“I was going to call and find out,” Ney said of pricing. “(The radio station) covers that area.”

Murphy said the district isn’t alone in its search for day care workers.

“Looking for employees at Wilson and Holyrood,” he said. “(We’re) running one room at Holyrood.”

He said the board’s previous hope was to have an employee from Holyrood assume duties of the executive director of the district’s day cares. “In Barton County, it’s a revolving door every few weeks,” Murphy said of day care employees.

WES Principal Karin Mohr said she is searching for applicants.

“I am going to put together an advisory council to help us oversee the day care. We have volunteers for that,” she told the board. “I’m hoping with the advisory council we can get that back up and running. Parents are pulling their kids from the day care. Close to eight to 10 kids are leaving us.”

In other business:

• The board heard reports from the building principals.

• Murphy discussed the gym floors at Central Plains Jr./Sr. High School.

The board approved a bid for about $3,900 for two coats from Koehn Courts to refinish the courts.

“He thought as long as we refinish every year, we would get two to three more years before we have to sand it down to bare bones and start over,” Murphy said.

The project is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 7-8.

• The board discussed, then approved, a contract with the City of Bushton to use athletic facilities. One change to the new agreement is USD 112 will pay for the cost of floor refinishing every other year. The cost for refinishing would be about $3,200 to apply several protective coats.

“I really feel like it’s a good way to incorporate a community that does not have a school right now and maintain their viability for activities that are school-related,” Murphy said.

Board member Kayla Cullens asked if the cost of the $6,500 annual contract and floor refinishing is comparable to other agree- ments.

“It was part of the pitch, it was all-inclusive,” she said.

The superintendent said he thinks it’s a beneficial agreement.

“With Bushton offering to do this at that rate, $6,500 or $10,000 a year, we’re still coming out in good shape,” he said. “The time and effort we would have to put into our facility, we’re seeing that time being used for other things and other purposes.”

The board approved the motion, 6-0-1. Board member Josh Hurley abstained.

• The board approved a bid from Paradigm for air quality testing of CPJSHS during the asbestos abatement process. The air quality test bid is about $3,200.

• The board approved spending up to $29,500 for concrete work at Central Plains Elementary School.

• Dustin Robison discussed the track and field facilities with the board. He said there are more youth participating in the sport, and the current dirt track is a hazard.

He pointed out the district invested in many other athletic-related facilities except for the track.

“If it has rained, teams can’t practice outside,” he said.

In addition to the uneven dirt surface, there are significant cracks in the existing concrete areas.

Murphy also pointed out concerns about the lights.

Robison presented several phased options to make improvements to the track and field facilities. He estimates phase one could cost about $200,000. He is currently exploring options to help cover the project cost.

“My recommendation is to try to raise funds with grants,” Dody said.

• CPJSHS Principal Jessica Murphy presented an option for the board to add animal science, horticulture and plant and soil science classes to the science credits.

“This is not an easier thing, just another option for students to take credits to satisfy graduation requirements that align with what their goals are,” she said. “If they’re college-bound, they need to take those courses (chemistry, biology). “We had a senior who was going into a career in animal science. If he could have taken this as a science credit, it would have been beneficial.”

The board approved the recommendation.

• The board approved flooring replacements for buildings.

A bid from Millers of Claflin was accepted for CPJSHS and WES. A bid from Wenz Interiors was accepted for CPES.

• The board approved purchasing a new water softener for about $4,400 from Stueder Contractors for CPES.

• After discussing possible locations for the proposed day care at CPJSHS, the board gave consensus to locate it north of the tennis courts, rather than near the football field.

Murphy said the builders provided four options. The board discussed pros and cons, and agreed on Option 2, which will not be attached to the current school building.

Board member Cherilee Ward asked if the additional building in Claflin will have ripples through the district.

“At Wilson, we feel like this building, I know you can’t turn it down because it’s such a nice gift, but it’s a death sentence for Wilson Elementary in five years,” she said.

Murphy said there are no firm plans for the building once it becomes property of USD 112. He said the district could probably use it for a few classrooms, but not fully replace an attendance center.

“This building would not have an effect on closing other buildings,” he said. “If anything, it would be for seventh and eighth grade. It would not be big enough for an elementary school.

“I’m not going to say in five years it won’t hurt Wilson, but on the other side of it, I don’t see how we would close a building to move things around to get them to fit into this day care building.”

If the day care is running successfully, he said it could remain in operation.

Murphy then discussed funding for the project.

“Last meeting we discussed putting funds to get what we want,” he said. “A few entities filed for tax credits and didn’t use them. Those tax credits got returned. Three building projects still raise funds; we are one.

“They are sending a check for $198,000 to help with that cost, in addition to $252,000 we have. She said it’s 100 percent done deal.”

The board gave consensus to move forward with Option 2.

• The board went into executive session for 25 minutes to discuss nonelected personnel.

Upon exiting, the board approved the resignations of: Macy Squires and Mya Squires, Wilson Daycare Center director and assistant, respectively; DeAnna Moran, USD 112 bus driver; Joan Klug, CPJSHS math teacher.

The board approved hiring for the 2025-26 school year: Stephanie Petermann, CPJSHS assistant volleyball coach; Laura Schlessiger, CPJSHS math teacher; Morgan Hoffman, CPES preschool teacher.

The board approved hiring the certified staff and classified staff.

Additionally, summer workers were hired: Rose Werdahl, Holyrood custodial; Becky Whitmer, Wilson custodial; Darren Marsell, Claflin custodial; Sheri Girard, summer technology; Jessie Habiger, summer technology; Aaron Gonzalez, summer mowing; Alden Metro, student summer help; Sierra Marsell, student summer help; Ben Pflughoeft, student summer help.

• The board went into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss teacher negotiations. No action was taken.

• Murphy reported the modular building at CPES hit a snag with the state fire marshal. He said the breezeway is not permitted to be enclosed due to fire codes.

Murphy estimated the total modular addition for the school will cost about $1.5 million.

• Murphy reported the Patterson Grant application is complete for the day care in Claflin.

“Due to where we are at, unsure if we will receive that grant,” he said.

• Murphy said leaks in the roof of the WES library need to be addressed. The concern is the presence of mold.

He told the board it could cost about $48,000 to remove and clean the area. This does not

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include repair or structural improvements.

Murphy said the district’s insurance carrier said this leak falls under the district’s policy, and the district will have to pay a $20,000 deductible.

Air quality tests are underway to ensure the area is safe, but the library is closed at this time.

“We have to be sure it’s done right,” Murphy said. “We’re not putting anything back until the problem is fixed. We have a lot of work to do to be sure it’s safe in the library.”

• During board comments, Cullens said she would like to see students from the district more engaged across all buildings. She pointed out CPJSHS students visit CPES for ag day, but not WES.

• During board comments, Dody reported the tennis courts discussed during the April meeting could be eligible for additional funding through USDA.

The next board meeting will be at 6 p.m. June 9 at CPJSHS, Claflin. The end of fiscal year board meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. June 25 at the district office, Claflin.