The Tarkio R-I Board of Education met Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Tarkio High School. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by board vice-president Chris Yates. Members in attendance were Sam Hannah, Jamie Barnett, Heather Olson, Josh Wright, and Ann Schlueter. Board member Garrett Wood was in attendance by Zoom. Others in attendance included Tarkio R-I Superintendent Karma Coleman, Tarkio Elementary Principal/Tarkio R-I Special Education Director Kari Taylor, Tarkio High School Principal Carrie Livengood, board secretary Lanette Hogue, Shannon Bruns, Deyton Thomson, Markie Sundermann and Rachel Meyer.

The consent agenda was approved, as well as district obligations.

Rachel Meyer gave a report on TAC memberships and activities. The CTA report was presented.

Elementary Principal Taylor reported that the elementary had 93% attendance for February. The Counseling Department held its first advisory board meeting. The elementary is finishing up Unit 3 standards in ELA and Math and starting Unit 4. NWEA assessments will be held the week of March 29. Kindergarten and first grade will be holding their spring music program on April 1 at 1:45 p.m. and second grade will be at 2:30 p.m. Preschool screenings are going to be held on April 8. Kindergarten screenings will be held on April 22. There are currently 13 students enrolled in Kids’ Korner for the 2021-2022 school year.

As Special Education Director, Mrs. Taylor reported that the Special Education Department is continuing to work on additional referrals and continuing to monitor progress. They are working to set up a recycling program for the school. The teachers are working on getting their students signed up for a virtual transition skills day.

High School Principal Livengood reported the year-to-date attendance at the high school is 90%. Junior high wrestling wrapped up the season. Baseball has 13 players on the team. High school track has 13 girls and nine boys, junior high track has nine girls and 16 boys. FFA has started spring contests. High school scholar bowl has started its 2021 competitions. The sixth grade held its annual jump rope contest on February 25, 2021. The high school staff held a luncheon for the custodial department on March 5. Mrs. Barnett and Mrs. Haddock hosted a Small Schools Band Directors Festival on March 15. Prom will be Saturday, March 27, 2021. Baccalaureate will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2021, at St. John’s at 6:00 p.m. with no supper this year due to COVID. The senior trip is planned for May 10-11 in Kansas City. Mrs. Livengood shared a letter for a proposed dance team and the administration will gather more data for the April BOE meeting. Mrs. Livengood reported that most track meets will be finals only.

Superintendent Coleman gave a financial report. She reported that the district saw an upward trend in February ending balances. The proration factor for the state payment was paid at .93% in February, and continues to improve each month. Bus inspections were held and all Tarkio buses passed with a 100%. Mrs. Coleman reported that free meals have been extended by the USDA for students through September 30, 2021. Mrs. Coleman reported that CTS was here to evaluate the heat system at the high school. They will get a proposal of possible solutions on fixing the heat system together to present to the board at a later date.

Chris Yates moved and Garrett Wood seconded to remove the mask mandate immediately. The motion failed 2-5.

The board unanimously approved the final reading of the calendar for 2021-2022.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the three-year bid from Grounds Control.

Ann Schlueter moved and Sam Hannah seconded to approve resignations from Kurt Sloop and Ellie Graves from coaching positions and Amanda Powell from her elementary teaching position. The motion carried 7-0.

Ann Schlueter moved and Heather Olson seconded to approve the proposal for student memberships at the Tarkio Golf Course for the 2021-22 school year as presented in the amount of $5,000. The motion carried 7-0.

The board unanimously voted to approve the Opaa! renewal for the 2021-22 school year.

Jamie Barnett moved and Ann Schlueter seconded to approve the three-year contract from Midwest Data Center for managed IT service and labor and phones. The motion carried 7-0.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the social worker contract with Jeff Sturdivan for up to 20 hours a month at $50 an hour.

They also voted unanimously to approve the job descriptions for TAC Director and TAC Instructor.

The Board of Education reorganization meeting will be held Monday, April 19, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting moved into closed session pursuant to RSMo§610.021 Record and Vote at 9:30 p.m.

The following Probationary Teacher Contracts were approved for 2021-22: Kevin Dodson, Courtney Driskell, Laura Forehand, Ellie Graves, Courtney Harms, Michelle Henry, Nate Jeter, Courtney Meyerkorth, Maria Spire, Eric Walker, Tabitha Gibson, Kadi Howard, Tiffany McGinness, Nicole Albertson, and Nathaniel Wehmeyer.

The closed session adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Garrett Wood exited the meeting at 10:20 p.m.

Ann Schlueter moved and Heather Olson seconded to increase pay for health insurance from $450 a month to $500 a month per staff member. The motion passed 6-0.

Ann Schlueter moved and Jamie Barnett seconded to approve an increase to the 21-22 certified salary schedule by $700 from $35,400 to $36,100. The motion carried 6-0.

Sam Hannah moved and Jamie Barnett seconded to approve an increase in support staff wages by 2% for 2021-2022. The motion carried 6-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.