Tarkio R-I Board of Education Secretary Lanette Hogue, above left, swore in re-elected board members Garrett Wood, above right, and Sam Hannah, below, at the board meeting held Monday, April 19, 2021.

The Tarkio R-I Board of Education met Monday, April 19, 2021, at Tarkio High School. The re-organization meeting was called to order by President Garrett Wood at 7:00 p.m. Board members attending were: Jamie Barnett, Josh Wright, Sam Hannah, Chris Yates, Heather Olson and Ann Schlueter. Others in attendance were Tarkio R-I Superintendent Karma Coleman, board secretary Lanette Hogue, Tarkio High School Principal Carrie Livengood, Tarkio Elementary Principal Kari Taylor, Andy Riley, Scott Poppa, Cindy Rolf, Amanda Powell, Caroline Powell, and Shannon Bruns.

Board members voted to confirm the election results and Board Secretary Lanette Hogue administered the Oath of Office to Sam Hannah and Garrett Wood.

For the re-organization of the Board of Education, the following were elected: Garrett Wood, president; Chris Yates, vice-president; Lanette Hogue, secretary; and Marla Swaby, treasurer. The re-organization meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

President Garrett Wood called the regular meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. The consent agenda was approved. The board members voted to approve the district obligations.

Andy Riley discussed the use of the city baseball field for next year.

Tarkio Elementary student Caroline Powell presented a Passion Project on revitalizing the playground. She had surveyed the elementary students on what they might like to add to the playground. She researched the history of our current playground equipment; researched costs with different pieces of playground equipment; used a satellite view of the playground to show where things could be added; planned out ideas for phases of implementation; and reviewed her ideas with Mrs. Wood as to what she thought would benefit the students. She then created a slideshow presentation that she presented at this meeting to share her findings and what she would like to see. Some of the ideas she presented are adding a Gaga ball pit, soccer goals, an OmniSpinner (a safer merry-go-round), additional slides, larger pieces with spiderweb climbing pieces/slides/balance beams, more swings, and a triple ring swing.

A CTA report was presented and reviewed by the board. A TAC report was presented and reviewed by the board.    

Tarkio Elementary Principal Kari Taylor reported that the elementary attendance was 95% for March. Two students are still currently doing virtual education. Kids’ Korner has 14 children registered for the 2021-2022 school year. Kindergarten, first, and second grade held their spring program on April 1, 2021. Early childhood screenings were held April 8, 2021.

Tarkio High School Principal Carrie Livengood reported that EOC testing began. GLA testing will be next week. Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Graves have started meeting with students and going over schedules for next year. The scholar bowl team won Class 1, District 8 Scholar Bowl. The leadership team has started looking at the handbook for next year. The NHS Tapping Ceremony was held. They will hold their induction ceremony Wednesday, April 21, 2021, with 14 students to be inducted. The 6th-12th grade band and music concert will be held April 28. FFA, FCCLA and FBLA chapters will hold their annual banquet on May 5, 2021.

Tarkio R-I Superintendent Karma Coleman gave a financial report for 2020-21. The March state payment was paid at .969 proration rate. Mrs. Coleman shared an article about the benefits of Breakfast in the Classroom. She shared a legislative bulletin. Graduation plans are underway and the school is planning on holding graduation in the high school gym with visitors welcome. The EA Cooperative Agreement was approved by MSHSAA for 2021-22. The Tarkio R-I Special Education Department is planning to start a recycling project at the school. Mrs. Coleman shared a Tarkio Tech newsletter and a SEMA/Cooper Nuclear Agreement. Mrs. Coleman is looking into purchasing new tables for the cafeteria.

Josh Wright moved and Chris Yates seconded to make masks optional for all students and staff. The motion carried 6-1.

The board discussed and offered support for the development of a dance team. A formal proposal written by the administration and coach will be prepared for the next board meeting for approval.

The board voted to approve the following meal prices for the 2021-22 school year: Elementary lunch – $2.50; high school lunch – $2.55; and breakfast price – $2.00.

The board approved Mark Staten as the graduation speaker.

The board voted to approve the Tarkio Tech contract for the 2021-22 school year for the purpose of offering classes to high school students for post-secondary credit.

Policy 2874 – Administering Opioid Antagonists and Policy 4870 – Drug Free Workplace was approved.

Board members voted to approve the amount of money spent for PD to 75% of the 1% of the basic formula monies.

They also voted to approve the contract with NLS Education for visual impairment needs.

The following board policy updates were approved: P0311-Statement of Board Practices, P3165 & R3165-Procurement, and P4120-Employment Procedures.

The meeting moved into closed session pursuant to RSMo § 610.001, record and vote at 8:54 p.m.

The board approved the continued employment for the following: Mary Beth Bredensteiner, Suzanne Brought, Marla Swaby, Nikki Parshall, Marilyn Brandenburg, Susan Jones, Crissy Drummond, Sandi Riley, Josh Taylor, Melissa White, Jerri Harbin, Bobbi Poppa, Connie Gebhards, Leslie Hogue, Marie Joesting, Bill Joesting, Lanette Hogue, Shannon Bruns, Meghan Hughes, Jim Bob Barker, Cara Lee Barker, and Rachel Meyer.

The board also voted to employ the following: Aaron Behrens, high school head football coach and summer weights; Kevin Dodson, high school assistant football coach, summer weights and head high school boys’ basketball coach; Josh Taylor, assistant junior high football coach and head junior high basketball coach; Stephanie Parsons, high school head volleyball coach; Jayme Wood, junior high head volleyball coach; Tiffany McGinness, junior high assistant volleyball coach; Melody Barnett, high school girls’ golf coach; Erica Taylor, high school cheer coach; Crissy Drummond, junior high cheer coach; Mark Staten, high school and junior high scholar bowl coach; Matt Darrah, high school head wrestling coach and assistant junior high wrestling coach; Gerry Collingham, head junior high wrestling coach and assistant high school wrestling coach; Mister McNaughton, assistant high school wrestling coach; Michelle Henry, head junior high girls’ basketball coach; Lanette Hogue, assistant junior high girls’ basketball coach; Joe Unternahrer, assistant high school boys’ basketball coach and head girls’ high school track coach; Casey Martin, assistant high school girls’ basketball coach and head high school baseball coach; Tammy Hall, head junior high girls’ track coach; and Nate Jeter, assistant high school baseball coach.

The board also voted to approve a part-time contract for Barb Tubbs.

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.