Submitted by Bob Heddinger, Interim Superintendent

The Tarkio R-I Board of Education held the regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. . Prior to the start of the regular meeting, the annual tax rate hearing took place. Tarkio R-I Superintendent Bob Heddinger shared with the board the breakdown of the district’s assessed valuation for the 2023-2024 school year. The district operating levy will be set at $3.8041 per $100 of assessed value. The Incidental Fund or Fund #1 will generate $2,868,949 at 100% collection rate. Fund #4 will generate $1,023,126 at 100% collection rate. Board President Garrett Wood read the resolution detailing this information and a motion was made and seconded to set the levy at $3.8041 for the 2023-2024 school year. The motion passed 6-0.

After the conclusion of the tax rate hearing, the board moved into the regular meeting.

The consent agenda was approved, which included the following items: the minutes from the July 19th regular meeting and July 19th and August 3rd closed session meetings. The board also approved the transfer of the incidental funds to special revenue in the amount of $557,759. The board also approved the bills for the month under the district obligations.

No public comments were made. Nikki Parshall provided a written TAC report. Mr. Heddinger highlighted a letter the district received from The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education indicated Tarkio R-I was compliant with all Special Education Report for the 2022-2023 school year.

Administration Reports

• Tarkio Elementary Principal Dustin Barnes went through his written report for the elementary building. Highlights included: registration, technology update, and facilities update.

• Tarkio High School Principal Kevin Dodson went through his written report for the junior high and high school. Highlights included: registration, athletic participation and numbers and new school website.

• Mr. Heddinger gave a financial report showing the fund balance and reserves percentage for the district from 2001 to present. MSIP/CSIP will tabled for a future board meeting. Audit update – This was completed on August 8 and nothing unusual was reported. He expressed thanks to board secretary Lanette Hogue for having everything ready for the audit.

• Building Project Update – The building project is wrapping up and anticipating completion late next week, with punch list items to be completed after the start of the school year. The administration completed a walk-through with the general contractor on Wednesday, August 16, to assess the likelihood of school starting on August 24. While it was determined that the project would be nearly completed by August 24, it was apparent not all rooms would be ready to receive students. It was further discussed that teachers would need additional time to have their rooms prepped and ready for students. To lessen the stress on teachers, students, and maintenance, it was agreed by the administration that it was in everyone’s best interest to delay the start of school until Monday, August 28. While this wouldn’t be the first choice, the decision was made to move the start of school for the well being of the district’s students and staff.

• The elementary open house will remain as originally scheduled for Wednesday, August 23, from 5:45 to 7:00 p.m.

• The junior high and high school open house will be postponed with the date and time to be determined.

• Mrs. Riley letter of resignation.

• Summer Activity Pay

• Substitute list, class sponsors, National Honor Society sponsor Mrs. Ellie Graves, and Homeless Coordinator Mrs. Marisa Hedlund were all approved.

• The tuition rate was set at $4,500 per first child and $250 for each additional child.

• Bus routes were approved.

• The State Special Education Compliance Plan, District Assessment Plan, the Dyslexia Plan, and the Professional Development Yearly Schedule were all approved.

• Co-op board members were identified as Josh Wright and Sam Hannah.

Discussion was held about the following items:

• Board communications

• On-line policy manager

• Paperless board meetings

The meeting moved into closed session for personnel matters. Following discussion, the meeting moved back into open session.

The board approved the hiring of the following individuals: Hunter Bennett, Brianna Shaw, and Kiara Hines, paraprofesionals; Terry Wooten, Vo-Tech transportation; Olivia Morris, coaching (high school assistant volleyball); Brianna Shaw and Sasha Bruce, coaching (junior high assistant volleyball).

The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.