The Tarkio R-I Board of Education met August 16, 2023, for a tax rate hearing and a regular meeting. The tax rate hearing was called to order by President Garrett Wood at 6:00 p.m. Also in attendance were Jamie Barnett, Brooke Vette, Amy Hurst, Josh Wright, and Raymond Gebhards, board members; Lanette Hogue, board secretary; Bob Heddinger, interim superintendent; Kevin Dodson, high school principal; Dustin Barnes, elementary principal; Kari Taylor, special education director; Shannon Bruns, elementary secretary; and Deyton Thomson, Markie Sundermann, Brooke Walton, Blu Dow, Jennifer Peregrine, Jayne Martin, Erica Taylor, Ellie Graves, Kara Vette, Dallas Prather, Connie Gebhards, and Renee Hull. Sam Hannah joined the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Bob Heddinger presented the tax rate. The following resolution was approved: It is resolved that the Tarkio R-I School District in consideration of the educational opportunities and expenses for the students, the maintenance and care of the facilities, and operational needs of the school district will set the tax rate ceiling at $2.8041 for the operating fund (Fund 1) and $1.0000 for the building fund (Fund 4) for the total levy of $3.8041, the approved State Auditor’s rate, with a voluntary reduction of $0.0013 for this fiscal year.
The tax rate hearing was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. President Garrett Wood called the regular meeting to order at 6:11 p.m.
The consent agenda and district obligations were approved.
A TAC report was shared with the board.
Elementary Principal Dustin Barnes gave a report on the beginning of the school year. Midwest Data Center is installing the new panels in all of the classrooms. The new website is live and the new cameras are installed.
High School Principal Kevin Dodson reported on the new year for high school. Fall sports have begun. He reported that the summer volleyball league went great, as well as the shoot outs for basketball.
Superintendent Bob Heddinger gave a financial report for July ending balances that includes a bank reconciliation and general ledger for the month of July. Mr. Heddinger discussed using two of the built-in weather days and moving back the starting day of school to Monday, August 28, 2023, to give the teachers time to clean and organize their rooms after renovations are completed.
Summer activity pay was reported.
The board voted to approve the substitute list, NHS sponsor and class sponsors as presented. Jamie Barnett moved to approve Shelby Hurst as a substitute for the 2023-24 school year. Sam Hannah seconded and the motion carried 6-0-1.
The board voted to approve the tuition rate at $4,500.00 a year and $250.00 for each additional student in the family.
The bus routes were approved as presented.
The dyslexia plan, district assessment plan, and state special education compliance plan were all approved as presented.
The meeting moved into closed session pursuant to RSMo §610.001, Record and vote at 7:20 p.m. The meeting returned to open session at 8:20 p.m.
The board voted to hire the following: Brianna Shaw, junior high assistant volleyball coach and special education para; Olivia Morris, assistant high school volleyball coach; Hunter Bennett, special education para; Kiara Hines, Kids’ Korner para; Terry Wooten, Vo-Tech driver; and Ellie Graves, National Honor Society sponsor.
Brooke Vette moved to hire Sasha Bruce as assistant junior high volleyball coach. Josh Wright seconded and the motion carried 5-0-1.
