The Tarkio R-I Board of Education held the regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the central office of the Tarkio R-I School District. The meeting was called to order by board president Sam Hannah. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the agenda was approved with the addition of one item, the enhancement grant under the consent agenda. The board members present were Brooke Vette, Amy Hurst, Raymond Gebhards, Jamie Barnett, Josh Wright, and Corey Martin.

The consent agenda was approved by a vote of 7-0 which included the following items:

• The minutes from the January 15, 2025, regular and closed session meetings

• Transfer of funds to pay certified teachers

• Under Personnel – The addition of Josh Irvine as a substitute crossing guard and the resignations of Terry Wooten as the Vo-Tech driver and assistant wrestling coach and Aaron Behrens as high school P.E. teacher and high school football coach. Both of these resignations are effective at the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year.

• Program evaluation for Library Media Center was presented to the board.

• Other items approved under the consent agenda included – Conrad and Higgins as the school auditor for the next three years; baseball field contract with the City of Tarkio; a three-year agreement with HUDL; graduate follow-up data for the class of 2024; and the enhancement grant for a greenhouse addition and equipment for a new food science class to be added to the ag department class offerings.

The district financial reports were presented for the month and the board approved the bills for the month. A three-year utility report was provided that showed continued decreases in the high school utility bills. The MOCAAT accounts have a combined $96,877 in interest earnings through January 31, 2025, on the reserve balances the district has invested with MOCAAT since July 1, 2024.

There were no public comments during the public time of the meeting. The TAC report for the month of February was presented. Mrs. Blu Dow submitted the CTA report for February. Mrs. Joey Stevens submitted a food service report that showed the number of breakfasts and lunches served in January.

Administration Reports

Mr. Dustin Barnes, Tarkio R-I Assistant Superintendent and Tarkio Elementary Principal, submitted an elementary report. Overall enrollment for the building is 149 students. Overall attendance for the year sits at 95.45%. The elementary has been hit by some sickness since returning from break. Four students – Genesis Anaya, Jerald Goodin, Tory Hogue, and Nadine Henning – went to the Atchison County Spelling Bee February 4 in Fairfax. Genesis finished in fourth place and Nadine finished in second place and will continue on to the Regional Bee in St. Joseph, Missouri. Valentine parties took place on Wednesday, February 19. The elementary school participated in a One School One Book program and everyone read “How to Eat Fried Worms.” The school district celebrated the 100th day of school on Friday, February 7. Preschool enrollment paperwork is out for pick up. Grades 3, 4 and 5 are working on LUMOS MAP prep assessments. Teachers have met regarding the Spring MAP testing window and are working on the assessment calendar. Preparations have been made for potential AMI days. The upcoming PD includes curriculum work with Clear Consulting on February 24. DCI work on common expectations and behaviors in both the elementary and the junior high/high school building was discussed. Technology issues are being addressed and resolved as they come up.

Mr. Terry Petersen, Tarkio Junior High/High School Principal, submitted a junior high and high school report. Enrollment numbers are 89 in the middle school and 92 in the high school. Star Assessments will take place the week of February 25th. Parent/Teacher Conferences as needed took place on February 13. Upcoming PD days include curriculum work with Clear Consulting on February 24. DCI will be here to work with staff on February 27, working on the behavior matrix. The math consultant from RPDC will be here on March 7. The Tarkio Junior High Academic Bowl Team finished the season 6-4. FFA Week will be held next week. Boys’ district wrestling starts Friday, February 21. District basketball takes place the week of February 24th. The boys play in Albany and the girls play in Maysville. Junior high wrestling events start February 25. Spring sports practices can begin March 3. The end of the third quarter is March 7. The Small Bands Festival at THS is on March 11 and district band and solo contests are at St. Joseph Central on March 14. State FCCLA is March 16-18. The NHS members will deliver for the Meals on Wheels on February 26, March 12, and March 26.

Mr. Bob Heddinger, Tarkio R-I Superintendent, gave his report:

• MSBA Video Summary – The message covered Missouri Governor Kehoe’s State of the State Address – focused on school funding and open enrollment.

• School Cancellation – Update on the current number of days missed to weather and the implementation of AMI days.

• Building and Grounds Update – Power outage on February 5 caused damage to some lighting, surge protectors, and the kitchen ice machine. An insurance claim has been filed to help with the replacement of these items. The geothermal rebate is still pending and the district should know more after February 27. Thanks to Alesha, Connie, Marie, Bill, and Dustin for keeping the lots and sidewalks cleared during this crazy weather.

• DESE Update – MOSIS and Core Data submissions for February were submitted on February 13.

• Legislative Update – Several bills were discussed covering topics from open enrollment to property tax changes.

• School Calendar – The calendar will be presented for the final time during old business.

• Budget and County Commission – Meetings with the Atchison County Commissioners, county clerk, and county assessor yielding information about the potential for a county school resource officer; information about tax abatement on the wind turbine farms were also discussed. A meeting with LJ Hart took place to determine the financial possibilities for a future building renovation for the elementary school. Initially, it looks promising and Mr. Heddinger will continue to move down this path.

• Salary and Welfare Committee – There was a meeting on February 3rd in which the committee outlined their three priorities – increase base pay, 100% funding of health insurance, and participation in career ladder.

• Agenda Items for the March board meeting – Mr. Heddinger shared the agenda items for the March meeting with the board. The list of items includes: Salary Committee Proposal; review teacher and coaching evaluations; review teacher contracts and extra duty assignments; legislative report; mowing bids (2026); set teacher contracts and contract stipulations and contract salaries; and program evaluation – assessment program.

Old Business

Co-op Discussion and Proposal to Add Craig R-III for baseball and football (action item) – Mr. Barnes – The board voted 5-2 to add Craig R-III to the EA Co-op for the 2025 and 2026 baseball and the 2025 junior high and high school football seasons.

Mr. Heddinger shared that nothing has changed since the first reading of the 2025-26 calendar in December. This was the third reading. The board approved the 2025-26 calendar as presented by a vote of 7-0.

CSIP Review – Focus Area #4 – (information item) – Mr. Barnes gave a summary report on the area of Functional and Safe Facilities and Environment.

New Business

Mr. Heddinger presented a preliminary 2025-26 budget that showed anticipated revenues standing at $8,414,738 and anticipated expenditures standing at $7,801,775. These numbers would provide a budget balance of $612,963 for the 2025-26 school year. This is very encouraging and keeping with the recent trend as far as budget numbers. Mr. Heddinger will continue to work through the budget process with the goal of addressing all the wishes of the Salary and Welfare Committee.

Mr. Heddinger presented an Open Enrollment Opposition Resolution provided by M.A.R.E. to the board along with some talking points also provided by M.A.R.E. After discussion, there was no action taken on this matter.

The meeting moved into closed session at 10:00 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. The meeting moved back into regular session at 10:30 p.m.

Amy Hurst motioned and Josh Wright seconded to offer Terry Petersen the Tarkio Junior High/High School Principal contract for the 2025-26 school year. The motion passed 7-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 p.m. The Tarkio R-I Board of Education will hold the next two meetings on March 19, 2025, and April 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the superintendent’s office at Tarkio High School.