The Rock Port R-II School Board of Education held a regular board meeting Thursday, August 14, 2025. President Regan Griffin called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the board room. Board members present were Regan Griffin, Joanna Burke, Troy Cook, Jared Meyerkorth, Theresa Crawford, Reven Herron, and Afton Schomburg (via telephone). Also present were Dr. Rex Bollinger, superintendent; Mr. Donnie Parsons, high school principal; and Dr. Steve Waigand, elementary principal; Lance Lansdown, maintenance director; and Jennifer Welch, board secretary. Also present was a guest, Jeremy Palmer.
President Griffin read the vision and mission statement.
Board members voted to adopt the August 14, 2025, agenda.
The minutes of the regular meeting July 10, 2025, were approved.
The financial consent agenda was approved. It included financial information, transfer of funds from Fund 1 to Fund 4, the July final check register, the August check register to date, activity account checks, and the General Ledger/Stem Grant. There was discussion and approval of current bills.
Lance Lansdown, maintenance director, gave a maintenance update.
Dr. Waigand went over the elementary principal’s report and Dr. Bollinger gave the high school principal’s report.
Dr. Bollinger went over his monthly program report. This month’s report was over budget and enrollment.
Board members voted to recess for the tax rate hearing at 7:08 p.m.
Tax Rate Hearing
President Griffin called the tax rate hearing to order at 7:08 p.m.
Dr. Bollinger presented the 2025-2026 budget information.
Board members voted unanimously to approve the 2025-2026 budget.
They also voted to set the tax rate for 2025-2026 at $4.9204. .
The tax rate hearing adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
The meeting returned to open session.
Board members unanimously approved the consent agenda. It included the following:
• Approve Resolution 2025-08.1 MEC Conflict of Interest Resolution
• Review Board Policy BBFA (board member conflict of interest)
• Approve DESE annual Secretary of the Board Report
• Approve Special Education Local Compliance Plan
• Adopt Rock Port R-II Reading Plan
• Approve DESE district contact personnel
• Approve Upward Bound transportation contract
• Re-Adopt Board Policy IGBH: Programs for English Learners
• Approve MSBA Policy update recommendations
New Business
Consideration was given to the TABS Committee appointments.
The board also gave consideration to the board meeting dates and times from September 2025 to June 2026.
The purchase of a ride-on scrubber in the amount of $24,912.90 was approved.
The board also approved a bid of $500.00 for bus #7.
Jeremy Palmer gave a discussion on an Agricultural Vocational Enhancement grant. Board members voted to approve the board paying half of the grant up to $15,000.
Executive Session
Board members voted to move to executive session in Accordance with RSMo.610.021 Sub-section (3), (13) Personnel Matters at 8:05 p.m.
The meeting returned to open session at 8:12 p.m.
New Business • Personnel
Reven Herron made the motion and Joanna Burke seconded to approve all of the HR form as presented with the exception of Aidan Burke. The motion passed. The HR form included offering a contract to Erica Barnes for the open Student Support/Behavior Management position, Kymm Bredensteiner for the open part-time STARS reading position, Shauna Farmer for the open part-time Root Ed Counselor/MOSIS position, Kylie Beasing for an open elementary paraprofessional position, Jessica Willis for an open elementary paraprofessional position, Derek Petty for the open assistant junior high boys’ basketball position, and Ellie Olhde for the open assistant cross county coach.
Reven Herron made the motion and Jared Meyerkorth seconded to approve Aidan Burke as the assistant high school boys’ basketball coach. Joanna Burke abstained. The motion passed 6-0.
Future business was discussed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
