By Tarkio R-I Superintendent Bob Heddinger and Assistant Superintendent Dustin Barnes

The 2025-26 school year is off to a great start and it’s hard to believe we are already halfway through the first quarter. The energy in our classrooms, the dedication of our staff, and the enthusiasm of our students all reflect the true spirit of Indian Pride. We would like to take a few minutes to give the patrons of the Tarkio R-I School District a brief facility overview not only from the summer, but looking forward as well.

Over the summer, our district completed several facility improvements to better serve our students and community. The north crow’s nest at the football field was removed and the press box received a much-needed renovation. The press box received new windows and we are working on updating the interior. That is an ongoing project. Sidewalk work was completed to the east of the high school and a new walking path and entrances were added at the football field to ensure students can safely make their way to the TAC. Additional and new fencing was installed around the high school A.C. units, the preschool playground, and the football field complex. The fence around the football/baseball field complex was in poor shape. Some of the fencing was able to be stretched and re-set, while the section from the concession stand to the TAC were in need of a full replacement. The Kids’ Korner Preschool playground also received fresh rubber mulching and a brand-new four-swing system – additions that are already being enjoyed by our youngest learners. To address water runoff that threatened to undermine sidewalks near the TAC, a new concrete spillway and retaining wall were constructed on the southwest side of the facility. The district also added two televisions to the TAC concession hallway for a better viewing experience on game nights.

Looking ahead, a new greenhouse – funded primarily through grant money – is set to begin construction soon, with completion expected by the end of October. The older of our two greenhouses was in need of a major repair and thanks to grant funding, we were able to get a new building for essentially the same cost to the district as it would have cost us to repair the old structure. This exciting addition will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities for years to come.

At the same time, our administration and board of education have started preliminary discussions about a potential future building renovation project at the elementary school. Built in 1958, the building has served generations of Tarkio students well, but the time has come to consider updates and improvements. Our current A.C. units are at the end of their life expectancy and will need to be replaced. In addition, classrooms are in need of updates, roof repairs must be addressed, and windows require replacement. We are also considering reconfigurations that would allow us to better utilize our learning spaces and would help create a better learning environment for our students and staff. While these discussions are still in the early stages, we are working closely with contractors and companies to understand timelines and costs so we can plan responsibly for the future.

The district has been financially responsible during the past several years, which has put us in a position to be able to look into upgrading areas of our facilities without incurring too sizable of a debt. While the district currently has a sound reserve and money put away in our capital project fund, we are concerned with some potential issues and discussions that are occurring at the state level regarding potential funding changes for school districts and ideas, which if passed, could negatively impact our district financially. We must be diligent to continue to work to better the facilities of the Tarkio R-I School District, while maintaining a cautious approach during these times of financial uncertainty.

As we move forward, we are continually reminded of how fortunate we are to be part of the Tarkio R-I School District and the wonderful community of Tarkio, Missouri. The support we receive from parents, staff, and community members fuels our progress and helps us live out Indian Pride every single day!