The Tarkio R-I Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 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 Josh Wright. The agenda was approved as presented. Board members present were Amy Hurst, Brooke Vette, Raymond Gebhards, Jamie Barnett, Sam Hannah, 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 September 17 regular meeting and closed session meetings

• Transfer of funds to pay certified teachers

• The naming of Mr. Barnes and Mr. Petersen as the Title IX Coordinators for their respective buildings

• The snow removal plan for the 2025-26 school year

• Continuation of M.U.S.I.C. as the school’s liability insurance provider

• The adoption of the State Special Education Plan as the Local Education Plan for 2025-26

• Acceptance of the sealed bid from Ben Lucas for the old greenhouse and fan parts as surplus property

• The resignation of Mr. Unternahrer as the head EA junior high boys’ basketball coach for 2025-26

• The hiring of Mr. Unternahrer as the head EA high school girls’ basketball coach for 2025-26, Mr. Hicks as an assistant EA high school girls’ basketball coach for 2025-26, Mr. Barnes as the head junior high EA boys’ basketball coach for 2025-26, Mr. Navin as an assistant junior high EA boys’ basketball coach for 2025-26, Mr. Wehmeyer as the flag corps director for 2025-26, and Mrs. Driskell, Mrs. Bruce, and Mrs. Comstock all as paraprofessionals.

The program evaluation for food service was presented by Tarkio R-I Superintendent Mr. Bob Heddinger.

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. The general ledger and September receipts report was also included. Mr. Heddinger also shared with the board that the district currently has $6,695,359 and since July of 2024 the district has realized $250,340 in interest on these investments.

There were no public comments during the public time of the meeting. The TAC report for the month of October was presented. As always, thanks to Ms. Nikki Parshall and her staff for all the great things that take place at the TAC each month. Mrs. Blu Dow submitted the CTA report for October and as usual the students and staff are doing many wonderful things. A food service report highlighting the meals served for September was included as well. Mrs. Dallas Prather shared a report covering the most recent book fair.

Administration Reports

Tarkio Elementary Principal Mr. Dustin Barnes submitted an elementary report. Overall enrollment for the building is 148 students. Attendance for the first quarter was at 96.85%. The first quarter ended on Friday, October 10. Teachers are finalizing grades and will give them out at parent teacher conferences on October 16. Individual MAP and STAR data will also be handed out during parent teacher conferences. The elementary had a first quarter assembly on Wednesday, October 15, to honor students with A.R. and MAP awards. The district will have no school on Friday, October 17. EIS Social emotional screeners were given in guidance during the week of October 13. The elementary will participate in a book blast starting on November 4. Unity Day will be held on October 22 and Red Ribbon Week will be held the week of October 27. Climate and culture surveys are being distributed to students, staff and parents. Mrs. Vette and Mrs. Ray have started an elementary student council this year and they are working on creating student ambassadors for new students coming to the building. The high school counselor and secretaries attended a LUMEN training in Maryville on October 8. Elementary leadership team met with the DCI consultant on October 7. DCI will be here to work with staff on October 20 and November 3, dealing with developing assessment capable learners, learning targets and behavior. Beginning of the year STAR data was shared with the board and the APR will come out public the start of November.

Tarkio High School Principal Mr. Terry Petersen submitted a junior high and high school report.

Enrollment numbers are as follows: high school 92 and middle school 79. The first quarter ended on Friday, October 10, and parent teacher conferences will take place in the high school gym October 16. Mrs. Hedlund will have a table for reviewing student 4 year plans and ICAPS with interested parents and Mrs. Graves will have a table to assist parents with the LUMEN parent portal. District leadership team met with DCI on October 7 with an emphasis on data based decision making. Professional development will occur with DCI on October 20 and November 3. Junior high and high school fall sports are nearing completion. Junior high volleyball and junior high football have finished and junior high basketball practices have started. Danika Agnew qualified for state golf on October 20 and 21 in Fulton. The 275 Conference cross country meet will be at NWMSU on October 20. District football begins October 31. High school basketball and wrestling practice begins November 3. High school softball surveys were administered on October 8 to girls in grades 8-11. Senior parents night will take place for volleyball on Thursday, October 16, and for football on Friday, October 17. FFA is attending the National FFA Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Eight members are attending from October 28-November 1. Junior high and high school students attended an internet safety presentation on October 14 and Fairfax attended as well. NHS helped deliver Meals on Wheels this month.

Superintendent Heddinger gave the following report:

• MSBA Video Summary – Board filing information was shared for the April 2026 school board elections. The Center for Education Safety shared information related to an administrative handbook they have produced entitled “The Essential Five.” This handbook is designed as a help tool for school leaders to use in the aftermath of an emergency.

• Board Election – The board will have three seats open for the April 2026 elections. The members’ terms that are expiring are Raymond Gebhards, Amy Hurst, and Josh Wright. Board filing information will be posted in the future. Filing dates are December 9-30, 2025, during posted hours.

• Building and Grounds Update – The greenhouse project continues to move forward. The installation crew will be on-site starting the week of October 20. The sprinkler system at the football field recently had a leak that was repaired. Mr. Heddinger continues to work to get estimates on a new storage shed/garage to replace the containers at the track.

• MOSIS and Core Data Submissions – The October MOSIS and Core Data window is currently open. This process is going well and all indications are that the district will meet all deadlines. This is considered the biggest submission for the year and it takes all hands to make it happen. Thanks to everyone for all their efforts. Mrs. Bruns, Mrs. Hedlund, and Mrs. Hogue attended a Lumens training hosted by Maryville R-II on October 8.

• Federal Programs/Special Education Review – The district received the findings report from last year’s special education review. Congratulations to Mrs. Kari Taylor and her entire staff on their hard work during this process. The report found the district’s special education program to be in full compliance.

Mr. Heddinger shared the agenda items for the November meeting with the board. The list of items include: set the board filing dates, superintendent’s evaluation form distributed, school report card (DESE/APR), homeless policy review, approve completed audit (if applicable) program evaluation – transportation services.

The Tarkio R-I Board of Education will hold the next two meetings at 7:00 p.m. on November 19 and December 17, 2025, in the superintendent’s office.

Old Business

Softball discussion (information item) – Mr. Barnes:

• Survey results were presented that showed the level of interest in adding girls’ softball as a fall sport. The board took no action on this matter.

• CSIP review (information item) – Mr. Barnes shared with the board a review/update on Focus Area #2 – Viable Curriculum Aligned to Missouri Learning Standards

• Goal #2 – 100% of students will be college and career ready by their projected graduation date through the current use of Student Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP)

• Strategy #1 – The district will provide equitable access to career and college exploration to support student decision making for future plans.

• Goal 3 – 100% of the certified staff will participate in the development and enhancement of quality educational/instructional programs to improve academic, personal, and career performance and goals.

• Strategy #1 – Staff will fully and skillfully implement and monitor the district’s curriculum.

• Strategy #2 – The district will ensure all students have equal access to the district’s adopted curriculum, supports, and educational experiences.

• Elementary Building Renovation Project Update (information item) – Mr. Heddinger provided a comprehensive update on the meetings and discussions with Veregy concerning the elementary building renovation project. Mr. Heddinger shared current and estimated financial numbers that are in Fund 4 which would be used to pay for some if not all of the project. A turnkey project is estimated to be between $7.8 million and 6.8 million. The difference in these preliminary estimates depend largely on which HVAC system the district selects – geothermal vs. roof top units (RTUs). With the initial numbers presented the district would need to borrow at least $2,000,000 to fund the entire project at the highest estimates. Mr. Heddinger also shared information concerning the future of school funding at the state level and the potential for lost revenue in the future. Given the uncertainty in this regard Mr. Heddinger is concerned about over-extending the school district if they were to move forward with the turnkey project. Mr. Heddinger shared that the safest financial course of action would be to expand the project over two or three years to help avoid the need to borrow any money. During this time the district would examine to see what items on the list could be removed or completed in-house to reduce the overall cost of the project. In the end, the goal is to keep the district financially secure for now and into the future while at the same time providing the needed updates and changes to the elementary building in a timely manner. The board directed Mr. Heddinger to investigate the geothermal option in more detail to determine whether this is the better option.

New Business

School Resource Officer Meeting (information item) – Mr. Barnes shared with the board that a meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the Velma Houts Building in Rock Port. The subject of the meeting will be about having a School Resource Officer to serve Atchison County. Representing the Tarkio R-I School District at this meeting will be Mr. Heddinger, Superintendent; Mr. Barnes, Assistant Superintendent/Elementary Principal, and school board members Brooke Vette and Sam Hannah.

Board members voted to enter closed session at 9:15 p.m. During closed session, the board discussed personnel and student matters. They voted to exit closed session at 10:20 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:21 p.m.