The Tarkio R-I Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the central office of the Tarkio R-I School District. Board president Josh Wright called the meeting to order after everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Other board members present were Brooke Vette, Amy Hurst, Rachel Rolf, and Jamie Barnett. Member Sam Hannah was absent. Member Corey Martin arrived at 7:10 p.m.

The consent agenda was approved and included the following items:

• The minutes from the May 20, 2026, regular and closed session meeting, as well as the special meeting from June 3, 2026

• Transfer of funds to pay certified teachers

• Board meeting schedule for 2026-2027

• Final transportation report for 2025-2026

• The 2026-2027 assessment plan for the district

• Naming the superintendent for all state and federal reporting

• The 2026-2027 AMI Plan

• The policy updates recom-mended by MCE Policy Service

• Re-approve Policy 0350

• Set the tax rate hearing for August 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. prior to the regular scheduled board meeting for August

• The termination of the current MOU with Northwest Health Services and enter into a new MOU with Northwest Health Services

• Name Tarkio Elementary Principal/Tarkio R-I Assistant Superintendent Mr. Dustin Barnes and Tarkio R-I Superintendent Mr. Bob Heddinger as the primary and secondary safety coordinators for the Tarkio R-I School District

• The hiring of Mrs. Bridgette French-Harbison for the open high school math position, Mr. James Navin as the head junior high football coach, and Mr. Ethan Piveral as an assistant junior high football coach, all for the 2026-2027 school year, and accept the resignation of Mrs. Jayne Martin as the PAT educator at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year.

The district financial reports were presented for the month. This included the May receipts totaling $348,008. The district is still waiting on the June transmittal (an estimated $218,550) to be deposited on June 20, 2026, the bank reconciliation showing that the school has $1,682,008 on hand with Farmers State Bank,  a three-year utility report, and a breakdown of the district’s MOCAAT investment account showing a total of $498,861 of earned interest from July 1, 2024, through May 31, 2026. Mr. Heddinger did point out a couple of larger bills to Maryville Glass & Lock and Veregy for the month that were connected to the elementary renovation project. The board approved the bills for the month.

There were no public comments during the public time of the meeting. The TAC report for the month of June was presented.

Administration Reports

Mr. Barnes presented his elementary report. The PD committee met with DCI consultants on June 2 to finalize PD plans for the 2026-2027 school year. The CSIP yearly review is scheduled for June 30. This will encompass members of the community, school, board and our area supervisor. Elementary registration for the 2026-27 school year is set for August 6. Online registration will be opened up about 10 days prior to that date. The Tarkio R-I Back-to-School Open House event at the elementary will take place on Thursday, August 20, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Classes for the fall have been updated and prepared. The first day of school will be August 24 with a 12:30 p.m. early dismissal. Spring MAP data should be available late June or mid July for viewing. Work days  for the staff will take place August 17-20 and they will have August 21 off. Four new teachers are anticipated in the school district this fall. New teacher orientation will take place August 5 and all new teachers have been assigned mentors. Summer renovations and general cleaning and maintenance are moving right along in the elementary building. Mr. Barnes is really excited for everyone to get to see the final product. He is hoping to have all of the contract work done by the end of July. The TAC and walking track will be closed the week of June 29 for floor re-finishing and for the mandatory dead week.

Tarkio High School Principal Mr. Terry Petersen  reported that the predicted enrollment for the fall will be 167 students with the estimated breakdown as 90 in the high school and 77 in the junior high. Grade cards were sent home along with preliminary class schedules for the fall. New teachers have been assigned mentors. Mr. Petersen gave the board the 2026-2027 preliminary STAR and MAP/ EOC testing schedule. June 27-July 5 is the East Atchison dead week for activities. On June 30, Hillyard’s will be here to wax and refinish the gym floors.  FCCLA National STAR Events in Washington, D.C., is July 6-10. FFA has a busy summer at both the Nodaway County Fair and Atchison County Fair. Fall sports practices for high school will start August 10. Junior high athletic practices will start August 17. A coaches meeting for all co-op coaches will be held on August 10 as well. High school band camp will take place August 10-12. The 2026-27 registration for junior high and high school students will take place August 11. High school fall sports pictures will take place August 21. The first day of school will be August 24.

Mr. Heddinger gave his superintendent’s report. Building and grounds work is moving at a fast clip. The elementary renovation project is in full swing with all vendors on site. Maryville Glass & Lock has been working to complete the classroom windows first so staff can get back into the rooms to begin cleaning them. The Glass Guy is on-site starting to install the new doors beginning with the boiler room door. The painters have completed the prep and priming of all the hallway surfaces. They are now applying the finished colors and it is transforming the look of the entire building. The electrical updates in the classrooms are completed and now the focus is on the lighting in the POD area. All demolition in the POD area is completed and the reconstruction has started. The tuckpointing and masonry work is also taking place. Bill Joesting and Casey Martin are busy working on a host of projects both big and small as well as preventative maintenance items. Connie Gebhards, Marie Joesting, and Aleesha Gibbons are trying to stay one step ahead of the summer activities and the construction in getting all the rooms ready for August. Overall, the summer is off to a great start and things are progressing well.

There has been a recent wave of exits from both DESE and The Missouri Board of Education with the commissioner of education and the board president each resigning/retiring within the past couple of weeks, along with several other key leaders at DESE. As of this report, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has appointed two new members to the state board and the board has named a new commissioner of education. It’s way too early to tell and/or speculate what any of this means. Mr. Heddinger will try to keep everyone updated on these changes.

The quick answer is this legislative session was a big win for education because for the first time in several years, nothing of significance passed that requires educators stand on one leg and do a balancing act. The main item on the horizon is Amendment 5 that will be on the ballot in August. This amendment will essentially be asking voters if they want to eliminate the state income tax and replace it with higher sales and use taxes.

The MOSIS and Core Data submissions were completed during the week of June 1. Thanks to all the staff who helped make this happen so quickly.

The annual audit is scheduled for August 25, the second day of school.

The items that had been listed as surplus for the past several weeks did solicit some sealed bids. All three Conex containers were sold, as well as the old white van and the bread proofer. In total, the items brought in $2,411 that will be placed in Fund #4 per Policy 3390.

Mr. Heddinger shared the agenda items for the August meeting with the board. These include:

• The tax rate hearing

• Revise and approve the final budget for 2026-2027

• Summer maintenance update/tour

• Set tuition cost

• MARE/MSBA Conference dates

• District financial statement,

• Transportation plan for 2026-2027

• Board program evaluation of CSIP review and update.

Old Business

There was nothing to report regarding the CSIP for the month of June. The CSIP committee will meet on June 30 to work on the annual review and update.

Mr. Barnes and Mr. Petersen presented the board with a summary review of all changes and updates to the 2026-2027 handbooks covering the following areas: certified staff, support staff, and paraprofessionals; elementary, junior high, and high school students; and athletics. The board approved the changes and updates to all 2026-2027 handbooks.

Mr. Heddinger presented an amended final budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to reflect the final actual numbers vs. the original budget numbers. In summary, the final actual revenues for the 2025-2026 fiscal year came in at $10,099,988 vs. the original budgeted number of $9,919,559. This resulted in an increase of $180,429 on the revenue side. The final actual expenditures for the 2025-2026 fiscal year came in at $8,817,330 vs. the original budgeted number of $8,159,015. This resulted in increase of $658,315 in total expenditures. The overall budget for 2025-2026 resulted in an actual balance forward of $1,282,658 vs. $1,760,544 as was projected. When looking at the unrestricted reserve balances going forward, the district is still in a strong position with $4,507,721 in Fund #1 (general/incidental) and $3,537,295 in Fund #4 (capital projects). These numbers represent a 61.56% reserve balance which is very strong for any school district. Mr. Heddinger did point out there could be a few outstanding bills in the closing days of June and any final adjustments to the budget will be made and the board will be updated. The board approved the motion to “amend 2025-2026 budget to reflect actual expenditures and revenues as of June 30, 2025.”

New Business

Mr. Heddinger presented the board with a 10-year history of meal prices for the district. The goal was to show the slow and steady growth in meal prices over the past decade. Mr. Heddinger recommended that meal prices increase as follows:

• An adult meal will increase $0.05 from $5.15 to $5.20

• An elementary and junior high/high school lunch will increase $0.15 from $2.85 to $3.00

• All breakfast costs will increase $0.05 from $2.30 to $2.35.

The board approved this recommendation by a vote of 6-0.

Mr. Heddinger recommended that substitute pay for the 2026-2027 school year be increased from $110 to $120 per day. The board approved this recommendation by a vote of 6-0.

Mr. Heddinger recommended that mileage reimbursement for the 2026-2027 school year be increased from $0.55 to $0.625. The board approved this recommendation by a vote of 6-0.

Mr. Heddinger presented the board with the preliminary budget for the 2026-2027 school year. The revenue projections and estimates for 2026-2027, based on a 1% assessed valuation increase, come in at $8,740,552. The expenditure projections and estimates for 2026-2027, which include increases to all salaries, insurance, and additional staffing, come in at $8,479,178. This leaves the district with a balance of $261,374 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The board voted to approve the preliminary 2026-2027 budget as presented by a vote of 6-0.

The board voted to enter executive session at 8:34 p.m. During the executive session, the board discussed personnel issues. The board voted to exit the executive session at 9:35 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 p.m.

The Tarkio R-I Board of Education will hold its next two meetings at 7:00 p.m. August 19 and September 16, 2026, in the superintendent’s office at Tarkio High School. The August 19 meeting will also be the tax rate hearing. There will not be a meeting in July.