The Tarkio R-I Board of Education met December 15, 2021. The meeting was called to order by board president Garrett Wood at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom due to inclement weather. Board members who were in attendance were: Jamie Barnett, Sam Hannah, Josh Wright, Ann Schlueter and Heather Olson. Others in attendance were Tarkio R-I Superintendent Carrie Livengood, Tarkio High School Principal Nick Kemerling, board secretary Lanette Hogue, Tarkio Elementary Principal and Tarkio R-I Special Education Director Kari Taylor, Dallas Prather and Erica Taylor.

The consent agenda was approved, as well as district obligations.

Carrie Livengood, on behalf of Nikki Parshall, presented on the happenings of the TAC. Junior high basketball has ended and high school basketball has begun holding practices and games at the TAC. Wrestling is holding practice at the TAC. Gymnastics, dance and cheer will begin in January. After the first two nights of registration, 90 students have been registered for gymnastics, dance, and cheer.

Ms.s. Taylor reported that the fifth grade students are working on an informative writing project over national parks. She reported that the fourth grade is working on different types of waves and their properties in science.

FCCLA hosted another successful teachers Thanksgiving lunch. Eighth grade is working on sewing in FACS.

Elementary Principal Kari Taylor reported that the elementary had 95% attendance for November. The third grade had their Thanksgiving program. The music department had their Christmas Program for fourth-sixth grade. The elementary has enjoyed dress-up days for the 12 days of Christmas. Mrs. Hull has finished the second round of dyslexia screenings. Teachers had a curriculum work day on December 8. Next week the elementary will go caroling at the nursing home and hold the annual Sing Around the Christmas Tree on December 21 at 10:00 a.m.

Nick Kemerling reported that the junior high and high school had 95.71% attendance for November. The music department held its Christmas program. Basketball season and wrestling is in full swing. The junior high girls’ basketball team finished the season. The junior high boys’ basketball team finished the season as the 275 Conference champion. The high school girls’ basketball team placed second in the Mound City Tournament. The cheerleaders finished eighth at state competition in Cape Girardeau. The annual Christmas Ball was held on December 11. FFA concluded its annual fruit sales with their highest earning year to date. Cole Anderson earned one of 250 nationwide $1,000 FFA SAE Grants to fund his Supervised Agricultural project.

Carrie Livengood gave a financial report. She reported that Tarkio R-I ended November $1.72 million up from this time last year. She shared the District Report Card and explained it to the board.

Heather Olson moved and Ann Schlueter seconded to approve the COVID plan with the amendment as presented.

Discussion was held on teacher shortages.

Mrs. Livengood shared a summary of the different parts of MSIP 6.

Ann Schlueter moved and Josh Wright seconded to approve Brittany Ohnmacht and Mistie Rightsell as paraeducators pending the passing of the para exam and background check. The motion carried 6-0.

Heather Olson moved and Ann Schlueter seconded to approve the upgrade to the TAC lighting by replacing the current lights that put out 10,000-23,000 lumens to bulbs that put out 45,000 lumens. The motion carried 6-0.

Heather Olson moved and Josh Wright seconded to approve the Safe Return to School Plan with the revisions in the COVID Policies as updated. The motion carried 6-0.

Ann Schlueter moved and Josh Wright seconded to approve the update to Policy and Regulation 2860 Students with Communicable Diseases. The motion carried 6-0.

The meeting moved into closed sessions pursuant to RSMO §610.001, Record and Vote at 8:20 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.