The Tarkio R-I Board of Education met March 16, 2022, at Tarkio High School. The meeting was called to order by president Garrett Wood. Members in attendance were Jamie Barnett, Heather Olson, Josh Wright, Chris Yates, and Ann Schlueter. Sam Hannah was absent. Others in attendance included: Tarkio Elementary Principal/Tarkio R-I Special Education Director Kari Taylor, Tarkio R-I Superintendent Carrie Livengood, Tarkio High School Principal Nick Kemerling, board secretary Lanette Hogue, Tarkio R-I staff members Deyton Thomson, Markie Sundermann, Jennifer Peregrine, Dallas Prather, and Erica Taylor, and City of Tarkio Parks & Recreation Board members Ashlee Driskell and Summer Reeves.

The agenda was approved, as well as district obligations.

Ashlee Driskell and Summer Reeves reported on the Park Board and their events that they host throughout the year. They asked the board to allow the use of the high school baseball field by Tarkio city baseball teams while the EA Wolves Baseball Team is using the city field.

TAC Report – Nikki Parshall gave a report on membership.

CTA Report – The CTA report was presented.

Elementary Principal/Special Education Director Kari Taylor reported that the elementary had 92% attendance for February. Preschool screenings are going to be held on March 24. Kindergarten screenings will be held on April 7. There are currently 15 students enrolled in Kids’ Korner for the 2022-2023 school year. On March 14, elementary teachers spent the morning meeting on PBIS and the afternoon with Nancy Greeley meeting on MSIP 6. On March 16, the teachers spent time working on curriculum.  The elementary staff is looking into several PD options for the summer. The book fair was held the week of March 7. This year, they hit an all-time high for sales. Parent-teacher conferences were well attended. On March 24, the Kindergarten-third grade will be attending a Dr. Seuss event at Peru, Nebraska. Game Night will be held on March 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Kindergarten – second grade will be holding their spring program on April 13 in the high school auditorium at 2:00 p.m. Battle of the Books will be held on March 25 at the Resource Center. The Special Education Department is continuing to work on additional referrals and continuing to monitor progress.

High School Principal Nick Kemerling reported the year-to-date attendance at the high school is 94%. The junior high wrestling team wrapped up the season. Baseball has 23 players out this season. High school track has 14 girls and 11 boys, junior high track has 13 girls and 16 boys, and high school golf has three boys. FFA has started its spring contests. High school scholar bowl has started its competitions and the Tarkio team is currently 8-1. Band and music students are preparing for their spring contests. Mrs. Meyerkorth is taking six high school students to Art Career Day and NWMSU on March 22. Mrs. Parsons is taking eight students to State Leadership in April. The high school staff spent March 14 working in the morning with RPDC on success criteria and the afternoon with Nancy Greeley on MSIP 6.

Superintendent Carrie Livengood gave a financial report. Tarkio R-I ended February up $1.147 million from this time last year. She shared a food service report from Mrs. Swaby and from OPAA!

The 2022-23 calendar was approved.

MSIP 6/CSIP – Nancy Greeley presented a report on MSIP 6 with the staff at the PD day on March 14, 2022.

Project Facilities – Mrs. Livengood shared the results on the facilities survey that she sent out to staff and parents.

Resignation Letter – Ann Schlueter moved and Sam Hannah seconded to approve the resignation letter from Bobbi Poppa. The motion carried 6-0.

Josh Wright moved and Ann Schlueter seconded to approve to hire Ella Rolf as a substitute teacher. The motion carried 6-0.

Mrs. Livengood shared with the board that they are not filling the Library Aide position at this time.

Food Service Contract Jamie Barnett moved and Ann Schlueter seconded to approve the OPAA! renewal for 2022-23 school year. The motion carried 6-0.

Date of Board of Education Reorganization – Chris Yates moved and Ann Schlueter seconded to move the reorganization meeting to Wednesday, April 13, 2022. The motion carried 6-0.

Transportation – Mrs. Li-ven-good shared with the board that Apple Bus Company has been sold to First Student. Tarkio’s current contract will remain the same under the new ownership.

MSHSAA – Mrs. Livengood shared with the board that MSHSAA has approved sixth grade to play up with junior high teams. At this time, East Atchison is not going to have sixth grade play due to the high numbers of athletes on the junior high teams. This can be revisited yearly.

2022-2023 Wage Increase – Ann Schlueter moved and Chris Yates seconded to approve the wage increase of 10% for classified staff and adding $1,000 to the base for certified staff and for the school to continue to pay the $500 per employee each month for health insurance. The motion carried 6-0.

Insurance Plans – Jamie Barnett moved and Heather Olson seconded to approve to continue to offer full-time staff the three HSA plans and one PPO plan. The motion carried 6-0.

Gym Floor Resurfacing – Jamie Barnett moved and Ann Schlueter seconded to accept the bid of $7,980.00 for resurfacing the floor in the high school and gym and the floor at the TAC. The motion carried 6-0.

The meeting moved into closed session pursuant to RSMo§. Record and Vote at 8:35 p.m.  for Personnel 610.002.

Probationary Teacher Con-tracts – The board voted to offer 2022-23 contracts to the following: Courtney Driskell, Ellie Graves, Courtney Harms, Michelle Henry, Nate Jeter, Courtney Meyerkorth, Maria Spire, Kadie Howard, Tiffany McGinness, Nicole Albertson, Nathaniel Wehmeyer, Baylee Ray, and Eric Walker. Chris Yates moved and Ann Schlueter seconded to non-renew Tabitha Gibson for 2022-2023. The roll call vote was: Jamie Barnett yes, Heather Olson yes, Ann Schlueter yes, Josh Wright yes, Chris Yates yes, and Garrett Wood yes.

The closed session adjourned at 9:17 p.m. and the meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.