The Tarkio R-I Board of Education met Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at Tarkio High School. The meeting was called to order by president Garrett Wood at 7:04 p.m. Board members in attendance were: Jamie Barnett, Sam Hannah, Josh Wright, Brooke Vette, Chris Yates, and Heather Olson. Others in attendance were: board secretary Lanette Hogue, Tarkio R-I Special Education Director/Tarkio Elementary Principal Kari Taylor, Tarkio R-I Superintendent Carrie Livengood, Erica Taylor, Ashlee Driskell, Summer Reeves, Brett Reeves, Scott Poppa, Andy Riley, Amy Hurst, Markie Sundermann, Deyton Thomson, Shannon Bruns, Nikki Parshall, and Ellie Graves.
The consent agenda and district obligations were approved.
Citizens Comments – Amy Hurst addressed the board with a few questions over the facilities project.
A CTA report was shared with the board.
TAC Report – Nikki Parshall reported that the fitness center and walking track are staying busy. The TAC has been busy with wrestling and basketball. The boosters are holding the elementary basketball tournament there February 25 and 26. Dance and gymnastics are busy.
Elementary Principal Kari Taylor reported that the elementary had 96% attendance for January. The elementary held their annual spelling bee for third through fifth grades. They took the top four spellers from each grade. Each classroom held a Valentine’s Day party on Valentine’s Day. Parent-teacher conferences will be held February 16, 2023. The third grade parachute routine was held on February 7, 2023.
Superintendent Carrie Livengood shared a report from High School Principal Nick Kemerling. Attendance for grades 6-12 is 95.06% for the year. The basketball teams start district tournaments next week. Brooklyn Wennihan made it to girls’ state wrestling. The boys’ wrestling team will attend districts this weekend. The sixth grade students have started the D.A.R.E. program. Junior High Scholar Bowl tied for second place in the conference. A total of 12 high school students qualified for induction into National Honor Society. Gracie Walker won the Atchison County Spelling Bee. Claire Martin, Alex Barnett, Tommi Martin, Alyson Wooten and Brooklyn Wennihan all qualified for State FBLA.
Superintendent Carrie Livengood gave a financial report. She shared that the federal government has released funds for mental health and Tarkio R-I’s allocation should be around $25,000. She shared a Tarkio Tech newsletter with the board. Mailings and informative packets were mailed out and placed in businesses around town on the facilities plan. Josh, Bill, and Mrs. Livengood met with Veregy to go over the pre-construction checklist and discussed schedules with them. Mrs. Livengood shared legislative updates with the board.
The board unanimously voted to approve the second reading of the calendar for 2023-2024.
Mrs. Livengood shared a custodial program evaluation with the board.
Mrs. Livengood shared with the board that she had missed the raise of the lease for the baseball field last month. The lease went from $2,000 to $5,000 this year.
Mrs. Livengood shared a food service report from Mrs. Swaby with the board.
Mrs. Livengood shared with the board that she will be meeting with Great Circle on Thursday to discuss the possibility of an alternative school.
Jamie Barnett moved and Chris Yates seconded to approve the resignation of Megan Rainey. The motion carried 7-0.
Chris Yates moved and Josh Wright seconded to approve the Tarkio Golf Course contract in the amount of $6,000. The motion passed 7-0.
Mrs. Livengood shared with the board that they are still interviewing for the elementary principal position and they are keeping the position open at this time.
Chris Yates moved and Josh Wright seconded to approve Mrs. Whipple to take students on an overnight trip for FCCLA. The motion carried 7-0.
The meeting moved into closed session pursuant to RSMo§. Record and Vote at 8:15 p.m.
The meeting moved out of closed session at 9:15 p.m.
Chris Yates moved and Brooke Vette seconded to extend Nick Kemerling’s principal contract through the 2023-2024 school year. The motion carried 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
