School board approves building trades project, health insurance plan

A location for a new building trades project and the employee health insurance plan for the 2025-’26 school year were approved during a meeting on Tuesday, May 13.

NEXT BUILDING TRADES HOUSE DETERMINED

A location for the next building trades project – 703 W. Chestnut Street – was determined. The property is already owned by the district. The initial plan is to build a three bedroom, two bathroom house. It will be approximately 1,300 square feet. The project will start in August and is expected to be complete in the summer of 2026. 

BOARD DETERMINES EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

Based on Superintendent Dr. Justin Copley’s recommendation, the board approved subsidizing a health plan through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for $703 per month per employee for the 2025-’26 school year. The new plan represents an increase of about $120,000 when including benefits – the district currently pays $659. Copley intends to look into other options for the 2026-’27 school year due to the substantial increase. 

OTHER MATTERS

• The board recognized Tanya Bathon, board secretary, for 10 years of service.

• Members agreed to pay all 2024-’25 district retirees’ membership dues to Missouri Retired Teachers Association for one year. 
• Policies updating student absences and excuses to permit a maximum of eight absent days instead of seven were approved. 
• A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the district and Missouri State Highway Patrol to allow the agency to use a portion of the Piney River Technical Center parking lot for motorcycle testing was approved. The lot is located off Spruce Street. 
• A Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) policy update was approved. 
• A three-year continuation agreement with Simmons Bank for banking services through 2029 was approved.
• Bids from Ferrellgas, propane; Contract Paper, paper; Ozark Pest Control, pest control; and Hiland Dairy, dairy; were approved. 
• A Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Cooperative Sponsorship Agreement that allows for partnership with the Raymondville and Success School Districts was approved. 
• A first draft of the 2025-’26 school year handbook was provided for review. No action was taken. 
• Dakota Burchett, Tiger Development Academy (TDA) director, provided an update on the program. About 39 kids participated in the volleyball program. Julia Sloan, head volleyball coach, would like to start a club independent from the program and have TDA host a camp. The baseball programs are in progress. 
• Addison Neugebauer, student liaison, provided an update on student activities. Wednesday (May 21) is the last day of school for students. 
• Jody Jarrett, elementary principal, reported that $12,000 was generated from a recent book sale. Last year’s event generated $13,000. 
• Amanda Munson, high school principal, stated that academic award ceremony attendance was up compared to last year. Students at the district’s three schools were recognized. 
• Copley presented a budget overview focused on the district’s revenue sources.

Board member Dustin Hartman was absent from the meeting. The next regular meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 10 in the high school library.