School board approves budget, provides free meals to all students

Members of the Houston board of education met Tuesday night to approve the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget and handle other district matters.

Board members unanimously approved the fiscal year 2025 budget as presented with a $2,500 local enhancement. The enhancement introduces $1,000 of “new” money – last year it was $1,500. Teachers above the threshold to receive the teacher baseline salary grant receive the local enhancement. The budget begins July 1.

Members also did some year-end budget housekeeping: Amended the previous budget to match actual revenue and expenditures, approved a transfer from the operating fund to the teacher’s fund, approved a transfer from the operating fund to the capital projects fund and approved final expenditures for the previous fiscal year.

Dr. Justin Copley, superintendent, provided an update on district matters. He stated that the drug policy will be updated and presented at a future meeting for approval, placement and advancement on the salary schedule regarding credits will be reevaluated and gave an update on certified staff. The district is considering allowing college credits of any scope – not just including an educator’s field of work – to change their salary schedule status. Currently, out of 91 certified positions, 69 are certified in their specific field of work, that is up from 64 in October. In October, three held provisional certifications, now none do. The number of non-certified teachers has decreased from 24 to 20 from October to present.

Copley also stated that a job posting will be made for a new graphic arts occupation position. Discussion also included participation in the Southern Missouri Technical Institute Career Center out of West Plains and the district calendar review in response to Senate Bill 727, which includes an incentive to maintain a calendar of at least 169 days.

Members discussed water testing on campus. The final two sites under remediation from initial testing were deemed “good.” Fourteen new sites were added to testing based on community and staff feedback. Of the 14, two – a fire hydrant near the football field and a handwashing sink at the Early Childhood Cooperative – were above acceptable levels during initial testing. Flush testing showed necessary improvements, now remediation will take place until retesting. The new Houston Alternative Learning Opportunities (HALO) building at Ozark and First Streets will be tested in the future.

An open house for the building trades house at 513 Primrose Lane in Houston will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27. Bid forms are due by 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 3 to the central office. If there is more than one bid, an auction will take place following the regular July 9 meeting. School begins Aug. 21.

In other matters, members:

• Approved a school resource officer memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Houston.
• Approved the MSBA 24A update as presented.
• Approved Stephanie Barbagiovanni as the AI coordinator.
• Approved all building handbook changes as presented by building principals. Approved the HALO transportation rates/plan as presented.
• Tabled discussion concerning track planning until additional information is received regarding lease purchase options. The district received notice that it was not selected to receive state grant funding. A bond issue was defeated in April.
• The consent agenda passed in a 5-1 vote. Marty Merckling voted no citing concerns related to a lack of bids sought for certain purchases. Darren Ice was absent at the time of the vote.
• Approved the 2024-’25 district Chromebook handbook as presented.
• Approved the district literacy plan as presented.
• Approved the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) plan as presented. This provision will provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.
• Approved a bid from Arctic Food Equipment totaling $10,922.15 for a walk-in cooler at the elementary.
• Approved the career ladder plan as presented.
• Approved the discipline program evaluation as presented by building principals.
• Approved the school counseling program evaluation in a 5-2 vote as presented by building counselors. Darren Ice and Marty Merckling voted no.

The next regular board meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9 at the high school library media center.

The full minutes can be read here:

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