Votes at a glance: Board approves concrete pad, renovation change orders, program evaluations and amended budget

The Sedalia R‑II (Sedalia 200) Board of Education on March 3 approved a series of routine and project-related motions, including a $49,980 construction contract for a 50-by-50 concrete pad at Smith Cotton High School, two change orders for ongoing gym/renovation work totaling $8,899, multiple career and technical education program evaluations and the district’s amended budget for fiscal 2024–25.

Why it matters: the package of approvals includes capital work, program reviews the district uses to meet state CTE reporting requirements and a budget amendment the administration said reflects updated capital reimbursements, federal flows and revenue uncertainty tied to state-level changes.

Key votes and outcomes (recorded from the meeting): - Agenda and consent items: The board approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda items 4.1–4.9 by voice vote (recorded as “aye”). Several consent items noted recorded abstentions: payment of bills (consent agenda item 4.1) with Mr. Kimpton abstaining; payment of bills (item 4.11) with Mrs. Moon abstaining. Motion details not otherwise specified in the transcript.

- Smith Cotton High School concrete pad (approved): The board voted to award the 50-by-50 concrete pad project to Hollister Construction LLC in the amount of $49,980. Motion and second were called from the dais and the board approved the award by voice vote (no roll-call tally printed in the minutes).

- Renovation change orders (approved): Change Order No. 6 (Sedalia Middle School insulation) and Change Order No. 8 (Smith Cotton Junior High court markings) were approved together, totaling $8,899. Change Order No. 6 added $3,289 for interior wall insulation (R‑19 fiberglass) near the SMS cafeteria; Change Order No. 8 added $5,610 for court markings on the new junior high gym floor. The board approved by voice vote.

- Career & Technical Education program evaluations (approved): The board approved CTE program evaluation summaries presented by Mr. Wright for Project Lead The Way, Biomedical, Family and Consumer Sciences, Marketing and Business. Each program evaluation was moved and approved by voice vote during the meeting.

- Food service donations (approved): The board accepted donations to the food service program: Central Bank of Sedalia ($250) and Georgetown Methodist Church ($500) to help pay down student meal balances. Motion and approval were recorded by voice vote.

- Budget amendment (approved): After a lengthy presentation and discussion of the district’s revenue outlook and capital reimbursements, a motion to approve the amended budget for 2024–25 was made and seconded; the board approved the amendment by voice vote. The administration’s presentation estimated amended total expenditures around $86.6 million and forecasted a deficit reduction to approximately $11.1 million (figures presented by the superintendent; see meeting summary for full context).

- Motion to adjourn to closed session (approved, roll call): The board voted to adjourn the public meeting and convene a closed executive session under Section 610.021, RSMo. The roll-call vote recorded “Aye” for each board member: Doctor Barth Fagan (Aye), Mister Gardner (Aye), Mister Grupey (Aye), Mister Kimpton (Aye), Missus Moon (Aye), Miss Nichols (Aye) and Miss Schroeder (Aye).

Meeting notes and caveats: Most votes were taken by voice; where the transcript recorded abstentions or a roll-call, those details are reflected above. Motions moved and seconded at the dais are noted in the meeting but the transcript does not always record individual mover/second names for every consent action. The transcript names contractors as provided in the packet: Hollister Construction LLC for the pad award; change orders were described in the administration packet and discussed on the record.

What’s next: several items discussed tonight (budget scenarios, insurance proposals, equipment purchases) are slated for follow-up discussion at the March 31 and April meetings, and the administration said it will return with finalized figures for insurance and for any capital purchase requests.