Votes at a glance: Oak Grove R‑VI board approves budget amendment, tuition rate, policy update and small construction payouts

The Oak Grove R‑VI Board of Education voted on several routine and policy items during its meeting. Key approvals included a budget revision to reconcile 2024‑25 actuals, the 2025‑26 nonresident tuition rate, a packet of policy updates derived from new state legislation, and a district interior change order.

Budget revision No. 3

Board members approved Budget Revision No. 3, a year‑end adjustment aligning revenues and expenditures to actuals and finalizing carry‑forward numbers for the 2025–26 budget. District staff reported the revised balance will leave reserves at approximately 10.8% (above the previously projected 8.9% but below the board’s aspirational target of 15–20%). Staff said the transfer requested on an upcoming ballot measure would help rebuild reserves and support longevity/salary planning.

Nonresident tuition rate: $11,367 for 2025–26

By voice vote the board approved the district’s annual nonresident tuition rate for 2025–26. Staff recommended setting the rate at $11,367 per year, equal to the district’s reported per‑student expenditure figure used in state reporting. Trustees noted the rate is rarely used; the district averaged one nonresident tuition student some previous years. Several trustees discussed whether the district should reduce the fee to account for the following‑year ADA reimbursement but accepted the staff recommendation.

Policy update (MSBA 2025c)

The board approved a packet of policy updates required by recent state legislation (labeled MSBA 2025c). The package includes changes on student discipline and virtual schooling due process, updated language on homeschooling and extracurricular participation, and provisions affecting electronic personal communication devices and other items tied to Senate Bill 68 and related bills.

Construction and consent items

The board approved a consent agenda (standard financial and administrative items) and approved PCO 005, a district‑requested interior change order of $38,183.05 for a water heater, double‑door storage access and a sump lid. Separately, the board approved Change Order No. 2 for the parking lot (discussed in a separate article) and directed staff to provide additional cost breakouts before taking action on a larger $747,000 site change.

How the board voted

Most approvals were taken by voice vote; the meeting transcript records 'All in favor' for motions but does not include a roll‑call tally for each vote. Where votes lacked a recorded roll call, the board reported unanimous voice approval in the meeting record.

Context

District leadership emphasized the budget revision is an accounting step that will inform next month’s beginning‑of‑year budget for 2025–26. The nonresident tuition rate follows state reporting conventions tied to expenditure per ADA. Policy updates reflect legislation enacted this spring; some provisions go into effect immediately and others require additional administrative work.

Next steps

Staff will finalize beginning‑of‑year budget documents for the board’s August meeting, continue voter outreach on the district transfer question and return a separated cost breakout for the large ECC/high‑school retention ASI within about a week for the board’s review.