Mehlville R‑IX board approves several routine items, budget amendment and labor agreement in 6‑0 votes

The Mehlville R‑IX Board of Education unanimously approved a series of routine but consequential items at its May 22 meeting, including a fiscal‑year 25 budget amendment, a 2025–26 memorandum of understanding with the district’s nurses association, a 3% average increase to classified employee pay schedules and a universal free breakfast expansion at four elementary schools.

The actions were moved and seconded from the consent agenda or presented by district staff, and each measure passed on voice vote or roll call with six votes in favor and no dissent. The board also authorized a closed‑session meeting under Missouri’s Sunshine Law provisions and adjourned for the evening.

Why it matters: together these votes commit near‑term district resources, alter staffing and pay practices and expand a nutrition program the district said will increase student meal participation. The budget amendment adjusts spending that affects the district’s operating position for the year and the MOU codifies working conditions and meeting cadences for school nurses.

What the board approved (summary of motions and outcomes):

• Approval of agenda as presented — outcome: approved, vote tally 6–0.

• Universal free breakfast program at Beasley, Beerbohm, Porter and Berkeley elementary schools for the 2025–26 school year — outcome: approved, vote tally 6–0. The district’s director of school food and nutrition presented participation gains where universal breakfast had been piloted and recommended continuation (presentation and vote recorded May 22).

• Classified employee salary schedules for 2025–26 — outcome: approved, vote tally 6–0. The assistant superintendent for human resources said the schedules reflect an average 3% increase, an investment the district estimated at about $581,000.

• Memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Mehlville Association of Professional Personnel/Allied (MAPA) for 2025–26 (nurses) — outcome: approved, vote tally 6–0. The agreement includes monthly collaborative meetings with the lead nurse, two remote workdays, five professional‑development days, a mentorship/onboarding checklist and a 3% salary increase; MAPA membership ratified the MOU on May 14.

• Fiscal‑year 25 budget amendment — outcome: approved, vote tally 6–0. The chief financial officer said the amendment raises the projected operating deficit slightly to about $1.1 million, driven chiefly by accelerated computer purchases (about $572,000) moved into FY25; he said historical final results often come in better than the monthly forecasts.

• Action items by consent (items A–P on the consent agenda) — outcome: approved, vote tally 6–0.

• Authorization to enter closed session under Missouri Revised Statutes §610.021 (multiple subsections listed in the motion) — outcome: roll call recorded as yes by Anne Zimpher, Tori Belke, Jeff Wollman, Jean Prado, Serene Wilkinson and Peggy Hasler.

Board procedure and voting notes: Most motions were introduced from staff presentations or the consent agenda and carried on unanimous voice votes recorded as 6–0. Where the board took a formal roll call for the closed‑session authorization, each named member answered “yes.” The transcript did not consistently capture named makers and seconders for each motion; where a mover or seconder was not announced on the record, it is listed as not specified in the formal record.

What the votes do not do: None of the approved motions adopted new policy language beyond what was contained in the budget amendment or collective‑bargaining text, and budget and capital timing adjustments described by staff reflect cash‑flow and invoice timing rather than new long‑term borrowing or bond issues.

Votes provenance (transcript excerpts supporting this article):

• Agenda approval evidence: "All in favor. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 6 0." (transcript block start 347.27)

• Universal free breakfast approval evidence: "If I could please get a motion to approve the universal free breakfast program at Beasley, Beerbohm, Porter, and Berkeley for the 2526 school year ... All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 6 0." (transcript block start 4614.165)

• Classified salary schedules approval evidence: "If I could get a motion to approve the 20 25 20 26 classified employee salary schedules as presented. ... All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 6 0." (transcript block start 4834.7954)

• MAPA MOU approval evidence: "If I could get a motion to approve the 20 25 20 26 MHPA PA MOU. ... All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 6 0." (transcript block start 5128.85)

• Fiscal‑year 25 budget amendment evidence: "If I could please get a motion to approve the budget amendment as presented. ... All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 6 0." (transcript block start 5544.305)

• Consent agenda evidence: "If I could please get a motion to approve action items by consent, A through P. ... All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 6 0." (transcript block start 5565.2197)

Actions (structured):

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