The Hillsboro R-III Board of Education accepted a clean FY2025 audit, reviewed midyear budget dynamics and approved multiple contracts and a bond-resolution amendment at its meeting.

Auditor Phil Fernandez of Mueller, Oberpfel, and Jones reported an unmodified (clean) opinion on the district’s financial statements, compliance with Missouri requirements and an unmodified single-audit for federal programs. "We issued an unmodified opinion, which means the financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects," Fernandez told the board.

On budget matters, district finance staff noted year-to-date receipts of roughly $17 million and expenditures of about $19.9 million, producing an interim negative cash position (about $2.9 million) that staff attributed to the seasonal timing of local receipts (December–February). Staff also explained a one-time $4.5 million loan receipt for HVAC closing that increases year-to-date revenue but is not recurring.

The board also reviewed the fiscal impact of the senior citizens property tax credit (referred to in the meeting as Senate Bill 190): staff provided a baseline estimate that the district will forgo $117,560.13 under current participation assumptions and said the figure could change with participation or housing-demographic shifts. Separately, Speaker 2 noted state-level moves that could affect school revenues, including actions related to the Missouri Scholars scholarship funding.

On new business the board approved: a payment to Jefferson College for $22,275 (approved with one abstention), the 2026 summer school program (approved), a rental agreement for three John Deere Gator UTVs for use in 2026–27 (approved), and a third amendment to the direct deposit agreement to enable planned early redemption of the 2017A general obligation bonds (approved). The board also formally accepted the FY2025 audit after the auditor’s presentation.

Board members asked questions about enrollment trends, revenue composition (approximately 51% local, 41.8% state/federal per presentation), and debt-service timing. The district said roughly 80% of planned expenditures are salaries and benefits. The board scheduled an informational workshop with MSBA on January 8 at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 7:52 p.m.