Board OKs master contract with Hohner Architects; two board members dissent

The Wentzville R‑IV Board of Education approved a master contract agreement with Hohner Architects LLC following a brief vote at the Dec. 31 meeting.

The motion to approve the master contract was made and approved by roll call. Two board members — Director Henke and Director Olsen — voted no; the motion nevertheless carried. No amendments were offered during discussion.

Separately, board members raised concerns about contract-review responsibilities after members said problematic contract language had reached the board previously. A member asked who is responsible for vetting multi-page contracts; a district executive (Speaker 5) responded, “Ultimately, it's my responsibility,” and said the administration would review processes to prevent similar oversights going forward.

Board policy requires contracts to come to the board when a vendor demands a signed contract (rather than a purchase order). District staff explained that some hotel and event contracts for student activities require contracts and therefore come to the board for approval, even when the underlying activity funding is managed by booster clubs or outside organizations.

The contract approval was entered as an item on the consent/board action agenda and recorded as approved on roll call.