Mehlville board approves universal free breakfast, classified pay increases and nurse MOU; amends FY25 budget

The Mehlville School District Board of Education voted unanimously on May 22 to approve a set of personnel and budget measures, including a universal free breakfast program at four elementary schools, a 3% average increase to classified pay schedules, ratification of a nurses’ memorandum of understanding and a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment.

The board approved a motion "to approve the universal free breakfast program at Beasley, Beerbohm, Porter, and Berkeley for the 2025–26 school year." The motion passed on a voice vote that the chair recorded as "Motion carries 6 0." Katie Gegg, the district director of school food and nutrition, told the board the school meals program "is a federal program funded by the USDA." She said increased participation at sites that already run universal breakfast produced higher meal counts and that federal reimbursements cover program costs when participation rises.

In personnel actions, Shannon Pike, assistant superintendent for human resources, presented a package that raises classified employees’ pay schedules by an average of 3%, representing a districtwide investment of $581,000; the board approved the salary schedules by unanimous vote. The board also approved a negotiated 2025–26 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the district nurses’ association after the association ratified the agreement on May 14. Marissa Barham, a district school nurse and the association’s lead negotiator, described expanded regular communication that the MOU establishes, including monthly check-ins between the lead nurse and school nurses.

Marshall Crutcher, the district chief financial officer, presented a budget amendment for fiscal year 2025 that increases projected operating loss modestly to about $1.1 million, primarily from accelerating technology purchases into FY25. The board voted to approve the FY25 budget amendment. Crutcher also updated the board on the fiscal year 2026 preliminary budget, reporting an increased state formula estimate of about $4.1 million that raised projected capital fund tax levy revenue.

Other routine business carried on unanimous votes: the board approved the 2025–26 classified employee salary schedules as presented and approved the action items on the consent agenda (items A–P). At the end of the meeting the board voted to enter a closed session citing Missouri Revised Statutes sections 610.021 and 610.022.

Votes at a glance - Universal free breakfast (Beasley, Beerbohm, Porter, Berkeley) — passed, voice vote recorded as 6–0. - 2025–26 classified employee salary schedules — passed, 6–0; average 3% increase; $581,000 investment. - Nurses’ 2025–26 MOU — passed, 6–0; includes monthly collaborative meetings and updated onboarding/mentorship provisions; salary increase 3% noted in text. - Fiscal year 2025 budget amendment — passed, 6–0; operating net loss revised to ≈$1.1 million primarily due to accelerated computer purchases. - Consent agenda A–P — passed, 6–0. - Motion to enter closed session under Mo. Rev. Stat. §610.021 and §610.022 — passed by roll call (board members recorded as present and voting yes).

The board did not take roll-call votes showing individual yes/no on each consent item in public minutes beyond the recorded unanimous outcomes. The meeting included updates and presentations that the board discussed before voting; no item in this set of votes was tabled or failed.

The board is scheduled to meet again for final budget approval following a finance committee review and community input prior to the June board meeting.