Richland R‑I board unanimously approves 2024 ASBR, sets tax-rate hearing and OKs vendor bids and pay increases

The Richland R‑I Board of Education met July 24, 2024, in the district Board of Education Room and conducted routine business, unanimously approving the 2024 ASBR, setting a tax-rate hearing for Aug. 21 and approving several vendor bids and pay adjustments.

The meeting opened with a motion by Mr. Jeremy Conner to approve the consent agenda and to move into executive session at the close of the regular session; Mr. Clinton Corlew seconded. President Chris Porter announced the motion carried on a 7–0 vote.

Ms. Hollie Wheeler moved to approve the 2024 ASBR; Mr. Kevin Evans seconded and the board voted 7–0 to adopt it. (The transcript uses the acronym “ASBR”; the document’s full name or acronym expansion was not specified in the meeting record.)

The board also set the 2024–25 tax-rate hearing for 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, to be followed by the regular monthly meeting after a motion by Wheeler and a second from Jason Blunt; the motion passed unanimously.

On procurement matters, the board approved Prairie Farms as the milk vendor and US Foods for bread for the 2024–2025 school year. The board approved a bank signatory change to remove Jeremy Conner and Kevin Evans and add Chris Porter (President) and Jason Blunt (Secretary).

Several personnel-pay actions passed unanimously: substitute teacher pay was increased to $125 per day, and tutoring pay was raised to $30 per hour. The board approved a revised, larger elementary gym sound system and the 2024–25 extra duty stipends as presented. Members also voted to remove language from the June minutes placing the superintendent on a salary schedule with a 2.1 multiplier and to return the superintendent salary to an annually negotiated amount.

During the information portion, the board received updates including a CSIP update and a note about graduation scheduling presented by Mrs. Taylor (role not specified in the transcript). The board reviewed summer projects, long-term planning for a lagoon ditch, parking-lot burnout concerns, and event planning including a ribbon-cutting and open house scheduled for Aug. 15 and the first day of school on Aug. 20.

The board adjourned after a motion from Wheeler and a second by Blunt; the vote was 7–0.

Votes at a glance: All recorded motions listed below passed by unanimous 7–0 votes unless otherwise noted. • Consent agenda and motion to move into executive session — mover: Jeremy Conner; second: Clinton Corlew; outcome: approved (7–0). • Approve 2024 ASBR — mover: Hollie Wheeler; second: Kevin Evans; outcome: approved (7–0). • Set 2024–25 tax-rate hearing for Aug. 21, 2024, 7:15 p.m. — mover: Hollie Wheeler; second: Jason Blunt; outcome: approved (7–0). • Approve milk bid (Prairie Farms) — mover: Kevin Evans; second: Jeremy Conner; outcome: approved (7–0). • Approve bread bid (US Foods) — mover: Clinton Corlew; second: Dennis McGarity; outcome: approved (7–0). • Bank signatory change — mover: Kevin Evans; second: Dennis McGarity; outcome: approved (7–0). • Approve larger elementary gym sound system — mover: Jeremy Conner; second: Kevin Evans; outcome: approved (7–0). • Increase substitute pay to $125/day — mover: Jeremy Conner; second: Kevin Evans; outcome: approved (7–0). • Increase tutoring pay to $30/hour — mover: Jeremy Conner; second: Dennis McGarity; outcome: approved (7–0). • Remove superintendent 2.1 multiplier language and return to negotiated annual salary — mover: Hollie Wheeler; second: Jason Blunt; outcome: approved (7–0). • Approve 2024–25 extra duty stipends — mover: Hollie Wheeler; second: Kevin Evans; outcome: approved (7–0). • Adjourn — mover: Hollie Wheeler; second: Jason Blunt; outcome: approved (7–0).

The meeting record does not record public comment, contested debate, or any dissenting votes. The next relevant procedural date is the tax-rate hearing at 7:15 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2024, before the regular August board meeting.