Miami R‑1 Board approves policy updates, longevity pay and coaching change

The Miami R‑1 Board of Education on Oct. 15, 2025, approved a package of policy updates, adopted a longevity pay schedule for non‑full‑time employees, and took personnel actions that included rescinding a high‑school girls’ basketball coach contract and offering the position to another candidate.

President Richie Powell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the board—Timothy Walker, Melanie Schaller, Devyn Henkle, Grant West, Les Nieder and Dea Erickson—approved the agenda and a consent agenda covering the Sept. 17 minutes, bills and financial reports. Jaime Reitz spoke during delegations about Class of 2026 senior‑trip ideas, and the board recognized Mr. Whiting and Nancy Bettels under an "Eagle Achievement" recognition, noting he "really works well with the kids and gets them conditioned," and that Bettels "goes above and beyond." (The minutes do not attribute those phrases to a specific speaker.)

On personnel and grants, the board approved Sydney Brabant as a paraprofessional for the 2025–26 school year pending completion of required DESE paperwork and adopted a resolution to pursue Land and Water Conservation Program grant funds for a playground project and to follow that program's rules and regulations if awarded.

The board set key 2026 dates: 8th‑grade graduation for Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.; high‑school graduation for Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.; and prom for Saturday, April 25, 2026. The board also approved Amanda Nieder as a volunteer (the minutes record one abstention on that vote) and approved the district's special education local compliance plan for 2025–26.

The board adopted multiple updates to Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) policies and procedures, including policies and administrative procedures addressing artificial intelligence use, reduction in professional staff, special education, admissions and eligibility to enroll, student dress code, weapons in school, discipline and discipline reporting, behavioral threat assessment, suicide awareness and prevention, and reporting and investigating child abuse and neglect.

The board approved a longevity pay policy for employees who are not full‑time (12‑month/52‑week employees). The adopted one‑time longevity payments are tiered: at 10 years = $500; years 11–14 = $500; 15 years = $750; years 16–19 = $750; 20–24 years = $1,000; 25–29 years = $1,250; and 30 years = $1,500. The district also approved its professional development plan.

After a unanimous vote to move into closed executive session for personnel matters, the board reconvened in open session and voted to rescind Wayne Whiting’s high‑school girls’ basketball coach contract for the 2025–26 school year (the minutes record the vote as 6‑1). The board then voted to offer the head girls’ basketball coach extra‑duty position to Timmy Powell by an extra‑duty volunteer services letter (the minutes record that motion as carrying, 5‑1). The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.

Votes at a glance: agenda approval (7‑0); consent agenda (7‑0); approval of Sydney Brabant, para (7‑0); adoption of Land and Water Conservation Program grant resolution (7‑0); Class of 2026 senior trip approval (7‑0); 8th‑grade graduation date set (7‑0); high‑school graduation date set (7‑0); prom date set (7‑0); volunteer approval of Amanda Nieder (Yes 5, Abstain 1 as recorded); MSBA policy and procedure updates (7‑0); longevity pay schedule (7‑0); PD plan (7‑0); motion to adjourn to executive session (7‑0); rescission of Wayne Whiting contract (6‑1); offer of head girls’ basketball coach to Timmy Powell (5‑1); final adjournment (7‑0).

The minutes were recorded and typed by Lisa Filtingberger, secretary, and submitted for approval on Nov. 19, 2025. The minutes do not include extended debate or direct quotations beyond recognition remarks and provide vote tallies as recorded in the minutes.