Kearney R‑I board approves facilities contracts, salary-schedule changes and policy readoption

The Kearney R‑I School District Board of Education on July 15 approved a package of contracts, purchases and personnel-schedule changes as it finalized preparations ahead of the new school year.

The board approved readopting board policy I140P (programs for students who are homeless, migrant, English learners, at risk, or in foster care), authorized amendment No. 1 with engineering firm Hollis and Miller to complete comprehensive building assessments, ratified over‑$50,000 purchases and approved a new contract with Excellence K‑12 to conduct districtwide surveys tied to fall public initiatives.

Why it matters: several approvals set the district’s near‑term capital and operational priorities before school starts on Aug. 25, including work on roofs, siding and grounds; the salary-schedule changes are intended to retain long‑service staff.

Superintendent and election reminder Superintendent (S6) opened the meeting with a brief reminder about the Aug. 4 statewide election and summarized the ballot questions. “Amendment 1 has to do with a renewal of a 40 year sales tax for park, soil, and water,” S6 said, adding that the renewal is “one‑tenth of a percent and it renews every 10 years.” He also summarized Amendments 2, 4 and 5 and advised the board of the timing.

Facilities and construction work Staff (S7) provided a rundown of construction and maintenance: “At the high school, they're prepping the backside of the roof, and they'll have that starting the actual cover up next week,” S7 said. Middle‑school exterior panels and downspouts are nearly complete and exterior paint is scheduled; parking‑lot resurfacing is planned for the end of the month. S7 said epoxy work at Hawthorne and at KE is complete pending top coat and expected to finish shortly.

Hollis & Miller amendment and over‑$50,000 purchases The board approved Amendment No. 1 with Hollis and Miller to perform building mechanical, electrical and safety assessments and produce a long‑range planning roadmap. Superintendent (S6) described the amendment as a way to "create a road map for long range planning." The board also approved an over‑$50,000 purchase for Tice Exteriors to replace failing cedar siding with a durable composite product; staff noted the work could be charged to bond funds or to remaining lease funds depending on bond availability. The board ratified another over‑$50,000 purchase from McConnell & Associates.

Agreement with Excellence K‑12 Board members approved moving forward with Excellence K‑12 to conduct district surveys tied to upcoming public initiatives. Staff (S1) said the recommendation followed clarifications made after a prior special meeting.

Salary schedules and retention steps The board approved revised 2026–27 pay schedules for classified, administrative, professional, extra‑duty and miscellaneous pay groups. Staff (S7) explained the key changes: adding a $1,000 longevity stipend for employees who reach 30 years in the district and extending step ranges on some schedules from 25 to 30 years. "So when they hit year 30, with no step, they'll at least get a little bump if they are staying with us," S7 said, and staff reported the changes were already budgeted into district calculations.

Transportation, facilities rental and calendar The board approved the district facilities rental agreement (largely unchanged from last year but updated for personnel and facility changes) and adopted bus routes for the 2026–27 year; staff noted routes may be adjusted if bridge or road conditions change before school starts. Board members thanked staff for a recent workshop and noted calendar dates: new teachers Aug. 13–14, teachers return Aug. 17, next board meeting Aug. 19, open house Aug. 20 and first day of school Aug. 25.

Closed session authorization The board voted to authorize a closed session at its August meeting under Section 610.021 of the Missouri Sunshine Law. The roll call recorded affirmative responses from members listed in the transcript during the vote.

Votes at a glance - Readopt board policy I140P (programs for students who are homeless/migrant/English learners/at risk/in foster care): motion moved and seconded; approved as presented. - Approve agreement with Excellence K‑12 (surveys): approved. - Approve Amendment No. 1 with Hollis & Miller (building assessments): approved. - Approve over‑$50,000 purchase for Tice Exteriors (siding replacement): approved. - Ratify over‑$50,000 purchase from McConnell & Associates: ratified. - Approve revised 2026–27 salary schedules (including $1,000 longevity stipend; extend steps to 30 years): approved. - Approve KSD facilities rental agreement: approved. - Approve bus routes for 2026–27: approved. - Authorize closed session under Missouri Sunshine Law (Section 610.021): motion passed; roll‑call responses recorded in the transcript.

What’s next The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 19. The first day of school is set for Aug. 25.