The
North Nodaway School Board, at their regular meeting Wednesday, accepted the
resignation of Emily Higgins and hired Ashlie Marriott as the Color Guard Coach
for the current school year. Both votes were unanimous. The board also approved
additions to the substitute teacher list for the current school year. They were
Hope Reeves, Angela Herndon, Matthew Loudon, Ashlie Marriott, Rhonda Brown,
Todd Simmons, Janelle David, Kathie Steward, Addison Baumgartner, Traci
Westfall, Abigail Swink, Jaycie Miner, Tristen Buss, Mikaela Downing, Stacey
Meyer, Lori Harris, and Shai Barber. Jennifer Torres was approved to be a
substitute cook, and Ron Scroggie was approved as a substitute bus driver.
The
board voted to approve a contract from Health-e-Pro for food service software
for a total cost of $3,642.50. The software includes menu planning and helping
schools stay compliant with USDA regulations.
The
board passed an ineligibility policy for student-athletes. This policy also
applies to student activities such as Academic Bowl and Band. Ineligible
students are still expected to attend and participate in all scheduled practices,
meetings, and team activities unless otherwise directed by the coach, sponsor, or
administration. Students who are academically ineligible will not be permitted
to attend home athletic contests, academic competitions, or other school-sponsored
extracurricular activities during their period of ineligibility. Students found
in attendance under this policy will be asked to leave by administration.
Middle
School & High School Principal Cody Jenkins reported on homecoming
activities at North Nodaway. The Homecoming game will be Friday, September 25th
at South Nodaway against Mound City. Tuesday’s theme was “Tornado Tuesday,”
with students wearing chaotic clothing. Wednesday was Class Color Day. Thursday
will be Twin or Triplet Day. Friday will be Blue and White day.
Multiple
rooms observed Patriot Day, which was on September 11th. Mrs. Hersh
and Mr. Hart did writing projects.
A
Grandparents Day was held at the school September 8th. There were 25
grandparents who ate with their grandchildren. The Middle School Student
Council, Mr. Hart, Mrs. Stricker, and Mrs. Fountain cooked the meal.
Northwest
came Wednesday night to give a presentation and helped parents with Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Elementary
Principal Heather Townsend reported that the school has conducted bus evacuation,
fire, and earthquake drills.
The
school received all literacy grant materials that it purchased in June.
The
school received positive feedback regarding students taking ownership in their
learning as well as their engagement.
Superintendent
Chris Turpin reported on the Missouri Modernization Task Force. There are fears
among area superintendents that they may recommend getting rid of the Hold
Harmless clause, which they say would result in lost revenues of hundreds of
thousands, or even millions of dollars each year.
Currently,
there are two models being discussed.
Model
A – Modify the existing formula while maintaining much of its basic structure. Ideas
discussed include increasing the basic funding amount per student, adding a
regional cost adjustment, changing how local effort is calculated, and adding
additional funding weights for certain students.
Model
B – A more significant change. It would consider both property wealth and
household income when determining a district's local share.
These
are recommendations, not final decisions. As of September 2026:
--Hold
Harmless has not been eliminated;
--A
final replacement formula has not been adopted;
--Neither
model has been adopted;
--The
financial impact on North Nodaway has not been determined;
--The
legislature did not pass a new funding formula in the previous session.
The
Task Force will meet in September, October, and November, with its final report
to the Governor due December 1st. Their recommendations are subject
to approval by the legislature, signature by the governor, and could be
overturned through the initiative petition process.
Mr.
Turpin’s overall assessment for North Nodaway is that it is the type of
district that could be significantly affected by changes to the funding
formula. The current Hold Harmless clause provides a level of funding stability
that a new formula may not. The greatest financial risk could include several
changes occurring together, such as:
--Reducing
or eliminating Hold Harmless;
--Increased
property wealth resulting in a greater expected local contribution;
--Changes
to the calculation of local effort;
--Changes
to the basic funding amount;
--Other
changes that affect the district’s ability for state aid.
Mr.
Turpin’s recommendations to the board were as follows:
--Ask
DESE to project the district’s funding under each major option;
--Request
a separate calculation showing the impact of eliminating Hold Harmless;
--Request
projections based on a three, five, and ten-year phaseout of Hold Harmless;
--Ask
specifically how North Nodaway’s wind-farm property value affects each
calculation;
--Continue
communicating with local legislators and other small rural school districts;
--Make
sure the Task Force understands the financial realities of operating a very
small school district.
--Protect
district reserves while the funding outlook remains uncertain;
--Avoid
making long-term spending commitments based on the assumption that current
hold-harmless funding will continue indefinitely.
In
his regular report, Mr. Turpin reported that the school district is in the
process of securing the property at 317 Barnard Street in Hopkins. A warranty
deed has been filed with the Recorder’s Office. The school has gotten a lien release
from the city should the property be secured by the school for use of erecting
a community pavilion. The cost of construction will be paid for by a $99,000
grant received by the school. Students in the Ag Structures class will be
working alongside a lead carpenter to learn real-world construction skills.
The
school was hit hard at the start of the year with the passing of a former bus
driver, announcer, and now a former student.
North
Nodaway was randomly selected to have its wastewater tested throughout the year
by a third-party provider under House Bill 2. Each testing period will be 2-3
weeks long. The state is testing for drugs and other issues within the state,
which would allow the school to provide education if needed.
On
Friday, fans at the home football game wore yellow in support of the Trevin
Wyllie family. The school will have another home game on October 2nd.
The
State Board is in the process of implementing Governor Mike Kehoe’s executive
order giving all schools letter grades, including public, charter, and
participating private schools. For K-8, standardized test scores will be 40% of
their grade, and academic growth will be 60% of their grade. High schools will
factor in four-year graduation rates and college/career readiness. Any school
that tests less than 95% of the mandatory state assessments will automatically
have its overall score dropped by one full letter grade. The first scores will
be based on data from the 2024-25 school year.
