North Nodaway Hires Color Guard Sponsor, Approves Substitute List

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 25^th 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 11^th. Mrs. Hersh and Mr. Hart did writing projects.

A Grandparents Day was held at the school September 8^th. 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 1^st. 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 2^nd.

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.