CHAMOIS — Chamois R-1 School Board members met last Wednesday to reorganize following the April 7 election, review district finances, and discuss how to move forward with facility improvements after voters rejected a proposed bond issue.

The measure, known as “Prop KIDS,” received 118 yes votes and 102 no votes, or 53.6% approval. That fell short of the super-majority required for passage. Results varied by county, with Osage County voters approving the measure 106–88, while Gasconade County voters opposed it 14–12.

“I don’t think it turned out how many of us would have liked, but I think it’s still positive that, by a majority, our ask has been answered twice,” Board President Steve Cramer said. “I do think it says something that the majority of folks voted for it both times.”

Following the certification of election results, the board reorganized. Incumbents Steve Cramer, Rebecca Mehmert, and Kelby Busch, re-elected without opposition, were sworn in prior and re-elected to their current roles on the board: Cramer (president), Mehmert (VP), and Jennifer Keilholz (secretary-treasurer).

With the bond issue failing to meet the required threshold, the board discussed whether to add the issue to the ballot a third time or proceed with other options.

“Everybody I told, I was like, “You know, we’re going to have to do it,” said Principal Jeremy McKague.

“That was honest,” Superintendent Lyle Best agreed. “So, it should not be a surprise that we’re looking at the alternative route.”

The alternate route, as discussed during informational meetings about the bond issue, would involve the district recouping the previously rolled back levy in order to enter into a lease purchase arrangement to pay for the upgrades. Information presented during the meeting outlined how such a plan could be structured using existing revenue streams and adjustments to the district’s tax levy.

“We could have had our furnace at this point, if we would have just did the ceiling from the get-go and did this 10 years ago,” Cramer said. “Because we’ve been doing this (rollback) for 10-plus years now.”

Although the exact allowable ceiling will not be known until 2026 levies are set, Best said he felt it would be similar to the 2025 maximum, because “we shouldn’t see much of a change in assessed valuation on a non-reassessment year.”

Best said the allowable increase, when combined with funds from other sources, should be enough to repay the lease-purchase, a process the board reviewed for requirements to move forward. State law requires public notice to be posted or advertised twice, with the final notice at least seven days prior to a meeting where the agreement would be approved, and approval must occur during an open meeting. Best said, best-case, the district  would finalize the project design and bidding over the summer, and enter into the lease-purchase agreement after the tax levy was set. Work would likely proceed during the summer of 2027. Signing the agreement as soon as possible, he said, would allow contractors to order materials before additional cost increases, and allow for procurement of items with a long lead time.

Board member Chuck Lamb asked if that meant they were going to fix the elementary school boiler this year. Board members agreed something would have to be done; however, Best suggested talking to engineers first.

“As long as we can get it done before it gets cold again,” Cramer said.

Member Kris Wuelling said the money the school normally spends repairing the boiler every year would help contribute to the lease-purchase payment.

“We may be saving money,” Cramer joked, adding that the district spends about $50,000 per year maintaining the boiler. That figure is more than a third of the anticipated annual lease-purchase payment.

The board tabled discussion of the matter until next month, to give members time to pinpoint specific issues related to cost and timing with their engineering firm, as well as discussing financing options, prior to making a decision.

The board also continued discussion of potential changes to employee compensation for unused leave. Under the current policy, employees receive $25 per day for unused leave if paid in the current year or at retirement, and $5 per day if paid upon leaving the district. Administrators and board members agreed those amounts are outdated and reviewed several alternatives.

One proposal discussed last month would increase compensation to $75 per day for unused leave paid during employment or upon leaving the district, and $150 per day for employees who retire through PSRS or PEERS. Additional options included paying unused leave at the substitute teacher rate, currently $115 per day, paying half that rate in certain situations, or structuring compensation based on years of service. Several tiered models were reviewed, including approaches that would increase payouts based on longevity.

Administrators noted that five employees are currently eligible for retirement, with a combined total of 345 unused days. Depending on the rate selected, total payouts could range from approximately $34,500 to $51,750 if all eligible employees retired at once.

Discussion centered around the potential cost to the district to pay out the unused leave versus the cost of paying a substitute if the teacher chose to take the days off instead of the payout. “It’s just about the perspective that you’re looking at though, if you’re looking at it as a teacher has to choose whether they’re going to take those days or get paid out, and what the classroom experience looks like with the teacher versus a sub,” said member Nick Schollmeyer.

Lamb pointed out that replacing a retiring teacher with a newer teacher with a lower salary would save the district enough money to help offset the cost of paying out accrued leave at a higher rate.

Keilholz noted the substitute cost was only $115 per day if an outside sub was called in, but teachers using their planning period to sub at the high school cost more. “If a teacher subs during their plan time, when we have to pull a teacher for their plan time to sub because we don’t have a sub, it’s $20 an hour for that class period. So, over the whole day, that’s $160 that you’re paying, versus $115 for a hired sub,” she said. “And the high school doesn’t use hired subs very often.”

“I just think it’s a sign of respect to us,” said kindergarten teacher Deanna Lamb. “I think raising it is a sign of respect to us, that I came to work versus sitting at home having 10 mental days.”

There was also discussion of decreasing the number of accrued days that would be paid out, going forward.

While most board members seemed to agree the payout rate should at least match the substitute rate, they agreed to revisit the issue next month to allow for more thought and research.

In other action, the board approved a grading and assessment policy that places greater emphasis on demonstrated learning rather than practice assignments. Administrators said the change is intended to better align grading practices with academic standards while still recognizing student progress.

Financial reports presented at the meeting showed the district in a stable position. As of March, total funds were approximately $3.96 million, including about $3 million in the general fund and roughly $845,000 in the capital projects fund. Year-to-date revenue stood at about $2.6 million, compared to approximately $1.84 million in expenditures. The board approved a budget amendment reflecting small increases in both revenues and expenditures.

Best reported the district earned a perfect score of 42 points on its Missouri School Improvement Program review. “So, I think everybody should feel really good about our plans and what we are trying to do,” he said.

The district was also selected to participate in a state pilot program for a new fifth-grade math assessment intended to replace the MAP test with multiple assessments throughout the year. In addition, all district buses passed inspection, including both district-owned and contracted vehicles.

Best also outlined several pieces of pending legislation, including proposals addressing open enrollment, literacy requirements, tax policy, and accountability measures. One proposal would require retention of third-grade students who do not meet reading benchmarks. Best said such a mandate could limit flexibility currently used by educators and families when making placement decisions.

In other reports, Principal Jeremy McKague outlined several upcoming events, including a grandparent breakfast, a blood drive on April 22, a mock crash event on April 29, prom  on May 2, and the spring concert on May 5. Students in grades 3–5 will visit the Earth’s Classroom in Rosebud on May 8, and the athletic banquet is scheduled for May 12. End-of-year testing is set to begin on April 30.