Thursday, April 9, 2026

Minutes from April 8 Hume School Board meeting

Hume R-VIII

Regular Board Meeting Teacher Workroom

April 8, 2026 8PM

The Hume R-VIII School Board met in regular session April 8, 2026, at 8:00PM in the teacher workroom.

Present: Josh Rogers, Zach Terry 8:26pm, Bryice Cannon, Franklin Dirks, Greg Fillpot, Jeff Fairbanks Scott Spencer, Becky Bryant, Scott Morrison and Melody Wikoff.

Absent:

Franklin Dirks and Greg Fillpot were sworn in by Melody Wikoff.

Election results were not read because the number of candidates needed was equal to the number of candidates filed.

Reorganization of the Board took place.

Mr. Dirks moves, Mr. Cannon seconds to nominate Josh Rogers for president. Unanimous approval, Rogers abstains.

Mr. Fillpot moves, Mr. Fairbanks seconds to nominate Bryice Cannon for vice-president. Unanimous approval, Cannon abstains.

Mr. Fillpot moves, Mr. Cannon seconds to nominate Scott Spencer as treasurer. Unanimous approval, Spencer abstains.

Mr. Cannon moves, Mr. Fillpot seconds to nominate Franklin Dirks for secretary. Unanimous approval.

Amendments to Agenda: additional bills, 13 staff resignation

Meeting was called to order by President, Josh Rogers.

Mr. Rogers read a card from Kelley Hopkins thanking the Board, Faculty, and Staff for the snack basket and flowers.

Mr. Fairbanks moves, Mr. Fillpot seconds to amend agenda for additional bills. Unanimous approval.

Principal's Report:

Ms. Bryant reported the following:

Tonight Mrs. Rogers and Ms. Walker hosted the Spring Literacy Family Night. They had several activities planned with a beach theme geared towards literacy and books for each student to choose from and take home with them.

Friday night is the School Play, Saving Serendipity with dinner starting at 6 pm and the performance following at 7:00.

We have 5 students competing at state FBLA this year. Competitors are leaving Sunday afternoon and will return Tuesday afternoon. Six students are attending an entrepreneur workshop day at Fort Scott Community College on Thursday with Janine. Next Saturday, high school Scholar Bowl competes in their district competition and the Junior High Science Olympiad team travels to UCM for State.

Jan

End of Year MAP and EOC testing starts next week. 3rd-8th grade will start ELA sessions next week, with math sessions the week after. EOC tests will take place the week of April 27-May 1.

Spring Concert and Art Show is Thursday, April 23rd. The Art Show will start at 6:30 and the concert begins at 7:00.

The last day of school is May 7th. Preschool and Kindergarten graduation is scheduled for 9 am, elementary awards will follow at 10 am, and high school awards will start around 11:15 am.

Attendance - 73 students in grades PK-5 have an average attendance rate of 91.5%. We currently have 62 students in grades 6-12; their average attendance rate is 93.6%

Superintendent's Report:

1. Baccalaureate - Friday 5/1 @ 6:00 PM

2. Graduation - Saturday 5/2 @ 10:00 AM

3. Preschool - Passed licensing and achieved recognition of excellence through Missouri Accreditation providing Accreditation through May 28, 2029.

4. Bus 2 - is parked until Dale Snyder can fix it.

5. Softball - only one game rained out so far, doing well.

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6. Janitor Mr. Morrison reported to the Board on what was being done to help cover the custodian duties for the remainder of the school year until our full-time custodian is fully recovered from her surgery.

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7. Legislation - Mr. Morrison passed out the 4/7/2026 SWCenter Legislative Update handout to the Board and reviewed various senate and house bills and resolutions that are being proposed. Mr. Morrison focused on HJR 173 - Income Tax Proposal - reminding the Board that income tax is a major source of school funding. It would eliminate state income tax yet create a 13% sales tax that would be implemented on various services that are currently not taxed. Literacy legislation HB 2872 & SB 1442 was discussed. These bills will require and intensive intervention classroom without funding and making it mandatory to retain 3rd grade students if not reading at required level. HB 2710 sponsored by local rep Dane Diehl and SB 1653 is the creation of Accountability A-F Report Cards. This is set up to only allow 10% of the schools to receive an A rating.

Zach Terry was sworn in by Melody Wikoff.

Mr. Fillpot moves, Mr. Fairbanks seconds to consent amended agenda - approve March minutes and pay April bills. Unanimous approval; Rogers and Fairbanks abstaining from check(s) #45778.

New Business:

Mr. Fillpot moves, Mr. Fairbanks seconds to approve Football Coop with Rich Hill School District. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Morrison presented the Senior Graduation List to the Board.

Mr. Fillpot moves, Mr. Cannon seconds to approve the Senior Graduation list. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Cannon moves, Mr. Fillpot seconds to go into Executive Session for staff/employment, student records (sub-section 3, 6, 13) at 8:31pm. Rogers, Dirks, Fairbanks, Spencer, Cannon, Fillpot, Terry all in favor.

Mr. Cannon moves, Mr. Dirks seconds to come out of Executive Session for staff/employment, student records (sub-section 3, 6, 13) at 8:44pm. Rogers, Dirks, Fairbanks, Spencer, Cannon, Fillpot, Terry all in favor.

Mr. Cannon moves, Mr. Dirks seconds to approve Erika Irwin as an elementary teacher for 2026-2027. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Spencer moves, Mr. Fairbanks seconds to approve part-time music teacher Carla Armentrout for 26-27. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Fillpot moves, Mr. Cannon seconds to approve Amanda Scott as the science teacher for 26- 27. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Dirks moves, Mr. Terry seconds to approve Janine Castillo for RootEd and Post Secondary advisor for 26-27. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Fillpot moves, Mr. Terry seconds to approve employment of Melody Wikoff as Business Manager/Superintendent Secretary/Bookkeeper/Preschool Program Administrator for 2026- 2027 fiscal year at salaried position. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Terry moves, Mr. Fillpot seconds to approve employment of Kelley Hopkins as Head Custodian for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Spencer moves, Mr. Fairbanks seconds to approve employment of Sharyl Dale as Nurse/Receptionist for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Fillpot moves, Mr. Terry seconds to approve employment of Deanna Lewis as Food Service/Attendance/Building Secretary for 2026-2027 fiscal year with the option of working up to more than 23 days during the summer. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Cannon moves, Mr. Spencer seconds to approve employment of David Brooks as Bus Driver for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval, Rogers, Fairbanks, Terry abstains.

Mr. Spencer moves, Mr. Fillpot seconds to approve employment of Gene Franklin as Bus Driver for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval

Mr. Fairbanks moves, Mr. Fillpot seconds to approve employment of Cheyenne Yarick as paraprofessional for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval, Rogers abstained.

Mr. Spencer moves, Mr. Dirks seconds to approve employment of Olivia Fillpot as paraprofessional for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval, Fillpot abstained.

Mr. Dirks moves, Mr. Terry seconds to approve employment of Hannah Jacobs as student aide for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Cannon moves, Mr. Fillpot seconds to approve employment of Lucy Franklin as part-time Custodian for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Fairbanks moves, Mr. Terry seconds to approve employment of Karla Davidson as part-time Custodian for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Fairbanks moves, Mr. Fillpot seconds to approve employment of Kelsie Palmer as web site assistant for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Cannon moves, Mr. Fairbanks seconds to approve non-certified salary schedule with various increased percentages. Unanimous approval

Mr. Cannon moves, Mr. Fairbanks seconds to approve Mary Ann Olive as PAT coordinator for 2026-2027 fiscal year. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Dirks moves, Mr. Fillpot seconds to approve the CSIP Literacy Plan. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Morrison read a resignation letter to the Board from Tamara Metcalf.

Mr. Fillpot moves, Mr. Cannon seconds to accept resignation from Tamara Metcalf effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Unanimous approval.

Mr. Cannon moves, Mr. Dirks seconds to adjourn meeting. Unanimous approval.



#MidAmericaLive

MDC seeks public comments on potential changes to nonresident deer hunting

Comment online through April 20 at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/public-commenting-opportunities/nonresident-deer-hunting-changes.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is asking Missouri deer hunters and others for feedback on potential regulation changes to the Wildlife Code of Missouri for nonresident deer hunting.

One regulation change under consideration for the 2026 deer season would reduce the nonresident antlered buck bag limit from two to one. Nonresident landowners would maintain an antlered buck bag limit of two.

A regulation change under consideration for the 2027 deer season includes requiring nonresident deer hunters to purchase a Nonresident Public Land Deer Hunting Permit for $165 to be able to pursue, take, possess, and transport deer on public land in Missouri.

Beyond the 2027 deer season, MDC is considering establishing a draw for nonresidents to be able to hunt deer on public land or on public and private land.  

According to MDC, nonresident participation in Missouri’s deer season has increased considerably in recent years and some resident hunters have expressed concern about how it is impacting their hunts, particularly on public land.

According to MDC, there were approximately 20,000 nonresident deer hunters who hunted in Missouri 20 years ago. That number was about four percent of the state’s nearly 475,000 total deer hunters. By last year, that number had more than doubled to about 42,000 nonresident deer hunters in Missouri, accounting for about nine percent of the state’s nearly 475,000 total deer hunters.

MDC notes that nonresident hunters make valuable contributions to local economies and communities when traveling to Missouri. Many small businesses and Missouri landowners benefit from the contributions of nonresident deer hunters.

MDC also strives to provide quality hunting opportunities for resident hunters and recognizes the important contributions resident hunters and landowners make to sustain Missouri’s deer herd. The proposed changes to nonresident deer hunting are designed to address resident hunters’ concerns.

MDC values public input and previously asked for feedback from deer hunters about nonresident deer hunting in a 2024 survey of deer hunters and a public commenting opportunity conducted as part of the Department’s Deer Management Plan update.

MDC also surveyed a sample of 56,000 resident hunters and 1,800 nonresident hunters in 2025 regarding resident and nonresident hunting and collected public comments. MDC also held 10 open houses around the state in 2025 to seek public input on deer management in Missouri.

MDC welcomes public comments through April 20 on potential regulation changes for nonresident deer hunters. Comment online at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/public-commenting-opportunities/nonresident-deer-hunting-changes.

Learn more about deer hunting in Missouri online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer



MDC is asking for online public comments through April 20 on potential regulation changes for nonresident deer hunters. Comment online at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/public-commenting-opportunities/nonresident-deer-hunting-changes.



#MidAmericaLive

Miami Senior Spotlight, Brock Kelly


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#MidAmericaLive

Big day at math relays for Rich Hill Tigers


Math Relays Success!
Rich Hill took 21 students to the 56th Annual Math Relays at Pittsburg State University, competing against around 500 students from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri!
Events had anywhere from 30–80 competitors, and our students did an awesome job—several placed, and our medalists are highlighted!
Shoutout to the following students who medaled in the top 3 in their competition! Raed Rebmann, Andrew Kithcart, Mark Arnold, Titus Flanery, and Oscar Green
We also had 13 other students place in the top 10 in their events!
Great work representing our school against other schools!


#MidAmericaLive

Cruise Night coming April 24th!


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#MidAmericaLive

Another record broken at Sherwood


Celebrating an outstanding achievement in the triple jump event! Sherwood R8 student Ava Kurzweil has set a new school record with an impressive leap of 10.15 meters. This milestone highlights dedication and excellence in athletics. Stay inspired by remarkable performances like this and keep striving for greatness.



#MidAmericaLive

Rich Hill Senior Spotlight Evan Kithcart


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#MidAmericaLive

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Community Food Pantry Volunteer Spotlight: Carolyn Jett

Today we’re shining a light on someone whose creativity, compassion, and steady dedication make a real difference at the Community Food Pantry of Butler — Carolyn Jett.
Many in Bates County know Carolyn from her years as an art teacher at Butler High School, where she inspired students to explore their creativity and see the world with curiosity and heart. Now, she brings that same spirit to the pantry, where she has been volunteering with us.
When we asked Carolyn what surprised her most about volunteering at a food pantry, she shared something that stays with you:
“A surprising thing I learned while volunteering at the food pantry is that many people we serve have jobs or receive government benefits, but their income is not enough to support them, especially when they have children. The pantry bridges the difference.”
Her insight reflects what so many in our community experience — and why the pantry’s mission matters.
We also asked what keeps her coming back, and her answer captures the heart of our volunteer family:
“The camaraderie of fellow volunteers and workers and a feeling that is good being done is what keeps me coming back.”
Carolyn added a sentiment that beautifully sums up who we strive to be every day:
“The pantry is a caring group of people who are sharing hope with the people of Bates County who struggle with food insecurity.”
Carolyn, thank you for the kindness you bring, the perspective you share, and the hope you help spread. Our community is stronger because of you.


#MidAmericaLive

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