The Fayette Board of Education approved more than $200,000 in expenditures during its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 21. The board closed out the academic year with a comprehensive meeting that highlighted student achievements, upcoming summer plans, district facility improvements, and a preview of the next fiscal budget that will go into effect on July 1.

A significant expenditure was $93,825 to repave the high school parking lot, including the senior spaces and the bus loop. The expense will come out of next year’s budget.

Daly Elementary principal Samie Hill reported that 143 students have enrolled for summer school, with 136 attending on the first day. She also noted minimal turnover among staff heading into the next school year.

Outgoing Clark Middle School principal Abby Arnette praised a “fast and positive” end to the year. The eighth grade was celebrated with a trip to the CMU Rec Center, and the middle school honored 85 students on the honor roll, an increase of 15 students over last year.

“We were so proud to see more kids achieving this year,” she said. Awards for perfect attendance and academic excellence were distributed, including four President’s Awards and seven perfect attendance recognitions. (A complete list of middle school honors appears on Page 2 of this newspaper.)

Mrs. Arnette will take over as the district’s Director of Student Services. Former director Melissa Duren is retiring at the end of the academic year. The district announced Brock Hill will serve as the middle school principal next year.

Mrs. Arnette said about 20 families attended a cybersecurity presentation by police officer Andy Evans. The district expects to hold the demonstration yearly, explaining how to be safe online. Superintendent Brent Doolin said he will keep working to increase turnout for programs like this.

Fayette High School principal Jason Hannam announced staffing updates, including hiring Sarah Dickerson as the new high school secretary. She will train under outgoing secretary Terri Fletcher, who is retiring.

A significant portion of Wednesday’s meeting focused on safety and accessibility upgrades. Superintendent Doolin addressed the district’s outdated security camera system. “The current system just doesn’t work well. It’s a need that we need to address,” he said.

The board approved replacing the existing cameras at a cost of $63,167.37. However, that cost is expected to increase as new cameras will be added to cover areas such as the football field, the FHS weight room, and uncovered portions of the middle and elementary schools. Doolin said the district has the money to purchase the equipment now but will pursue a school safety grant to help offset the expense.

The board approved the purchase of a used 2017 Toyota Sienna van for around $39,000 to assist in transporting students who use wheelchairs. While not intended for daily use, Doolin said the van can be used to transport non-handicapped people as well.

The board also approved a curriculum update to better align elementary and middle school instruction. The vertical alignment plan will be supported by purchasing new classroom materials, including printed books and digital resources such as Google Slides.

The district also secured a $20,000 Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant for the middle school, part of a three-year initiative to build a literacy team and provide professional development. An application is also underway for a Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) grant that, if awarded, could total around $31,000.

Superintendent Doolin gave an early look at the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1. Capital expenses, including a new gym floor and parking lot resurfacing, will be included in the 2025-26 budget.

Depending on how state funding turns out, the district could start the new fiscal year with an increased fund balance, a few points above 50%, which is far higher than the minimum set by the board about five years ago.

“We probably have too favorable a fund balance,” said board member Shauna Young. “Our goal should be to balance the budget more closely.”

Mr. Doolin said he expects a 2.5% increase in the assessed valuation for Howard County, which should modestly benefit district revenues. He also explained that the Missouri Senate adjourned without passing an open enrollment bill but did approve a fully funded school formula. The state’s per-pupil funding target is set at $7,145, though Mr. Doolin said he expects that to be slightly reduced by Gov. Mike Kehoe. He also noted that the baseline salary grant for educators would continue and that public employees, including school staff, will now receive a minimum wage of $15 per hour.

In other business, the board voted to surplus the old softball lights. New lighting has been installed and the old lights will be donated to the Howard County fairgrounds to be used at the rodeo arena.

While he noted the lights, particularly the bulbs, retain some value, Supt. Doolin said that donating them would be a good gesture to the community, especially given that the district plans to ask voters to approve new bond and levy issues next fall.

The board has one final meeting before approving a new budget. The next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, in the high school library. The board regularly meets on the third Wednesday of every month except for July. Meetings are open, agendas are published in advance on the district’s website, and the public is invited.