This information includes highlights from the Ste. Genevieve County R-II Board of Education’s Sept. 22, 2026, Regular Meeting. This is an unofficial record. The official Board Minutes are posted on the district website and are located on BoardDocs, linked here. The video of the meeting can be found on the district’s Youtube Channel, SGDragonsTV.
MSBA MONTHLY REPORT
The MSBA September Board Report features MSBA’s Senior Director of School Finance, Linda Quinley, as well as updates on upcoming learning opportunities at MSBA conferences.
The MSBA Board Report is a monthly five to seven-minute video program featuring the latest news from MSBA about public education in Missouri. The program is designed to be shown during local school board meetings.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Enrollment Count.
Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor presented the 2026-2027 Enrollment Count. For combined preschool and Early Childhood Special Education, there was an increase of 42 students; there was a decrease of 38 students K – 5th, an increase of 19 students 6th – 8th, and a decrease of 7 students 9th – 12th from the first day of school last year. Overall this year, K-12 enrollment was 26 fewer students for the first day of school than last year.
Technology Report.
Technology Director Jason Bauman presented the annual Technology Report, where he gave an overview of the district’s technology goals, tools, resources and professional development.
Principal Reports.
Each building principal reported on a variety of teacher and student accomplishments.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Prop SG Update. Superintendent Dr. Taylor provided an update on the ongoing Prop SG projects.
Wrestling Building:
Ste. Genevieve County R-II will celebrate the completion of the new Wrestling Facility with a ribbon-cutting and Wrestling Alumni Night on Friday, Oct. 23, prior to the home football game against North County. The ribbon-cutting will begin at 6 p.m., followed by tours of the new facility. Community members are invited to attend and help celebrate this exciting addition to the SG R-II campus. During halftime of the football game, former SG R-II wrestlers will also be recognized as part of Wrestling Alumni Night. Wrestling alumni participating in the recognition should meet at the south end of the field.
New Weight Room
The new weight room is designed to better serve student-athletes and physical education programs while providing a modern, durable training environment. The proposed layout includes strength equipment positioned along both sides of the room, with turf running down the center and weight racks at each end. The design also incorporates durable diamond plating along the walls, as well as branded weights, belts and other equipment.
Plans include:
- New Sorinex strength equipment and branded accessories.
- Multifunctional training stations and weight racks.
- New flooring with a turf training area running through the center of the room.
- Updated paint, lighting and HVAC.
- Exposed ceilings for a more modern appearance.
- Durable wall finishes, wall pads and mirrors.
Before the space can be completed, significant HVAC restructuring is needed. The district is currently working through those improvements. Once the HVAC work is complete, painting and flooring will follow. Sorinex is tentatively expected to install the new strength equipment in November.
Multipurpose / Auxiliary Room
Once the new weight room is complete, equipment will be removed from the current weight room, and renovations will begin to transform that space into a flexible multipurpose and auxiliary room. The space is being designed to support a variety of student activities, including:
- Plyometric, agility, yoga and conditioning activities.
- Physical education classes.
- Track and cross country warm-ups, stretching and core workouts.
- Team meetings and instructional space with a projector and screen.
- Home or visiting locker room space when needed.
- Portable tables, chairs and benches.
The renovation will also improve the overall appearance and functionality of the high school by relocating fitness equipment currently stored in hallways into dedicated spaces. The district is targeting completion of the multipurpose/auxiliary room by the end of January. Once both phases are finished, the renovated spaces will provide greater flexibility for athletics, physical education classes and other student and school activities.
Instructional Program Presentation — High School Auto Mechanics.
SGHS Automotive Technology teacher Jeremy Mueller presented an overview of the program and its focus on hands-on, real-world learning. Students develop skills in areas such as engine performance, brakes, electrical systems, diagnostics and preventive maintenance while also strengthening problem-solving, teamwork, communication and professional work habits. Beyond automotive skills, students strengthen critical thinking and apply math and science concepts while learning to diagnose problems, interpret data and take responsibility for the quality of their work. The program prepares students for a variety of pathways after high school, including entry-level employment, apprenticeships, technical education and industry certifications.
Emergency Operations Plan.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. John Boyd presented, and the Board approved, the updates to the Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District Emergency Operations Plan for the 2026-2027 school year.
- The district conducted a comprehensive review of the Emergency Operations Plan, updating personnel, roles and facility maps and removing outdated material. As part of this process, the district transitioned the plan from a document-based format to an interactive, easy-to-navigate site-based platform designed to provide quicker access to emergency procedures and information. Direct links to essential planning resources and real-time emergency tools were also integrated into the plan.
- Effective emergency planning is an ongoing process, and procedures are subject to change as more efficient and effective techniques are developed.
- A copy of the School District Emergency Operations Plan has been made available for Board members to review. Because the safety of students and staff is of the utmost importance to the district, the Emergency Operations Plan will not be made available for public viewing.
NEW BUSINESS
Assessment Plan and Updated Assessment Schedule.
Dr. Boyd presented, and the Board approved, the Assessment Plan and Updated Testing Schedule for the 2026-2027 year. This year, the district transitioned the plan from a document-based format to an interactive, easy-to-navigate Assessment Hub, creating a one-stop resource for proctors and coordinators. The plan also includes updated testing timelines to reflect shifts in testing windows throughout the school year, along with updated and streamlined resources and state guidelines.
Extra Duty Stipend Adjustment – High School Student Council Sponsor.
The Board approved the adjustment of the High School Student Council Sponsor extra duty stipend from 6% to 9%. The adjustment reflects the scope and year-round nature of the position, including significant evening, weekend and summer responsibilities. The program includes more than 40 active members who complete more than 70 events and initiatives annually, with more than 2,600 student service hours documented as of March 17. The adjustment also better aligns compensation with the workload and responsibilities of the position while supporting the retention of qualified sponsors and the long-term sustainability of the program.
Extra Duty Stipend Adjustment – Middle School NJHS Sponsor
The Board approved the adjustment of the Middle School National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Sponsor extra duty stipend from 2% to 3%, aligning it with the high school’s NHS stipend. The adjustment reflects the continued growth of the program, with membership increasing from 30 students in 2021–22 to approximately 50–60 students annually in recent years and the number of academically eligible students reaching 95 in 2025–26. Sponsor responsibilities include monthly meetings, fundraising, service projects, student activities, the selection and induction of new members and other responsibilities totaling an estimated 43–47 hours each year. The adjustment also recognizes the need for two sponsors as the program continues to grow and supports the recruitment and retention of qualified sponsors.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Regular Session Meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Early Childhood Center’s Multipurpose Room (1200 Maple Drive, Ste. Genevieve).