Ste. Genevieve R-II releases ‘Board Briefs’ from June 23, 2026, Regular Meeting

STE. GENEVIEVE –  This information includes highlights from the Ste. Genevieve County R-II Board of Education’s June 23, 2026, Regular Meeting. This is an unofficial record. The official Board Minutes are posted on the district website and are located on Simbli, linked here. The video of the meeting can be found on the district’s Youtube Channel, SGDragonsTV.

MSBA MONTHLY REPORT

The MSBA June Board Report features an in-depth review of the legislative session from Caitlin Whaley. There’s also information about submitting advocacy positions and a celebration of the 2026 FutureBuilders Student Scholarship winners. To see Caitlin’s full presentation on the legislative session, check out the Extended Edition of the June 2026 Board Report.

The MSBA Board Report is a short monthly video featuring the latest news from MSBA and about public education in Missouri. The program is designed to be shown during local school board meetings.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

Annual Transportation Report.

Director Ken Jones presented the Transportation Department’s annual report, highlighting the department’s operations, accomplishments and ongoing efforts during the 2025-2026 school year. He launched the presentation with several transportation “by the numbers” highlights. During the 2025-2026 school year, the department transported 1,057 students each day, operated 23-26 buses on daily routes and employed 32 team members. District buses traveled more than 338,500 miles during the year, with district vans adding another 33,390 miles. The report highlighted several initiatives and accomplishments, including:

• Launching a back-to-school transportation information hub with traffic maps, bus route information and safety resources for families following the completion of construction projects at Ste. Genevieve Elementary and the Early Childhood Center;
• Conducting annual spring and fall bus safety drills with students, helping them practice safe riding habits, review boarding and exiting procedures and learn how to respond in the event of an emergency.
• Purchasing and outfitting a new snow plow in-house, improving the district’s ability to clear school properties and bus turnaround locations during winter weather events;
• Installing roadway safety yard signs through a partnership with the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety to raise awareness of school bus stop-arm laws;
• Obtaining Reasonable Suspicion Supervisory Training certification through TOMO Drug Testing;
• Successfully completing a two-week FMCSA safety audit, which reviewed the district’s safety management practices in areas including driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, drug and alcohol testing and insurance;
• Recruiting and training two new school bus drivers, both of whom have committed to returning for the 2026-2027 school year;
• Hosting three “Come Drive a Bus” recruitment events and participating in “A Day Back in Dragon Country,” which provided retired educators with the opportunity to tour district facilities and experience driving a school bus;
• Partnering with Mr. Tyson Roth’s School Development Seminar students to design new transportation signage; and
• Celebrating Bus Safety Week by sharing bus safety information with families and recognizing transportation staff through appreciation activities organized by district buildings.

Mr. Jones also highlighted the department’s ongoing efforts to improve route efficiency. Since reducing the district’s route count by three, transportation costs have decreased by approximately $150,000 annually and transportation efficiency has improved by roughly 30%. As a result, the district now qualifies for the full amount of state transportation reimbursement available.

As part of the district’s bus replacement plan, the Transportation Department purchased four new Thomas Saf-T-Liner buses during the 2025-2026 school year. The 2026-2027 budget includes funding for three additional buses as the district continues modernizing its fleet.

Mr. Jones shared that the district earned a 100% pass rate during the annual Missouri State Highway Patrol bus inspection, exceeding the statewide average of 84.3% and earning the Fleet Excellence Award for the second consecutive year. He recognized mechanics James and Corey, employee Debbie Webery, Assistant Director Buck Jokerst and the district’s bus drivers for their commitment to maintaining a safe and reliable fleet.

The presentation also included a financial update. The district’s second-year transportation costs totaled approximately $2.006 million, including operational expenses, lease-purchase payments for the transportation facility and the purchase of four new buses. Mr. Jones noted that transportation operations continue to remain below initial projections developed during the transition to district-owned transportation services, even with the launch of the cyclical bus purchases this past school year.

Mr. Jones concluded by sharing that all transportation routes are currently staffed for the 2026-2027 school year, while encouraging interested community members to consider serving as substitute bus drivers.­

Care to Learn End-of-Year Report.

• School Social Worker Stephanie Gegg, Chapter Liaison for Care to Learn Ste. Genevieve, presented an overview of the program’s highlights.
• Each year, approximately 1,800 students attend SG R-II. While most of our families are able to stock up on the necessities, some have a much harder time making ends meet. The mission of the Care to Learn Ste. Genevieve Chapter is to provide immediate funding to meet students’ emergent health, hunger, and hygiene needs so they can be successful in school. Our Care to Learn team helps to respond to student needs efficiently and discreetly, while we partner with the community to provide those students with the resources they need. Funding for many of these services is also supported by a DESE reimbursement grant.
• If a student’s need involves health, hunger, or hygiene, Care to Learn can help. Mrs. Gegg shared some of the ways our Care to Learn Chapter has helped students and families this past school year:
  • Health: Crutch tips for safety, medication co-pays so students don’t have lapses in their medications, glasses, pest control (pet flea and tick medication), dental needs
  • Hunger: Grocery vouchers (through collaboration with Save a Lot), food bags and maintaining food drawers, lunch balances, Walmart pick-ups or deliveries
  • Hygiene: Toilet paper, laundry detergent/fabric softener, pull-ups, wipes, hygiene products, laundromat vouchers
  • Emergent Needs: Shoes, clothing, home extermination, hotel room, sensory supportive tools, dumpster rental
• By the Numbers
  • Student Needs Met: 6,732
  • Care to Learn Central Office Contributions: $1,252.80
  • State Funding Reimbursements via DESE Grant: $51,177.88
• Gegg shared that we are incredibly excited with all the ways we have been able to help our students and school families, and look forward to how we can meet even more needs going forward. Anyone interested in learning more can find information on our Care to Learn webpage on the district website: https://caretolearn.org/stegenevieve/
• Anyone who would like to make a donation to our local Care to Learn chapter can do so either online at ly/dragongiving, or can make a donation via a tax-deductible check payable to “Care to Learn Ste. Genevieve” and mailed to:

Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District

Attn: Erin Jokerst

375 North Fifth Street

Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670

• SG R-II would like to share a heartfelt thank you to the following 2025-2026 donors whose donations funded our Care to Learn Chapter this past school year:

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Backpacks for Friday:

• In tandem with the presentation on the Care to Learn Program, Mrs. Gegg presented an overview of the Backpacks for Friday program for the 2025-2026 school year, an initiative that provides basic food staples to 56 needy families. Backpacks for Friday is incorporated under the Care to Learn framework in order to take advantage of Care to Learn’s matching grant program.
• The District partners with the Southeast Missouri Food Bank to organize the program, which is funded through donations from community organizations, local businesses and residents. These donations are a vital contribution, as these partnerships assist us in the fight against hunger here in our community. This year, the district maintained 56 backpacks at $350 apiece (with $60 each covered by the Food Bank). One backpack provides 36 weeks of healthy, nutritious food.
• This year, 22 backpacks were utilized at Bloomsdale Elementary, which has an enrollment of 283 students, and 34 backpacks were utilized at Ste. Genevieve Elementary, which has an enrollment of 592 students.
• Gegg shared a special thanks to our elementary counselors, who help to determine the number of backpacks needed at their buildings and who help coordinate the program; the students in the STARS program, as well as Jon Robinson, Joseph Hull, and Susan Flieg, who help organize and transport the monthly shipments; and our Maintenance Department who help to coordinate delivery.
• SG R-II would like to share a heartfelt thank you to the following 2025-2026 donors whose donations funded the backpacks for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year:

• Looking ahead to the 2026-2027 school year, the district is collaborating with Care to Learn to enhance the Backpacks for Friday program by providing a greater variety of food items and more complete meal options for participating families. The district plans to expand the program from 56 backpacks to between 70 and 75 backpacks, with approximately 35 to 37 backpacks serving students at Bloomsdale Elementary and 37 to 40 backpacks serving students at Ste. Genevieve Elementary. The program will continue to provide 36 weeks of healthy food, beginning the first week of September and continuing through the first week of May. The anticipated cost will increase to between $400 and $450 per backpack, with funding provided through the continued generosity of community organizations, local businesses, community members and a DESE grant.
• To donate specifically to the Backpacks for Friday program, you can make a tax-deductible check payable to “Care to Learn Ste. Genevieve” with “Backpacks for Friday Program” on the memo line and send it to:

Dr. John Boyd

SG R-II Assistant Superintendent

375 North Fifth Street

Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670

2025-2026 End-of-Year Summary Reports.

• Early Childhood Center
• Bloomsdale Elementary
• Genevieve Elementary
• Genevieve Middle School
• Genevieve High School

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Prop SG Update. Superintendent Dr. Taylor provided an update on the ongoing Prop SG projects.

Wrestling Building:

Construction on the district’s new wrestling facility is entering its final stages.

• Asphalt has been completed.
• The punch list is scheduled for June 25.
• Interior framing, drywall and painting are complete.
• Floors have been sealed, with vinyl base installed.
• BT Electric has completed electrical trim work.
• The black ceiling, green wall padding and black wrestling mat create the facility’s finished look.
• Final cleaning, landscaping and remaining site work, including grass installation, are underway. Riprap installation behind the building has been completed.
• The golf simulator, storage and utility room floors have been sealed.
• The only remaining interior work is the installation of the final section of wrestling mats, pending the arrival of padding beneath the mats.
• Following the Board meeting, members will have an opportunity to tour the new facility.

The district is planning a Wrestling Alumni Night on Aug. 28 prior to the football game against Dexter, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Wrestling Facility. We hope to see you there!

Completing Prop SG

As the district prepares to close out the Prop SG bond program, careful planning and strong cost management have allowed several additional improvements to be completed using remaining bond funds.

Throughout the project, the district worked closely with Brockmiller Construction and KRJ Architects to identify cost savings across each facility project while remaining committed to maximizing the community’s $20 million investment. Savings and strategic investment of bond monies also allowed the district to complete several projects in-house, including the football, softball and baseball field lighting projects.

With funds remaining at the conclusion of the major construction projects, KRJ Architects and Brockmiller Construction determined that renovating the former wrestling room and current weight room falls within the scope of Prop SG because the work is directly tied to the relocation of the wrestling program into its new facility. Final renderings are expected to be presented to the Board in July.

New Weight Room

The former wrestling room will be converted into a modern weight room designed to better serve student-athletes and physical education programs. District administrators have worked with Athletic Director Dr. Jeff Nix, coaches and equipment specialists to develop the project.

Plans include:

• New Sorinex strength equipment.
• Multifunctional training stations.
• New flooring, including a turf training area.
• Updated paint, lighting and HVAC.
• Exposed ceilings for a more modern appearance.
• New wall pads and mirrors.

To minimize disruptions, the current weight room will remain in use at the start of the school year while renovations are completed. Once the new weight room is operational, work will begin on renovating the existing weight room.

Multipurpose / Auxiliary Room

The current weight room will be transformed into a flexible multipurpose space that can support a variety of student activities. Potential uses include:

• 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 a dedicated space. The room is designed to benefit all students while providing additional flexibility for athletics, physical education and school events.

Custodial Services Update.

The Board authorized Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor to enter into negotiations and execute an agreement with 4M Building Solutions for commercial cleaning and janitorial services, replacing the district’s current partnership with HES Facilities Management.

Dr. Taylor provided the Board with an overview of the district’s experience with HES and the reasons administration believes a change is necessary. While district leaders remain appreciative of the efforts of custodial staff working in our buildings each day, chronic staffing shortages, communication challenges and inconsistencies in service have made it difficult to maintain the level of cleaning and care expected throughout the district.

Over the past several years, HES has struggled to maintain full staffing levels. As a result, available personnel have often been required to focus on classrooms and other high-priority areas, while routine deep-cleaning in other areas of district facilities have been delayed, such as preparation for—and clean-up after—events. Administration shared that these challenges have persisted despite ongoing communication with HES regarding staffing and service expectations.

As part of the evaluation process, district leaders reviewed references, referrals and recommendations from organizations currently utilizing 4M Building Solutions, including Wentzville School District, Westminster Christian Academy, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis, Safety National and Sansone Group Property Management.

According to the proposal presented to the Board, 4M plans to begin operations with staffing levels exceeding immediate needs by two to three employees in an effort to avoid the shortages that have affected service in recent years. The company has already begun recruiting efforts locally and has indicated that starting wages for custodial employees assigned to the district would increase to $18 per hour.

District administrators also noted that the proposed agreement would allow the district to pay based on actual staffing and services provided rather than paying for positions that may remain unfilled. Administration believes this structure will provide greater accountability while helping ensure district facilities receive the level of care expected by students, staff and the community.

Following discussion, the Board approved the motion authorizing Dr. Taylor to move forward with negotiations and execute an agreement with 4M Building Solutions for the 2026-2027 school year.

NEW BUSINESS

Audit Engagement Letters.

The Board approved the engagement letters for Beussink, Hey, Roe & Stroder, L.L.C. to audit the financial statements of the Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District for the year ending on June 30, 2026.

Addition of Dual-Purpose K-9 Program.

The Board approved the establishment of a dual-purpose K-9 program for Ste. Genevieve County R-II. School Resource Officer Nick Cusanelli presented the proposal, which would add a K-9 trained to serve as both an emotional support dog and a narcotics detection dog. The program is designed to support student and staff well-being while enhancing school safety through proactive narcotics detection and prevention efforts.

The estimated startup cost is approximately $15,215 and includes the purchase of a K-9 from Shallow Creek Kennels, emotional support training and certification through Dogs on Duty, narcotics detection training, a transport crate and a vehicle heat alarm system. Annual operating costs are estimated at approximately $1,940 and include food, veterinary care, ongoing training and certification, and reporting software.

District officials noted that grants, fundraising efforts and community donations may help offset program costs. The K-9 program is intended to serve as both a positive resource for students and a visible component of the district’s comprehensive school safety efforts.

Bid: Food Service – Bread.

The Board of Education approved a one-year bid for bread products from Holloway Distributing, Inc. for the 2026-2027 school year.

Bid: Food Service – Milk.

The Board of Education approved a one-year bid for milk from Prairie Farms for the 2026-2027 school year.

Bid: Food Service Small Purchases.

The Board of Education approved the small purchase bids from Performance Food Group (PFG) and US Foods for the 2026-2027 school year.

The district solicited small purchase bids for food service items for the 2026-27 school year. Two vendors submitted bids: Performance Food Group (PFG) and US Foods. Both vendors provided competitive, market-based pricing across a range of products. Because these are market value prices, costs may fluctuate throughout the school year based on market conditions and product availability.

The Food Service Department recommended continuing to utilize both PFG and US Foods, alternating purchases based on pricing, product quality, and availability to ensure cost efficiency and consistency in service.

Elevator Full Maintenance Service Bid.

The Board of Education approved a three-year bid for elevator full maintenance bid from Cardinal Elevator.

Bid: Pest Control Services.

The Board of Education approved a three-year bid for pest control services from Bug Guy Pest Services.

Bid: HVAC Replacement at Middle School.

The Board approved a bid from Burns Mechanical Co. to complete the replacement of the HVAC system in the old middle school gymnasium with a partner 30-ton unit.

2027 Fiscal Year Budget – 2026-2027 School Year.

The Board of Education approved the following budget items for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Increases in insurance (an increase of $52 per insured employee per month) , benefits, and utility costs;
• Addition of three Special Education teachers
• Addition of one fourth grade teacher at Ste. Genevieve Elementary
• Addition of three Special Education paraprofessionals
• Addition of two Systems Administrators (restructured from an Assistant Director of Technology and a Technology Aide)
• Adoption of resources necessary for student programs and services;
• The following salary and benefit adjustments:
  • Certified Staff:
    • increase the base salary by 3.3% (increasing the base salary to $47,000);
    • increase steps on the the salary schedule from $640 to $650;
    • allow regular step and lane movement on the salary schedule;
    • allow additional degree stipends to be applied for certified staff; and
    • increase longevity from $750 to $1,000 at the 20-year and 25-year benchmarks.
  • Support Staff:
    • increase hourly pay rates by 3.3% (increasing the lowest beginning salary to $16.88)
      • **Minimum wage in Missouri is currently $15 an hour. Dr. Taylor pointed out that it is important that the district continue to raise the lowest beginning salary in order to remain competitive with statewide minimum wage increases.
    • allow normal movement on the salary schedule.
  • Benefits:
    • Continuation of the Wellness Benefit initiative
    • Adjusting all benefits based on salary increases.

The First Amendment to the FY27 Budget will be presented mid-year, in order to provide the district more time to work with setting the tax rate and to obtain a more complete picture of our local, state and federal revenue totals by this time.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Regular Session Meeting on Tuesday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Early Childhood Center’s Multipurpose Room (1200 Maple Drive, Ste. Genevieve). The August monthly regular meetings will be held one week later than usual: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.