Maries R‑1 board approves new health plan, calendar, facility plan, contracts and personnel moves

The Maries R‑1 School Board of Education on Feb. 23 unanimously approved a package of operational and personnel measures, including a board‑paid employee health plan, the 2026–27 school calendar, a district facility plan and multiple contracts and hires.

Teresa Messersmith presented options from OSBA for employee health insurance and recommended the district offer the 2500/3500 PPO plan. Jacob Hallahan moved and Matt Novak seconded adoption of the 2500/3500 PPO as the board‑paid plan; the board approved the motion 6‑0. The presentation listed the selected plan’s cost as $668 per month.

The board also voted 6‑0 to approve a contract with NEE and to continue a co‑op agreement with Visitation Catholic School. Members approved the district facility plan and authorized a request for proposals (RFP) for track resurfacing, both by 6‑0 votes. An amended extra‑curricular stipend list was approved unanimously.

After reviewing two calendar options and staff survey results that favored Option 1, the board adopted Option 1 as the official 2026–27 school calendar by a 6‑0 vote.

On personnel matters, the board re‑hired three current administrators to two‑year contracts: Timothy Metcalf as HS/MS principal (motion by Lori Hayes, second by Denise Wilkinson), Shanda Snodgrass as elementary principal (motion by Kayla Wansing, second by Jacob Hallahan), and Joseph Edwards as special education director (motion by Denise Wilkinson, second by Kayla Wansing). All three motions passed 6‑0.

The board accepted the resignation of custodian Rustin Robertson (the transcript also records the name as “Rusty Robertson”) after Mrs. Messersmith read his letter of resignation; the board accepted the resignation "with regret" by unanimous vote. The board approved hiring Rob Kilmer as assistant middle‑school track coach (motion by Kayla Wansing, second by Lori Hayes) and hiring Annalisha Brummett as daytime custodian (motion by Lori Hayes, second by Denise Wilkinson); both hires were approved 6‑0.

Near the end of the public meeting, the board voted to adjourn into closed session. According to the meeting record, Timothy Metcalf discussed a student concern and Teresa Messersmith discussed a staff concern during executive session. The board then voted to adjourn the closed session; roll‑call votes for the closed‑session motions show David Long, Matt Novak, Denise Wilkinson, Kayla Wansing, Lori Hayes and Jacob Hallahan voting yes and Kevin Heavin absent.

Routine business at the start of the meeting included approval of the agenda and the Jan. 27, 2026 minutes and acceptance of the bills/direct deposit list. The district’s financial reports were presented by Mrs. Messersmith during the meeting.

Next procedural steps noted in the minutes: the meeting record shows motions and approvals as final for the items listed; no future meeting date or follow‑up assignments were specified in the posted minutes.