Kirksville R-III School District Packet Summary — 2026-08-26
Meeting: 08/26/2026 - 06:00 PM Work Session Meeting Board Meeting
Location: Kirksville R-III Administration Building
The Kirksville R-III School District Board of Education is scheduled to review bond construction progress, hold a public hearing on the district's proposed 2026 property tax rates, consider easements connected with City of Kirksville crosswalk improvements, and consider a special-services contract. The agenda also includes personnel-related consent items, an additional check approval, and an executive session.
Key Items on the Agenda
Bond Project Updates
The board is scheduled to receive an August 26 update on projects funded through the district's bond program, including the Performing Arts Center and work at the High School, Tech Center, Ray Miller Elementary, and district vestibules.
For the Performing Arts Center, the packet reports:
- Original contract: $20,549,000
- Changes to date: $(322,469.13)
- Current contract: $20,226,530
- Original contract allowance: $200,000
- Allowance spent to date: $105,000
- Allowance remaining: $95,000
- Original owner contingency: $900,000
- Owner contingency spent: $109,977.87
- Anticipated changes: $59,581
- Current contingency remaining: $730,441.13
Construction photographs document ongoing brick and roof installation at the auditorium, interior metal-stud framing, sheetrock and insulation work, and progress in spaces including the band room, ensemble room, choir room, restrooms, and other Performing Arts Center areas.
For the High School, Tech Center, Ray Miller Elementary, and vestibule work, the packet reports a contract amount of $9,537,200, changes to date of $1,085,438.38, and a current contract of $10,622,638.38. The full $140,000 allowance has been spent. The packet lists an original owner contingency of $835,720, contingency spending of $1,085,438.38, anticipated costs of $233,928, and a current contingency balance of $(483,646.38).
The update includes progress photographs of the new High School entrance, commons and cafeteria areas, corridors, multipurpose and collaboration spaces, weight room, nurse's office, offices, restrooms, Tech Connector, parking areas, and work at Ray Miller Elementary.
Overall Bond Program Budget
The project update provides the following overall bond-program figures:
- Original bond issue: $33,000,000
- Bond premium: $2,545,660
- Estimated bond interest: $3,160,764
- Arbitrage liability: $(700,000)
- Total bond budget: $38,006,424
- Estimated owner contingency and allowances remaining: $483,964
The packet states that the estimated remaining contingency and allowances are anticipated to be spent to complete the current projects and other improvements.
Public Tax Rate Levy Hearing
The agenda includes a Public Tax Rate Levy Hearing. The hearing notice states that citizens may be heard on the property tax rates proposed to be set by the district and explains that the rates are intended to produce the property-tax revenue required by the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
The proposed 2026 rates per $100 of assessed valuation are:
- Incidental Fund: $1.8250
- Teacher Fund: $1.8250
- Debt Service Fund: $0.8190
- Capital Projects Fund: $0.1000
- Total proposed rate: $4.5690
The notice lists a prior-year total rate of $4.2837. It also reports budgeted property tax revenues totaling $17,038,028, compared with $18,298,228 calculated from the prior-year property tax rates.
The notice states that the figures were based on information available as of July 28, 2026, and could change by the hearing. It further states that the Board of Education may make changes until September 1, 2026.
City Crosswalk Improvements
The board is scheduled to consider documents associated with the City of Kirksville Crosswalk Improvements Project, Federal Project No. TAP 3700215. The agenda materials indicate that the project involves district-owned property and include a donation letter, easements for Parcels 4A and 4B, and project plans.
The City's donation letter asks the district to donate property rights needed for the project:
- 300 square feet as a temporary construction easement.
- 1,057 square feet as a permanent sidewalk easement.
The letter states that the district has a right to compensation determined through an appraisal but asks the district to waive compensation and a pro rata tax adjustment if it agrees to donate the property rights.
Parcel 4A
The packet describes Parcel 4A as a temporary construction easement associated with the crosswalk project. The easement covers 300 square feet and would allow construction access, grading, material storage, and operation or parking of equipment.
The agreement states that the easement would end within one year after the City Council accepts the completed construction project, unless another date is specified in the City's acceptance.
Parcel 4B
The Parcel 4B document proposes a permanent sidewalk easement covering 1,057 square feet. It would give the City the right to construct, reconstruct, maintain, and operate a public sidewalk on the described property.
The agenda summary distinguishes the two locations, describing 4A as a more limited ADA-related fix and 4B as a more significant redesign intended to bring the crossing into ADA compliance.
Special Services Contract
The board is scheduled to consider a Contract for Special Services between the Kirksville R-III School District and Lakemary Center, Inc. The contract covers educational services based on a student's Individualized Education Plan and runs from August 26, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The proposed charges listed in the contract are:
- Regular school year educational services: 166 days at $412 per day, estimated at $68,392
- Extended school year educational services: 16 days, estimated at $6,592
- Combined estimated educational charges: $74,984
The contract lists no residential-service charge. It also establishes responsibilities for educational services, transportation, specialized services and equipment, payment, student records, grievances, and termination.
Consent Agenda and Other Action Items
The action portion of the agenda includes a consent agenda containing:
- Resignations
- Employment
- 2026–2027 Substitute List
The agenda also lists an Additional Check Approval as a separate new-business item. The extracted packet text does not provide further substantive detail about that proposed approval.
Executive Session
The agenda recommends an executive session under Missouri Revised Statutes Sections 610.021(3) and 610.021(13). The stated purposes concern hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting particular employees and individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings, or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment.
What to Watch at the Meeting
Key points for the August 26 work session include:
- How the board responds to the bond-project financial update, particularly the reported $(483,646.38) contingency balance for the High School, Tech Center, Ray Miller Elementary, and vestibule projects.
- The proposed $4.5690 per $100 total property tax rate and any changes considered following the public hearing.
- Whether the district proceeds with the temporary and permanent property easements requested for the City's crosswalk improvements.
- Consideration of the Lakemary Center special-services contract with estimated educational charges totaling $74,984.
Civic Translator summarized publicly available meeting materials from the official Kirksville R-III School District meeting packet.
Civic Translator summarized publicly available meeting materials.
Clarify the meeting titleAdd a concise tax-rate comparisonReduce repetitive construction details
