Nodaway County school board notes

By Phil Cobb | February 4, 2026 |

School Board Notes art

Maryville R-II

MARYVILLE, Mo. — The following notes are from the minutes of the Jan. 21 meeting of the Maryville R-II Board of Education held at the district office.

The board accepted a donation from Cole Lawyer of H&H Trailers to the Northwest Technical School Welding and Fabrication program.

Superintendent Philip Pohren held the second reading of the 2026-2027 school calendar. The finalized calendar will be approved at a future meeting. As it stands now, the school year would begin Aug. 25 and end on May 13. The first semester would have 79 days, and the second semester would have 83 days.

Pohren’s report to the board noted that preliminary planning for the 2026-2027 budget has begun. Focus is being given to several topics including grant fund availability, insurance renewal, salary schedules, equipment needs, and building and grounds upgrades. “As planning continues, Proposition C funding and the impact of the rollback/waiver remain important factors for long-term operating stability,” he noted in his report.

Personnel

Resignations

Nick Bolton, Eugene Field Elementary physical education teacher, effective at the end of the school year
Bianca Pine, Maryville Middle School eighth grade language arts teacher, effective at the end of the school year

Reassignments

Andaya Sparks, MMS eighth grade reading to EFE librarian 2026-2027
Valerie Clements, district personnel accountant to EFE office manager, effective Feb. 1

Board approved recommendations for employment

Erin Haynie, EFE paraprofessional, effective Jan. 12
Imajen Ingraham, MMS fifth grade reading teacher 2026-2027
Lori Williams, Maryville High School evening custodian, effective Jan. 27

Board approved extra duty assignments

Treva Tharnish, MMS assistant track coach 2025-2026

Superintendent contract extension and renewal

The board recommended that Pohren be given a one-year extension on his contract (through June 30, 2029) and the salary payable under this agreement for each year shall be an amount equal to the salary established for the prior year plus an increase of 0 percent to 10 percent based on the superintendent’s performance and the district’s financial condition which will be determined by the Board of Education prior to July 1, 2026.

Jefferson C-123

CONCEPTION JCT., Mo. — The following are notes from the minutes of the Jan. 21 meeting of the Jefferson C-123 Board of Education held in the school library.

Superintendent Dallas Giedd told the board that the Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., USA Maryville plant has made a donation of $5,000 to the school district to be used in the 2026-2027 school year. Half is to be used at the junior high and high school level and the other half at the elementary school level.
The board approved signing a five-year service agreement with EdCounsel.
Board members approved increasing the adult meal price to $3.80.
Approval of the school calendar has been tabled until next month’s meeting.
The board accepted a letter of resignation from custodian Agnes Anderson.
Board members approved an extension of Superintendent Giedd’s contract through the 2027-2028 school year.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 18.

Northeast Nodaway R-V

RAVENWOOD, Mo. — The following are notes from the Jan. 23 meeting of the Northeast Nodaway R-V Board of Education.

Assistant Superintendent Chaim Jenkins presented a draft of the 2026-2027 school calendar to the board for its second reading.
Principal Heidi Beatty’s report notes that there is no change in number of applicants for the second semester of the Flex program this second semester. Four students continue to use the program for work. The program was instituted last January.
Beatty’s report noted that she and Jenkins participated in training about creating a Portrait of a Graduate, that focuses on helping to create a success-ready student by developing 21st century skills to be career and college ready. After working with staff, her report said that they will continue to use professional development days to work on the program ensuring they are conscious of working toward developing this set of skills with all students every year, from preschool through 12th grade. She hopes to involve the community to ensure the program is relevant.
Beatty reported to the board that Parents as Teachers is supporting 16 high needs families and six families without high needs. She said they will be adding two more families this month.
Assistant Principal Rory Jackson reported that freshmen attended the Greenhand Conference at Northwest Missouri State University on Jan. 9.
Jackson said the FFA is donating cornhole boards to the Nodaway County Cattlemen’s banquet.
In other FFA news, Jace Burns and Tucker Kneale are in the Top 5 in Area 1 for trapshooting, Jackson noted.
In FCCLA news, Hayley Yost, Drayson Villegas, Brianna Meyer and Blair Nelson finished with bronzes at the FCCLA STAR Event held at Northwest Missouri State University on Jan. 14.
The board accepted the resignation of fourth grade teacher Jessi Masek.

Nodaway-Holt R-VII

GRAHAM, Mo. — The following are notes from the Jan. 21 meeting of the Nodaway-Holt R-VII Board of Education.

The board approved a $2,656 agreement to have the gym floor at the high school sanded, cleaned and waxed.
The board’s next meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 18. Board members will spend the morning in high school classrooms prior to the meeting. The board traditionally alternates sitting in on different classes in the elementary and high school for a day each February before an early afternoon meeting.
The board approved extending Superintendent Mike Hollingsworth’s contract one year through the 2028-2029 school year.