R-IV to continue to operate under minimum tax levy

The annual tax hearing took place August 11 prior to the regular school board meeting. Though there were approximately a dozen members of the public present, there were no comments during the public comment portion of the hearing. 

 

In the budget work session, resident Jeremy Minton commented on the tax levy, requesting that the school board refrain from raising tax rates. A rate increase was not on the table for this hearing, which is an annual requirement for all political entities. Willow Springs R-IV School District will continue to operate at the state minimum tax levy of 2.75%, the board voted during the regular session. 

 

In other business, the board discussed and passed policies to match new laws passed by the state legislature. Some, like the statewide ban on cell phones during the school day, were already in place in Willow Springs. New to the district this year is a policy requiring student athletes to participate on teams according to the gender on their birth certificates. 

 

Homeschool and family-paced education students are allowed to participate in extracurricular activities in Willow Springs, beginning this year, which is another policy adopted to match state-wide mandates. Private and parochial schools are not included in this change, and by state law, are not required to be. 

 

Answering board member Meagan Jones’ question about whether homeschool students will be expected to meet the same grade and attendance requirements as enrolled students, High School Principal Nick Schmitt confirmed they would, but then smirked and shrugged, “We can’t [ask to see homeschool records].” Under the law, parents remain the educational authority over homeschool students and are not required to disclose records to the school district to gain access to participation.

 

Smirks, rolled eyes, and chuckles rippled throughout the room as administrators and at least one board member, Brent Colley, expressed incredulity. 

 

Spence clarified, “We would be concerned that [information provided by homeschool families] won’t be accurate.”

 

Board Vice President Matt Hobson spoke up, “We just have to trust parents.”

 

In other matters, the board heard a financial update from Superintendent Dr. Marty Spence. See the front page for full coverage of that unfolding issue. The balance of all reported funds on August 11 is $1,358,058.69. Last month the balance was $878,695.97, and the balance one year ago was $3,061,191.25.

 

A unanimous vote passed the fiscal year 2026 budget according to updates from the district’s independent financial consultant, Dr. Carol Embree. The new budget has an expenses of $15.28 million with projected revenues of $15.91 million. In fiscal year 25, the district spent $18.22 million. 

 

A closed session for personnel matters and student discipline took place after the open session. The board accepted resignations from Dylan Mckinney, paraprofessional, MiMi Wilhight, custodian, and Briana Link MS/HS choir teacher. The board approved three new paraprofessionals: Natalya Kharitovova, Danelle Bonnine, and Bonnie Pyatt.

 

The closed session minutes do not record a motion or vote regarding Superintendent Dr. Spence, specifically, but the board released a statement on August 13 indicating that Spence informed them he would not be seeking renewal of his contract. He will finish out the 2025/2026 school year.