News – Monday, August 25th 2025

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held its regular meeting and public tax rate hearing Thursday evening at 5:30 in the administration building. Following the call to order and Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the agenda. A motion was made to appoint a new board member due to the start of the school year, and Mr. Chris Heavin was selected to fill the vacancy. Heavin was sworn in by Assistant Superintendent and Recording Secretary Dan Copeland. The board then approved the consent agenda, and Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills read a thank-you card from Mrs. Heavin. In his report, Dr. Wills provided updates on several district projects, including updates of the FEMA building, drainage improvements at the football field, and parking lot repairs. He noted that the Junior and Senior High School parking lots have been completed, while issues at the Upper Elementary lot may require additional investment to fully resurface, which will be considered in next year’s budget. Dr. Wills also reported that all roof projects have been completed and that track repairs will hopefully be finished as early as this fall. Administrators presented their reports as well, highlighting a strong start to the new school year. Under new business, the board approved Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) policy updates, the preliminary 2024-2025 Annual Secretary of the Board Report, a transportation contract with First Student for Early Childhood Special Education, the Local Tax Effort and Public Placement Fund Addendum, and a memorandum of understanding with Head Start. Personnel changes included four new hires and one resignation. Board President Dru Howard then opened the tax rate hearing, during which Dr. Wills recommended maintaining the district’s current levy of $2.75 for operations and $0.45 for debt service, for a total tax rate of $3.20. The recommendation was unanimously approved. The board then moved into executive session to discuss personnel matters, where the following coaching assignments were approved: Sarah James as Assistant High School Girls Basketball Coach, Rocky Wade as Middle School Track Assistant Coach, and Lonnie Lee as Assistant High School Football Coach. The meeting concluded with the board setting its next regular session for September 17th at 5:30 in the evening at the administration building. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Salem Public Library Board of Trustees held its regular meeting and public tax levy hearing Thursday evening at 5:00 in the library’s conference room. Following the call to order, the board approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Library Director Kate McBride presented the Librarian’s Report, highlighting increases in book, eBook, periodical, and audiobook circulation, as well as growth in adult programs and internet usage. During old business, the board discussed ongoing repairs in the south basement and ground maintenance needs in the north parking lot. Under new business, members approved raising the interlibrary loan fee from $6.00 to $7.00 due to higher postage costs, and increasing the cool lamination fee from $1.00 to $2.00 per foot to offset rising supply expenses. McBride reported that the library is working to renew its volunteer reading program and is seeking up to 15 volunteers to read once a month at local elementary schools. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the library for more information. She also noted that the Summer Reading Challenge had 103 participants, and a total of 222 participants across all special summer programs. The meeting then moved into the public tax levy hearing, where the board voted to maintain the current rate of $0.30. Before adjourning, members scheduled the next board meeting for September 18 at 5:00, which will be open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the National Deer Association (NDA) invite landowners, land managers, and others interested in managing deer on their properties to join them online for a free webinar on open-land management practices to enhance white-tailed deer habitat on their properties. This live Zoom webinar on “Wildflowers and Whitetails” will be held tomorrow evening at 6:00. It will begin with a presentation by the MDC private lands deer biologist followed by MDC and NDA staff answering participants’ questions. To join, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4tY. This webinar is the third presentation within MDC’s and NDA’s free 2025 Missouri Deer Management Webinar Series via Zoom. The final upcoming webinar within the series will be Utilizing Prescribed Fire for Deer Management and will be held the evening of September 9th at 6:00. To learn more about deer management at mdc.mo.gov.