News – Tuesday, July 21st, 2026

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met for its regular meeting on Thursday at the Administrative Office. Food Service Director of Opaa!, Chasity Harris, informed the board that the ongoing summer feeding program served 9,415 breakfasts and 9,415 lunches throughout the month of June. With the assistance of Harris, Wills relayed that staff have completed applications to qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which provides the option to offer free meals to all students in eligible high poverty Local Education Agencies (LEA) and schools without the need to collect household applications. Wills shared that the payment for June’s free summer program was $114,000. After payments are made to Opaa!, the anticipated profit is approximately $45,000. Looking at the food service finances, Wills shared he anticipates the Salem High School will be able to provide free breakfast and lunch. Under the superintendent’s report, Wills shared that the FEMA building tiles have been having issues with humidity and needed to be stripped and waxed. Staff will be keeping an eye on the issue. The High School Gym has been repainted with compliments given by the board for a job well done. Renovating the lobby’s men’s bathrooms will be started as soon as the gym is finished. Flooring work is ongoing at the middle school and high school. Wills also noted personnel handbook changes which added policies to the handbook, thereby lessening video training required for personnel. Under new business, the board approved the Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) plan, which provides three days to utilize at staff’s discretion for weather or sickness. The board also approved MSBA 2026 policy updates, and the annual increase of 10 cents for meal prices for the 2026-27 school year. In addition, the board approved an amended contract with Compass Therapy Solutions and Stepping Stones Group. The board adjourned into closed session to discuss personnel. The next regular meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education will be Thursday, Aug. 20th at 5:30 in the evening, and will include the annual tax rate hearing. This meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson commended organizers and exhibitors for a great 2026 4-H/FFA Expo and Livestock Auction. He also commended the community for its continued support of the annual event. Under road reports, both commissioners urged the community to have patience as the districts work through cutting brush. Commissioners are aware of the overgrowth and are working through it as able. District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members will be completing service on the grader, and a tractor will be undergoing maintenance. Grading will be done around the area of County Road 5600, and cutting brush is planned for County Road 5490 and the Gladden and Jadwin area. Crew members will also be stockpiling rock. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that a culvert will be installed on County Road 3030. Grading is planned for county roads 3050, 5260, and 2090. Cutting brush is planned for 4020 and 4030, and hauling rock is planned for 5260, 3030, and 2090. Crew members will also be hauling broken concrete to line a creek bank on County Road 3030 for washout prevention. County Clerk Angie Curley reported bills are to be approved, and that no excuse absentee voting begins Tuesday and will continue through Aug. 3rd. The courthouse will be open for absentee voting on Saturday, Aug. 1st from 8:00 in the morning to noon. The last day to request an absentee ballot will be Wednesday. So far, approximately 130 ballots have been cast, which Curley shared is on par with previous years. Closed session minutes of last Thursday’s meeting were approved. The next Dent County Commission meeting will be Thursday at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The Bunker R-III Board of Education met for its regular meeting on Thursday, July 16th. The board approved its agenda and minutes of the previous meeting. The June and July 2026 expenditures were approved. The Professional Development (PDC) Handbook and Building School Improvement Plan (BSIP) were also approved, as submitted. The board accepted the bid from Honda Jefferson City for a School Van as submitted at a cost of $42,500; further, the board approved for a check to be written prior to the next board meeting to purchase the van. The purchase of a school truck for snow removal died for lack of a motion. The board went into closed session, during which it approved the previous meeting’s closed session minutes, and then adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Bunker R-III Board of Education will be Thursday, Aug. 20th at 6:00 in the evening and is open to the public.

Intercounty Electric Cooperative will be holding several Family Movie Nights this summer, including one in Salem this Friday at the Salem City Park. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a free movie showing of Zootopia 2. Popcorn/snacks and water will be provided. Movies will start at dark.