VIENNA — The Maries R-1 School Board reorganized on April 14 with the same members following the recent municipal election.

The board began its meeting by reorganizing following the recent election. Dave Long and Jacob Hallahan were the only candidates to file for their seats, so they retained them with no ballots cast.

The only nominations for board officers were those who held the titles on last year’s board. After receiving approval from the full board, Long remained president, Kayla Wansing remained vice president and Denise Wilkinson remained treasurer.

After the reorganization, the board rehired the district’s non-certified staff, which includes employees who are not required to have a teaching certificate.

Later, the board accepted two resignations from middle school basketball coach Austin Bradley and choir teacher Hannah Bradley. They joined the staff at the beginning of the school year, and they planned to leave at the end of the year. Their resignation letters said they planned to move closer to their family.

The meeting also included one new hire: Austin Henderson as a bus driver beginning next school year. Superintendent Teresa Messersmith said the new driver planned to purchase a bus and take over the route currently driven by Tammy Lake.

Long said he wanted to continue posting a bus driver position so the district could potentially increase the number of routes.

During the meeting, the board watched a short video outlining Learn Life Savers, a program by Gift of Life, a Kansas City-based organization promoting support and awareness of organ, eye and tissue donations through education and mentoring.

The program is a 30-minute lesson to inform students about the impact of organ donation. It provides teachers with a couple of short videos to show students and discussion questions for after the presentation. The option for a self-guided student lesson is also available. Long recommended approving the program to give students all the information so they can consider the decision when they go to get their driver’s licenses.

Board member Lori Hayes said she wanted to ensure that if the district implemented the program, it could reach every student and ensure they all got the information.

Vienna High School Principal Tim Metcalf said Gift of Life had recommended pairing the presentation with mandatory CPR training so every student would have a designated time to complete it.

After the board’s approval, students will begin participating in the Learn Life Savers program next school year.

Also during the meeting, the board approved several policies and agreements. It approved the district’s alternative methods of instruction (AMI) plan for the 2025-26 school year. The details are the same with only dates changing.

The calendar includes five days for which students must complete AMI work at home. Younger students receive packets to complete and return to school when in-person classes resume. Older students complete work online.

The board approved the 2025-26 Career Ladder plan with minimal changes. The hour and experience requirements for the three-stage system remain the same along with the compensation for each stage. Teachers participating in the first stage must have two years of experience and complete 50 hours of extra work for $1,500. The second stage requires two years of experience and 75 hours for $3,000. The third stage requires five years of experience and 100 hours for $5,000.

Messersmith recommended that the board adopt Missouri School Boards’ Association policy updates regarding investment policies for surplus funds, homelessness and protected staff communications. She had no issues with any of the guidelines, and the board approved them.

The board also extended the district’s service agreement with Building Independence Services, LLC.