VIENNA — Superintendent Teresa Messersmith announced at the Aug. 25 board of education meeting that the Maries County R-1 School District started the 2026-27 fiscal year with a 52.71 percent unrestricted reserve at $3.06 million.

With state funding decreasing and enrollment dropping, Messersmith believes that the school district will deficit spend, but that the reserve will still be large. The board approved the budget in June with a $169,000 deficit before property tax revenue from new construction.

Messersmith said at the June 23 board meeting that she expected to deficit spend $60-70,000 in 2025-26, but instead, the school ended with a surplus around $318,831.01 total. The 2025-26 starting reserve was 49.33 percent around $2.67 million.

In the 2025-26 annual secretary of the board report, Messersmith explained year-end balances and what that means for the new year.

She said that the capital projects fund’s ending balance was $456,601.73, and $155,711.74 of that was restricted bond money, leaving $300,889.99 for emergencies.

“So if we had a boiler go out, or we need a new bus, we have almost $301,000 in there that we can use,” she said.

She believes that the fund has not previously been that high, but by increasing that balance, the school can cover the cost without needing a bond.

The board approved the secretary’s report.

Bond project updates

In other business, Messersmith announced that the high school roof is complete, which is the final project under Proposition Kids bond. She also said that upper elementary roof is complete, and construction on the kindergarten wing has begun.

Bond issuance approval

The board also approved a resolution authorizing LJ Hart & Company, for a $1 million general obligation bond (Proposition Eagles) that voters approved in April.

Neil Branham gave a presentation about his company and the bond.

Tax rate hearing and approval

Before the meeting, the board held a public hearing for the property tax rate. During the regular meeting, the board approved setting the rate to 3.8097 percent of the assessed property value ($3.8097 per $100 of assessed valuation).

The 2025 rate was 3.7902 percent, and the school projects a 1.76 percent increase in revenue from reassessment.

Park use agreement

The board approved paying the city of Vienna $2,752 for the park use agreement. The agreement was $3,000, but the city reduced the bill because a lawn mower knocked down one of the school’s nets.

Substitutes and new hires

The board approved the substitute list with a 6-0 vote, adding Meagan Wilson, of Iberia, and Marinda Patton.

The board also hired Reva Hutchison with a 6-0 vote as a substitute custodian while one of the custodians is out for medical reasons. Patty Hutchison and Reva Hutchison will work together to fill in the gaps.

Miscellaneous

The board approved with a 6-0 vote the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) local compliance plan, which now requires that special education records permanently and digitally. The school previously destroyed such documents after three years.

The board also approved with a 6-0 vote the conflict of interest and financial disclosure (BBFA), requiring board members to file financial disclosures every year.

Messersmith also deferred the Maries R-1 emergency operations plan to the September or October board meeting because she said that it was not yet ready.

Closed session

The board adjourned into closed session with a 6-0 vote under Revised State Statute 610.021 (3), the “Hiring, firing disciplining or promoting of particular employees,” and (6), student records.

There were no motions or votes recorded.