Members of the Festus High School Girls Track and Field Team, along with their Coaches, were recognized by the Board of Education for capturing the 2026 Class State Championship. This marks the second consecutive year the Lady Tigers have earned the state title, an outstanding achievement that reflects the dedication, talent, and hard work of our student-athletes and coaching staff.

The Boys Track and Field Team was also recognized for its fourth-place finish at the state meet. This accomplishment is especially significant as it marks the first time in Festus High School history that both the boys and girls track and field teams brought home state trophies from the same championship meet.

Approved unanimously. Items were:

Regarding the FY2026 budget, the District concluded the fiscal year by receiving 101% of anticipated revenues. This slight increase was primarily driven by higher-than-expected local revenues, which helped offset a reduction in state funding.

Year-end expenditures aligned with projections, totaling 100% of budgeted costs.

As a result of the modest revenue increase and the District's intentional pause in discretionary spending within Fund 1 to prepare for anticipated revenue reductions in the next two years, the District ended the fiscal year with a healthy operating reserve of 36%.

The Board of Education unanimously approved the District's new 2026–2031 Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP), The Festus Five: Building Our Future Together. Developed through a collaborative process that included input from staff, students, parents, community members, and the Board of Education, this five-year strategic plan will serve as the District's roadmap for continuous improvement. The plan establishes five strategic priorities that will guide decision-making, resource allocation, and district initiatives while ensuring a continued focus on student success, organizational excellence, and preparing every learner for the future: The Festus Five.

Brockmiller Construction provided an update on the District's ongoing construction projects.

The District solicited bids from 19 contractors for the demolition of two homes located on Pounds Road adjacent to the Transportation Department. The Board of Education approved the low bid of $62,346 from Saline Creek Grading to demolish the two homes and a detached garage. As part of the project, the concrete foundations will be recycled and used as fill material. Once the site is cleared, the area will serve as temporary parking for bus drivers.

The Board of Education approved the 2026–2027 Perpetual Calendar, which serves as the annual schedule of recurring agenda items to be presented throughout the school year. In addition to these regularly scheduled reports and action items, the Board will continue to consider other business and timely matters as needed.

The Board of Education approved the dates of their meetings for the 2026-2027 school year.

The Board of Education approved the 2026-2027 K-12 ELA Standards and the K-12 World Languages Standards.

The Board of Education approved the District's FY2027 operating budget, as required by Missouri law prior to June 30. Because the Governor had not yet signed the state budget at the time of approval, significant uncertainty remains regarding state funding. The District adopted a conservative "worst-case scenario" budget based on an estimated state adequacy target (SAT) of approximately $6,800 per student in anticipation of potential state revenue shortfalls.

The proposed budget includes a planned deficit of approximately $150,000 in the District's operating funds (Funds 1 and 2) and projects an ending operating reserve of approximately 27%.

A revised budget will be presented to the Board in September, after local revenues have been finalized and the state funding picture becomes clearer. At that time, revenue and expenditure projections will be updated to more accurately reflect the District's financial outlook.