NEVC’s Board Discusses Storm Damage and Budget

Pictured are members of the Northeast Vernon County R-1 School Board for 2026-2027. Mr. David Bruce, President; Mrs. Connie Gerster, Vice President; Mr. Scott Pritchett, Treasurer; Ms. Tisha Bailey, Board Member; Mrs. Delisa Harms, Board Member; Heath Brown, Board Member; Mr. Bobby Burney, Board Member; and Ms. Christy Jones, NEVC R-1 District  Superintendent.

By Johannes Brann

With a relatively light agenda, board members focused on storm damage to roofs and trim at the Schell City and Walker schools as well as consider what the adopted state budget likely means for next year’s budget at NEVC.

Board members on hand for the meeting were David Bruce, Connie Gerster, Heath Brown, Scott Pritchett, Bobby Burney and Delisa Harms; absent was Tisha Bailey. Also present were Board Secretary, Nicole Waters, High School Principal Brad Clark and R-1 District Superintendent Christy Jones.

Addressing the board, Jones reminded the board how they have, for several months, been looking at the significant problems and costs for repairs to sections of roof on buildings at both campus as well as the greenhouse at the high school.

She said, “I am pleased to say that the adjuster for MUSIC (Missouri United School Insurance Council, a member owned non-profit cooperative covering 90% of Missouri schools) estimates they will pay for 95 to 100 percent of our storm damage. However, we still face costly repairs on multiple sections of roofs on both campuses.”

Asked Scotty Pritchett, “Since the June meeting includes next year’s finances, will you be able to get numbers so we can budget for roof repairs?”

“I’m certainly going to try but to be honest, we have so much on our plate at next month’s meeting, we may not have time to consider all our options and costs,” responded Jones

While the Missouri General Assembly has adopted the legislation making up the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget, Missouri’s governor has until June 15 to sign or veto the bills.

Said Jones, “This year, the state’s per pupil payment for students was $7,145 while the coming year’s budget will provide $6,780. For us that means a loss of $64,000 in revenue.”

One cut Jones said she will make is having only one art teacher for both schools but she indicated that will in no way make up the total loss in revenue.

“But I want to make it clear that we will not be asking district patrons for a tax increase! The people of this district expect that we will make the cuts we need until we get a balanced budget, and that’s what we’ll do!” she said.

The board went into closed session in order to discuss hiring for several positions. The next meeting is June 18 at 5:30 p.m.