Palmyra R-I school district increases tuition rate for 2020-21 school year

Students outside the Palmyra R-I School District will be paying a little more to attend school here this year.

The R-I Board of Education set the tuition rate for the district during their regular board meeting last week, at which they also heard a report on the school bus inspections, approved the hiring of two individuals and heard various reports.

According to Superintendent Kirt Malone, the board set the tuition rate for the 2020-21 school year at $9,282.23.

That is an increase of $320.53 from last year’s rate of $8,961.70

In other business, Malone reported on the Missouri Highway Patrol inspection of the district’s buses, which was done in July.

The R-1 fleet resulted in a 94.4 percent pass rate, which is above the state’s average of $89.1 percent.

During the inspection, the Highway Patrol looks at 29 different safety areas, including brake performance, brake components, lighting and signaling equipment, steering mechanisms, exhaust systems,fuel systems, emergency equipment, air pollution devices and crossing arms, among other items.

The board also hired Amy Lovelace as a high school paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year and hired Cherry Masterson as a bus driver.

The district is still in need of substitute bus drivers, Malone said, anyone interested in that may contact the Central Office for an application or additional information.

The board also approved moves on the teacher salary schedule as presented.

Building principals also gave reports, including student enrollment numbers. Student enrollment to start the year were high school, 361; middle school, 321; elementary school, 435 and PreK, 22. 

The total K-12 enrollment is 1,117. Last year’s enrollment to begin the year was 1,103. 

Malone reported construction on the athletic complex is complete with the exception of a few items which were scheduled to be finished this past week. 

The board also:

• discussed the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) Fall Conference plans; and 

• discussed the date of Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, for the annual board retreat.