TIGER TIMES

Filings have officially closed for the upcoming Houston R-I Board of Education election, with four individuals submitting their names for consideration. Voters will select candidates to fill three open seats, each carrying a three-year term.

The candidates who filed include Dustin Hartman, Darren Ice, and Tressie Neugebauer, all of whom currently serve as incumbent board members, along with Bob Wolfe, who is seeking a seat on the board.

The Board of Education plays a vital role in guiding district policy, setting goals, and supporting the educational success of Houston R-I students. Board members work closely with district leadership to ensure responsible governance and continued growth for the school community.

The election will be held on April 7, providing voters the opportunity to help shape the future of Houston R-I Schools through their selection of board leadership.

The Houston R-I Board of Education has approved a bond issue that will appear on the April 2026 ballot.

The proposal is called Proposition K.I.D.S., which stands for “Keep Improving District Schools.” The $2.95 million bond issue will not increase taxes. Instead, it would extend the current $0.80 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property debt service levy already in place.

If approved by voters, the bond would pay for a new track and field at the current location. The project includes a hybrid sod field, a rubber running track, and improved accessibility.

At an October board meeting, the district approved partnering again with GeoSurfaces, a sports surfacing company from Louisiana, to manage the project.

Superintendent Justin Copley said the track would have at least six lanes. The board also gave him flexibility to negotiate with GeoSurfaces in hopes of expanding the track to eight lanes, if possible.

Bond funds would also be used to renovate the middle school gymnasium, improve the exterior of the Fine Arts Building, and pay off the Piney River Technical Center lease.

More information about Proposition K.I.D.S. will be shared as the April 2026 election approaches.

Community input is important to us. If you are interested in being part of the track facilities planning committee, please email communications@houston.k12.mo.us.

• The Building Trades Program, led by Mr. Preston Wade, is constructing a house on Chestnut Street. The students are doing a great job! We would invite you to drive by and check out the progress!

We’re excited to share that our Powerhouse facility is now the official home for weight training and athletic development! With the maintenance and technology department relocated, we were able to repurpose the building into a spacious training environment—perfect for larger weight-room classes and for our teams to train together both in-season and during the off-season.

This project reflects our commitment to thinking outside the box to improve facilities right here on our campus. The goal of this space is simple and student-centered: to provide our student-athletes with a place to develop themselves physically and reach their full potential.

We also want to celebrate the alumni who contributed their talent to create the Tiger logo, adding pride and spirit to the facility. A huge thank-you goes out to the committee that met throughout the process and provided valuable feedback, as well as to our staff, students, maintenance team, and custodial staff for their hard work and dedication. It truly was a total team effort to renovate and transform this space.

Even better, this upgrade was completed with minimal cost and will save the district money long-term by eliminating the shuttle route that previously transported students to Big Red each hour.

While we’re thrilled to share this progress, we’re not done yet — we will continue to develop and enhance this space to best support our students for years to come.

Thank you for your continued support as we invest in opportunities that truly make a difference for our student-athletes and our community!

The District is working closely with GeoSurfaces to explore all possible options for a track layout that fits the available space and stays within the proposed budget. As a next step, we will bring together a facilities committee to review these options and share feedback with the Board of Education in January.

These conversations are part of the early planning process as we move toward the April election. At that time, voters will consider a bond proposal that includes a new track, a small renovation to the middle school gym and fine arts building, and the payoff of the lease-purchase agreement for the Piney River Technical Center.

Community input is important to us. If you are interested in being part of the track facilities planning committee, please email communications@houston.k12.mo.us.

Phase (1) - Interior Classrooms and Corridor

Teachers have officially moved into the Phase I classroom spaces. This includes (2) agriculture classrooms (Mr. Price and Mrs. Dixson), business classroom and school store (Mrs. Clark), and welding classroom (Mr. Vandiver). Also included in this phase: (2) locker rooms, and the main north to south corridor.

Phase (2) - Interior Classrooms and Corridor
Interior work continues to move forward:

• Sheetrock and painting are about 95% complete.

• Door openings for the graphic arts classroom and restrooms have been cut in.

• The floors were completed on Friday (12/12) in all areas with the exception of the Automotive Technology classroom, the Graphic Arts classroom, and the west to east corridor.

Phase (3) – Auto Mechanics Shop
Durham Company has started to re-locate and will have most of their items out of the space by January 1. One large piece of equipment will be removed by a specialized company in mid-January. This timeline aligns well with the overall project schedule. The District is currently finalizing the plans for this space.

As we move through the school year, staying connected is more important than ever. We kindly ask all parents and guardians to take a moment to log into your Parent Portal and ensure your cell phone number and contact information are up to date.

Keeping your details current helps us make sure you never miss important district communications—whether it’s weather alerts, schedule changes, event reminders, or emergency notifications. Accurate contact information allows us to reach you quickly and keep your family informed.

Thank you for helping us maintain strong, reliable communication. Your partnership supports a safe and well-connected school community!

As we get closer and closer to winter weather we want to remind our families and the community of our 𝙄𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨:

If inclement weather arrives in the district, the Superintendent and Director of Transportation will monitor conditions and determine if school can be held. They will follow these procedures for decision making and communications:

🔴 Cancellations the night before classes will be made by 9 p.m.

🔴 Cancellations the morning of classes will be made no earlier than 5 a.m. and no later than 6 a.m.

🔴 If school is already in session and inclement weather arrives or moves into the area, early dismissal may be made at any moment at the discretion of school officials.

🔴 Notifications will be shared by phone call, text message, school app, social media and local media outlets.

🔴 Private messages and comments will not be answered by the district when it relates to weather announcements. All decisions will be shared formally by the mediums listed above.

🔴 Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) may be used at the discretion of school officials. Further information would be provided at that time.

You can review the policy anytime on our website: https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/page/weather

𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢? 𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 We are partnering with many agencies to assist students and families. Additionally, we can make accommodations for a warming center to be available.

In order for us to provide a quick response, please message our page or email communications@houston.k12.mo.us.

We've been informed that Ozark Action still has funding for those in need of energy assistance. Especially as we head into the warmer months, keeping our houses cool can quickly add up!

Call Ozark Action today, at (417) 967-2036, to see if you're eligible for assistance!

If you have questions, please reach out to your respective building counselor:

Want to be part of an effort to 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚? We're seeking students, parents, business representatives, charitable groups and other members of the public to be part of our CSIP Committee.

Interested? Fill out this survey 👉 https://bit.ly/4erN2og

Need more info? Read details 👉 https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/article/1768648

View the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan 👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/17xL_QZ8VJW_bOU6zvsWuEtyVPRR1_ypZq3XzdzRjPCA/edit?tab=t.0

We look forward to partnering with you on this journey to create a plan that will lead our district for years to come.

🟥 #𝙊𝙪𝙧𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙊𝙪𝙧𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 🟥

Speak up, save lives. Reporting school violence can make a difference. Report your concerns at www.courage2reportmo.com, via the mobile app: Courage2ReportMO, or by calling 866-748-7047. #StopSchoolViolence #SpeakUp

In order to be compliant with the Missouri law known as the "Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act," the Houston District will conduct sampling and testing of all potential drinking water sources in the school. The results of the water testing, including any corrective actions and retesting needed, will be posted on our school website (www.houston.k12.mo.us) and placed in the districtwide and community newsletter, Tiger Times. The results are typically available 7-14 days after the water samples have been submitted to the lab.

READ THE LATEST RESULTS SUBMITTED: Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water Index.

Additional information and resources on the health effects of lead contamination are available here: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#health

HEF, the Houston Education Foundation, has a mission of promoting education excellence and opportunity beyond the scope of the Houston R-1 school system by generating financial resources from private funds to provide support for education programs.

READ MORE ABOUT HEF: https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/page/hef

GIVE TO THE HEF: https://donorbox.org/houston-education-foundation

Looking to make a difference in education? Want to join an amazing team? Desire to be part of a special community? We may have the opportunity for you! Houston Schools has positions available.

READ MORE AND APPLY https://bit.ly/3HXhdX3

From menus and events to news and everything in between, our school app is the absolute best way to stay connected to everything at Houston Schools.

Download it: App Store | Google Play

Last week, Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has launched a new website: www.missouri988.org. The site provides information for anyone who may be experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis.

The newly designated 988 phone number went live nationwide on July 16, 2022. Since that time, it has routed thousands of individuals to local, trained crisis specialists at Missouri’s 988 centers. The 988 crisis line connects anyone experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis to compassionate, accessible care and support, available 24/7. Support is free and confidential.

The Houston R-I Board of Education recognizes that homeless students are particularly vulnerable and need special assistance to access and benefit from the education environment. Therefore, the district, in accordance with state and federal law and the Missouri state plan for education of the homeless, will give special attention to ensure that homeless students in the district are promptly identified and have access to a free and appropriate public education and related support services. (Click here for Board Policy)

Eligibility for Services

Homeless students are individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and include the following:

1. Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals.

1. Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

1. Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings.

1. Migratory children who meet one of the above-described circumstances.

#houstonfutureready I #thebestwillbe I #thetigerway

Email: jcopley@houston.k12.mo.us
Website: www.houston.k12.mo.us
Location: 206 West Spruce Street, Houston, MO
Phone: (417)967-3024
Facebook: facebook.com/houstonmotigers
Twitter: @houstonmotigers