LAFAYETTE COUNTY C-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION Regular held at Central Office Board Room 7:30 pm February 19, 2026 ALL MEMBERS Present, Gina Kouril, Steve Dyer , Don Kennedy, Benton Williams, Kali Erdman, Barb Nolte, Eric Lockard President Benton Williams called the meeting to order with all members present. Don Kennedy moved to approve the agenda and Barb Nolte seconds.

Don Kennedy moved and Kali Erdman seconded to approve the consent Agenda: Approve the minutes of Regular Meeting of January 22, 2026; Payment of Warrants; Approve January 2026 Finance Report; Approve Expense/ Revenue Report.

The board members discussed the High School Soccer option. Benton Williams read an email with information pertaining to the subject that he had sent to a community member. (Copy of that email following the minutes).

Eric Lockard moved and Gina Kouril seconded to approve the 2026-2027 School Year District Calendar. Motion carried 7-0.

Steve Dyer moved and Barb Nolte seconded to approve the increase to health insurance contribution. Motion carried 7-0. Steve Dyer moved and Don Kennedy seconded to approve the increase in substitute pay. Motion carried 7-0. Mr. Knipmeyer gave an update on CSIP goals 2, 3 and 4. He also provided the board with some legislative updates.

The board will have a workshop on March 5, 2026, the regular meeting will be March 26, 2026 and the board refresher is due by April.

Gina Kouril moved and Kali Erdman seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive session at 8:15pm to discuss Minutes as allowed by RSMo610.021, 1, Legal Issues as allowed by RSMo610.021, 1 & personnel issues as allowed by RSMo610.021, 3 & 1. Steve Dyer-aye, Gina Kouril-aye, Eric Lockard-aye, Kali Erdman -aye, Benton Williams -aye, Barb Nolte -aye Don Kennedy – aye. Motion carried 7-0.

Kali Erdman moved and Barb Nolte seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:39pm. Motion carried 7-0.

OTHER COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS A. Congratulations to Christa Bell for being awarded the Joann Sweetland Lum Memorial Grant for her proposal, ‘Panels & Possibilities: A Student Graphic Novel Studio.” B. Congratulations to FFA proficiency award first-place winners: Blair Bergseiker, Wyatt Copenhaver, Noah Mahnken, Miriam Cook, Owen Lockard, Ben Mason C. February is Career and Technical Education month, congrats to all our CTE teachers and students for all that they do.

D. Congratulations to FBLA district medalists: Rhett Burns, Colby Dickmeier, Liam Divine. Colton Fitzgerel, Violet Joyner, Landen Logan, Isabelle Newman, Jade Roncelli, Joney Stephens, Waylon Stephens, Piper Strait, Mason Sutherland, Liam Thompson, Audrey Tinoco, Lorelei Weaver, Chevelle Weddle, Chloe Weddle. Cael Wilkson E. Congratulations to FCCLA STAR Event and Regional Officer participants; Gracie Arndt, Blair Bergsieker, Alex Erdman, Violet Joyner, Khloe Roberts, Ada Stephens, Joney, Stephens, Waylynn Stephens, Piper Strait, Zoey Tripp, Chevelle Weddle, Chloe Weddle F. Congratulations to our MRVC All-Conference Choir students: Ella Amos, Joel Cook, Colby Dickmeier, Dilon Elliot, Anna Golden, Lillian Joyner, Landen Logan, Brice Maulis, Hattie Overstreet, Brodie Rankin, Jace Rankin, Josie Webb, Jamie Whitehead G. Congratulations to our 8th grade boys and girls basketball teams, MRVC East Champions. (The following email was read by Benton Williams to community member regarding past soccer meeting held in Nov. 2025). “I’m glad that I was able to attend and hear the opinions of the community members present and to answer any questions. I mentioned I listened to your presentation to the school board on 2 occasions but ultimately voted no because of the mathematical problems in a few areas. It wasn’t because of particular information provided prior to the vote but it’s actually from my time and experience as a school board member. Some of the reasons I noted are: When I started as a board member the student census was around 1,100 students and now it’s close to 900.

The reimbursement for each student is around 5-$6,000 per student each year.

Due to the impact the lower enrollment has had on the budget, staffing, and the students we have voted to reasign the daycare, we now have 1 less Ag teacher, counselor, and nurse. We also have less teachers and they are teaching more students across different programs and buildings and our librarian is also shared across buildings. Overall we have less students and therefore adults in the district to increase programs.

Odessa School district was mentioned as an example of a school where soccer was started and I responded that Odessa’s school census is nearly double the census at Lafayette County C-1.

Loan Jack School district was also mentioned as an example and I pointed out that their football team has a Co-op program where they share the football team with another school.

With fall sports the kids that are athletes are being recruited and at times a few participate in dual sport activities.

The Coaches in school are interested in the same skilled and athletic students and dual sports. They get worn down physically and risk injury due to lessened recovery time. Academically it’s also a striggle to keep up because of the lack of time. I believe it is a risk to the school district long term to tryly on outside donations to fund the soccer team. I don’t have a problem with you approaching the school with this matter in February.

You mentioned that the special guests were “Banned from coming” by Mr. Knipmeyer. I believe the announcement [for the meeting] was posted on social media without prior communication or confirmation from these guests so none of them had plans to attend.

You also mentioned at the end of the meeting that ‘we should try it, and so what if it fails after 2-3 years’. I don’t operate like that and I have an obligation to the school to make responsible decisions for the sake of future boards, staff and students.

I would want to confirm the number of kids that participate in your soccer program because it was reported to me that you have combined 9-14 year olds at the same time in order to field a team for matches.

I respect your motivation for high school soccer at Lafayette County C-1 School District but my vote would likely not change with the information I received at last week’s soccer meeting. Sincerely, Benton Williams” Representatives of the news media for questions or to obtain copies of this notice may contact Lindsey Munson. Secretary to the Superintendent/Board Secretary 805 West 31st Street Higginsville, MO 64037 Phone (660) 584-3631; email: munsonli@huskersk12.org