St. Joseph School Board reviews salary changes, audit results and reorganization efforts
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- The St. Joseph School District Board of Education met Monday evening to address several key items, including salary schedules, the district’s financial audit, budget planning and reorganization efforts.
One major topic was a proposed increase to employee salary schedules as Missouri’s minimum wage is set to rise to $15 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
While public employers are not directly subject to the increase under Proposition A, school districts are still required to comply with updated wage standards.
The proposed salary schedules for the 2026–2027 school year will be presented in April and will include adjustments across all salary steps.
The board also heard results from the district’s fiscal year 2024–2025 audit, presented by Jon Cummings of KPM CPAs. The finalized audit will be published and submitted to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Robert Hedgecorth said the audit revealed no significant weaknesses or deficiencies.
“There were some good suggestions that he talked about like timely filing for reimbursements for title funds, monitoring our operating funds balance percentage and making sure that we continue to gain back the 20% board policy,” Hedgecorth said.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining fiscal health as the district begins planning for the next budget cycle.
Hedgecorth added the district will begin meeting with principals and directors to plan for next year’s budget, with a goal of reducing expenditures by $4 million.
“We have an idea of what we will get from revenues. So, that where we came up with a plan of $8 million to put us back on the path to recovery but some of those discussion will be hard since those of those budget allocations we reduced from last year,” Hedgecorth added.
The board also discussed the district’s ongoing reorganization plans. Superintendent Ashly McGinnis said the district is moving forward, with continued conversations focused on staff placements.
Families will receive a letter in the mail detailing each child’s school of residence.
McGinnis said the district is committed to keeping the community informed and ensuring stakeholder voices are heard as plans move ahead.
“The next step will actually be additional placement of our staff. Right now we have placements for our administrators but we will be looking to next to place our certified and classified staff.” McGinnis said.
The district will pause operations for winter break beginning December 24 and will remain closed through January 2, 2026.
The next regularly scheduled school board meeting will take place on January 12 at 5:30 p.m.
