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MARE members now have access to free communications support through a new partnership with CESO Communications. Each member district can benefit from one free phone call/video consultation (up to one hour) during the 2025-26 school year. 

CESO Communications is a team of school communication professionals from across the country with a combined experience of more than 300 years. CESO provides services to school districts of all sizes focusing on their communications needs. Our main point of contact for CESO is Jill Filer, who spent 32 years working in Harrisonville Schools. She has been recognized for her leadership and service specifically for mentoring and supporting both school communications professionals and superintendents from around Missouri and the United States. 

The focus for your free hour-long appointment is completely up to you and your district's communication needs. Topics could include any of the following:

• Internal Communications

• Social Media 

• Website 

• Communications Training

• Superintendent Transition

• Bond/Levy Campaigns

• Community Engagement

• Communications Planning

Even though Jill will be the person responding initially, she will be supported by the entire 19-member CESO team.

To access this free service, call Jill at (816) 738-1055 or email her at jill.filer@theceso.com to schedule an appointment.

The Nell Holcomb R-IV Board of Education is accepting applications for a Superintendent of Schools for the 2026-2027 school year.  The deadline to apply is September 26, 2025.  For more information on this position, please access the link below:

Nell Holcomb R-IV Superintendent Vacancy Announcement

The Missouri Association of Rural Education has been retained by the Kirbyville R-VI to assist with their search for a Superintendent of the School District located at 6225 East State Highway 76, Kirbyville, Missouri, 65679.  The selected candidate will assume leadership responsibilities on July 1, 2026.  Kirbyville R-VI is a PK-08 district serving 255 students with a total staff of approximately 56.  For more information on this great opportunity, please access the links below:

Kirbyville R-VI Superintendent Vacancy Announcement

Kirbyville R-VI Superintendent Application

Mr. Darryl Pannier is serving as the Superintendent Search Consultant.  He may be reached by phone at (573) 803-9008 or by email at darrylpannier@yahoo.com.  The deadline to submit an application is Friday, October 3, 2025! 

The Missouri Association of Rural Education has been retained by the Altenburg District #48 to assist with their search for a Principal/Superintendent of the School District located at 8432 Main Street, Altenburg, Missouri, 63732.  The selected candidate will assume leadership responsibilities on July 1, 2026.  Altenburg District #48 is a PK-08 district serving 113 students with a total staff of approximately 25.  For more information on this great opportunity, please access the links below:

Altenburg District #48 Principal/Superintendent Vacancy Announcement

Altenburg District #48 Administrator Application

Mr. Darryl Pannier is serving as the Superintendent Search Consultant.  He may be reached by phone at (573) 803-9008 or by email at darrylpannier@yahoo.com.  The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, September 30, 2025! 

Make plans now to join us for our annual fall conference on October 22-24, 2025 at the beautiful Lodge of the Four Seasons.  This event has grown tremendously over the past few years thanks to your support and your willingness to encourage others to attend.  We hope to make our 2025 the biggest and best yet!  

District leaders and vendors are encouraged to put this on your calendars now!  We want the MARE/MO K-8 Conference to be your choice event for team building, leadership development and professional growth.  We look forward to seeing all of you at the lake!  

Linked below are various forms associated with the conference.  

2025 MARE/MO K-8 Conference Registration

2025 MARE/MO K-8 Conference Exhibitor Registration Page 1

2025 MARE/MO K-8 Conference Exhibitor Registration Form 2

2025 MARE Outstanding Rural Education Awards Nomination Form

2025 Conference Planner at a Glance

2025 Conference General Session Descriptions

2025 Small Group Session Descriptions

iCEV Ad & Link for Certification Pre-Session

Here is the booking link for conference.  

• Group Direct Booking Link- No login/Attendee Code needed:

Booking Engine 4.0 URL: https://reservations.travelclick.com/17336?groupID=4902386

The 15th Annual MARE Scholarship Golf Tournament was held at Osage National on Monday, July 21st.  Although rain was not in the forecast, it came. But even the rain did not spoil our event as we had 35 teams with 136 golfers tee off at a little after 12:00 noon.  This event has grown tremendously in participation and sponsorships over the past several years.  We are greatly blessed with our amazing sponsors and their commitment to supporting scholarships for future Missouri teachers through their support for this event.  We had several folks new to MARE join us this year and for that we are very thankful.  Of special note is the volunteer work that Nikki Harding and Crista Grimwood provided as helpers at the registration table and official photography for the event (Most of the pictures attached in the galleries were provided by them!).  Next year's 16th Annual MARE Scholarship Golf Tournament is tentatively slated for Monday, July 20th at Osage National.  I hope that you will make plans now to join us then!

Corporate Sponsors - Veregy ($5,000.00), Step UP ($5,000.00), SIC Midwest ($4,000.00), UMB Bank ($4,000.00), McKinstry ($3,000.00), L.J. Hart & Company ($3,000.00), Quality Network Solutions ($2,000.00), MEUHP ($2,000.00), American Fidelity ($2,000.00), Forrest T. Jones ($2,000.00), S.M. Wilson & Company ($2,000.00), Reynolds Construction & Commercial Roofing ($1,000.00), MOCAAT ($1,000.00), Curriculum Associates ($1,000.00), Guin Mundorf, LLC ($1,000.00) Mickes O'Toole, LLC ($1,000.00), Tueth Keeney Cooper Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C. ($1,000.00) Audio Enhancement ($1,000.00), SlateXP (LearnSafe) - ($1,000.00), 4M Building Solutions ($1,000.00), balanceHQ ($1,000.00), Daikin TMI ($1,000.00) and Smith Paper & Janitor Supply ($1,000.00)

Hole Sponsors/Prize Sponsors/Meal Sponsors - OnToCollege, MSU Center for Rural Education, Universal Construction, EdCounsel, LLC, Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc., Holland Construction Services, Inc., MRTA, Navitas, Mickes O'Toole, LLC, NREA, Tueth Keeney Cooper Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C., SIC Midwest, Hamlin Energy, Forrest T. Jones, KRJ Architecture, Midwest Bus Sales, Missouri Propane Gas, MUSIC, Gilmore & Bell, P.C., Opaa! Food Management, Gator Graphics, Twotrees Technologies, MET/Gallagher, Hoener Architects, Piper Sandler, Bukaty (Jeff Walstrom), Facility Solutions Group, Sonus Benefits, Acrisure, Integrated Facility Services, Missouri School Plant Managers, Schneider Electric, MASA, Coryell Roofing and The Inclusive Leadership Lab.  Special "shout out" to Matt Temple from Sonus Benefits for all of the various prizes he provided.  Also "shout outs" to all who provided additional prizes for giveaways (Step UP, SIC Midwest, L.J. Hart & Company, Forrest T. Jones, 4M Building Solutions, Universal Construction, Denovo Building Solutions, MSPMA, Osage National, Acrisure, Coryell Roofing and Curriculum Associates.  Thanks to the many sponsors who had tents or tables on the course for various events, refreshments and giveaways as well.  (Veregy, Step UP, 4M Building Solutions, Daikin TMI, Universal Construction, MSPMA)

Please take a look at the two attached photo galleries attached to this article.  Special thanks to Nikki Harding, Crista Grimwood and Jerry Cochran for photos.  

See you next year on July 20th at Osage National.  Let's make the 16th MARE Scholarship Golf Tournament something to write home about!!!!!!!

On Friday, July 18th, following their regularly scheduled MARE Executive Board Meeting, MARE Board members, scholarship recipients, scholarship sponsors and a number of family and friends gathered for the 2025 MARE College Scholarship Awards Presentation Ceremony.  The ceremony was held beginning at 1:00 p.m. downstairs in the MCSA Building in Jefferson City, Missouri.  Those selected to receive awards by the organization this year include the following:

2025 MARE College Scholarship Recipients

Student                                                             Scholarship Title

Katie Gaines                                      L. J. Hart & Company Scholarship

Michelle Hall                                     Philip C. Dorth Scholarship

Emma Wheeler                                  David M. Cooper Scholarship

Summer Hunolt                                 Ray Doerhoff Scholarship

Madison Delmont                              Dr. Matt Bushey Scholarship

Rachel McCullah                               Kenneth W. Cook Scholarship

Kaiden Ketterman                              Tom Quinn Scholarship

Gavin Shoush                                    Veregy Scholarship

Joshua Griffith                                   SIC Midwest Scholarship

Olivia Lopez                                      American Fidelity Assurance Scholarship

Jordyn Sigman                                  Audio Enhancement Scholarship

Ashton Stuber                                    Quality Network Solutions Scholarship

Melanie Hartman                               Mark Iglehart Scholarship

Stephanie Shuman                             S.M. Wilson & Company Scholarship

Cierra Parker                                     Guin Mundorf, LLC Scholarship

Rachael Larsen                                  Reynolds Construction Co. Scholarship

Somer Gill                                          MOCAAT Scholarship            

Emma Witzke                                    Mickes O’Toole, LLC Scholarship

Adelynn Palmer                                 Tueth Keeney, P.C. Scholarship

Christine Brown                                 SlateXP Scholarship      

Kolby Ghan                                       STEP Up Scholarship

Grant Breece                                      Howard Heidbrink Scholarship

Please click on the attached image to see a slideshow of the student photos receiving the awards.

MARE is thrilled to recognize the following students for their selection as 2025 MARE/EdCounsel HS Senior Scholarship Award Recipients.  Each student will receive a $750.00 scholarship to a Missouri College or University this summer or fall.  Special thanks to EdCounsel, LLC. for their partnership in this endeavor.  Since this scholarship program began in 2017, we have awarded $151,750.00.  Students must attend HS at a MARE member school district and have plans to enter the field of education to be eligible to apply.  For more information about this program or membership in MARE, please contact Executive Director, Kevin Sandlin, at (660) 747-8050 or ksandlin@moare.com.  Please see the attached photo galleries!  

2025 MARE/EdCounsel HS Senior Scholarship Recipients

 Student                                                           District

Clara Akers                                                Bucklin R-II

Kalli Barnett                                              Marceline R-V

Zoe Bentley                                                Chaffee R-II

Afomiya Bess                                             Marion C. Early R-V

Brock Boatwright                                      Fair Grove R-X

Sadie Burtch                                              Chillicothe R-II

Kenzi Cheek                                               Hickory Co. R-I

Matthew Cook                                           Lincoln R-II

Addison Cotton                                          Southwest R-V

Ashley Daly                                                West County R-IV

Breahnna Dennison                                   Gideon #37

Luke Dierker                                              St. Clair R-XIII

Kacie Edwards                                           School of the Osage

Riley Essenpries                                         Adrian R-III

Hailey Golian                                              Ralls Co. R-II

Ryah Hardin                                               Crane R-III

Elizabeth Havens                                        Summersville R-II

Sienna Heckemeyer                                    St. Elizabeth R-IV

Kylie Ingram                                              Oran R-III

Lyndsey King                                             Gallatin R-V

Cailyn Kite                                                 Reeds Spring Schools

Brylee Martin                                             Polo R-VII

Emily McCammon                                     Adrian R-III

Trevor Miller                                              Clearwater R-I

Shalynn Norris                                           Glasgow

Gavin Painter                                             Brunswick R-II

Brody Pratt                                                 Hickory Co. R-I

Jalea Price                                                   Maryville R-II

Ava Rakers                                                  Montgomery Co. R-II

Kenzie Reynolds                                         Chillicothe R-II

Kendall Rhorer                                           Pilot Grove C-4

Garrison Richards                                      Hale R-I

Ashlyn Russell                                             Cole Camp R-I

Owen Schellman                                         Blair Oaks R-II

Madilynn Schubert                                     Mt. Vernon R-V

Natalie Shively                                             Monroe City R-I

Evan Simmons                                              Scott City R-I

Maleena Sims                                                Brunswick R-II

Grace Smith                                                  Odessa R-VII

Lauren Tucker                                              Clinton

Reese Wells                                                    Fair Grove R-X

Dalton Wheeler                                             Osborn R-O

Reeve Woodall                                               Van Far R-I                          

The Missouri Association of Rural Education will offer the initial 18.5 hours of Board Member training for newly elected or appointed individuals according to the following schedule.  As stipulated by Missouri Statute 162.203 - Board members initially elected or appointed under section 162.291, 162.459, 162.471, or 162.581 after August 28, 1993, in addition to the qualifications prescribed in those sections, shall successfully complete orientation and training requirements within one year of the date of the election or appointment.  The orientation and training shall consist of at least eighteen hours and thirty minutes with the cost of such training to be paid by the district.  The registration form is attached here MARE Board Training Registration.

MARE Board Training Dates – 2025

Southeast Missouri - Poplar Bluff, MO – Holiday Inn – (573) 712-9021

• Friday, May 30, 2025 (12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.)
• Saturday, May 31, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

Northeast Missouri - Kirksville, MO - Holiday Inn Express (660) 956-4682

• Friday, June 13, 2025 (12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 14, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

Southwest Missouri - Bolivar, MO - Comfort Inn - (417) 326-6169

• Friday, June 20, 2025 (12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 21, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

West Central Missouri - Warrensburg, MO – Quality Inn - (660) 747-3000

• Friday, June 27, 2025 (12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 28, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

Northwest Missouri - Maryville, MO - Holiday Inn Express (660) 562-9949

• Friday, July 11, 2025 (12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 12, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

Lake Ozark, MO – The Lodge of the Four Seasons (Conference)

• Wednesday, October 22, 2025 (11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• Thursday, October 23, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

Lake Ozark, MO - The Lodge of the Four Seasons

• Friday, December 5, 2025 (12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 6, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

*** Please share this information with any new Board member who has not completed the 18.5 hours of required training!  MARE is an approved Board Training provider! 

To register, please complete the form found on our website and fax to (660) 747-8160, scan and email to  ksandlin@moare.com, or go online (www.moare.com) and complete the electronic form found under Board Training.