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Excelsior Springs 40 School District is seeking applicants for the High School Principal position for the 2025-2026 school year.  For more information, please click on the link below:

ESSD 40 High School Principal Vacancy Announcement

The Missouri Association of Rural Education has been retained by the Iberia R-V School District to assist with their search for a Superintendent of the School District located at 201 Pemberton Drive, Iberia, Missouri, 65486. The selected candidate will assume leadership responsibilities on July 1, 2025.  Iberia R-V School District is a PK-12 district serving 687 students with a total staff of approximately 111.  For more information on this great opportunity, please access the links below:

Iberia R-V Superintendent Vacancy Announcement

Iberia R-V Superintendent Application

Mrs. Mary Beth Scherer is serving as the Search Consultant.  She can be reached at (660) 281-7678 or mbscherer@ucmo.edu.  The position closes on Friday, April 4, 2025!

 The Dixon R-I School District is currently accepting applications for a Superintendent for the 2025-2026 school year. APPLICANT CRITERIA The Superintendent of Schools serves as the chief executive officer of the school district and is responsible to the Board of Education for ensuring compliance with all board policies, Missouri State Board of Education rules and regulations, and state and federal laws. Candidates will be evaluated on their professional merits, with emphasis on the following criteria: Valid Superintendent Certification Central office experience preferred Reputation of integrity, trustworthiness, leadership skills, and a strong work ethic Ability to develop a positive rapport with teachers, administrators, and other personnel/patrons throughout the school district Background in school finance and curriculum APPLICATION PROCESS To be considered, a complete applicant's file must be received and contain the following: Formal letter indicating a desire to be considered as a candidate Completed Administrator Application Up-to-date Resume Copies of all college/university transcripts Copy of valid Missouri Educator's license with Administrator Endorsement SALARY AND BENEFITS Competitive compensation commensurate with experience (range $110,000-$131,000) , including salary, health, life and LTD benefits. Initial two-year contract with duties starting July 1, 2025.

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.

DESE has created a resource for schools entitled "Teacher Recruitment & Retention Playbook".  A copy is attached below at the link.  Please check this out and share with others in the education community.

Teacher Recruitment & Retention Playbook 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 MARE/MO K-8 Conference Call for Presentation Proposals

More information will be added to this article at a later date, including the Conference Planner at a Glance, Conference General Session Descriptions and Conference Small Group Session Descriptions

The 15th Annual MARE Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, July 21st at beautiful Osage National Golf Course in Lake Ozark, Missouri.  

Over the past three years, MARE, with support from all of those involved in our golf tournament, (Key Sponsors, Hole Sponsors and Teams) has awarded sixty-eight (68) $1,000.00 scholarship to college juniors/seniors who plan to become teachers in rural Missouri school districts.  We plan to present 20-25  $1,000.00 scholarships this year alone!

Registration is now open and we will accept the first thirty-six (36) paid teams and commit slots to them.  Our format is the same as last year, with registration slated from 9:30-11:45 a.m., lunch from 10:45-11:45 a.m. and a shotgun start of 12:00 noon.  Flight winners and the prize giveaway will immediately follow the event at approximately 5:00 p.m.  Please access the appropriate forms below to complete and send in to secure your slot.  If you cannot support this as a Corporate Sponsor, Team Sponsor or Hole Sponsor but would like to help out, please consider donating gift cards or golf related items (hats, golf balls, tees, gloves, clubs, etc.) so that we can hold down our costs and award more in scholarship prizes.  For more information, please contact Kevin Sandlin at (660) 747-8050 or by email at ksandlin@moare.com.

Registration deadline is Friday, July 4, 2025!  

2025 MARE Golf Tournament Flyer

2025 MARE Golf Tournament Sponsorship

2025 MARE Golf Tournament Registration Form

Thank you in advance to all of you who will support this worthwhile endeavor!  We look forward to seeing you on Monday, July 21st at Osage National! 

The Missouri Association of Rural Education offers two scholarship programs for students interested in becoming teachers and returning to rural school districts to teach.  The first program is the MARE Rural Missouri Scholarship Fund.  This program is open to only junior and senior level students attending Missouri colleges or universities that offer degrees in education.  Applicants must have completed 60 or more credit hours and have declared a major in education. Last year, MARE provided twenty-three (23) $1,000.00 scholarships.  We plan to present 20-25 $1,000.00 scholarships this year alone!  Information for this program is available below.  This information was mailed to all Missouri colleges and universities that offer teacher education programs and certifications.  The deadline to apply for this scholarship is Friday, March 14, 2025.

2024-2025 Guidelines & Application for College Scholarship Awards

2024-2025 Guidelines in Word

The second scholarship program offered by MARE is open to graduating high school seniors of MARE member school districts.  Applicants must have indicated plans to pursue a degree in education.  Only senior students from MARE member school districts are eligible to apply.  Last year, MARE, with support from EdCounsel, LLC provided thirty-eight (38) $750.00 scholarships to graduating high school seniors from all over the state. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is Friday, March 14, 2025. 

2024-2025 Guidelines & Application for HS Senior Scholarship Awards

2024-2025 Guidelines in Word

If you have any questions regarding these Scholarship Programs, please contact Kevin Sandlin, Executive Director, at (660) 747-8050 or ksandlin@moare.com.  Since 2017, MARE has provided a total of $262,000.00 in scholarships through these two programs.