LICKING R-VIII SCHOOL DISTRICT - Home of the Wildcats

🚨ELEMENTARY RED RIBBON WEEK🚨

Licking FFA has had a fun filled couple of days at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo! Day 1: We made it safely to Indy just in time to attend the Three Hills Rodeo! What a great way to start off National Convention! Day 2: We started the day off with the Opening Session, where we heard from Scott McKain about the importance standing for something by showing what you stand for through your actions and leadership. We also enjoyed hearing the National FFA Chorus perform the National Anthem, featuring our very own Josie Gifford! We were welcomed by National FFA Advisor Dr. Travis Park and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Collins. Next, we headed to the Career Show & Expo, where members experienced the Sea of Blue Corduroy! We also got a photo by the famous FFA letters and caught up with Missouri State VP Jordan Tucker! To wrap of the day, we attended the 3rd General Session, where we heard from National FFA Secetary Lily Nyland give her retiring address. What an exciting start to the 99th National FFA Convention! We can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings.

🎄❤️ **STILL ACCEPTING ORDERS!** ❤️🎄 Our **L.E.A.D. Holiday Greenery Sale** is still going strong, and there’s still time to get your holiday greenery ordered! 🎄 **The LAST day to place an order is October 29th!** We will have samples of our **28-inch Mixed Evergreen Wreath, 22-inch Noble Fir Wreath, and Centerpiece** available to see at the elementary school during **Parent-Teacher Conferences!** ❤️ Every purchase helps support our L.E.A.D. students and provides opportunities for hands-on learning, classroom activities, and life skills! 💵 **Payment is due at the time of purchase. Cash or check only.** If ordering online, please send payment to the school. 🎁 **Order here:** [https://omt.sffwa.com/minisite/leadwildcats](https://omt.sffwa.com/minisite/leadwildcats) Thank you to everyone who has already placed an order and continues to support our L.E.A.D. program! We appreciate you more than you know! ❤️🎄

Attention Jr. High and High School Students and Families: You have been challenged! The homeroom (5th hour) class that brings in the most toys wins some tasty treats!

1 point per toy
Starts: Monday, October 26th
Ends: Friday, November 6th

I scream! You scream! We all scream for SCIENCE!! 7th grade was witnessing thermal energy transfer and phase of matter changes as we transformed half & half, sugar, and vanilla into ice cream.

❤️ Red Ribbon Week is here, October 26-29! ❤️ Let’s stand together to make healthy choices and live drug-free! We encourage all students and staff to join in the fun, participate in the themed days on the flyer, and show your commitment to a safe, healthy, and drug-free future! ❤️🤍

#RedRibbonWeek #DrugFree #SchoolPride

🏐🧡🖤 Wildcat Volleyball is SO thankful for the amazing support we receive from our community and our school! It means so much to have people who believe in us, cheer us on, and show up for our Wildcats! We are truly blessed to be surrounded by such an incredible support system. 🧡🖤 And let’s be honest… OUR SUPERINTENDENT IS BETTER THAN YOURS! 😉😂 (Just look at the big poster! 👀🙌🏼 This has become an annual tradition, and our kids were already asking when it was going to be on the bus! 😂🐾) Thank you for always showing up for our Wildcats! We appreciate you more than you know! 🧡🖤 #WildcatVolleyball #WildcatPride #CommunitySupport #SchoolSpirit #BlessedToBeAWildcat #OurSuperintendentIsTheBest

WILDCAT Volleyball District Championship Match 🏐 Steelville vs. Licking, with a 5:00 PM start time. Location: Steelville High School Cost: $6 cash Please review the following information regarding team areas and seating arrangements. Team Areas & Bench Assignments Licking: Boys locker room; bench closest to the lobby. Steelville: Girls locker room; bench closest to the stage. Fan Seating We do not have an updated seating map for tonight, but signs will be posted throughout the gym to help direct fans. Licking fans: Lobby side of half court Steelville fans: Stage side of half court You can Watch the match live at https://fan.hudl.com

Mrs. Kassi Ramsey talking to LHS students in Friday Advisory Class about serving the Licking community by participating in the GMA Pam Rack Pack’s Spooktacular Color Run on Friday, October 30. The funds raised will help local families fighting cancer.

🧡🐾Cross Country traveled to Waynesville for the District Warmup today and it was a great day to run! Brandon Giller placed 5th in the Middle School Boys race and a few others set new personal bests. What a great way to end the '26-27 Cross Country season!🐾🧡 #WildcatXC #CrossCountryOut #TrackHereWeCome

🏐 HIGH SCHOOL PEP BUS TO THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP VOLLEYBALL GAME🏐 A HUGE THANK YOU to McCloud Construction LLC and Happy Pappys Cabins LLC for sponsoring the pep bus for our girls as they compete in the District Championship at Steeleville! 🧡🖤 Let’s pack the stands and support the girls as they take on Steeleville at 5:00 PM! 📣 🚌 Pep Bus Departure: 3:30 PM from the High School 🏐 Game Time: 5:00 PM vs. Steeleville 🎟️ Admission: $6 at the gate 📝 Want to ride the pep bus? You may sign up in the Athletic Office or with Mrs. Buckner! Thank you again to McCloud Construction LLC and Happy Pappys Cabins LLC for supporting our girls and helping our community show up BIG! 🧡🖤

🎷🎸🎺 Reminder: JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL BAND CONCERT TONIGHT 🖤🧡 WHEN: Thursday October 22nd TIME: 6PM LOCATION: Sherman Hill Fieldhouse

Support the Licking Band program with the purchase of a novelty shirt stating, "Licking Marching Wildcats - Undefeated Since 1915"!   Yes, it is true that Licking has had marching bands in the past, AND it is also true they have been undefeated since they have never competed!  Short and long sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, sizes Small - 6X.  All shirts are black Gildan Dryblend 50/50 Poly/Cotton blend. Short sleeve t-shirts start at $20. Long sleeve t-shirts $24, Sweatshirts $27 and Hoodies $30. Additional charges apply to larger sizes: 2X (+$2), 3-4X (+$4), 5-6X (+$6). Multiple ordering/payment options: Submit the attached order form with cash or check payments to Miss Frailey, any band member or to the high school office. For checks, please pay to the order of "Licking R-8 School District". Scan the QR code or go to https://lickingmo.infinitecampus.org/campus/store/licking to order and pay online. Orders may be placed through Wednesday, November 11, and will be available for pickup before Christmas. Everyone will be notified when shirts arrive for distribution. Email Crystal Frailey at cfrailey@licking.k12.mo.us with any questions. #wildcatpride

‼️JH Girls Basketball Game Change ‼️ Tuesday October 27th at Dora 5PM

Tonight’s Class 2 District 7 Volleyball Semi-Final 5:00 PM – Licking vs. Belle Watch live: https://mshsaa.tv/?B=4632380 Cash Gate Only Please see photo for seating arrangements

🧡🖤 Licking Elementary: Our Scholastic Book Fair will be taking place next week, October 26th-29th! 📚 Visit our Book Fair Homepage to preview books, set up eWallet, or shop online! https://www.scholastic.com/bf/lickingelementaryschool

This week submits at Licking Junior High and High School

🟠Superintendent’s 2026-2027 Budget Message:

Licking R-8’s mission, “Excellence and Integrity Every Day,” guides our work with
students and our stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Our vision is to help every student
reach their full potential through excellence, integrity, respect, innovation, and
community connections. Fulfilling that vision while operating at the minimum levy
associated with Missouri’s state funding requirements requires careful spending
decisions.

Over the past 20 years, unrestricted reserves have averaged approximately 22% of
operating expenditures, compared with 15% before federal pandemic relief. Reserves
ended 2025–26 at 24%. This cushion helps protect student services when revenues fall
short, but using it for recurring expenses leaves less available for future needs.

For 2026–27, revenue is budgeted at $9.61 million—approximately $541,000 less
than last year’s budget. Local and county funding is down about $185,000, state funding
$87,000, and federal funding $435,000, partly offset by increases in other revenue. Some
federal grants have ended, and the state cannot currently fund a preschool grant
awarded to the district.

The district has reduced total budgeted spending by approximately $98,000,
including $301,000 in lower staffing expenses. Still, revenue has fallen much faster than
spending. With expenses of $10.25 million, the district faces an approximately $633,000
deficit and expects to use reserves to cover the gap.

Meanwhile, enrollment has grown from 813 to 843 students. Serving more
children with fewer resources makes it harder to sustain required services and the
opportunities that help students discover their strengths and prepare for their futures.

If state and local funding reductions continue, these choices will become more
difficult. Reserves provide temporary support, but cannot replace reliable annual
funding. We remain committed to careful planning, open communication, and
spending decisions that respect taxpayers’ investment while supporting our students and
our mission.

We welcome your questions and encourage you to contact the district office to
better understand our budget and how it impacts our students’ education.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Telena Haneline, Superintendent, Licking R-8 School District

#WeChooseLearning📝
#StrivingForExcellence⭐
#WildcatPride🧡🖤

🧡🐾What an awesome night to be a Wildcat! Lots of runners bringing home hardware from our Frisco League meet in Plato tonight. In the JH Boys race, Brandon Giller placed 1st and is a Conference Champion! Waylon Reed placed 10th. In the JH Girls race, Rylynn Ramsey placed 10th, Paislee Kinder placed 11th, Sayge Adey placed 12th, Kinlee Little placed 13th, and Ashlin Sparks placed 14th. In the HS Girls race, Seyrena Carter placed 13th and in the HS Boys race, Ethan Stout placed 13th. So proud of our XC Wildcats! Next and last meet is Thursday in Waynesville!🐾🧡 #ProudToBeAWildcat #WildcatXC

JH A team also won against Dent-Phelps, 62-11! Go Wildcats!