Members of Moniteau School District Board of Directors discussed at Monday's meeting the annual Mr. Moniteau competition that normally takes place in the spring.

While the administration of the Moniteau Junior/Senior High School originally canceled the event because of concerns about coronavirus capacity, as discussed at the meeting, the conversation turned to the content of the event, which “pushed the envelope farther and farther,” said Sean Morrow, a social studies teacher at Moniteau Junior/Senior High School who helps facilitate the annual talent show for seniors.

Concerns were raised that students participated in partial nudity in the event that was not condoned by the school.

Lance Fox, principal of Moniteau High School, said at the meeting that he spoke with the school's yearbook staff on what they could hold instead of Mr. Moniteau, but several parents and one student of the school spoke in favor of having the competition because it is a tradition that the students enjoy.

Morrow said he would not host the show again if the content continues pushing the acceptable envelope as far as it does.

He said he would not want the actions the students do as seniors in high school to come back to haunt them in their future when they are searching for a career or even when they are applying to colleges.

“This can come back, and this can hurt them in the future,” Morrow said. “That's what I don't want to see happen to the kids.”

Tom Samosky, superintendent of Moniteau School District, saw a Mr. Moniteau show for the first time last year, and said the Board of Directors and administrators might be able to rework it into a show that draws back on some of the elements that cause discomfort while still maintaining the fun and pageantry for the kids who participate and the community members who watch.

“I got a taste of Mr. Moniteau last year, so I understand how positive it can be for the kids,” Samosky said. “The administration has and continues to look at this situation, and I think with the feedback we have, we might be able to pull something off.”