001Thank you all um for your patience. We've been in executive session and we are now returning to open session. And if everyone could stand up, we will do the pledge of allegiance. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Teresa. Teresa, do we have any public comment? Okay. Uh consent agenda. >> Motion to approve consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Okay. >> We have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda. Do we have any questions? Hearing none. Norm. >> Yes. >> Mary. Dave. >> Yes. >> Jim, yes. Motion passes. uh student representative. >> Yes, after some time we do have a student representatives uh with us. And
002so we're going to put you on the spot here and let you tell us a little bit about yourself, what grade you're in, uh maybe even uh what your academy that you're in. I don't see Dr. exercise. We're here to put you on the spot, but nonetheless, um, we'll do introduction and then we'll let the board introduce themselves to you as well. >> Well, hi. My name is Maddie Jit. I'm a senior. I'm in the Human Services Education Pathway. Um, I I am a leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I'm a part of the National Honor Society and um, also I'm just I take a lot of hard college classes, dual credit classes, and then um, I'm the senior editor for the yearbook. and I'm really happy to be here. It's it's an honor.
003Thank you. >> Well, welcome. We're glad that you're here with us. And uh I'm Karen Fletcher. I'm the um vice president of the board. And >> my name is Dave Daniels, board of education. >> Mary Cummings, board of education. >> Norman Larky. >> Uh Jim Armelio, Senior Elder. Okay. So, um I'm assuming that you know that in future meetings you'll bring some things to us after talking to some of the other students and that >> is correct. >> We're looking forward to seeing what you have to offer to us. >> Awesome. Well, thank you so much. >> Welcome. >> Okay. Report of the superintendent. >> I'm sorry. early announcement incentive. >> Yes, this evening I am bringing to you our early announcement in incentive. Um we do this every year to um incentivize those who
004could be retiring or choosing to go elsewhere or um perhaps resign and and um the earlier the better. And um last year we had around 25 people take advantage of this which put us ahead of the game. 17 of those were retirees. So, um this is just a really nice uh perk for us in the human resource department to get ahead of the game and recruit people as early as possible. So, this evening I ask uh the board to approve the early announcement incentive for the 2526 school year as presented. >> So, move second. >> Okay. We have a motion in a second to approve the early notification or early announcement incentive. Uh, any questions? >> Hearing none. Norm, >> yes. >> Mary, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> Jim, >> Yes. Motion passes.
005Buckle up. Phone down. Resolution. >> I'm not sure who's leading the way, Mr. Ken Singinger. If someone wants to uh have a resolution to share with the board or have a conversation or is everyone speaking here on >> I have for themselves. >> We have a specific group there. >> I was just being honor. >> Oh, okay. You made me nervous. We could read it, but if you would come up with your students and if you want to go ahead and if you want to go ahead and give them the goodie bag, that would be fine. >> Talking they have gifts for us. >> I'm going to have him talk. I'm going to have him talk. >> He's part of it. >> What's this for? Yeah, >> that's the microphone. >> What's it for? >>
006No, no, no, no. We have a police. >> Trust me, I know what a microphone is, but what's it for? >> Yes. >> No. Part two. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. You got >> I am Jordan Cushe. I am the traction advisor. I teach uh nutrition and wellness and personal finance. This is my first year at Belton. Uh, I'm David Burton and I'm a sophomore. >> I'm Grayson Cormmanic. I'm a senior and I'm also the chapter president of the Belton High School FCCLA. >> My name is Orin Sison. Yeah, I am a senior and I am the state vice president of membership for Missouri FCCLA. >> Oh, so we are traction is a small thing a part of FCCLA. Our goal is to bring awareness to safe driving um to our students. So, we
007go to a conference in the summer and we kind of action plan on things that we want to do throughout the year. Um we just started this buckle up, pledge down pledge that we're sending out to everyone and it's just students pledging to wear their seat belts and be safe behind the wheel. You want >> and I can I can just read. >> Okay. Can I read the proclamation? >> I got it. I got it on my computer. Okay. So, we have a resolution for uh October 15, 2025. Whereas the Belton School District number 124 recognizes that seat belt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries and traffic crashes. And whereas distracted driving, particularly the use of cell phones behind the wheel, continues to be a leading cause of
008preventable accidents among teens and adults. And whereas the Missouri coal coalition for roadway safety launched the buckle up phone down BUPD initiative to promote two simple life-saving actions wearing seat belts and putting phones down while driving. And whereas the Belton School District number 124 is committed to promoting the safety and well-being of its students, staff, and families both on and off school grounds. And whereas the district believes in setting a positive example for students through education awareness campaigns and personal responsibility for roadway safety. Now therefore, let it be resolved by the board of education of The Belton School District number 124 proudly supports buckle up phone down challenge and joins the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety and encouraging all drivers to buckle up and put their phones down every trip, every time. The district will
009promote buckle up phone down message through student programs, staff communications and community engagement activities. Student, staff, and community partners are encouraged to take the buckle up phone down pledge and help spread the message of safe, responsible driving throughout Belton. And this will be approved today. So, oh, and we have but we need a photo op with them and and the the board vice president, I guess. >> Oh, we do need Oh, I'm sorry. Okay, >> hold on. Okay, to approve the buckle up pone down resolution. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second to approve the resolution as presented. Any questions? >> Hearing none. Norm, >> yes. >> Mary, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> Jim, >> yes. >> And yes. Motion passes. I want to throw a couple other little
010bits out. Uh, Officer Myers is here today because he is a strong supporter of the buckle up phone down initiative and he just received word this week from where officer Myers >> one more time. >> Where did you get your information from that uh all resource officers are going to follow this as well? >> Uh, the Missouri police chief association forwarded it out to all other across. So wonderful. >> And Officer Myers goes with these kids to to leadership camp in the summer and helps promote this. Uh and um his significant other also goes as a representative from the city. So this is an all-encompassing activity for these kids for leadership and promoting uh driver safety. So um do you want to do that? >> Oh, are you wanting to >> Yeah. That's what I
011was thinking. >> At least Jim's wearing shorts, too. I'm not the owner. >> It's probably All right. >> Thank you. Cool. >> Cool, cool, cool. >> All right, that was a great presentation, guys. Thank you very much. And and since tonight's a school night, if you guys want to to excuse yourself, you're welcome to. >> Something about quiz cards and a test tomorrow for two of them. >> Okay, next is enrollment update. Yes, I have an update for us on enrollment. Um, this was done on the Monday the 13th. Currently, we have 4,384 students in the district. Um K12 we have 4,17 students. Um right now our lowest class is kindergarten with 287 students and our highest has now I know that it was seniors the last time I reported but it is now our
012eighth graders. We've enrolled some new eighth graders. So we have 339 eighth graders um and a few seniors dropped off. So, we as a district are um down 69 students overall counting grace. Um without grace, the K12 is down 66 students from last year at this time. >> All right. Thank you. Are there any questions? Okay. And that was just an update. So, moving on. Long range facility planning. I got to make a motion that we >> Sorry, it's a little hard to to read this new software. So, we have been meeting uh that we've had three meetings now on long-range facility planning. Um we've invited some community community members, some parents, um a lot of staff from across the district. uh we have another meeting or two uh that we're working on. We also
013met with our demographers today uh to talk a little bit excuse me about our enrollment and about the future enrollment uh of the school districts as well. And so and then also had some discussions about the numbers of students per building uh throughout the district uh as well. So, we are trying to narrow down. We started with over a hundred different items of interest as far as facility improvement andor renovation and or possible new builds. I think we're down somewhere in the 50 range. Um, but a lot of the price tags is we feel like we can bond at a no tax increase levy at about 52 to $54 million uh for the school district. Um, we were well over that uh dollar amount. And so, for instance, if we were to build a new
014high school with what you guys have right now, um it would cost $180 million to rebuild our high school uh the way it sits. So, obviously, prices have continued to escalate. We're not building a new high school, by the way, since that one just got done. But, nonetheless, uh gives you an idea. Uh an elementary facility was somewhere around 45 million at the minimum. And so based on what we have obviously then we would not have any other money to work on roofs or other possible renovations or needs that we have. So it's kind of helped refocus everyone in regards to what those needs might be andor uh possibilities of prioritizing uh what needs to occur and what needs to occur first. We've done some work over at Yokum. Uh some of the students here
015probably have seen some of the recent renovations. I see some head nodding. Mhm. >> Uh but we have twothirds of that building still to go and so we've got a lot of work there and then really what happens and what we're what we will utilize that facility for is probably as much or more important than anything. So making that determination uh on what how we're going to utilize that facility and then putting uh the resources into it to make it a top-notch as we've talked about making it some type of a lab setting uh for our students and so they have hands-on experential learning opportunities. um throughout their high school experience. And so we want that. But then we also know that we need to look at the possibility of expanding early childhood as we
016have a ginormous waiting list. Uh last year one parent called in for example and she wanted to know where she was on the list. She was number 457th on the waiting list to get into early childhood. >> Oh wow. >> So there's a lot of people that want early childhood education resources. And so we know there's a need there as well. Plus, we have aging buildings uh that are going to need some work uh as well. So, once again, trying to prioritize that. We meet again, I think mid November. We just met last night um over at the curriculum center. And so, uh our architects, ids are working on trying to help to narrow down what that focus looks like. Our goal and hope is to be here with the board uh no later than
017December um as far as what some of those ideas and expectations are looking at the future. And we're talking 0 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 plus years. Uh the district to have some ideas of what we might need to do. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions? Okay, moving on. Cass County kids first legislation priorities. >> Yes. So, you'll notice there is a draft of priorities for our few new items. A lot of this has been repetitive through the years. what we look at in regard to concerns. Our legislative session starts in January and so we obviously want to get out in front of what we want to share and communicate with our local legislators and so when they go to Jeff City they know what we desire. Cass County in essence has about 18,000
018students look at school districts that represent school districts in pass county and so obviously we are the larger we are the two largest system represent well over 11,000 of those 18,000 students district. And so obviously we have on here local control concerns about charters and vouchers and policies. Obviously there's a lot of funding issues going on right now. State legislation that the board has made aware of and they're to look at possibilities accountability as we look at future assessment possibilities with six and also the success network. So please review these. There are a few other school districts next month. Okay. Thank you. Next is legislative update. legislative update. So, um I mentioned about financial matters that have been occurring in the state. They've had a couple of special sessions in Jeff City. Uh the latest
019one was about uh there were four different joint resolutions that were proposed in regards to personal property taxes. So, students personal property taxes. Anybody know what those are? What? Somebody give me an example. You own a boat, that's personal property. You own a car, personal property. You own a trailer, personal property. And so, they tax you on the items that you own. You own a motorcycle, personal property. And so, you have to pay a property tax in the state of Missouri on personal property. Now, your real estate is separate. So, our houses, there is property tax on houses and businesses and all that. Um, but personal property is different. So, our state legislators have been talking about doing away with personal property. And that sounds great. Hey, I'd pay less taxes. But for us, Mr.
020Allen, that would cost the school district approximately how much a year? >> $597,000. >> So, $597,000 just to start with. It'll get worse and actually add more. So, uh, concern about what that would do to our funding on top of the fact that capital gains taxes went away in the state. So, that's going to cost us, uh, some resources, personal property. We just received information, uh, from the county in regards to our, uh, Senate Bill 190, our senior citizens property tax. We got that number today, which is right at $600,000. And so, it starts to add up. And so we also have Senate Bill 3 out there. If you guys know about the stadium uh with the Royals and with the Chiefs, there's been talk about where that's going to be at. And so there
021was legislation passed. Cass County is designated a 0% increase property tax because of that stadium legislation, but it has to be voted on by April of 2026. And so if that passes then our residential taxes for all individuals will be capped at the 2024 level. And so that would also be detrimental more to the tune we think of about 6 to7 million a year. That would be additional loss in in revenues there. So a lot of focus upon real estate tax, personal property tax have been the two main items that we've seen and then of course capital gains tax. So, um, those do affect the school district. Um, and so we are obviously watching those, uh, to see how those progress once again as legislation starts January. Um, these items will all come back up.
022>> Okay. Thank you again. Next is unfinished business. We have the MSBA policy 2025C. We need a motion to approve those and which include BBBA, IGBI, IGCD, IGCDA, IGD, IGAA, and JFCD. Motion to approve the second reading of MSBA policy 2 2025C to include as presented by Vice President Fletcher. Second >> second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any questions? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Next is MSBA policy 2024B which include FFA, GB, EBC, I N D, J O, KH and that's it. I make a motion to approve the second reading of MSBA policy 2024B to include FFA, GBE, BC, IND, JO, and KH. >> Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any questions? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Next
023is new business. We have horizontal advancements. >> Yes. A few horizontal advancements for you this evening. The administration asked the board to approve horizontal advancements as presented. >> Motion to approve the list of horizontal advancements as presented. I like it. >> Okay, we have them >> on my iPad. >> It's none of us do, but if you look at it, >> if you look at it in your emails, it's there. >> It there's some We're having some trouble with it coming up on the >> Oh, we're under new business. I can make >> my iPad's getting >> Well, I could read mine since last Friday. My iPad hasn't got any email since last Friday. >> I don't care if it works. >> Oh, it it works. >> I I still can't see. >> Okay. I'm
024going to give you >> Yeah. Do you want me to just read it in the in the motion? Okay. Yeah. And I've got them when I thought everybody did. >> The horizontal advancements include Mr. Andrew Collins, Miss Tabitha Babcock, and Mr. Marshall Noble. >> Yeah. >> Did Did you hear that, Jim? She just listed who they were. >> I apologize. Okay. So, we have a motion and a second. Correct. Correct. >> Okay. Any questions? >> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion passes. And MSBA policy uh for technology and for data uh governance. >> Yeah, these are some uh policies that uh MSBA had sent to us. They felt like needed to be cleaned up. They review our policies. Obviously, we pay them annually to do that. So then they had sent to us these
025two items. So this will be a first read. Then I have the board will have opportunity to review them over the next month and then we'll bring them back for a second read in November. So the administration recommends the approval of EHB and EHBC. >> So moved. Second. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion uh and a second. Any questions? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Under uh miscellaneous, we have committee updates. Did we have an update for MSBA? Okay. Uh the MSBA some of us thought we had not gotten the information. Mine had found >> I found mine in mail. So it was there. Uh so you can go in and get the app and and be able to see everything. And mine came to
026my junk mail on October 14th. So, if you wanted to look at a specific time frame when it came, um, we have some people in the room who will be presenting at the conference. Uh, I won't point fingers or make you talk about it. Norman does that for us. Um, so it should be, um, a really good conference. Our keynote on Saturday is um, um, oh, I just forgot her first name. Grandon and um, pardon. Temple. That was Temple. Grandon is the keynote speaker and I think that'll be a really interesting uh keynote and then we have a a young man that's speaking on uh Friday. So uh it'll be a good conference. Lots of things we're going to learn. So those of you who are out there listening today and watching, come back and
027see what we talk about when we recap the conference at our next meeting. So you might hear some interesting things. That's kind of all I have. >> Okay. Thank you, Mary. uh Belton Cares and you matter or Belton. >> Okay, that meeting was a month ago and I didn't bring my notes with me since I was coming from a softball game. So, if anybody has any information about that that I'd be happy to sh let you share. >> Okay. Uh October 20th, we have town hall meeting at High Blue Wellness. Families are encouraged to come. We'll have a panel of guest speakers to talk about things that are uh important in our community with mental health, drug awareness, all of those things. 5:30 to 6 is a vendor fair outside the room where there'll be
028lots of people there with things to give away and uh Belton Cares is providing pizza and cookies as well. Um so that's on the 20th, High Blue Wellness 6 o'clock. Be there at 5:30 if you want pizza and cookies. Uh and then in November we will be having a uh youth forum but I will wait and then Jim can talk about that at the next meeting that we have because it'll be before then. So okay. >> Hey thank you again. U Belton Educational Foundation. I know Miss Cvantes is not here. Um but I >> have it right here. >> Okay >> madam vice president. >> Okay. >> So I will share. Well, I was going to speak about the turkey bowl. >> You go ahead with the turkey bowl and I have two other items
029after that. >> Okay. So, the turkey bowl is coming up on November 8th and it is a fun familyfriendly event. Um, you can come and they like you to dress up and have fun and you bowl fun games, not just regular games. You bowl with colored headpins and sometimes you get a free strike and and whatnot. We have all kinds of they have contests and and games and raffles and it's it is a very very fun event. So it's at Erin's Family Fund Center on the 8th. I'm not sure of the time because I don't have the flyer in front of me but Oh 5:00. Okay. So come on down to Aeron's Family Fund Center on the 8th. Dr. Underwood. >> So um Mr. Bontes wanted to share about the Hall of Fame ceremony. said
030it was uh the most attended and highest fundraising alumni hall of fame to date. Tailgating was equally successful. Uh check out the Facebook page for picks and highlights from the events. And um also she wanted to mention about did we mention the uh Tootsie Pop challenge? >> And so that was mentioned at the executive committee meeting this morning for the foundation. Three local banks are in competition collecting Tootsie Pops for pirates for the You Matter Day. And so I believe it is Hawthorne Bank. I believe that uh Bank of Midwest and >> is it a community bank? No, >> is it? Let's see. Oh, Central Bank. Yeah, Hawthorne Central and Richard Gabau Federal Credit Union. So RGFCU. So, uh, hence Michelle's on the foundation board. They better be involved. >> So, RGF, Hawthorne, and Central
031Bank are competing. So, if so happen you guys have Tootsie Pops laying around and want to drop them off at one of the banks for a competition, you can do that. So, >> sounds fun. >> Okay. Anything for the city of Belton? >> I I don't have anything new. >> Okay. And moving on, uh, building tours. >> Yes, I believe we have that scheduled for November 11th, 8:00. I don't know we have a detailed schedule, but we have tried to do that. That is Veterans Day also. That's uh so typically there are a lot of events, especially Mil Creek seems to really have a great showing in regards to that. Gladen as well. And so we'll try to time those strategic strategically to be a part of those. So looking forward to that day and
032typically it is a long day so bring your walking shoes. >> Okay. So we have some miscellaneous dates. On October 17th we have no school. It is a PD staff collaboration day. October 22nd to through 23rd is Ford NGL visit. October 23rd through the 25th is the MSBA annual conference in KCMO. October 23rd is evening conferences at BHS. October 29th is evening conferences for preK through 12. October 30th is parent teacher conference for preK through 6. And October 31st is no school. Look at that. you get off for Halloween. And um for November, you have uh November 8th, the turkey bowl for the Belton Educational Foundation. November 21st, the senior citizens lunchon at noon. November 26th through the 28th is no school for Thanksgiving break. And March 12th through the 14th is Cosba Conference in
033Louisville, Kentucky. Any dates that were not mentioned? Can I throw one out? Sure. >> Friday night, I know it's senior night. It's this night, this night, this night at the football game, but it's also belt and cares night and it's our uh celebration for Red Ribbon Week. So, the police department will be there for free hot dogs and chips and then the winners of the art contest in grades K through six or K through six, K through 12 will be announced and given their awards at the tailgate. So, that's going on before the game. >> Okay. Uh well that uh concludes our regular meeting. So we'll need a motion to adjourn the regular meeting and and reconvene into >> motion to send for close session. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second.
034Any questions? Norm? >> Yes. >> Mary? >> Yes. >> Dave? >> Yes. >> Jim? >> Yes. >> I am a yes. Motion passes. So, we thank you all for coming.