001Next we'll have the report of board members. >> Start with Rick on September 18th. I put on a learning where I was able to observe class. >> Hey, turn your microphone. Sorry about that. Okay. On September 18th, I went on a on the learning walk at Ray High where I was able to observe group classrooms and get feedback to the teachers. I was in a group with a gentleman named uh Mr. David Johnson who was like a rock star in that building. The students were really u drawn to him and I just found that to be a bit amusing because everywhere we went he was like Mr. Johnson, Mr. Johnson. It was just it was his middle school that actually feeds into uh Ray High. And it was great to hear from the leadership present
002and to see and feel their enthusiasm for the work that they do. And I was able to talk to several of them as well to kind of get a feel for what they need as administrators uh in the various schools around the city. And on the 19th, I went to the government relations committee meeting where Congressman Eman Emanuel Clever II addressed the committee with information about what's going on in DC. Uh he reported that for funding that was earmarked for the city is no longer earmarked for the city and that um we could just look for those changes. and he then talked about the redistricting of the state and how we all could and should get involved in learning what that is all about. I found that to be a very informative meeting. And on
003the 24th, I went to the chamber lunchon where Jeff Hurst presented as the chamber president. I never knew he was as funny as he is. That's one funny guy. Uh and that meeting too proved to be pretty informative. And on the 6th of October, actually, I was at Ray High once more for a scholarship eligibility workshop where all the 11th graders gathered in a room. It was about 75 80 or so uh juniors that were in the room with Great Jobs KC. And the whole purpose of that meeting with Great Jobs is to get the students prepared for to apply for a $50,000 scholarship >> where you're only eligible as an 11th grader to uh apply for that scholarship. While Ray High has gotten a jump on that uh process, I would challenge Ray South
004to do the same, to get in touch with Great Jobs, Casey, so then they too can apply for that $50,000 scholarship. And that is all I have. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, everybody. Uh Mr. President, on September the 9th, I was able to join Dr. Martin Knox and uh part of a team uh in an enrollment meeting, strategic enrollment meeting to learn some uh how the district is working on strategies for improving enrollment in the Raytown uh school district. And I think that we're headed in the right direction with the way um they're going. And on was September the 18th, I went to the demography proposal community forum at Raytown High School uh and was able to look at the maps and the uh new presentations and ideas for um [clears throat] improving uh
005again enrollment and dividing up and um our district in a way that it would be um good for all. I'll just put it like that. On October 10th, I went to the Hall of Fame lunchon. Congratulations to all the inductees that were inducted into the Raytown Hall of School Board Hall of Fame. And then last week, my family and I uh worked to help contribute to the food uh bank uh or the food mobiles that travel around from church to church here in Raytown. there is a shortage at um some of the food banks that are sending out. So I would encourage encourage anybody that has extra and you have a food uh bank in our community uh to to give. If you have some extra, go on and give to that. And that's my
006report. >> Good evening everybody. >> Good evening. >> Um I also had a busy month. Uh I went to a lot of sporting events this uh month. Um I got to see Raytown softball um versus Raytown South softball. Um great game 200 to um the Raytown um softball team. Also got to see the Raytown soccer team against the Raytown South soccer team. That was also a 2-1 um to Raytown. So good job um to the Blue Jays. Um I also got to go to the Hall of Fame um um lunchon. Um so again, congratulations to everybody who is in the part of that Hall of Fame um group. Um also got to go to the um the the meeting, the legislative meeting u with Edna um with Emanuel Clever um just to talk about, you
007know, government relations. Um and um I also got to do a walk um with um our superintendent, Dr. Martin Mox and um Miss Cole. Um it was great to just see I've never been to um Raytown Success Academy and so it was great to just see you know how the kids are interacting um how the kids are are doing there and from that interaction I can tell that from what when I was teaching it's in such a different place now and I want to just commend um Miss Cole for everything that she's doing over there. Um, also last thing I I want to say are Raytown cheerleading. I was at um the state cheerleading uh regionals. Um first time that Raytown cheerleading got to um gets to go to state um first time in seven
008years. Um they placed fourth in their division and I want to give a shout out to um Miss Caitlyn Samson. She's done an amazing job over there turning that cheerleading program around. And that is all I have to report. Do it. >> Thank you, Mr. afternoon. >> Mr. President, I would first like to thank Dr. Martin Knox for taking her time out with one hand to take me on some school visits. >> Uh we started at Raytown Middle and we began I would like to thank uh Principal Cooper uh and her administrative team and several staff members during the visit. We visit the cafeteria where I visit with many students getting feedback on meals overall during the dining experiences and discuss the academic and social support with the administration and we had several conversations about
009the superintendent and gathered their perspectives to the student engagement and well-being the the business that they provide a lot of valuable information about how they feel about the school, the superintendent um the learning experiences and and the dining experiences that they're getting over there. Um, I also went to the demographic community forum when I attended this um demographic community forum. Uh, I I ran into and I had some big shoes to fill up. I I ran into a young man that was like really in go with Mr. Dr. Moore. Um, and the young man's name was Benjamin Brown. And I I I know we can get the parents perspective and all that, but I wanted to talk to uh Benjamin Brown. He's a fifth grade student and he goes to uh Little Blue Elementary and
010he expressed to me how much Little Blue Elementary meant to him. And that's what I want to do. I want to talk to different people from staff to students, but students meant a lot because I I got in this job for the students, the the biggest, you know, our biggest person that we really should care about and I got his perspective. He gave such a huge commercial for Little Blue Academy and Dr. Moore. >> So, um, and I'm sure Mr. Scott can back me up on this. Those are big shoes to fill. Dr. Moore had some big shoes to fill. When we went over there, we had to talk. So, I um had about a 15-minute conversation with him, uninterrupted. Um five or six hugs exchanged and um I told him, I said, "I'll be
011over there to see you." We talked from everything about what was his favorite food to his favorite teacher to his favorite subject to everything. So, I said, "I'll be over there to see you." U again, Dr. Morton Knox said she'll meet me over there. So my next stop, I went over there and I seen him in Little Blue. Um we went over there and seen him and um once I got over there, I called I got him out of class and we um my first stop was to see him, talked to Benjamin, got him out of class and he came up and seen us. Our second stop, we talked to Miss Wells in the second grade where we seen them participating in calendars and planning and observing, you know, the strong student engagement. The next
012stop, we went to Miss Missy's room. we seen in in the self-contained class and the interact interactive sessions that she had with the kids. It was very very interactive where we seen them doing projects of enjoy enjoying experiences. Then our third stop, we stopped at Benjamin's room. Miss James, if you guys don't know Miss James, she's a fifth grade teacher over there. Phenomenal. I encourage anybody if you get an opportunity to stop by Miss James room. Um I had forgot some of this math. She was doing fractions. I It was the most interactive thing I've ever seen. I sat down, grabbed a seat, and remembered my fractions. Um, and then I also got to meet I also went to Q's Corner. That's where they keep the dog at. Um, and I I had a phenomenal
013time. When I go to schools, I I I get the whole experience with the school. So, um, I I enjoyed that whole thing. I also had the opportunity to u go and I got some a kid that does the NIL thing and we went to Lincoln. We donated a a ton of shoes. But before I go too far, I wanted to thank Dr. Martin Knox. I want to thank uh Dr. Dread Scott, M Dr. Smittney for for just being a part of that experience over there at that school. Uh our third stop, we went over to the success academy and I'm going to piggy back off what Mr. Jordan said, "Hey, Miss Cole is doing phenomenal over there." Uh, we had an opportunity to go and see what that environment is like and with what
014she has. She's doing a phenomenal job. Uh, and and and that staff over there is doing a phenomenal job. I'm I'm hats off to the people we have in Raytown. And I I always said that I'm I'm just hats off to everybody that we have in Raytown and everything that we do with what we have in Raytown. So, I just want to, you know, if I don't commend you guys enough and I don't stop by enough and I don't say it enough, I want to say that my hat is off to you guys for the work that you do and I'm I'm just extremely happy for it. Um, with with my my reflections on this u this month's visits is a community engagement opportunity reinforced the importance of the direction and connection the student staff
015and families. Hearing from the students of of and Benjamin Brown and seeing the dedication of our educators remind me of the way and why we work so vital. Each student each visit not only strengthens the the district's community relations but also provides valuable perspective to guide future decisions and impacting our schools. Thank you God so much for everything you do. That's it. >> All right. Thank you. So, um, this past month I, uh, I got to cheat a little bit because I got some grandkids in the district. So, I participated in a couple events at Fleet Ridge Elementary. And I'd like to say the same thing about uh, Miss Glasco over there. And what and the, uh, the teachers there. Uh, there's a lot of, uh, involvement from the parents. It's uh we did uh
016the most recent event was uh we walked to school and uh everybody walked to school and had donuts set out in the on the front uh lawn there and uh before school started set for about 30 minutes and each time even at black back to school night I got to sit and talk to parents and uh I tried not to re I tried to be a undercover super uh overcover uh board member but uh somebody always told on And so I got to talk to some parents and uh and they were just uh expressing some excitement about just uh some of the things that they see and what they think uh the improvement was. So uh the good news is I didn't really get any any complaints, but um Fleer Ridge is really doing a
017a phenomenal job. Also went with u Mr. Newton to uh Raytown success academy and uh I just say ditto uh really appreciate you taking us everywhere showing us everything and uh and looking forward to uh some of the things that we can do to to help you uh to do even better even with uh with some better resources. And so, uh, I thank the board members for for participation and, uh, and just getting involved, um, on on every level and so and showing support because I think that's what, uh, connects us all as a community and shows people that that we really care. And so, uh, that's, uh, it for members report and we'll go to the next item. Mr. Report of Superintendent. >> So, good evening, Chairman Burton, Vice Chairman Newton, members of the
018Raytown Quality School District board, and members of the Raytown Quality School District community. I would like to begin by saying thank you to our board members. As you heard in much of their reports, they were able to communicate um what they've observed uh in our schools. And I just want to say thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules, not just for school vi visits, but for community activities as well. I think you really send the message that your purpose here on the board is to do exactly what you said you were going to do when you were elected, and that is to advocate for our teachers and for our children. And so I just want to say thank you. While he's not here, uh Michael Watson also toured uh some schools with
019me. The last school we went to was Eastwood Hills. And it was just nice to see and I didn't know and learn that he was bilingual in terms of communicating with our students. So it was really nice to see all of our board members in action whether it was at a learning walk or just the school visit or community activity or community event. I want to say thank you. I also want to echo the sentiments about the things that are happening in our school where we are always focused on academia and making sure that we're providing our children with quality environments where they can learn and achieve. But I also want to take a moment to talk about educating the whole child. And what do I mean by educating the whole child? I'm talking about
020the extracurricular activities that our children engage in. From athletics to cheer to dance, I have been able to see our students in action. And every time I'm there, I just smile. And I'll just go through the list of many of the events that I've had the opportunity to observe. Um, I've been able to see volleyball, both middle and high. I've seen tennis. And I will just tell you, it was my first time going to a tennis match and it was my objective to make it to a tennis match. Uh, and they were surprised to see me and I was just amazed at what they were able to do. So kudos to tennis. I went to cross country. I've seen football, middle, and high. I've saw seen so softball. I saw soccer. I see our cheerleaders.
021I see our band. I've seen our dancers, Cardettes, and Blue Jays. And I will just say I'm just blown away at every time. And I'm not just being partial because I'm the superintendent in Raytown. I'm just truly being authentic to let you all know I am proud of you and the work that you do in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Not only for the work of our teachers, but for our coaches and our dance coaches, our athletic coaches. You just do an amazing job and I'm just grateful for the work um that we participate in. And I want to publicly apologize um to Raytown South uh volleyball team um because the other day I did the unthinkable. I wasn't planning to go to the volleyball game, but I was going to the tennis
022match and I wore blue and um it was a battle of the birds volleyball and I was challenged because I had on blue uh when I walked into Ray South gym and I just had to tell them it wasn't on my agenda that evening. Miss Johnston is here, but I will publicly apologize. I am not partial so I won't give scores or any of that. when I go to the games and both teams are playing, I am cheering for every child. And so, but I will apologize for having on blue to Ray South, but thanking Ray High for having the blue and not criticizing me. But anyway, with that being said, I'm just grateful for all the work that's taking place. I also had an opportunity to meet with our superintendent ambassadors and when I
023tell you they are the most amazing young people you'd ever want to meet. You know, having that conversation because what it does echo is student voice. Uh their voice is so important to me and the work that we do. Um and they are our primary customers and if they're not happy and satisfied then we're not doing our job. And so I just want to thank our superintendent ambassadors for bringing their voice forward. I also want to take a moment just to congratulate our Hall of Fame inductees from this past weekend and to give kudos to our communications department for the work that they do. I think people see the end product and don't realize the type of work that goes in behind it. It was absolutely amazing uh amazing for them to put such an
024event together, but it was even more so to hear the success of our Raytown graduates uh and the recognition that we're receiving from them as well. and I can't wait to see many more. So, if you know someone who should be in the Hall of Fame, please make sure those recommendations are forwarded. Items 8.1.2.3 and point.4 are all data review and they are in the board packet for your um for your viewing pleasure. And item 8.5, superintendent's goals. Those goals will continue, but until November the 6th, uh, superintendent's goals will not be presented again until I receive data that will be released from DESIE so that I can make sure that we're up to date and moving in the appropriate direction. Um, so again, 8.5 will be presented in depth a little later once that
025information is released. Item 8.6, I ask for Mr. Houston to come forward because he will be providing an update regarding our Raytown High School parking lot. As we indicate, we will always provide information as it is relevant and pertinent to the success of our schools and that also includes our infrastructure. Mr. Houston, good evening, Dr. Martin Knox, Mr. Burton, and members of the board. Um, I just want to give you a thousand foot view of what's going on at South High. Uh, at the end of that, I'll be able to answer any questions uh that you would like to have. Uh, we initially found the gas leak on 811. Uh 817 was initial site visit by Well done Foundation after we went worked through Spire uh and the Raytown Fire Department. Uh Wellone Foundation is
026mobilized on 821. Uh to date we are right under a million dollars in costs. We're around 991,000 to date. Uh that includes um all the site work, that includes the generator, that includes the chiller to where we can have air conditioning uh at the site. Um, so far there's a total of 168 wells uh underneath that parking lot on three separate loops. Uh, the west loop tested fine has been closed back in. So, there's no um hole there. Uh, the center loop seems to be the most um problematic. U, we have 14 wells repaired there. Five more that we've drilled out and we have to repair the the plumbing line that goes down in. Um, and it so we'll have a total of 27 wells thus far that we've repaired or replaced. uh with 24
027of those being on the center loop. Um as we get things done, we retest. Sometimes the gas migrates one side to another. Uh when that happens, it causes to open up more parking lot. Uh so we're pushing to get this thing wrapped up, but we still there's still a lot of unknowns out there. Um does anybody have any questions about what I've said so far? when do we have an estimated time? >> So, we don't um we're we're looking to have it done as quickly as possible. And the reason I can't give an estimated time is we'll get a series of wells done and think we have everything done and cemented in place. Uh the infrastructure in the ground is is a is is a rock formation. whenever we've we've if you think about water
028like um in your yard or anywhere, you put you get it contained one spot and it goes the path of least resistance. So, what we've been seeing is we get it we get it done and think we're good and then it'll start creeping uh up somewhere else. Uh it's it's going better than anticipated. Uh our goal is to have everything done as quickly as possible because it affects even though kids are in school, it does impact the building quite a bit with after school activities uh with that north parking lot being closed. where so teachers and staff are parking uh on the south side of the building. Uh kids are parking on the 83rd street uh down by softball uh area. Uh when we have events there, it depends on what event, but a lot
029of times they're parked them on the 83rd Street but by softball. Then they have a series of uh signs and and staff to get them up. Uh patrons and people coming to see the game up and then go down the hallway and into the into the gyms. >> Where are where where I'm sorry to say that >> the money [laughter] [clears throat] >> where's it coming from? >> So currently we had some money left in 2019 bond funds. So we're paying for out we're paying for it out of that currently. We've also uh having heavy discussion with insurance companies about what they're are or are not going to pay. We've not come to a resolution on that yet. They came out, they flew out a week and a half ago, two weeks maybe uh for
030a site visit. Uh I spent a couple hours with them going through everything as well as Curtis Shuck uh owner of the Well done Foundation who's uh really spearheading the the the project for us. They took lots of pictures, um, lots of discussion on what's going on. Is really a point for us to educate them on what's going on because, um, nobody's really ever had this happen before. Uh, so that's where the insurance company is a little bit hesitant on where they're at. Uh, but I'm I'm hopeful that through the education we provide for them and some pressure we're putting on them that we'll continue to work towards towards a resolution. >> Is this outside of our uh, property? >> No, it's smack dab in the middle of our parking lot. Okay. They don't. Okay,
031>> Mr. President. So, we ensure that everyone is safe. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. 100%. And some of the safety measures we put in place for that is we have one we monitor it every day on site uh with with the construction of folks on site. We also bought monitors that are that go up inside. Al so all the doors on the north end of South High uh have a have a uh methane detector in there that signals says it's very loud. um that signals that there's there's a problem. Um we also put them at Hearnden on the far south end of the building uh to be able to do that. And then like I said, we monitor every day as well. >> So there's no timeline. I guess there's also no budget. >>
032Correct. >> It's a great project when it comes to timeline and budget. And like I said, we >> if you're working if you're working on it, >> we stay on them every day uh and make sure everything's going the best it can. >> One last question. >> Yes, sir. >> So, the money where we where we're getting it from the 2019 bond, um we got enough >> so that that so that balance was around million before we started. Uh we've spent like I said right around 9991,000 and we still have more to come. Uh so based off what I'm seeing now uh we're looking we think we we do. Uh but then again um we're at 27 out of 168 wells. >> Mr. Houston, can you also let them know what we put a hold
033on uh capital projects? >> Yes. So all of our capital projects we pretty much just just stopped uh until we had a plan of what we were doing. We had updated our we had a 2019 uh building assessment that said here's all the needs that we have in the building. We were working with our architects in New Kirk Novak to look at other projects we could do with those funds. Uh those have all just been stopped in their tracks until we get finished with this project and then we'll see what what if anything we can do. >> Any more questions? I think uh we get together for a capital improvements meeting this move. >> Perfect. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> And before we enter into item 8.7 as our student representatives move towards the
034table. Um I just want to thank a community. I know I said it before um but I just want to thank everyone for uh your patience as we are working through as Mr. Houston said a few moments ago, the unknown, unforeseen anomaly of this matter occurring. Um, and just trusting us when we say we don't have any new updates or we don't know a timeline or we don't know because we don't know and we're relying on the experts and the experts don't know. Um, but when we get information, we will continue to communicate that. So, we're being transparent and open uh as we move along the way. And now our representatives. Hi, Savannah. Good evening board. Um so we're going to talk about what we've been doing this past month and also what's coming up.
035Um we have started our toilet talks which are flyers we make every week that has events. Um that means games, matches or activities that are coming up in our school. Um, and we put them on the stalls, the stall doors of every bathroom, so students know what's coming up in the school and how to be involved. Good evening, board. The next thing we have is about our freshman academy. Our freshman academy is doing pretty well. It's doing the best it can be. And the biggest thing we have right now is that for our spirit weeks and the spirit dailies, we make two sets of posters now. We have one set that the students can see whenever they walk into the building and then we have one set downstairs uh specifically for the freshman and we've
036gotten a bunch of compliments on it. So it seems like we're doing a pretty good job on making them. Uh and also our I would like to thank our committee because our committee is doing a great job on getting these um spirit week posters done in time. Even though it's now twice the work, we're getting them always done on time. So, it's going great. The next thing is about the freshman academyy's bulletin boards. We're always updating them and we're thinking of new ideas for them. So, we're making sure they're involved and included and we're making sure they don't feel like they're left out of the school. Our freshman counselor, Miss Sofa, she wanted to specifically do two bulletin boards where we can do one bulletin board for um to recognize students, freshman academy students birthdays.
037So it'll get updated every month where we um mention like yeah their birthdays and that's a way we can recognize them. And then the second board we're going to put their data on there. So such as like good attendance, good grades and stuff like that. It's just to encourage these students and yeah that's what we have right now for freshman academy. >> Good evening board. Uh recently on October 4th, we had our homecoming where it was a really big success this year. We sold more tickets than we ever have. I think we had about like 400 or 500 tickets sold. And uh you could tell like when I woke when I walked in it was bagged. Like there was a lot of people there. I was like I just knew it was bagged. >> I'm
038sorry. What's bagged mean? >> What does that mean? >> Packed. >> Yeah, packed. >> Oh, like there were a lot of people. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Packed. Okay. Got it. >> Okay. So, this Friday we are doing our annual haunted hallways. Um our um we prep about two weeks beforehand. So, we um it's where we let elementary students come in and we have tables full of candy and basically they come trick-or-treating and then we have this like little haunted house they can go into if want they want to be. Um we've made signup sheets and we've added more like um scares such as werewolves, witches, and zombies for our channel. [laughter] Um, so yeah, that it's going good so far. >> Okay, so the last thing we have for you guys is our StuCo Districts,
039which is on the 27th of October, and it's hosted at Santa Fe High School for this year. We're currently vice president for Stugco Districts for our Trails West, and we're running for president next year. We just finished our video for districts and for our running for uh president. I think it's pretty funny. I haven't seen the full thing, but um Donovan, the person who is recording this video, has tells us that it's it's really really good and it's really funny. So, I have really high hopes. And we are hosting five flock talks at districts, which is whenever they go into like little breakout rooms and we tell them about different activities we're doing at the school. So, the five can include like haunted hallways and stuff like that. And in those flock talks, we have
040one upper classman and one um underassman. That way, that next year, the underassman know what they're doing. they can then teach newer people. >> Thank you. That's it. >> Thank you. >> Great job. >> That concludes the report of the superintendent. >> Thank you. >> Next, we have Rya Hope. Good evening, President Burton, board of education, Dr. Martin Knox. This evening, we are doing something a little different. The person who we are recognizing for the ray of hope has no idea that they are being recognized this evening, so they will be surprised. What I can tell you about this person is that they work tirelessly on behalf of the district and that they care greatly about this community. And we have a little bit more about this person in the video. >> When we started
041the school virtually, it kind of felt like co [music] all over again. And CO for me was kind of like a rough year. I didn't really like it. [music] My days were kind of boring. And the only thing I had going was like football practice. But then when school started over again, I was able to interact with other people [music] and like do more things than just football practice in a day. And it helped a lot like mentally and like morale, [music] I guess, for myself. just starting virtual. Like for me it was way harder to do school work cuz like I'm more active in school. Like I'm not good at homework outside of school cuz I just get caught up in like my phone games. >> Starting virtually I kind of didn't like it
042just because I'm not a virtual person. [music] So it kind of felt weird and also I didn't get to see my classmates face and like meet them. So [music] it kind of felt weird. But once we got into the building and also like met each other, that's when I kind of felt excited more. I first met Josh said at Raytown South Middle where he was one of my building APs. The year before was pretty stressful and the year him and Carl Calcara came in, it was like the whole building got turned around and a lot of that is thanks to [music] Josh himself. One thing I really appreciate about Josh is he isn't just [music] talk, he walks the walk. Josh was in the trenches with everybody helping figure it out. He [music] came to
043our meetings to update it with dirt on his hat and boots and jeans. It was a lot of questions at the beginning and a lot of uncertainty. He really did his best to keep us updated. [music] Even though he had 19 other active school sites plus all the other buildings that he deals with, [music] his personality is just someone that you can go to for anything and he doesn't make you feel dumb about it. He hears you out and then he gives you a direct response, which is something [music] I've always appreciated in leadership. >> I've just been able to see like the true like the magic that Hernand does for like like all the classes and stuff cuz like online [music] you're very limited. But here you get to like truly be hands-on with
044the amazing classes that you have. The stuff that we do in this class, the people we get to talk to, the places [music] we get to go is just you can't do it virtually. You have to be here. >> It's been really great to be back in the building thanks to Josh and his hard work. Well, I've never met the man, but I already I love the guy just for being able to get me in here and save my junior year. Being able to come in here and do the things that I really wanted to do, [music] that's the best part. So, thank you. Thank you. We're extremely grateful that he was able to get us back to the classroom as soon as possible because I feel like a lot of people would have dropped
045just cuz of [music] how repetitive and boring it would have gotten instead of being hands-on. And I'm not I'm not even looking at the business classes too, like the cosmetology, [music] the HVAC, all the construction classes. Just we're all thankful that he was able to get us back here as soon as possible. I really appreciate the [music] care he's put into like making sure that we get into class back as soon as possible. >> I'm very grateful for being back in person because virtual was not going to be able to work for me. So, I'm really grateful that we got back in person. Also, for me to just meet everyone [music] and just see everyone is really great. The fact y'all got guys back in here this fast when they was projecting not to come
046back till the end of October is real real special and just being able to have us all back in here and seeing all my friends again. Thank you. >> I like to say that I appreciate [music] the work you've done and like the effort you put in and for us to get back into school. We may not have everything we have, but at least having school in person, I know it helped me and I know it helped a lot of people. I just like to say thank you. at Dad's house. So before he goes to sit down, it's funny because it means he knows everything. So, you know, while we capitalize on the work that you've done around South and just truly, as Meredith said, being in the trenches in your boots and spying on
047me when I'm spying on you, um, and answering the calls and calling at four o'clock in the morning and people don't see what you do behind the scenes. And I think I did a post a few moments months ago where it was just you walking across the parking lot where I said, "I appreciate I appreciate you. I just want to tell that >> appreciate you. No one signed up for a public comment period. So we'll move to our next agenda item which is board committee reports. Is there a report from the finance committee? uh policy review committee. Let me back up for a minute. Um there's a motion >> board approved September 825 motion made and seconded. uh capital improvement committee meeting. We'll uh Josh will get that on the the schedule before the next
048meeting probably uh next week or a week after whichever probably put it on as your schedule permits. Probably have to wait till evenings. Um community engagement committee report Not a true report. Well, I guess we could. We just met today for the first time um this year and we have a few things in the works. So, I'll get us We'll have more to report >> at a later meeting. >> Great. Thank you. Curriculum professional development. >> Is there anything from citizens advisor? All right, that's all our committees. Vote to uh approve the minutes of the policy committee. Motion passes there. Raytown Education Foundation report. >> I do. Uh I have the Raytown Educational Foundation report October 13, 2025. Grant report the welcome center in 2024 through 2025. Uh REF teaching and learning grant was awarded
049to Lynn Tarvin and Yasmin Cervantes to create a welcome center for the immigrant families who required interpreter to complete enrollment. They reported on the grant uh during the 2025 Ref Share the Love community breakfast and a guest was so inspired by the idea that she contributed to the welcome center. Here is a report from the welcome center. In the past, we have had 20 to 30% of families still not enroll by the first day of school. This year, we used a portion of the contributions to purchase gift cards as an incentive for families to register their kids by the end of July. The names of registered families were drawn for the gift cards. The incentive worked as over 50% of families were registered by the beginning of August and 100% were enrolled by the first
050day of school. Thank you for supporting us. Ref Platinum Pillar of Foundation. On September 8, 2025, ref attended the Raytown School Board of Education meeting to honor Ref Platinum Pillar of Foundation. Uh Gwen Mandorf, Bob Kessle, and Charlotte Belier. Jessica Bernard, and Anthony McDonald represented Gwen Mundorf. 2025 trivia night report. Trivia night took place on Saturday, September 13, 2025. It was successful and a and and a fun event. We had 14 teams signed up, which is a record. We had a plethora of wonderful raffle and silent auction items. A repeat team that has attended all of our trivia nights won. Congratulations to Scam Likely. What a way to have fun while supporting Raytown students and staff. Ref thanks all the teams, volunteers, raffle and silent auction donors along with our generous sponsors Mary and Wayne
051Ol. I think I pronounced it right and Hollison Miller. Welcome back alumni. Let's take a tour. This fall ref had the honor of organiz organizing reunion tours for the Raytown High School classes of 1985 and 1975 and the Raytown South High School uh class of 1975. We were greeted by Raytown and Raytown South staff and students who led us through the building, provided explanations of how learning takes place today, helped by new technology, and shared what they are learning and their plans for the future. The alumni was very impressed with the students. The new school improvements and that the banner with sports records remained exactly the same. Upcoming events, Rocking in Raytown, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on October 24th, 2025 at the Raytown South Middle School. Join us for a night of laughter, dancing, friends,
052and families. Rocking in Raytown is designed for preK through fifth grade students and their families. There will be a DJ, a f photo spot, temporary tattoos, and much more. Wear what's fun. It can be your most cozy, your most fancy, or your own original costume. Come prepared to rock the night away. And that concludes my report. >> All right. Thank you. >> Now we have the annual secretary [clears throat] to the board report. There motion motion made and seconded. Is there a motion for local food for schools grant? >> Mr. President, I move that the board of education accept the local food for schools additional grant funding in the amount of $25,000 on behalf of the Raytown School District. Second >> motion made and seconded. >> Question. >> Motion passes. >> Mr. >> Yes. I
053move the board accept the bid for the one-year BMW wear renewal bid from CDWG for a total of $62,522. >> Motion made a second. Motion pass. Next we'll have the uh enrollment study plan review. A motion will be made uh after the presentation. Good evening, Mr. President. Excuse me. Let me start that again. Good evening, Mr. President, vice president, members of the board, Dr. Martin Knox, and our community staff and community members. Um just about a year ago, we started the process of putting in an RFP to contract with a demographer to update and revise a demographic study to look at postcoid um trends for student population. Uh Craropper with Cropper GIS won that bid and we started to work within last November. Uh they hit the ground running uh running conducting that demographic report.
054we got those results and what we continue to see is a declining enrollment over the next five and 10 years. Um that is nothing to be alarmed about. But what it does tell us is we have to start long range planning and some of that work begins now. Um and so what does that look like? That's again not alarming if we can reduce our financial footprint, if we can reduce our physical footprint and align ourselves over that same period of time to reduced student attendance. Um, again, so Cropper GIS began that work. Um, and they looked at where we were headed with student enrollment. They looked at our priorities as a district. um and also helped us engage the community uh to land at a couple of proposals. Uh we took those to the community
055over a few community engagement sessions that were both virtual in person and had a active survey um soliciting feedback uh from our community. Uh we also spoke with some of affected stakeholders last spring and established a timeline. Part of that timeline was to to say we would have a plan proposed to the board by October of this year. Um that was important to do in the full transparency to let people know what our plans were uh because that's important. And so and here we are October um to talk to you about that proposal. We have with us tonight James Cooper from Cropper GIS uh who's been engaged in that work um who's been leading a lot of that work and we appreciate his uh his work uh with us over this uh past year. Uh
056but tonight he's going to work with the he's going to go through the results of that um survey and those community engagement studies. So at this time uh Mr. the floor is yours. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh Dr. Mark Knox and members of the board. Uh thank you for the opportunity to present the work completed uh through the RAN quality schools enrollment planning study. Uh this effort has been guided by a focus on long-term facility balance uh efficient use of space and the continued delivery of highquality educational environments for all students. Uh the information I'll share tonight summarizes the process. uh community engagement and the database reasoning behind the internal planning team's recommendation. Uh the rationale behind this study comes directly from the demographic and utilization forecast completed in May 2025. Uh that study found
057that district-wide enrollment is projected to decline modestly through 2035. uh driven largely by aging housing stock uh smaller incoming student cohorts um and limited new housing development within the district boundaries. Uh most schools are expected to remain between 55% and 80% utilization uh under current boundaries. Uh this means that while facilities are generally adequate, some are underenrolled while others experience moderate c uh crowding. These findings prompted the district to begin a proactive uh enrollment planning not as a short-term boundary fix but as a forward-looking effort to balance utilization uh reduce future capital uh expenditures and position the district to support evolving academic programs. So the enrollment process was guided by a clear set of uh objectives approved by the board. Uh these include maximizing use of district facilities to ensure efficient allocation of space and
058resources. uh reducing capital expenditures by optimizing existing buildings before considering future construction. Um aligning uh school capacities with current and projected enrollment levels. Um supporting program expansion and and innovation, particularly programs that enhance student achievement and college uh or career readiness. Um and providing equitable supporting learning environments across all neighborhoods within the district. Uh together, these objectives ensure the district's long-term planning is both fiscally responsive, responsible, excuse me, and uh educationally sustainable. So to achieve achieve these uh objectives, uh the district and crops consulting uh implemented a multi-phase enrollment planning process. Uh it began with a data-driven assessment compiling enrollment trends, demographic projections, and facility capacity data um from the 202425 school year. Uh the team then developed enrollment uh forecast for each building through 2035. Um next capacity and utilization models were built to
059visualize where excess capacity exists and where crowding could occur in the future. Uh these findings provided the foundation for exploring potent uh exploring potential adjustments to school boundaries uh grade configurations and program placements. Uh throughout the process, the internal planning team maintained close alignment with the board's planning criteria and the district's strategic goals. uh the work was progressive with each stage uh building upon verified data and prior board guidance. So the interning [clears throat] plan team um which is made up of district leadership and staff representatives uh met regularly through uh to review data, analyze potential scenarios and test how adjustments could impact utilization and demographics. Um initially four options were explored. Um after a preliminary review, two known as option green and option orange were developed further um and shared publicly. Um option green
060proposed shifting to a K6 elementary uh configuration and repurposing Central Middle School for alternative district use. Um option orange by contrast maintained the current grade configurations K5, 6 through 8, and 9 through 12 while creating space at Central Middle School for the RSA program allowing that program to return from its lease location. uh into a district- owned facility. The IP um ultimately found that option orange achieved the most uh balance utilization without with the least disruption to the students. Uh this option also provided program flexibility without uh requiring major major capital investment aligning closely with the project uh objectives. So community engagement was a central uh component of this process. Um a public information session uh was held on September 18th, 2025, followed by an online survey um that was open from September 18th until
061uh September 30th. Uh a total of 78 participants completed the survey uh providing feedback on both on both draft options. Uh the results clearly indicated a community preference for option orange. Um at the elementary level, option orange received approximately 54% approval while option green saw around 61% disapproval. Um at the middle school level, option orange approval was 57% compared to 60% disapproval for option green. High school results followed a similar pattern with majority preference leaning towards the less disruptive orange configuration. uh respondents cited minimal student disruption um maintenance of existing grade configurations and logical feeder patterns as key strengths of option orange. Uh these findings reinforce the internal planning team's uh conclusion that option orange best met the district's goals while maintaining public support. So the maps on this slide show the recommended uh boundaries
062for all three grade levels, elementary, middle, and high school. Um at the elementary level, changes are minimal. Uh primarily affecting a few neighborhoods between Fleet Ridge Elementary and Laurel Hills um elementary in the north. Um and then Spring Valley uh Westridge and Southwood attendance zones in the south to improve utilization and balance. At the middle school level, approximately 50 uh students would move from Raytown Central Middle School to Raytown Middle School to accommodate for that ROC program's uh relocation. Excuse me. At [clears throat] the high school level, only about 65 students are affected by boundary adjustments. Uh maintaining balance enrollment between Raytown and Raytown South high schools. Overall, these adjustments impact fewer than 250 students districtwide while achieving improved balance and long-term flexibility across facilities. The recommendation statistical handout provides the complete measurable outcomes of
063this plan. um district-wide average utilization across all schools is projected to remain stable around 73 to 75% through 2035 ensuring each building is used uh efficiently but not over capacity. Uh the plan maintains demographic balance uh which closely align with the current levels. Uh it also maintains the district's feeder pattern integrity reducing splits to only one elementary to middle school split and only one middle school to high school split in the transition. Um this option supports district program expansion uh relieves some some some facility pressure and improves the geographic distribution of enrollment uh without major boundary disruption. Um [clears throat] financially it positions the district to avoid unnecessary capital projects while maximizing existing facility use. So in summary, the internal planning team's recom recommended plan fulfills the goals established by the board at the outset
064of the study um and maintains existing grade structures, balancing balancing utilization, provides equitable access to programs and does so with the least disruption to students and families. Uh this recommendation reflects both the datadriven uh analysis conducted throughout the study as well as the feedback received uh from the community. Um, it represents a practical, sustainable approach that allows the district to remain flexible in future planning efforts as enrollment and community needs continue to evolve. Um, thank you for your time and continue guidance throughout this process. Uh, we appreciate the opportunity to support the district's long-term vision uh for efficient and equitable facility use. Um, and that's all I have and I'll open the floor to any questions you may have. Members, members of being very excens is you got these off the surveys from the feedback
065that you got back from the right time residents. [clears throat] >> I'm sorry. Can you repeat that for me? >> You got the feedback that you're going off of these analysis you got back from the right time residents and >> yes so yeah it was based off the survey and as well as some of the discussions that we had um um you know around the maps following the presentation on on the 18th there was a gallery walk around the maps where we got to speak with a lot of the community residents as well. Um, and then we also had a webinar uh version of that um on I believe it was September 24th um where there was a Q&A following the presentation as well. We got a little bit more feedback um a little bit
066more insight um as well as throughout the entire process. Yes. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Now with your expertise, would you say that 78 participants would be you know good representation how the community feels? Ideally, ideally you would would would want a few bit more, but at at the same time, the survey respondents um typically just kind of give you an insight to to how the community feels. Um a lot of the the internal planning team members have been having a lot of discussions with community members along the way. So, while the 78 does seem like a a minute number compared to, you know, the student enrollment in such a large district, um it kind of piggybacks and um reemphasizes some of the discussions that um you know, the superintendent and some of the internal
067plan team members have been having uh along this process and kind of reinforces the the the sentiment that option is is a bit more favorable from the community members. Thank you. [clears throat] Anything else Mike Knox? >> I mean guess >> you I know the board likes to hear from you as well. >> So first um I'd like to thank Mr. Cooper and Cropper GIS uh for the work that they've done and you know to echo the sentiments of Dr. Douglas. Um, just working with a partner who uh has really listened uh to our community, has taken the information, has examined our community, has examined the work, and just didn't put a plan or plans in place um just to say they've done some work. Um they've come forward with multiple plans, multiple options, with
068multiple conversations, uh and and just having dialogue along the way and kind of knowing your community. uh the recommendation that is being brought forward. I think that it is necessary for us to begin but I think it also allows us to do so in a less disruptive manner. The last thing we want to do is disrupt our students and their journey in school uh to disrupt the community but we know this is work that has to take place. Um I think the work that proper GIS has provided us allows us to also forecast moving out as m as far as 10 years um just with options that we can move forward to because as indicated our enrollment is going to decline because of the aging population that we serve. Um the lack of growth if
069you will in the community um because of housing um these are conversations that we engage in with the city um just to make sure that we're maximizing. We have an amazing community here. Uh, and I can only speak from my experience as a superintendent and from being a a community member. Um, I think the work that we've done um or that has been done with collaboration with proper GIS is is truthful. It's honest. It's uh it's uh it's necessary. Um, and it kind of um is not as noisy and busy, if you will. Um there will be savings with this approach uh if the board approves it moving forward. Um while we also have had some comments and conversations with our community, particularly as it pertains to how we educate sixth graders, that information does
070not go away. Um because we will always continue to plan to do what's best and what's right for our community, for our students, and for our staff. And so the orange option uh if the board uh approves and moves forward, I support the recommendation that's being brought forward uh by proper GIS. I also will always be transparent with my leaders in the district. And so they will come to me and tell me whether they like or dislike or even coming because I always say you spend two minutes on the problem, 10 minutes on the solution. Um and so they have brought recommendations and ideas, but this is just the beginning. This is a recommendation. So, the work truly begins after we decide the direction that we're going to go in. Uh because now the planning
071will begin uh whatever we choose to do. But I'm in support of this recommendation. Uh because it is the voice of our community whether it's 78 or 7,800. Um it's the voice and they've spoken and again we've heard the voices v both qualitatively and quantitatively. And so um making this recommendation to the board is totally supported by me. >> Is there a motion? >> I move that the board approve the orange enrollment plan as presented. Motion made. Seconded. Oh, motion passes. >> Thank you. >> And if I may, we will follow up. Um, thank you again, Mr. Cooper. Um we will follow up with communications with our community with our schools uh in terms of the discussion this evening uh and the approval of the orange option uh for I'll move forward um and hashwam.
072>> All right, >> Mr. President just minor questions. So you guys are going to develop some procedures then about how to move forward like especially my question will be about Juniors and seniors will have some flexibility for juniors and seniors that are affected >> there. There shouldn't be any that are affected, but if there are um we will >> you take 50 high school students, >> middle school or elementary into sorry. >> Okay, but I thought you said 50 high school students between Raytown High and Raytown South to balance the enrollment. >> We will make sure that those individuals receive communication and that they will be grandfathered. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's what I meant by flex. >> Good question. Thank you. Okay, next we have uh bunch read concerning virtual courses just for information you
073guys had. >> Yep. >> October 13.5 >> motion remain seconded. I do have some donations to read prior to the vote. A donation of eight book bags with school supplies worth $800 from Ivanho UCC to Robinson Elementary School. Donation of school supplies of $200 from American Family. Deanna Poston Siol to Southwood Elementary School. a donation of a $1,000 cash donation to the Pascal Moore from the Pascal Moore Law um from Foundation to Raytown High School football >> Raytown South. It didn't say South, but thank you order. >> Sorry. [laughter] >> Uh donation of $40.25 25 cent from Kayla Gileio um at American Century Investments to Robinson Elementary School. A donation of backpacks, tissues, and miscellaneous school supplies worth $250 from Hope Network to Robinson Elementary School. Donation of back to school night supplies, chips, paper
074sacks, hot dog wraps worth $100 from Ascension Lutheran to Northley Elementary School. Those are all our donation and As always, we greatly appreciate it. U it's greatly needed and the kids certainly uh are thankful for it and really enjoy it. So, thank you very much for uh support from our community. We can vote. Motion passes. 743. Motion made to second it. >> Meeting adjourned. Thank you all for coming. Thank you.