001of allegiance tonight. [clears throat] I aliance 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. >> [clears throat] >> You guys were awesome. Uh, thank you all for being here for our December uh, board meeting. Um, could I get a motion to please adopt this evening's agenda? >> I move to adopt the agenda as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> Motion passes. All right. Item 2.01, the superintendent report. Dr. Buck. Thank you, board president, vice president Miller, and the rest of the board, and all those who are here today. We also have a large group of large gentlemen outside we'll bring in here
002in a little bit. All right, so must speak to them just really quick because I want them being here, but we do want to congratulate Lisma High School for winning their first ever state championship in football. [applause] Um, and we'll get into some of their awards and such when they come in here later on. So, um, so I'm going to skip several of these that are listed and we'll share it when they're in here. So, congratulations to our new learning for newest learning for life award winner. Um, this morning at 7:20 a.m. at Hawthorne Hill on the the hive on the hill, if you will. We surprised Christina Reinhardt from Hawthorne Hill. She was nominated for this award by other LSR staff members in part because she helps students feel welcome and calm, helping them
003refocus when they need her most. She shows grace while holding students accountable, believing that they all have the ability to overcome challenges, and they do in part because of her support. They had 36 different entries bragging about her. Her peers did. So, kudos to Christina. Um, congratulations to two elementary principles for earning recognition this month. First was at Metal Lane. Dr. Christine Johnson was named the 2026 Missouri National Distinguished Principal for the Kansas City Region by the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principles. So, kudos to Dr. J. And then Miss Marcia Hasty at Woodland Elementary was named the outstanding new principal for the 25 26 year by the Kansas City Elementary Principles Association. They always give that one to in your second year. So congratulations to Miss Hasty. Um shout out to Lee Summit West
004esports team who came in third place at state championships earlier this year or earlier this month. ELLL teacher Kathleen Sears over at Pleasant Lee and Greenwood Elementaryries won this month's leading with kindness well-being superstar award. So congratulations to her. Thank you to eighth grade fact students of Summit Lake Middle School for making and donating more than 60 fleece blankets and hundreds of homemade dog treats to the Lee Summit Animal Control. Um so kudos to their sponsors. Um a couple more that just came in recently and I took screenshots so I can remember them and it's not going to show up, is it? Um so I won't have the names in front of me, but we had uh there's a competition in the state at the elementary, middle school, and high school level where kids um
005play the stock market, not for real. and who who actually earns the most over the course of the semester actually can win some money. So give you an example high school I think it was uh and St. Charles maybe the dude was a winner middle school it was St. Charles, but the elementary Cedar Creek decided to participate and we took first and second place, a duo of each one. I think they won a $100 for first place. So, kudos to those kids for playing stock market and getting $100. And maybe we should ask him for some advice going forward. Um, so kudos to them. And then we have an oh goodness. And maybe I'll remember the other one. I just had one come in recently. Um, but I'll see if I can remember it before
006I leave here. All right, updates. The filing for school board candidate uh is open and runs through December 30th. Um, we have we're open tomorrow. We're open next Monday and we'll be open on the 30th. Uh, Miss Linda Ismerred over here is the person you want to see if you run. We have three open seats and currently have six people who have applied. The election is on April 8th. Um, keep submitting nominations for our excellence in teacher and support professional excellence award. This award annual award celebrates LSR7 staff making a difference every single day. certified staff members are eligible for this award and can move on to win teacher of the year for us and then also move on beyond that. Um so please nominate if you want more information you can find it on
007our Facebook page and our websites. If you have a child turning five before August 1st, 2026, that means you're going to be kindergarten eligible and we'd like you to come to our kindergarten kickoff and you can find our kindergarten kickoff information uh on our website at lsr7.org kindergarten. Um, on January 8th, if you're want to see our new aerospace academy, um, we are having our open house from 6:30 to 8:00 at Hangar 2 at LXT. Um, so if you want to come over there and learn about what's going on and who knows, you may see Taylor Swift's plane out there because it was there today. Um, I may have a picture of me trying to hold it in my hand from far. Um, so it's kind of neat. Um, Leonardo DiCaprio was there 10 days
008ago. You never know who's going to be there. All right. Uh quick reminder that tomorrow is not a late start, but it is an early release and that depends on which building what time you release for. So make sure you uh uh consider that. And I remember what my last piece that just came in. So early college program. So we have an early college program. We have 133 students uh which is almost doubled to what we used to have just a few years ago. They took 334 courses, college courses in the early college program over at uh MCC Long View. and they saved with taking these courses through that process and passing courses a collect of $66,671 in tuition savings. So kudos to those 133 kids. I know their parents are probably very very happy
009to save that money. Um and that concludes my superintendent report. >> All right, thank you very much. Item 3.01, presentation of the Lee Summit High School state football champions. We'll let these uh gentlemen come in before we talk about them, but we might want to greet them with a hoot and holler. [applause] [cheering] [applause] Thank [applause and cheering] welld deserved. [applause] So, in our board packet, you there's a long write up that one of the coaches wrote up and then a shorter piece that I'm probably not going to read off of, but I want to brag about these kids. Um, and I do mean every single one of them. As an old offensive guard, I want to realize, you know, not everyone's getting to car score the touchdown, right? Um, but we we are so
010darn proud of you. So, this team started off 0 and4. I don't know if you know that. Uh the first three games um were kind of a struggle and then they changed their offense based around the talent they had and they always stayed positive. That fourth game they lost by one I believe right it came darn close against Liberty and you had a chance to revenge that later on and then they went on a 10 and0 run with a single wing which I love as an old guy who ran the wishbone. So I kind of appreciate that they found their strengths. They stayed positive. They supported each other and both the semifinal game and the final game they were behind and didn't act like it and won. And I tell you right now, those may
011be the two most exciting football games I've seen in my 40 years of watching or playing football. So kudos to them. Kudos to Coach Miller. This is his fifth state title, first in Missouri. And also, [applause] it's also his only second year here in Lee Summit. So to get to this point in second year, the largest class in the state of Missouri. So impressive. I don't know if you know, Nixa had the Gatorade player of the year for the nation. Um, and and these guys were able to overcome several division one players and played a great game in state final. U not here today is also Preston, but his twin brother Payton is. So Payton, we also have a a certificate to give to you as well. Um, I know you're holding the state title
012right now, but um, President Miller is going to give you this to so you can give to your brother who's working at Taco Bell. If you want to go congratulate him, run through Taco Bell. He's he's working right now. Um, but he he set several records during this uh state championship game. He ran for 457 yards. No one ever had run more than 300 in the state championship game before. He had a total yards of 494 yards. And he, of course, obviously the all-purpose yards just rushing and passing. The record previously, I think it was 419 owned by Ezekiel Elliott. You might recognize him as a long NFL career. Well, he no longer has that record because now it has uh it's owned by Hatfield. So glad to have one of the half of the
013Hatfield duo here. So let's give these guys a round of applause. [applause] >> I offered if he wants to say anything, no, we're good. >> I I don't think >> Do you want Do you want a picture at all or did you get a picture? You're good. You already got it. Thank you, gentlemen. Congratulations. >> [applause] [applause] >> as they're walking out. By the way, they had a pep assembly the day before the state championship game. It was a lot of fun. There was mentions of 67 because they did play at 7:00 on the 6th or 6:00 on the 7th. I can't remember which one it was. Um, they had a lot of fun and obviously the whole high school's behind them. So, congratulations. That concludes my 3.01 awards presentation. >> Outstanding. 3.02. Our student
014board representatives are here this evening. >> My name is Nora. I'm Annabel. Okay, we're from Lisum West and then we just have some good things that have happened at our school recently. So, our girls basketball team is undefeated right now. Um, our theater program just recently finished Water for Elephants in November. Our [snorts] girls swim team is just getting started and our boys team recently won conference and had 10 people place at state. Our girls um cheer team won first at Casey Regionals and first at St. Louis regionals, first place at state, and then co-ed had second place at the KC regionals, first place at St. Louis regionals, and also first place at state. And then they both won first place at the NCA regionals. And then so just a couple weekends ago, our school
015as well as the other schools in the district went to um the 77th youth and government conference and three we had three representatives from West on the presiding officer board. I was governor, this was meeting director, and then Seren Snow was the speaker of the house. And actually just from Lee Summit, um the governor for the next conference is from Lee Summit. And then we just held a second blood drive and we had 61 donations. Um, Student Senate put on Winterfest a couple Sundays ago and it was just lots of families being able to come and enjoy time and doing crafts and games and they got a visit with Santa and they were able to collect one carload of canned food donations for our local food pantry. And then students also just recently did a
016coins for Christmas which was a huge success. They were able to buy clothes, shoes, and toys for four children in our community for the holiday season. And FLA is also doing a community service project project. Um, and their goal is to raise $1,000 for stuffed animals for kids battling cancer at Children's Mercy. Thank you. [applause] >> Hi, my name is Ellie Risinger >> and my name is Lenley Osborne and we're representing Lee Summit North. >> All right, we're just going to be talking about a few good things that are happening in our school recently. Miss Buchanan's Holocaust Studies news story aired on Tuesday morning on Kshv and students did a great job and it highlighted Lily Graham. Senior Jayla Walker has been admitted to the University of Chicago with a full four-year quest national college
017match scholarship which is a really big deal because they have like a 5% acceptance rate. And then our Jobs for America's graduate students spent the day at John Knox recently and decorated for the holidays and made some great connections this year. received a grant and purchased the residents stockings and filled them with a lot of goodies. Our practical vocational preparation program is made up of students with disabilities from both modified curriculum classes and the life skills classroom. They participate in community- based work experiences at Culver Summit Pizza Genesis SLC and Casey Rehab. Recently, the teacher, Mr. Faulk, asked the district to help fund food handler license for our students so they could earn a meaningful certificate and a market value asset for future employment. The request was approved and 13 of our students earned their
018official food handler certification. This is a huge win for our PVP students and our staff is very proud of their work to obtain this MBA. And lastly, the 901 Jazz Band will be playing some great jazzed up versions of classic carols in the Commons on Friday morning from 7 to 7:20 while students are arriving at school. All right, that's all I have. Thank you. [applause] Hi, I'm Leila Johnston. Hi, I'm Reagan Williams. And today we're going to be representing Lisa High School. All right, so tomorrow we have our 69th annual candle lighting. It is a student led program by seniors in National Honor Society. Sorry, I'm going through all my notes. While all students participate in complete silence makes it a tradition that is unique to our school. Candleline connects generations of tigers and remains
019a powerful symbol of pride, unity, and tradition at LSHS. And like Dr. Buck just said, Lee Summit High School did take home the football state champion this fall. This was our first ever class 6 Missouri state championship. Our team began the season 0 and4, but stayed committed to their goals. Throughout their hard work, resilience, and teamwork, they made a remarkable playoff run and won the state title. Our senior leadership recorded breaking performances and a strong team identity helped bring a state championship trophy home to our school and community. This achievement reflects the values of Tiger perseverance, belief, and pride. And for our service work, we've got our freeze out donation event coming up hosted by our Tiger Smart Club and the drive collects coats collecting the food items to support the family in need. Donations
020benefit the kids food backpack program helping provide food for students over the weekend. This event raises awareness and makes giving accessible through both school day drop offs and a drive-through community event. Freeze out highlights how students lead with compassion, collaboration, and service. All right. For leadership and community impact, we had our Rotary service lunchon. Mr. Mucky and Mr. Anderson took a group of LSHS students to the Lee Summit Rotary Community Service Lunchion. Sorry if I'm mispronouncing that. Each student recognized has over 90 hours of community service. Students presented highlights of their service projects and explained the work that they've done to earn these hours. Their presentation showcased student leadership, commitment, and the positive impact LSHs students make in our community. This event strengthened partnerships between our school and local organizations while giving students a voice
021beyond our campus. Also, like Annabelle previously mentioned, We had Abel Lusk win governor and then we also had Viviana Armstrong win attorney general. And to close us out together, these highlights reflect the core of Lee Summit High School's tradition, perseverance, service, and leadership. Our students continue to represent Lee Summit High School with pride both in our building and throughout our community. >> Thank you. [applause] And I got I neglected to say this when the football team was here. On Saturday at 4:30 at the new Green Street, there will be a celebration. We asked them, "Do you want to parade or anything else?" They said they decided not to parade. They just want to have a celebration Green Street. So, if you want to come help celebrate with them about their state championship that'll be this
022Saturday at 4:30. >> All right. Thank you all very much. Our elementary school spotlight this evening is Pleasantly Elementary. Good evening. I am Leslie Mott. I am the proud principal at Pleasantly Elementary. And this evening, I brought along two student leaders. Let you guys introduce yourself. >> Hello. I am Taylor. >> And I am Parker. and we are a part of Tiger TV. As a part of Tiger TV, we get to do morning announcements. We create the announcements by planning what we will say and do. We also video record our parts and prepare them to be shared with Mrs. Haynes, our coach. Our announcements are then shared with our whole school. Today, we made a special presentation for you to enjoy. Now we proudly present Tiger TV special edition. >> Look at the monitors. [music]
023>> Good morning PL Tigers. Welcome to the Tigers Den where we bring you stories that make our school roar. I'm Parker. >> And I'm Taylor. Today we have a super special report because we are celebrating a very helpful and kind person that makes our school great. Today we are announcing the volunteer of the year. It's a volunteer. Volunteers are people who just choose to help our school just because they care. They don't get paid. They just do it from the kindness of their hearts. They help teachers sort books, cut out laminations, work in the school store, run events, and so much more. This person always goes above and beyond, is helpful, kind, and loves to help out in any way that needs help. This person makes a huge difference at PL and doesn't go unnoticed.
024We asked some Tigers what they think about our awesome volunteer, and here's what they say. They help our teachers. They make our school a better place. Thank you for everything you do. From all of us here at Pleasantly Elementary, we we thank you for giving your time, your energy, and your kindness. Our school is a better place because of you. We would like to recognize [music] >> [music] [music] >> So we played a little >> from all of us here at PL. Thank you for um >> to uh just to get her here. Um so we had our PTA let her know that we had a PTA recognition tonight and so PL would like to recognize PTA, but we would like to recognize Miss Jamie Applebomb. We would like Miss Riviera to come up and
025bring our surprise for her. And Mrs. Apple Bomb, could you come towards the front? Come on, girls. [applause] All right, stay right there. The board's going to come join you and take a picture and also congratulate you in person. So, >> [applause] [applause] >> Okay, our secondary spotlight is Summit Technology Academy. It's hard to follow that with cuteness factor there. My name is Jeremy Bonison and I am the principal director of STA and we're excited to share and highlight one of our programs at STA. Before I do that, uh you have at your station a catalog for STA just to highlight our programs. And as Dr. Uh Buck mentioned on January 8th we do have the grand opening for the aerospace academy at at hangar 2 at LXT. That same night is our open house.
026So just awareness for everyone we have an open house to see all the programs at SCA at MIC campus. So I'd like to now introduce uh Rachel Mitchell. Rachel is the instructor for the hospitality tourism recreation management program. That's a mouthful. Uh she is a highly awarded teacher. She has been teacher of the year for the state of Missouri. She has been awarded nationally for her her instruction and also recognized in the um hotel and hospitality industry as a leader. So uh she will highlight the program along with some of our students and then also uh recognize our volunteer of the year. technology, right? [laughter] And it's dangerous to give a teacher a microphone, right? Like Okay. Well, hello everyone. Good evening. Thank you so much for letting us be here. Um, I'm gonna be
027very brief and then they're really the star of the show, but I wanted to give you a little bit of an overview about what our program is just for those of you who may not be familiar with it. So, we start our school year with all things guest services. Um, and I know Dr. Buck actually kicked off the school year talking about how important those essential I hate to call them soft skills, but those essential skills really. Um, so that's how we kick off our school year. And then we go into the different sectors of hospitality, lodging operations, food and beverage, event management, travel and tourism. And then we wrap up with hospitality business and leadership skills. And I like to highlight the few industry certifications that we get. Uh guest service gold, hospitality and
028tourism specialist, and surf safe food handler. We also offer dual credit through Missouri State. So our students can walk away with those three industry certifications and five hours of dual credit. And as well as that, we do participate in FCCLA. So for those of you who are familiar with the CTSO, that is who we uh participate with. And what I love about that is that students really can get as much out of it as they're willing to put in. So we attend a lot of leadership conferences and competitive events, which are my personal favorite. We've been working on that all week. Um there are also industry immersion opportunities where students get to go um what we like to call fun places, but they get to go behind the scenes and really like for example the
029St. Silver Dollar City. The students may mention how that was some of their favorite things that we've done this year because not only did they get to enjoy it, but they got to see how the magic happens behind the scenes, which is the coolest part about that. And as part of what we do first semester when we're learning about hotels and lodging operations, you can only learn so much in a classroom. And so what we do is while we're learning about hotel operations or food and beverage is we actually go outside of the classroom and we go behind the scenes. We're going visiting hotels. We're going in back of house of restaurants. We're meeting with event coordinators. We're planning events that are happening in the industry, which is what sets our program apart. Our students
030also second semester participate in a 12-week internship. So, four days a week instead of coming to class, they're actually going to work alongside industry professionals where they get to immerse themselves in those opportunities that hopefully lead to scholarships, job opportunities, and potentially future careers. And that's my spiel as quick as I can give it. um and the star of the shows and I have four incredible students here with me and I just wanted them to share what they love about the program and then we have a quick little uh video to show you. >> Uh good evening. Uh my name is Kevin and uh I love ACRM uh because of the critical thinking projects that we do. It really uh pushes me to be more of a creative person. I know when I started out
031the program I wasn't really into uh hospitality and then uh thinking creatively and this program really helped me change my mindset towards that. Hello, my name is Anderson Menor and the reason why I love the hospitality program so much is because of the industry emergence. We really go sorry, we really get to go behind the scenes and just see how hospitality correlates to all of those industry. >> My name is Parker Han and my favorite part about our class is getting to connect with all sorts of business professionals and great connections that will help my future. >> Hello, I'm back. Um, my name's my name is Lindley in case you forgot and I my favorite part is I took the business finance and data analytics program last year with Anderson also and so I feel
032like I have a good like comparison and I think that this class because of how small it is. It's really tight-knit and you build a lot of friendships and just really close relationships with people and that's what I love about not just ST but like this class specifically and I think I've made a lot of good friendships and connections through it. Okay. And we said a lot of words and we there's our acronym our our class title alone is extremely lengthy. Um and in my opinion a picture is worth a thousand words. And so I put together a little bit of a slideshow to paint a picture of what all these words really look like. So Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Okay. Um so as you can see it's I I don't
033even know how to describe it. Our program is incredible and we could not do really I couldn't do my job uh without the support of industry because the again the beautiful part of our program is it really is customizable to what the students are interested in um which is a beautiful challenge to take on every year and I could not do my job um without the volunteers and and the business partners that we work with. So, I am proud tonight to you, you saw her face on the screen a couple times, to um give our volunteer of the year award to Andrea O'Hara, the executive director of the Hotel Lodging Association. [applause] >> Oh, yeah. [laughter] that program in FCCLA has had back-to-back state champions in FCLA and and so uh national champions and they're
034trying to go for a three repeat this year. So, good luck to them. And I believe you don't you serve on our city's uh DMO board as well, our destination board. So, Lisa Visitor Bureau is the name of our DMO and they're working on all things World Cup right now. So, she's representing us very well on that. Thank you. >> All right. Item 4.01, public comment. We appreciate your attendance and your willingness to speak to the board. Please remember that the board does not respond to public comments during the meeting, but may ask clarifying questions. Your comments will be noted by the board and administration, and if appropriate, we will discuss further action with the superintendent. Only those who have signed up prior to the meeting will be allowed to address the board. Pursuant to
035board policy BDDH, we will be limiting all comments to no more than seven people with a limit of three minutes each. You may not transfer any of your time to other speakers. Your allotted three minutes will be counted down on the screen. Please conclude your comments when the timer expires. Your comments must align with the subject described in your written request to speak and must directly relate to the business or operations of the district. Your comments may not discuss individual employees or students in the district, regardless of whether your comments speak of them in a positive or negative light. Any such comments should be directed to the superintendent, who will then determine if further action is needed. Because the board does not and cannot impose age-based restrictions on who attends or views board meetings, and
036because children of all ages frequently do attend board meetings, comments may not include obscinities or sexually explicit content. Furthermore, comments may not include threats of physical or emotional harm or threaten in any way the safety of others. We also remind all those in the audience that board policy BDDH prohibits the use of signs or audible responses. This includes applause, cheers, or jeers. If you are in the audience and wish to respond in some way to a public comment, you may contact the board or superintendent after the meeting. Your comments must be directed only to the board because the purpose of public comment is to bring something to the attention of the board. You may not speak to or interact in any way with any other person in the audience. When your name is called, go
037to the podium and clearly state your name and the organization you represent, if any. Quinton Sepe. Have we Have we made All right, we're there. I'm not going to make it in 2 minutes and 34 seconds, though. [laughter] Sorry. Good evening. Uh my name is Quinton Sepy. I'm here as a parent and community member speaking about recent events involving Lee Summit Elementary. Over the past several months, our community has grown increasingly concerned as plans to close and consolidate our school were developed with limited transparency and minimal engagement from the families and educators most directly affected. When those plans became public, the response was swift. Pausing the process was appropriate and appreciated, but a pause alone does not rebuild trust. Trust requires transparency, accountability, and meaningful inclusion. Well, recently the district performed for formed a process
038action team to evaluate elementary school enrollment. While we understand that not every stakeholder can be represented in every working group, this team included no teachers from lease ele elementary and no parents with children currently enrolled there. While process is while when a process is evaluating the future of elementary schools, fair and equitable representation from affected communities is essential. Representation shapes the questions asked, the data emphasized, and the trade-offs deemed acceptable. It is its absence undermines confidence in both the process and its conclusions. Our community is organized and attentive. We are closely reviewing the district's obligations around how decisions of this magnitude must be communicated, evaluated, and justified. Any future consideration of school closure um is requested to follow not only required procedure, but the spirit of genuine public inclusion related. There has been much discussion
039about new modern facilities. We all want safe, functional, and welcoming schools, but shiny buildings cannot replace what truly drives student success. At the elementary level, research shows that the most important factors are smaller class sizes, stable teacher student relationships, and consistent community- centered learning environments. At LSE today, these strengths exist because of the school's location, size, and intimate setting. Consolidation would disrupt this environment by increasing class sizes and putting students from pulling students from their familiar school community into larger unfamiliar settings and undermining the very conditions that make these positive outcomes possible. Prioritizing facilities over what actually drives learning is a trade-off that deserves careful evidence-based discussion. Level Elementary is not simply a building. It is a stable, high functioning learning community. Our family currently has a child enrolled at LSSE, a child who's thriving
040and is learning, who trusts his teacher and school staff, and who feels safe, supported, and genuinely cared for each day. That outcome is not accidental. It is the result of consistent relationships, intentional instruction in a school environment designed around the needs of young learners. Any proposal to dismantle a community that is clearly working warrants clear justification, complete data, and ethical consideration. Families should not have to uncover plans after the fact. We should engage from the beginning as partners. We'll continue elevating our concerns through every appropriate channel available to us. Um this is not adversarial. It is stewardship. We hope the board chooses the path that strengthens trust rather than erodess it. Our community remains committed, organized and fully engaged to ensure our students receive fair and transparent process they deserve. Thank you for your time.
041Okay. Item 5.01, 01 board committee reports. Um board member Haley, >> earlier this week I attended the finance committee uh which was headed by Dr. Herzog and Dr. Shelton and uh it was uh predictable for this time of year. [laughter] >> Thank you, Dr. Nickens. Um, I attended two meetings since the last board meeting, a board policy meeting led by Dr. Carlson. And I know I say every time that I've attended one of those, but just so you know what it is, um, we review all of our policies, all of our uh, board policies on a rotation and make any adjustments, changes, additions um, that might be warranted largely based on legislation um, that's gone through that might have changed or impacted our um current policy and practice. So had one of those and also
042a teamly summit which is always very informative and uh great people on that team. So I really enjoy it. We talk about um issues in the district mainly um having to do with employment um all of our classifications of jobs and staff. So busy meeting. >> Thank you board member Garrett. Thank you. Um well, I think it was late November, I believe. I attended a TIFF commission meeting with Bill Haley. Uh this was my first meeting. Um so it was nice to get familiar with the with the board um and uh discuss agenda matters. And then uh I also attended the STA career panel for allied health careers. And I just have to say, we have some amazing students that go through STA and are so prepared for once they're finished with their classes and
043graduation and they're so directed. They know what what field they want to go into and what schools they want to go to and it's just it was amazing um to be a part of that and to really see how well prepared they are the students. Um, and then the next thing we had a Lee Summit Cares board meeting. Um, I think they are next preparing for uh the mayor's character breakfast and that'll be in January at the John Knox Village uh pavilion. Uh let's see. And then there was um a Lisa Educational Foundation Board uh of directors meeting I attended and the Lisa Educational Foundation Advisors meeting. And that was it. >> Thank you, Dr. Johnson. >> Yes. So this past um month I attended team Lee Summit. On team Lee summit we discussed Propsc.
044We discussed um some survey anonymous survey results and what our next steps would be. And then also on the Belchure scholarship which I have to say we have some pretty amazing students at our school at our schools and it made it pretty hard but me and Dr. Nickens got it done. Board member Dawson. >> Yeah. I uh last week I also attended with Dr. the uh policy committee uh meeting where we reviewed a number of policies and uh and and then uh this week I also attended the finance meeting with board member Haley and uh I attended the Lee Summit Cares board meeting with board member Garrett and uh she already mentioned uh to uh if you haven't already bought your tickets yet please that are going to the uh mayor's character breakfast on January
04515th. Breakfast starts at 6:45 and the event including some of our LSR7 students are going to be singing uh starts at 7:30. It's a great um community builder. Uh it's a great uh opportunity uh to see our students, to see some great folks in the Lee Summit community, and it supports Lee Summit Cares. Uh so just a shameless plug there. Um, and then today we had the uh audit committee uh where we saw the audit results for the 2024 2025 uh school year. Um, and I did want to say about all of these committees, but the audit committee and the finance committee in particular because I know how much work goes into these. I do want to say I appreciate the administration so much um for all the work they put in behind the scenes
046that nobody is to see but is a lot of time and a lot of effort to do what they do and do it well and do it right so that when an a third party auditor comes in and finds no findings um that's the best news that we can hear as a school board. So um so I want to thank you all for everything that you guys do. So I appreciate it. Thank you, Vice President Miller. >> Okay. So, I also attended the finance committee meeting and I ditto what my fellow board members said. Um, and the LSEDC meeting. And so, I I say that often when I go, it's monthly, but for those of you who don't know, LSEDC is made up of stakeholders from the community, also the city, and then we have
047representatives from from the board. And so that committee is so great because it just reminds us how what a collective effort this is. Um we're working closely with our city and and others to make sure that what we're providing for our students here at LSR7 um are positive um opportunities. So that's exciting. And um nobody mentioned their fun things for the month, but I'm going to mention my fun things, which was I got to um help with the surprise for um for principal Marcia Hasty at Woodland Elementary, and that was really fun. Um I also got to attend an AVID um classroom tutorial, which was incredible between East Trails and North. So that was fun. And today I got to read at Meadow Lane um for a kindergarten class. So, that was fun. Last thing
048I want to say, um, because in in her report, our one of our student reps who's still sitting here, Leila Johnston, she, um, I want to just recognize her because I'm sure you guys have heard of the Parade of Hearts, right? It's pretty big deal. Leila was chosen out of, I don't know, thousands of people in the community to be one of the artists for the next period of heart. So, congratulations >> [applause] >> Thank you and congratulations. Um I attended the government relations uh meeting um which is a chamber of commerce sponsored uh committee and we had a a presentation from the US chamber of commerce. So uh that was just really kind of an interesting thing as an old you know high school government teacher. It was fascinating um the dialogue. Um and
049then um I attended the quarterly meeting with the mayor with uh Dr. Buck as well. Um those would be my two committees this month. So thank you. Um okay, we'll move on to item 6.01. Uh a motion to uh approve the transfer of funds, please. [clears throat] I [clears throat] I move to approve the transfer of $4,231,222.72 cents from the general fund to the special revenue fund. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say I. >> I. >> Okay. Motion passes. Thank you. Um item 6.02, approve the treasures report and a payment of the bills, please. I move to approve the treasurer's report and the payment of the bills. >> Second. >> All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say I. >> I. Motion passes.
050Thank you. >> I would concur. I do appreciate the balance sheet that a mathematically non-person can read and figure out. So, I appreciate that. Thank you. Okay. Next. 6.03. 03 the uh the annual audit. >> Everyone has at their at their seats. >> Could we get the motion, please? >> Okay. I just wanted to mention it. That's all. Um I move to approve the 2024 2025 audit as presented at your seats. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Any questions? Um I will sorry um I will say that from the audit committee meeting um that there were uh no findings uh which is the best news that you can get from an audit committee. Um, and uh, everything is summarized here if you want to take a look at it. And uh, we can always ask questions
051if you have any, but it's um, basically just auditing that what we say we did we did and that we're accounting everything correctly according to federal standards. So, excellent job everybody. Anyone else? Okay. All those in favor of the motion to approve our audit, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> Okay. Motion passes. >> Okay. Item seven is our consent agenda. >> I move to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> Okay. Motion passes. All right. 8.01, the resolution calling a Proposition C roll back election. Could I please get the motion? >> I move to approve the resolution calling a Proposition C roll back election as presented. >> Second. >> Board member Haley.
052>> Uh yeah, I'm we talked about this last year when we approved the resolution to bring this to the to the voters in April. um about some clarifying verbiage on the ballot because the ballot language is pretty um difficult for the average person to understand and um since this is a tax increase on the citizens of the community I think we need to in the interest of transparency make that make them aware of that because if you look at the ballot language and I've had coffee with a lot of people and talked about this and let them read it and they didn't understand what it said. So, in fairness to the voters, I think we need to let them know this is a tax increase in some fashion. >> Vice President Miller, >> um I
053just wanted to um ask Dr. Buck or someone representing um to share with the public kind of explaining what we will be using prop the money for Prop C for and how that could be how that is different excuse me from the bond money that we received. >> Yeah, I can answer it and then I have my dynamic duo here is getting ready to go on tour um starting January 5th talking about this as well. but they've presented earlier this month at the work session um per the the recommendation from CAC and I think it might also actually be in the resolution you pass in March too um is 100% for salaries and benefits for staff. Um right now our budget's looking like we can do only a step for next year which is a
054average of about 2.35% increase which is lower than the 3% inflation. This would bring it up to 4.66% be a little above inflation. And if I look back to 2020, we're at 25 to 30% inflation and I think we're about 22% um increase in salary. So we're this this decade we're behind inflation. So this is another little to get a little bit closer to being caught back up. So that's what the purpose would be for. It would be 100% for salary and benefits. Did I answer your question? >> Is that what you're looking for? >> Yes. And then if you don't mind, I'm just going to put a quick plug. We're ex we are excited the board is excited to and this will more information will come out later but um we want to make
055sure that the public is fully um aware of of what Proposition C is and looks like and so um we'll be sharing at some point we're going to be doing some dinner with the board opportunities for the public to come and ask questions and and hear from um the representatives here at the district about Propsy. Board member Dawson. >> Yes. Um well, a couple things. Um one is uh I would like to respond to board member Haley. Um the concern about the ballot language. Um if you take a look at the ballot language that is attached, it is actually accurate. Um, it isn't in in many cases it it would likely be a a tax increase, but it is not necessarily a tax increase. Um, and I'm not great at explaining it. Um, and I
056do understand the um the taxpayers's confusion with Prop C. It's it's very complex. It's not easy to explain in an elevator ride. Um, it's it's it's tough to understand because it's a law based on a law based on a law and then you're rolling it back and then you're waving it. And it it can sound confusing, but that's what the dinners with the board are going to be for. That's what the presentations that the administration are going to give are going to help um clear things up for uh many different people in the community. Um as many as we can reach in the community, uh both the administration uh and and the board. Um, so I think adding language to the ballot that says that it's a tax increase would actually be misleading and and
057imprecise. Uh, so I would be um concerned about that. Um, and and Dr. Buck, is there any better way to explain why it's not necessarily a tax increase? >> Um, so it is a it is an increase in a tax rate, but there's no guarantee that is an increase in your tax bill. Depends on what happens with the AV and what happens with our tax rate. I will say that this year, and we said this at our at our work session, that 12 12 cents that uh we rolled back before this waiver, um equated to about $23.90 per $100,000 of house. So this year, if this had been a full waiver, if you had a $100,000 house, it's $23.90. If you had a a $200,000 house, it's $47.80 and so on so forth. Um, so
058it would have been a tax rate increase this year and it would be in most years. It's just not a guarantee. It would be every year. And I also I hate errors. So I just want to point out in the background information says 471 of 518 districts or 91% have this full waiver where one of them doesn't. That number is now 472 because Plaque County passed it a year ago. Um, so it's 472 out of 518 school districts. Um, so only 46 of us do not have it. Um, and we're one of eight that loses more than a million dollars by not having it in the entire state. >> Thank you, Dr. B. >> Uh, Dr. Johnson. >> So, I did I might have missed this, but I want to go back to Erica's question,
059Dr. Buck, about the bond. Can you explain that piece for me? >> Yes. So, what's different? The bond can only go to um capital project construction pieces. it is not in the operating budget and cannot it's a separate levy um that pays for that and it cannot be used for salary and benefits. So our operating budget the things that can be used for that and supplies and purchase services we spend anywhere depending on the year 81 to 85% of our budget on people because we're in the people growing people business and that's our operating levy that we set which is two you know twothirds of our funding comes from local u Missouri is really um behind the rest of the nation and how much we get from the state per pupil. Um, we are 50th
060out of 50 in the nation. Give you an example, Kansas is in the middle of the nation rankings, about 25th, and they give $1,800 more per kid um from the state level. So, our model in Missouri really relies on local, and we're one of the few districts that are rolling back our our levy um because we don't have a full waiver of Propsy. >> Did I now answer the question? I'm so sorry I didn't answer that part. >> Dr. Johnson, did you have another question? I did have another question. So, would this impact um taxpayers that own commercial property as well as residential property? >> Yes, it's it's it's a right now there's only one county in the entire state that separates their levy by type of of property and that's St. Louis County. Every
061county has that ability to choose that and they're the only county that's done that. So, when we set a tax rate, it's for agriculture, it's for personal property, it's for commercial, and it's for real or residential property. So, um, at some point this county could choose to do with St. Louis County and has a separate levy for each one of those, but we are not, uh, one of those counties at this time. >> And right now with the pay where it is, where do we fall in terms of teacher pay with our local >> Dr. Carlson will correct me if I say this wrong, but we are 13th out of 22 in the metro for starting teacher pay. Um if uh we uh did this and no one else did anything else, it would move
062us a tenth out of 23. So I'm sure other districts would do other things, but so this is really kind of treading water getting a little bit ahead maybe of where we're at now. I will say we just had the data done for all staff positions because that's just teacher position. This would be for all staff. Um right now only 5% of our positions, am I saying this right, Dr. Carlson? because I just saw it this afternoon is uh only 5% are in the bottom third in the metro. That's a record low and we've never had so many um positions not be in the bottom third by and we're talking over 15 years or maybe 20 years on that data sheet. Um and I'll be happy to share that with you. Um so we've done
063a good job of making sure people aren't in the bottom third. Um but we are falling behind um certainly in teacher pay that's for sure. We we're like I said 13th out of 22 right now in the Kansas City metro. >> Board member Haley. >> Yeah, I would like to respond to board member Dawson. Uh first of all, when we do no tax increase bonds, we put that in big letters so everybody understands it's a no tax increase bond. Okay, we're not putting in big letters that this is a tax increase. Okay, but we're getting $4 million from our community that we're not getting presently. So, I don't see how anybody can say that's not a tax increase, okay? This additional revenue, and I'm not opposed to Prop C. I'm just opposed to not letting
064people know what it is, okay? Because quite frankly, the language that the politicians gave us is very confusing. And I've talked to our legal counsel and he says we can request clarifying language from the the uh authorities that put it on the ballot. We can request to add language to that. And that's all I'm asking for. Dr. Johnson. >> So just curious, what does that process look like? If we asked for the language, would that mean we could not vote tonight? >> Our bond councils one recommended this language. They are a law firm for us that puts together our language for ballots and this is what they recommended. So if you wanted them to do something different, we would have to not vote tonight. By the way, there's another stat I want to throw out
065there that we did last time. Um, we are currently the lowest tax rate out of the 12 school districts in Jackson County. Had we had a full waiver this year, we'd be the 10th lowest. We'd pass up only two districts. There'd still be nine districts have a higher tax rate than we do. >> Uh, board member Garrett, >> Dr. back. I just wanted to ask a clarification question because I thought you just mentioned but I wasn't sure if I caught all of it. Um, with Prop C, um, you did mention that there would be teachers, but was there like specifics to that? >> Team Lee Summit would make the recommendation and that's what I was wondering. >> They have several meetings before they probably have that recommendation is my guess. >> Okay. So, we haven't
066gotten all that established yet. >> No. >> Okay. Board member Dawson. >> Yes, thank you. Um uh I do respectfully disagree with uh changing the language on the ballot. Um because I think to explain that it would typically be a tax increase, but it wouldn't always be a tax increase and it wouldn't necessarily be a tax increase because it's it's rolling back a waiver on a tax levy. I think that would make the ballot language too confusing. And I think the reason that this language was recommended is because it's the simplest and most direct. Um I I I would I would decline to support changing the language. I would like to keep the language the way it's written here in the board docks. Board member Garrett, did you have something you want to add? Okay.
067I I just caught your eyes. I thought you were Okay. Um, so I guess a couple of things as I've been thinking about this. I know that when this came up last uh well March I guess is when we did our resolution and um things in our county have shifted quite a bit since that evening um with regards to a number of folks in our community are now um benefiting from a much better tax bill perhaps than what they received in the mail last year. and we have a number of seniors that are now able to get their tax rate locked in, which is a which is a benefit to those that qualify for those things. Um, so I guess my thought and my hope is that locally we're in maybe a little bit better
068spot than we were a year ago with regards to so many things up in the air. Um, so um, that's just one thought that I've been kind of thinking about as I was standing in line paying my own tax bill. Um, the other thought that I had, honestly, there's five of us up here that did agree to putting it on an April ballot in 26. Um, and let the community let the community vote. Um, I I I think we serve our community well and I think the community is proud of of what comes out of our schools and I I support the idea of, you know, let's let them have the opportunity to decide um what we're going to do with regards to compensating our people. So, those are just some of my thoughts. I
069don't know if anybody else wanted to add anything. Uh, yes, board member Dawson. always have something to add. Um, I do want to say that I agree with everything uh, President Meyer said. Um, I do very much look forward to the opportunity to um, to speak to our taxpayers um, and and to allow the administration, who understands this a lot better than most, uh, speak to the to the taxpayers about this. Um because although it does take more than a sentence or two to explain, I think the need for it in our district, for our staff, for our employees is very simple and clear. Um so so I I I welcome and look forward to the next three months having the opportunity to discuss this with any taxpayers that are concerned about um about what
070does it mean? You know, why are we voting for it? How much of a tax increase would it be? I mean, uh Dr. Buck was able to explain it very briefly uh this evening uh how much it would be for every $100,000 of house. So um I very much look forward to that opportunity uh and I hope that we can engage the community in this and show them the value that it would bring to our employees. We're the largest employer in Lee Summit and we want to make sure that that our highly valued employees are taken care of. >> Thank you. Board member Haley. I agree that we have highly valued employees and I believe we should compensate them fairly. I'm not in any way opposed to putting props on the ballot. I'm opposed to
071lack of transparency from from the board and the administration to tell people what they're really they're really their tax bill is going to go up because the community is going to pay $4 million give or take if the if they roll this back. That means somebody's going to be paying more money. That's a tax increase any way you you slice it. Okay? Maybe your particular bill on a particular year based on the particular circumstances may not be, but I think even Dr. Buck admits that it's the vast majority of the time it's going to be a tax increase. There is a wrinkle. Now, you're right. Vast majority of times be you're going to pay more in your bill because of this. Unless you're in Senate Bill 190, if you participate in that, you regardless if
072this passes or not, you're paying the exact same bill next year because you're frozen in time. So that's also a unique piece that we have a um quite a few people that it will not be a tax rate increase even if it's a tax rate increase for for me and some other folks up here. I just believe that we need to let the people have full transparency before they vote. If they if you don't have all the information, your vote is not valid. I mean I mean it's valid. It'll count, but it's it's not necessarily what you want it to be. Oh, Vice President Miller, >> I just wanted to jump in and um I think that that's just in responding to the conversation. Um the purpose of our dinner with the board, the purpose
073of the road show by our administrators is going to provide the public with the information that they need to be informed voters. And so that's our job as board members. That's our job. that's the administrator's job um to make sure um that that our public is informed. So I don't I don't see it as us not being transparent because we're going to be providing them with the information that they need to be informed. So that's just what I wanted to add. >> Dr. Nickens, did you have anything you would like to add before we call for the vote? >> Well, I'd like to thank everybody for the for the good discussion. Um, and just as a reminder, we are very limited in the revenue streams that the district um is supported by. We can't like
074it's taxes. It's either, you know, it's either federal money or state money or local money. And the majority comes from our local support. And so um to continue compensating all of our staff, teaching staff and all of our staff um in a competitive manner, especially at a time where we are still in a teacher shortage and we do need to compete for the most qualified teachers, we need to be able to bring them in the district and keep them here. Um and that is what Propsy will help us towards that that goal. Dr. Johnson. >> So, in terms of the if it's a tax increase or if it's not, if we were then to add it to increase to, would we have to add additional ballot language to say except for you, except for you,
075and except for you, which would make it longer, I think. So when we did the partial waiver, which you've had three elections on, two passed, one didn't. Um it it listed exactly the what the partial waiver would be as 20 cents. What makes us difficult, you can see in the the thing here, you have five last five years. One year it was 12 cents, next year 13, next year 10, next year 15, next year 12. Um it's hard to pick exact how many cents because that's what you usually put in the ballot language is a levy change you have. Um, so that's why I bound council is and I'm sorry, Gilmore Bell council is uh recommending the language that you currently have in front of you. >> Thank you. Uh, board member Haley. >> Yeah,
076I think our our community has always been very generous with our school district and I think they will continue to do that, but I think we need to be honest and transparent with them about it. That's all I'm saying. So, I would love to put it on the ballot with transparent language. Um, this be Mr. Hadley question. >> What would that look like? >> He he is not the expert in this, but he can get up here and really it's it's Ben Thompson who's Gilmore Bell um who who recommended this language and put together what you have in the packet. >> Okay. Um, I guess I'm going to um if there's any other any other thoughts. Um, I guess uh my thought Mr. Haley would be that we will have to be on our agame
077and and and really make sure that we are consistent in what we do put out in terms of our presentation series and things. Um, I'm confident that the public understands the predicament that we're in. Um, and I I I guess I go back to we we said we would get this out there and I it's one of those things where I feel like we at least we need to try and um run it and um this gets a little close because right I I this was this was my livelihood and I lived through one of these that we didn't pass. So, I mean, I this is important. Um, we we have people that are working hard and we want to keep them and we want to also be able to attract good people to replace
078those that we approved tonight that are retiring. Um, some of which are in the room. So, um, anyway, anyone else? Uh, yes. Uh, board member Garrett. >> So, with Mr. Haley's um understandable request for language to be put on the ballot. Um is this like the last opportunity that we have to discuss that and or when would that need to be submitted to add on to the ballot if we do have the language that Mr. Haley, >> if it's if it's not approved tonight, we can talk to bound council and see if they come up with something been there. If you approve it tonight, yes, it's it's on the ballot. Um because we have then sent it to three different election boards after you approve it. Um obviously, we put the tax rates in here.
079Um in one of those years, the roll back was bigger than the natural roll back from Hancock was bigger than what you would have gained in Prop C. So that's what makes it hard. you might actually have tax rate go down in one given year because of the roll back you have because of Hancock that it just makes it really complicated. That's why we think saying if it was this year for $100,000 of home $23.90 because we can say that for certain. I cannot say for certain what it would be next year or the year after that year after that. Most years it would be an increase and of a similar like amount, but I can't guarantee it would be increase. That's what because ballots you have to be accurate. And so that that's what
080the tough part of this is. This is a language, by the way, proposed that um I've seen every other district I could find. It's had a full waiver had on their ballot. >> So what is the date that we would that that information would have to be submitted for the >> It is in late January. >> Okay. >> 27th. Mrs. Mmer is on it. January 27th's the day we have to deliver that language to each of the election boards. >> Hang on. Board member Dawson, >> I would I would like to to to vote on the on the election as presented. Um, I I feel strongly that this is the closest we're going to come to the clearest, most concise, most accurate language based on our legal uh representative recommendation. And um and I I
081would not support um delaying this or uh changing the language. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Vice President Miller, did you >> I was going to say I'd like to call for the vote. >> Okay. So, we have a motion on the floor. We have a second. Any other Okay. So all those in favor of the motion as it has been presented, please raise your right hand and say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. >> No. >> Five to seven. Five to two. Motion passes. Um we have two items of information from Cedar Creek Elementary and Pleasantly Middle School. Um, I would also like to um wish a happy happy holidays to all of our students and their families that have been working hard this uh semester. We hope that you have a great break. And
082honestly to our teachers and our staff that are totally tired today and are looking forward to another workday tomorrow. Please, please, please know that we really do appreciate all you do every day. And I know you've been rolling hard since August. So, please rejuvenate, rest, enjoy, maybe have some fun. Um, but have a nice two week vacation. So, thank you very much. This concludes our meeting.