LPS Board of Education Meeting | March 16, 2026

001United States and justice for all. >> Good evening everybody. We normally have students now lead us in our pledge, but it was a virtual day today and so we will have folks next week, but next month. >> Next month. Yep. Next month. That's right. So, we will move next to approving the agenda. >> I move the board approve the agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. Motion carries. Now we have honoring excellence and endowed Sacramento come to the podium. >> Good evening. Um as Miss Rogers mentioned um we had we were going to have like standing room only tonight and then we started running into some conflicts with the

002snow day today and some could make it, some couldn't. So we made the decision to move uh some things around and we'll recognize many of those students and staff um later uh this spring. Um but I did want to take a moment. There are a few elements that we had prepared virtually that I wanted to share as well as quickly talk through a couple of uh of those recognitions. So Denise, I wanted to start with our Sapphires. You probably saw many of these recognitions in recent weeks, but the Sapphires won their 15th Missouri State Championship in the last 17 years that took place. >> Say that again. >> 15 and 17 years. >> Uh the latest uh was down at the municipal arena. I still want to say Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City. That

003was on February 28th. They took first in Palm, first in Lyrical. Um I uh Caitlyn and I actually visited them last week over on the learning stairs at Liberty High School. And as we've done in recent years, we have a video to play in which they introduce themselves. So, if we could roll that. >> We are the Liberty Sapphires and we are the 2026 state champion. My name is Sabina Bonadana and I'm a senior. My name is Zoe and I'm a senior. My name is Corner and I'm a senior. My name is Camilia and I'm a junior. My name is Monica Lee and I'm a junior. My name is Ava and I'm a junior. My name is Wayne and I'm a junior. My name is Emma Barnes and I'm a junior. My name is Samantha

004Martin and I'm a junior. My name is Kevin Shver and I'm a sophomore. My name is Ashley James and I'm a 12. My name is Laya and I'm a freshman. My name is Alex New and I'm a freshman. My name is Adam. My name is I am a freshman. >> So there they are. Let's give them a round of applause if they're out there watching in YouTube land. Um the impressive thing we say every year is just at the end there freshman freshman freshman freshman. So the future obviously bright. I also wanted to make mention uh they were the division 6 all academic team with a 3.896 cumulative team GPA. eight members with four O's. So, great stuff from the Sapphire. So, congratulations to Coach Willis and that crew at the same competition and they

005were going to be here tonight. I think we're going to go out to Liberty North coming up. Uh two individual state champions from the Liberty North dance team, uh Parker and Aubrey. Um this is Parker's second consecutive state championship in his uh grade level. So, wanted as a freshman, now a sophomore. Aubrey is uh just tremendously talented as well. She's a senior. Um and we wanted to congratulate them as well this evening. Let's give them a round of applause. We also had some pretty remarkable performances from the wrestling mat. Uh and uh tonight we talked about Liberty High School. Uh three young ladies. Uh you see Alexis there. Uh, Coach Laws sent me uh some bio information on on their season. This is pretty remarkable. Uh, Alexis capped off her perfect season with a record

006of 47 and0 on her way to a second straight Missouri class 2 state title. She finishes her career with a record of 157 and 21 in her four years as a Blue Jay. >> And then next we have senior Sandy Breeden. Uh Sandy, and we'll introduce her sister here in a minute as well, but Sandy was a three-time Missouri class 2 state champ along with being a four-time state finalist. Uh she finished her senior year with a record of 23 and2 overall record of 17 147 and Nou four-year career. And here's sister Lily, not to be outdone, threetime Missouri class 2 state champ, fourtime uh state medalist. She finished the 2026 season with a record of 47 and one as well as finishing her Liberty High School career with the most wins in program history

007on both the uh boys and girls side with an overall record is this good 183 and five. >> Wow. >> Was her career record. Again, we're going to look to go out and uh uh personally connect with them as well in the coming weeks and we'll see we may be able to get them in later this spring as well. So, let's give those state champs a And then on the on the boys side, we wanted to we were planning to get coach Brewer and the and the Blue Jay captains in tonight. Uh they cap things off a seventh consecutive class 5 state championship at the Mission Wrestling Championships in Colombia just a few weeks ago. What was pretty remarkable about this um in in my knowledge of wrestling is they did not have an individual

008state champion. They they had a bunch of guys that that that meddled, finished high, got the team points, and still came out on top, which is really rare and impressive for them. So, Rowdy Yanks, John Cox, Will Feifer, Kade Dunn, Roman Stewart, Ross Davis, Donovan Hodgeges, and Mason Bendle were your uh were your top finishers. A lot of seconds and thirds and fourths and fifth in there. So, congratulations to the Blue Jay wrestlers on another tremendous year. State champions. Uh recognize some staff. Again, may have seen this in recent weeks. We wanted to congratulate Emily Emily Schmidt. She's a longtime LPS staffer. Uh known her a long time and been uh just a supporter of LPS. Recently named the Greater Kansas City Middle School Counselor of the Year. It was a fun morning over at

009uh Heritage Middle School where she's now been over uh there a few years and know she was at Liberty North. We have a lot of students from from the North Stuco that are in the house tonight, but uh we want to congratulate Miss Schmidt on on this tremendous honor. Way to go. And there was another surprise just last week. And look at that look of surprise on her face as that is Dr. Rosemary Camp as she was presented with the Greater Kansas City Exemplary New Principal of the Year. Another fun afternoon. She's in her third year at Liberty North and met the criteria as uh the new uh the exemplary new principal of the year. Eagles, give your principal a round of applause. Congratulations to uh Dr. Camp. And last and certainly not least, uh

010hopefully uh our board members tonight uh receive some of the tokens of appreciation that that our buildings uh dropped off late last week into today. and uh just a good opportunity to to thank all of you for for your uh countless volunteer hours to our district and we kind of mix it up each year. We hear from students and this year uh we had a chance to to visit a few schools and we hear from uh a few select staff members that wanted to share a few words of appreciation. On behalf of the teachers and staff of Ward Public Schools, I want to say thank you to our incredible board of education members. >> Your leadership, vision, and countless volunteer hours make a lasting difference in our classrooms and throughout our community. >> You make

011thoughtful decisions that support our students, empower educators, and strengthen opportunities for every learner who walks through our doors. Behind every policy and every need is a deep commitment to doing what's best for kids and we see the impact of that every single day. >> Thank you for your service, >> your dedication, and your heart for the public schools. We truly appreciate you. What do you have to say to our board of education? those kindergarteners in Miss Tankusley class were we're really looking forward to becoming YouTube stars. So, we're going to we're going to be sharing that with them probably tomorrow and we're going to share that with the community. But again, um I know on behalf of our leadership team here in Liberty Public Schools and our community, we we just want to thank you

012as part of board of education appreciation month here in the month of March. So with that, that concludes honoring excellence for tonight. >> Well, we'll hope to do a standing for those folks in the near future. Um we'll move tonight to public comment if you have anybody. Do we have anybody who's interested in public comment tonight? Any students want to step forward? No. No. All right. Then we'll scroll past public comment. Um to consent agenda. Our adopted rules of parliamentary procedure. Robert's rules provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the board by a single motion. Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any

013board member. >> Motion board approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.6. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. And with that, we move to administrative reports. >> Uh first off, Dr. Moore, under 4.1, our innovation and learning reports. >> Good evening. Hello. Good morning. >> I wanted to give you an update since it's a busy season of enrollment, not only for next school year, but also for summer school. So, just wanted to highlight a few things. Um in particular, some of our real world learning programs, our collegiate nursing academy and our cipher program have both maxed out. So, as you know, we um piloted Cipher this year um and now we have

014a full program for next year, which is exciting. Um and a full program for CNA. And then early college, we are at around 95 students with a little bit of room to grow that. Also wanted to highlight with that one that we will have um 11 students, we believe, on track to um earn their associates degree this year through Maplewood. So that's really exciting and um we appreciate Dr. Solari and all the work he does with that program because he takes all those students um like they're his own kids. Um North Nation by Design is um you may remember we've kind of rebranded that into an entrepreneurial program. Um and we're um just over 20 students enrolled for that at North and we had some requests from Liberty High to enroll students there. So, we're

015going to do that and then hopefully replicate the program um over at Liberty High in the future. And then Encore, we are um at 20 students around 20 students per school um and still working on a few schedules here and there with um some students who want to get involved. One of the other things that we're looking forward to possibly starting next year is an apprenticeship um program, which is um something we haven't done yet, but that's kind of a earn and learn type of situation where students can go in um and u earn money while they're on doing on the job training. So, we are working with our RPDC um and state level to see how we can do that. One of the programs we're wanting to look at is um PAR professionals. So

016you could get students who meet the requirements um go in and support our students as um PAR. And right now we have 51 current students who would actually um qualify to do that. Not that we would, you know, all of those would want to do it or that we would hire all of those, but it's an opportunity for us to fill some of those vacancies that we have um with pair of professionals. And then as far as summer school goes, um we're over 2,200 students K through eight, which is great. And then 600 students 9 through 12. That usually picks up a little bit later. Um but we're on track definitely with um high school enrollment. Um also wanted to share we were supposed to have Liberty Oaks walk through today. Um we are working

017with uh Miss Hinnenamp to reschedule that and we'll get a date to you soon. And then just want also wanted to share um that our work with Carnegie continues to make some momentum. This last week um or two weeks ago, Dr. Wickham, Dr. Camp, and Dr. Sharp attended the convening in California with schools across the country. Um there's 23 other districts that participate in this work um on skills that matter. And so they had a great opportunity to collaborate with other um those other districts. And then um in just a couple of weeks um we are going to be able to present um Dr. Tucker, myself the National Summit on Improvement in Education as part of our um being a recipient of the impact award through Carnegie. So excited to share our story there with

018others as well. That is all I have. If you have any questions >> questions of Dr. Moore, >> do you I think I saw this but I was just can't find it. the enrollment for the CNA. How many parents? >> We're 31. >> 31 was it? And Cipher was >> We're at 10, which is all we um budget for. That one's a little bit more pricey for students to do. So, we kind of hold that at 10. Now, if we have one or two that want to go over, we'll, you know, we'll make an exception, but we try to keep that at 10. >> And then 31 CMA, do you have to set qualification? >> We do. It's pretty strenuous to get into that. um we have um quite a bit more that apply. So

019we typically have to then go through and um look at all the criteria and then if we need to do interviews we'll do interviews. So we usually have to unfortunately we have to cut back a little bit with that. >> And they would there are other opportunities >> absolutely >> to get involved in the uh the internship >> through Liberty Hospital. Yes, we have a lot of opportunities not just at Liberty Hospital. Of course they're a great partner with us. Um but you could do that without doing the dual enrollment. Um and then through other hospitals such as um St. Luke's they they partner with us as well. >> You also have the medical strand through Northland Caps >> and so medical happens to be the the number one sought after professional experience. But then

020you can get there by in caps. You can get there by the CNA program, Network 53. There's a few options. So, >> our numbers for Northland caps were um crazy as well for next year. So, we'll have to actually look at that and probably make some, you know, work with them to make some hard decisions because there's just not room for all of those students who want to do it. But, it's exciting that that students are wanting to take those opportunities. >> So, the apprenticeship program, does it have a name? I mean, is just the apprenticeship? >> It's called registered youth apprenticeships. Yeah. you work with the Department of Labor to in businesses and so we're hoping to get some information sent out to some local businesses to see if we can partner with them

021um you know such as um car dealerships um auto body shops, HVAC systems. There's a few areas in there where you have to be 18 um in order to do the work but still several opportunities for kids. >> Paraprofessional route is something we would do internally. >> Yeah. So we would hire them through the district and then pay them as pair of professionals while they do that work and learn and then hopefully they could go into that once they graduate. >> So will that be will that be part of innovation and learning under real world learning or will that okay >> you said the RPDC reg the professional development corporation has a role in that. Are they like developing the curriculum or >> they are the ones who kind of help us with all the

022standards, the curriculum, going all the paperwork, what classes students should need to take um in order to qualify for those. >> And it's it's been in place for some time through Desi and the Department of Labor as Dr. Moore shared um typically relegated to career centers. Now you're starting to see that branch into comprehensive high schools. as far as taking advantage of that. We've had some conversations over the last couple of years about it and just starting to gain momentum. So the structure requirements, all those pieces are there. It's just a matter of us plugging into that then plugging our students into the community. So >> of course we appreciate Oh, go ahead Nick. So students come out with certifications that >> that they could actually go and place in front of employ. And a

023lot of those employers and talking to some other districts, a lot of those employers will end up hiring those students because then they have some of the certification they need to go right into um and work those exciting opportunities. >> Dr. Moore on the the Encore, that's the new one that we just approved a couple months back. So with did you say 20 and was that 20 in each >> 20 each school >> and how does that compare what we were anticipating? >> We were hoping to start around between 20 and 25 and like I said we have some who um are just trying to work through their schedule of I still want to take these classes how can I make it work? So, um, we're pleased with 20, especially with kind of as as

024late as we got started, um, >> with it. >> And then my other question was just with regard to the, uh, the I guess conference that Drs. Wickham Sharp and >> Camp went to, is there any feedback from that? anything that they picked up that >> I don't. >> So, a lot of a lot of those other districts that are there working on the same things that we're working on. So, as a district, what we kind of committed to was saying, um, our kids at high school have all these great opportunities, but what we still have to work on is how do we give them the opportunity to, um, be assessed on the skills maybe that they were, you know, that they were able to use during those opportunities. Um so we have school links,

025we have portfolios, but is there something where um network 53 has some of that? You know, students can reflect business um partners give them some feedback, but how do we do that um more succinctly with all students who have that? So a client connected project, how are we able to do it with those students as well? Um students who do early college, how are we able to do it with that? So a lot of the districts um as we were trying to solve this, we found that they're trying to solve the same thing. So some are a little bit um ahead and have tried different um different programs or software and then others are just getting started as well. So we have a good grasp by have having our learner progressions um and having those

026out as competencies, but it's really kind of putting that all together and having students be able to speak to those. >> Well, there's a companion piece to that in Missouri where the Carnegie Foundation is working with those 24 districts. They're also working with I believe it's seven states. They're working with the state board of education in Missouri. And so fast forward was just announced this semester skills for the future um which is an initiative in partnership with ETS education testing services the Carney foundation camp foundation um department of elementary and secondary education as well as the um governor's office of I believe it's early childhood um focused on skills and dispositions. The idea being you may end up seeing a portrait of a graduate for a Missouri graduate at the state level. Um we've been

027kind of pushing for that for some time. And then the question then is in around assessment. How do you assess those skills and dispositions knowing that there's probably a quantitative and a qualitative piece? Qualitative where you're able to self-reflect. Um then you also involving the employer in that evaluation process. Um, I kind of lean that way as compared to trying to like peg a student by saying, you know, your critical thinking is at a four, right? >> Rather than quantifying it in that regard, make it more qualitative with a descriptive portion or a portfolio piece like what we've been working on in the district. So, I think you'll see all of that work come together, the district's work, our participation among those 24 schools across the country, but then also at the state level. >>

028So, what does What does is there a product that comes out of this car thing? Do they is it just a report or do they >> ultimately >> Yeah, >> I think it culminates in a after this two-year window, it culminates in findings and recommendations, but then I also think it does lead to like a research and development agenda for Carnegie um in terms of how they operationalize the idea that they've the ideas that they've learned from those districts. Um and of course, how do how do you lead through that? So there's a leadership component as well at some point. >> The best part for us has been just the connections with people across the country and um Dr. Wickham and Dr. Camp and Dr. Sharp and I actually um got on with a teacher

029from Edge and met with building 21 out of they're in Philadelphia. Jeremy, is that right? And so we met with them because they're doing some of that work as well. Um and just to see kind of where they where they are. they're a little bit ahead of us and just being able to see that and then them giving us some um ideas for us to try out has been great. >> I love this. Uh and I know you want to go sit down. >> This is really >> But we're not done. >> We're extending you beyond usual. Um, well, like I I love we've got cipher, we've got CNA, we've got apprenticeship, we've got all these things that kids are getting exposed to beyond what we initially set out, which is a market value asset,

030just a market value asset, right? >> Um, are we ahead of other districts in the area? Are we on par? Where do we kind of fit within that? And what do you need to put the hammer down on this? I mean, are you are you at capacity and you need more or looking for more? Where are we headed? So, one of the things I would say about other districts, um, when it comes to certain areas like, um, giving kids badges for their market value asset, we're the only one in the in the region that does that. Um, and so they've leaned heavily on us for that work about how are you doing that and how are you promoting that outside of school. Um, I would say though, every district is unique, so depending on what

031they have and what they need for their students, it might look a little different. Um, so we do a lot of work with the Piper School District in Kansas and they're smaller. They do um capstones for with all of their students and it's something I would love to do, but trying to manage that for a thousand seniors um is something that I haven't quite grasped yet, but that's something where like, okay, well, they're ahead maybe on that. Um, a lot of other districts do the academy model, um, where a student goes in through ninth grade and they pick something and they kind of stick with that strand all the way through. That really hasn't been our model of what we want to do. So, we would rather just, you know, give students opportunity to try

032several things um, and not put them on one path. >> So, you're saying it's great because we can manage what we want to do for the kids in our district, what's right for them. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. >> Local control. >> And there are a lot of different ways to get there. Keep keep in mind like our approach as far as autonomy may eventually get like pushed in a specific direction as this takes hold as a state. >> Sure. >> So for example, Kansas is a good example where if you were a district close to the Kansas City area, you identify with market value assets >> as compared to a district on the western side of Kansas that then aligns itself to more like the state iteration of that, right? So then in those districts

033closer to the Kansas City side, they're living in two worlds. They're living in the MVA world, but then they're also living in the state of Kansas side. And so like you could compare the two. I think where we're at now in Missouri, like the Kansas City region is really leading the charge around MBAs and then it will flow into the rest of the state. Now what happens is that's just something to watch. Our approach has been individualized, personalized, learner centered. If anything, the ability for a student in high school to bob and weave as it relates to um varying experiences rather than we're going to put you in a track and you're going to sit there through your senior year. >> Take that a step further. Like we've even had conversations around what's the notion

034or the idea of micro internships look like, right? So rather than a 120h hour experience in one you know firm organization or business let's give you a myriad of experiences that might be an evolution of this as you think about like culminating real world learning experiences. >> So going back to capacity just an acknowledgement of the work that you and your team are doing and then certainly the community partners that are helping make this possible too. William Juel, Liberty Hospital, all the others. That's just we couldn't do it without them. So, >> thank you. >> We going to give her a break. >> We'll see her later on. So, thanks, Dr. Moore. Uh, next under 4.2, Dr. Dixon Seahhorn with our student equity and access report. >> Good evening, everybody. >> Hello. >> Good evening.

035I wanted to open up with just some highlights from our family belonging focus group data. Um you know we had those focus groups first semester and uh we've been working on compiling the data and uh we had an opportunity last week at DOT our district leadership team to kind of share some highlights. Uh we have prepared uh a presentation slide deck and have infused some AI technology into that. So, we may have an opportunity to share that with you at the next board study session. So, we're not leaving you out. Uh, but just thought I would uh share some highlights, excuse me, this evening. Um, as you may recall, uh, when we held the focus groups, we had about 30 uh, participants and they represented families that are new to LPS, families that are longstanding,

036families with uh, multiple kids in the household across just different grade levels. um they represented different school feeder patterns. So it was a really nice mix even though it was um a small uh sample size, right? And so we are hoping that for uh next school year, particularly in the fall, that we may be able to maybe host another round of these so we can kind of keep building on the data that we've collected. But early data has indicated that um parents are just seeking more consistent and streamlined district communications, more opportunities for parent feedback and input, more intentional schooltoome outreach, and especially as we welcome new families, um and then also more family engagement opportunities. In this case, more specifically at the secondary levels, um you know, things just kind of taper off a

037little bit. Um, and so they just provided some insights for us to consider. And so we'll take again that early data into account and see how we can infuse some of that into the strategic plan for next year. Also, it's tied to our district's engagement plan, which is a it's a separate document, but we want to look at how we can kind of marry both worlds there. So more to come on that but again board study session uh we will look to fold that into the agenda where we can just share that presentation uh with you. Uh with respect to kindergarten enrollment as of today's date at 3 p.m. I did ask student services to pull that data for me. Uh we now have 227 kindergarten students fully enrolled compared to 233 same day last

038year this time. So that shows that we're on trend and we will continue to share this information with you at every board meeting so we can just kind of see how the numbers build over time. Also wanted to uh bring special attention to some events that are coming up. One of them within the special services department that is the postsecary community college and career connection event that will take place on Wednesday, April the 8th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at building 53. So, we thought we'd go with a different location there. And again, that's open to families, students, and their families, uh, with IEPs. Um, and it's just an opportunity for them to just kind of better understand options available within the community context as they make that transition from high school on, right? Uh,

039and then also within the special programs department. And in celebration of our multilingual uh learners, we have the LPS pathways to biiteracy ceremony that will be held on Friday, April the 24th. That is not a typo. On a Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at DMS and then the LPS seal of literacy award ceremony on Thursday, April 30th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Liberty North. So just wanted to share the information for public information purposes and all are invited to attend. So that is what I have to share today. I will take questions. >> I know you talked about it. >> Oh no. >> We we know that uh students uh parents in terms of parent teachers meetings attendance goes down in interest and involvement. >> So I'm looking at this group this u

040this group that you're working with. They're suggesting they want more parenting engagement >> uh at the secondary level. Is there something there? Is there some ingredient there? Something you observed that we might could feed to the of the rest of this rest of the parent body. >> They didn't necessarily tell us exactly what it was they were looking for. They just said, "We know that it would be nice to have more opportunities." And so I think that that is something we can as a team take a deeper dive into and maybe even seek additional opportunities to get some ideas from families on what that could look like. But yeah, we know the trend that that typically at the secondary level it just tapers off. And part of that is and some of the families mentioned

041this that as their kids are getting older, they're wanting to be a little more independent and detached from, hey, we got this. We don't need you all involved in that. But it still is something that some families say they would like to be a part of just to know more about that secondary world because it does get more complex as you metriculate through the the K12, you know, journey. So that's what we want to explore and figure out and those are some things that possibly we can put in the strategic plan. >> I have a suggestion. It's called PTA in middle school. >> That's one. >> It takes more than one person. >> Takes more people. It would be great to have 20. >> I will I will write that down. It said PTA middle

042school. Yes, that's what we want to explore. How how might we >> I I love the focus groups. I think it was great we did with the families. Of course, it brings questions. So AJ asked his >> mine is on the more consistent and streamlined district communication. And I know we may get a presentation on all this later. So if you want me to wait, great. But if you've got some thoughts on what that means >> at a high level view. Yeah. >> So, a lot of communication goes out from say a lot of departments >> um about a lot of different things that are happening, right? And so, for families at time that could feel like information overload. True. >> So, just wondering how we can kind of funnel it down to for example

043a suggestion was given about like a parent guide. So, like for each grade level, so let's just go with the freshman year. These are all the things >> you need to know, right? these are the departments and ways that kids can be involved and these are maybe contact numbers. Um when you get communication it'll look like this. And so just kind of helping parents to better understand how to navigate the space because if you're getting information from say just examples fine arts and you're getting examples from or getting communication from athletics and you're getting it from uh your classroom teacher and you've got seven teachers again that's a that's a bombardment of information. So, how can we streamline it? And I don't know if there's an easy fix for that, but those were just some

044ideas that came to the forefront about it's just a lot. It's necessary. >> True. >> Right. But it's a lot coming at you at one time. So, how can we streamline that? That that was the general sentiment if that answers your question. >> Love it. >> So, kind of like a >> but I don't have a solve for it today. Don't don't Okay. >> Kind of like a parent survival guide of high school >> in middle school. >> Something along those lines. >> In middle school, but at every grade level because think about that kindergarten parent that's brand new to the district and they don't have older children that have gone through the system. Where do I start? What do I do? >> Yeah. >> Right. So, those were some of the things, but it's

045not more it's more about policies as opposed to narrative. So, >> okay. >> And I think I mean there's you know I look at the family learning modules and all the different ways there's so much >> communicated stuff. I mean there's a lot that we do. >> Yes. It's helpful to get helpful to get that feedback because people consume that information differently. Um, parent meeting nights, all of those >> social media, >> right? >> It's just a lot. That's all they're saying. And how do we just coales that thing? And >> yeah, >> and part of this process has been working with building leaders to identify, you know, in what ways do you engage, whether it's one way communication, two-way for feedback. Um, so like there's three or four categories under our engagement plan >>

046that you'll see surface in next year's strategic planning process >> with the recognition that our leaders do a tremendous amount of work in pushing out information. >> Um, so it it's it's not like we're talking about the exact opposite where we're not communicating enough. It's >> like how do we >> maybe it's just trying to put some parameters or guardrails around it. So appreciate the work on that. >> Thank you. Mhm. >> All right. >> One last thing. One last thing. Speaking of family engagement, when do kindergarten roundups start? Is that about to be on the radar soon? >> You know, that is typically a little later in the spring. So, it's let's say like Aprilish. Okay. May. Yes. So, that'll be coming up soon. >> Yes. >> All right. Thanks, Dr. Dixon Seahore. >>

047Uh 4.4 then uh will or 4.3, excuse me, finance. Miss Cindy Sullivan. Good evening. >> Hello. >> I have three donations to recognize this evening. We'd like to thank um Siler Construction for a monetary donation in the amount of $2,000 provided to Liberty High School to support Job Olympics. >> We would also like to thank Adam Brooks for a $500 donation to the Cassie Price Memorial Fund at Liberty High School. And we also had a an anonymous monetary donation in the amount of $500 to Liberty High School to assist students with purchasing their cap and gown for graduation. We appreciate all of those donations. In addition to my report that was provided to you, I would also like to mention a couple of things. We have issued an RFP for banking services. As you know,

048statutoily we are required to do that every 5 years. So, those have gone out. We are fielding questions at this time and we are looking to have responses back into the district by March 26th where we'll start then the um work of putting it all together. They're the responses and determining if we need to have interviews or how we're going to proceed with that. We were able to locate and send the RFP to nine local banks. So, we've had a good response with questions. So, Looking forward to seeing what we get back for that. >> Looking for a single vendor. >> Yes. >> How long we been with where we're at? >> Commerce? >> Let's see. Probably 15 years at minimum. >> We were with UNMB before Commerce >> and the statutory requirement >> every

049five years. >> Yeah. So they come at least through two additional cycles. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> That is correct. Yeah. We've had a good long working relationship with commerce. I know they'll be putting back in again. >> So, anticipate that. Um, second thing I wanted to talk to you about real briefly was property tax revenue. You may have noticed on the financial reports this month that we are still lagging behind significantly where we were at this time last year. And we got we got a payment today of only $1.7 million. and I was expecting $14 million. >> So, Friday when I found out what we were going to receive, I picked up the phone and called the collector's office because I wanted to know what was happening. >> And as it turns out, they're

050they are still struggling with the Senate bill senior tax credit revenues that are coming in and how to disseminate those appropriately. Um, especially with the debt service levy piece of it. So instead of distributing the Senate Bill 190 proceeds, they're holding on to all of them >> until when? >> That's the $14 million question. >> Um, >> so we take one bad thing and we compound it. >> Yes. >> So I asked them if we could have part of it >> and they said they're hoping to have a resolution this week, >> even if it means they're going to have to do a calculation by hand. Okay. Um, so anyway, I I'll keep on top of that because obviously we would like to have those revenues in our bank account because we're to the point

051our cash is tied up in investments which we can free that up, but that's not something we want to do. >> But you're you're typically facing those cash flow issues come December, not post January one in terms of those revenues coming in. So that is that is uniquely different. >> It is. So they have collected the money, they just haven't released the money. >> That is correct. >> Okay. >> So is so they can they can be earning interest off this money >> of ours. >> They can >> for the last couple months. >> That's correct. >> And going forward. So we had that deal similar to that with there was what was the provision where there was somebody who was there was money in dispute and they were holding it. >> It was >>

052what was the board of with the board of equalization? >> Yes. >> Can can we set up something like that with the the county that >> I mean >> worth an ask? I will definitely ask. I have a call in. >> Yeah. I think we ought to at least ask that when we get that money, will we get it with interest? >> Yeah, >> I will. >> And that's a question. >> Yes. Send an invoice. >> Yeah, >> I I can ask that. I'll be happy to and I'll report back. Um the other thing I wanted to talk briefly about was the um state payment and I sat in a presentation last week regarding budget development and that's that I'm talking for this year right now. We're still being paid out at 6,900 on the

053SAT, which you know is the student adequacy target. Um, that determines how much state money we get. And they are projecting a significant shortfall in state revenue this year, which is not news. I've been telling you that all along, but they put some more information behind it where um in addition to just the regular general revenue, tobacco, gaming, and lottery revenue is also um experienced a significant shortfall over prior years. >> Yeah. >> So, that's contributing to the SAT being shortfunded. And it at this point um if they had to put a final figure on it, they're saying 7,50, but that's in great debate as well. So, we will continue to budget and make a budget amendment every month based on what we get because that produces a pretty big swing in our revenue if

054we're budgeting for full funding and not going to get it. So, you'll continue to see that shortfall as well come through. So, what was the what was the in I guess the what was the original SAT that they claim that we've planned for 70 >> 7,145 >> as far as the max >> 7145 they've been given it do it out at 6900 >> and now they're saying they may settle up at 7050 >> if the revenue comes into >> and then where where did you where have you planned for the district during this time while they we keep moving the target. >> I am budgeting at 6,900. >> Okay. >> And that's where I started the year because that's where we finished, you know, or they were told that's where we were going to start.

055And when I budgeted for this year knowing where the state of the state was heading, I budgeted a little bit differently in the fact that I didn't budget full funding because I did not think we were going to get there. And I'm budgeting where we're at and amending as we go this year because it's a different kind of a year >> and historically we've been pretty conservative in doing that. >> So So if it goes up 150, it was really up 150 for us based on how you budget. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And if it if it finishes at 7,50 where they're saying it might get to, that's approximately $3 million worth of revenue. And um we have things we can do with that. And there are others that have done the opposite, right? Where

056they've been a little bit more liberal in it and may have to either eat into their fund balance or make reductions along the way. >> Yes. So it was a good year to budget the way we did this year. >> So when would be the date that that's done? >> June 30. >> So that June 30. It's not toward the end of June when the legislature ends. sits all the way to the end of the >> governor can appropriate whatever he deems fit which was full funding at 71.45. We only are paid out based on the revenue that comes in to support the various appropriations and it's just not following that full funding. So the consensus revenue estimate was not what is actually happening so far this year. Questions on that one? Um, one other

057thing, the audit finance committee did review the financial statements this month. They had some um, preliminary questions just like you are about the revenue piece and and what we're expecting with that, but nothing else to report to you. That's all I have for you tonight. >> On the county level, I mean, has the county indicated an increase in appeals or anything like that? I mean, is there anything? have not gotten word of any >> anything to the magnitude of lle or anything like that. No, >> we're going to have Cindy back up here in a little bit. So, I don't I hope we haven't >> dipped into your presentation coming up. So, >> thanks, Miss Sullivan. >> Uh, next then, our operations report 4.4 with Mr. Steve Anderson. >> Good evening. Um, a few items

058to report tonight. Um first of all um including the reported uh in the health services uh section just wanted to note this often goes unnoticed I think by many but the partnerships they have on some of the health screenings and vision screenings that they do on an annual basis and these pop up kind of from month to month all voluntary. Um but just this past month there was um both uh general health screenings at Manor Hill. I think well over 100 students and then vision screenings at the academy at LMS and at Heritage Middle School and just such a great service that that that they provide to some of the students that have those needs. Um specifically um with respect to our capital planning process, we updated you on Friday with kind of a an

059overview of where that stands and the the plan has kind of been settled in. uh the monies are set aside and uh what you'll now see over the coming months including we just had under consent just this regular process of bringing bids in front of you all to execute on that plan. Quite a bit of money being spent uh over the fact over the next year a lot of that over the course of the summer and we'll keep you updated on that work and then of course if you're ever interested in seeing that we load up that monthly report as well each uh before each board meeting. Um, with respect to some of the bomb projects and some of the larger capital projects, um, nothing really new to report there. Liberty Middle, we're still waiting

060for um, consistent up uh, temperature. Um, and right now it looks like way things have been going, it's probably going to take much of the rest of the month. So hopefully here by the end of March, we're kind of ready to move forward with that. Um, Heritage Middle School, um, they're going to the front lawn at Heritage, that project starts here, probably here as soon as the weather warms up this week. I think they're mobilizing here uh tomorrow. So, you'll see a lot of movement out front there. Um and then um of course the second floor of the DAC uh many of you have had a quick peek at that. There's a picture a couple pictures in the report on the progress of of that project. Uh that um the second floor will be complete

061here uh hopefully um towards the end of May into June. And then uh we're still putting some details together for the rest of the work in this building for both the first, the third, and the fourth floor. We'll share more details of that here probably right before spring break. Uh but just that you're aware, it's going to be exceptionally disruptive over the course of the summer. A lot of that has to do with much of the work is HVAC through the entirety of the building, which requires them to get up above the ceiling grid and and do a lot of uh make a lot of noise. Uh so we'll keep you posted on that uh as well. And then the um last thing I was going to mention is uh included in there is we

062we worked uh over the past year and a half really on updating some of our 911 process and procedures. Uh the first big step there was uh we had so many miss dials over the years. I think I briefed you on this in the past. A lot of the miss dials that we had were due to the fact that you had to dial nine to get out. >> Uh after some back and forth we realized that we could dial eight to get out uh with very minimal disruption. That's cut down the number of miss dials just significantly which has been great for us. It's been great for all of the first responders that we work closely with that we're not having to call them off uh maybe seven out of 10 times. And then the

063other thing we did is just because we have more and more calls being made uh after school hours or on mobile phones. Um when it's called from a desk phone or a district phone, everybody's properly notified. Um if it's off of a cell phone, that doesn't always occur. And so we just put some uh procedures in place so that everybody knows that once you call 911 as a staff member of Liberty Public Schools or a student uh most likely a staff member, the next thing you do is you call district security, we always are on call and then they know how to kind of take it to the next steps in the process. So just wanted to mention that tonight as well. Um that's all I got. I'd be happy to take any questions. >>

064Um as far as the disruption to the administrative offices over the summer, is there an opportunity to locate somewhere else temporarily. >> We've got some pretty decent ideas and plans in place that we're fine-tuning, but um we're trying to be delicate with how we share that and pull that all together. But yes, I think that's very likely. >> Yay for Dr. Keepart. >> Questions? >> Do we want do we want to update on the TIFF discussion? >> Sure. I'm happy to um quick update on the soccer drive tiff. Um that meeting was held on Wednesday of this past week. Um the result was um unanimous with two extensions uh uh approval of the tiff plant to forward it to the Kansas City Council for consideration. It's a massive tiff project over by 435 Shaw Creek

065and 152. It's the area that's uh bordered by that. um about 500 acres. Um as you all recall, there's um significant amount of homes and residential units proposed for that area and it was also be a 100% tiff project. Through a series of conversations with the developer and the representatives, they agreed to scale that back to 95%. uh which doesn't sound too significant, but when you scale it out over time, it's a significant added revenue boost to the district of which we were not um destined to receive um initially. So, um I think a pretty good outcome all things considered. >> Other questions of Mr. Anderson? Okay, >> thank you. Uh next then 4.5 human resources report with Dr. Marriott. Good evening. Hi. Just a few brief updates regarding where we are in the human

066resources department. So, as of today, um we have only 13 certificated vacancies left unfilled for the 2627 school year, knowing that we'll continue to get more resignations andor retirements in over the next few months. So, that number will fluctuate. Uh but that's a sprinkling kind of across all positions in the district. So it's not necessarily that it's all one department. It's it's really well dispersed. We have 38 classified team vacancies with the highest number of openings in transportation and with our paraprofessional team. Um, so our team members are busy with recruitment events, trying to fill all of those positions, attending university and college career fairs, and then other community events such as the Maplewoods Community College working Wednesdays every week, and then the Pinnacle Career Institute boot camp. Um, so we continue to branch our

067arms into other areas to try and recruit great team members for LPS. Team Liberty met on Thursday, uh, March the 12th. They continued their discussions for FY27 compensation recommendations. They engaged in discussions um regarding those compensations and prioritizing um which items that they would like to bring forward for recommendations. They will reconvene on the 15th of April to finalize their recommendations and then the hope and plan is to present those recommended salary schedules to the board of education for a first review at the April board meeting. And then the last item I just want to highlight is our wellness team and the work of Rebecca Fischer, our wellness coordinator. So she has been working diligently to offer a variety of opportunities for our team members. The most closest one is March 19th and 25th. We

068will offer a mobile mimography clinic to all eligible employees. And then Miss Fischer has also been making visits to all of the buildings and departments um to share information with all of our LPS team members about our district wellness programs and what offerings we have available. Take any questions. Oh, just because I see it here, did the how has the transition to sign? >> There have been a few hiccups along the way. Uh, but one of the things we continue to emphasize is that if we have any team members who are struggling with a claim or trying to find service to connect with our HR team and they have some great resources usually can resolve any issues that they have. Um so we just encourage them to continue to reach out. But really overall the

069transition has been good. Um and then giving that there is also some conversations about potential um changes with Blue Cross Blue Shield of coverage in our area in in the future. So we're pleased with that transition knowing that that's a really >> significant undertaking for across the district. >> Yeah. You've been really busy. >> We have been busy, but not me. Not me. It's been the team that's been busy. >> 758 observations. >> I I couldn't I don't know. I know teacher contingent is biggest part of our staff. >> What does that mean percentage- wise? How many observations on a percentage basis? Do you know? >> So those observations that were reflected are for our certificated staff, >> right? Understand that. >> Yes. So >> I'm trying to look at what how many teachers certified

070staff do we have and percentage wise? So what would >> we have um around 800 to 900 certificated staff members um knowing that those formal observations vary dependent on whether they're a tenur staff member or probationary staff member. >> So we require more of those observations for our probationary staff member. >> Well, that's an impressive number when you It is an impressive number. That's a lot. That's what I was trying to find out. >> And then that's just the formalized ones that they actually put in the system. And I know that um our principles and team leaders and department leaders all really work hard to just be in the presence of their of their staff members. >> We know how well our teachers are performing. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Other

071questions for Dr. Marriott? >> Okay. >> Thank you. Uh lastly then um superintendent report just a couple of highlights to mention um this evening. Want to thank and congratulate the Liberty Education Foundation for a successful event um as far as their annual spring event. They've rebranded it as Shine. And so I don't know the exact numbers as far as how much was raised, but appreciate those of you that were able to attend and support the education foundation. We have a a morning a meeting tomorrow morning at 6:45. >> Right, Miss Bower? Yes. >> Um, so I'm sure we'll find out uh kind of the playbyplay from Miss Campbell on that. Also approaching the end of the third quarter as it relates to parent teacher conferences. Of course, that comes just prior to spring break and

072being able to to take some time off as far as our teachers and staff and families. Um, that then as soon as we get back, we'll be uh around election season on April 7th, election day. As a reminder, we do not have anything on the ballot. >> How about that? um as it relates to uh board candidates. Uh we have our three incumbents that signed up for three seats. So, congratulations to them. >> Uh we'll be swearing them in in u in our at our April meeting along with soliciting recommendations for officer uh positions and so we'll work on that a little bit later in April. With that comes our end of year celebrations. Uh we started off and celebrated our support staff employees of the year. appreciate Dallas Acriman and his team for helping

073host a great lunchon at Conrads with our partnership with them the other day. U a couple of upcoming events as far as the teacher of the year recognition uh lunchon hope awards for both elementary and secondary students, our retirement celebration. There's a myriad of other things, but then that culminates with our graduation for both our Liberty High School and Liberty North High School seniors. So, we look forward to celebrating those milestones over the course of the coming weeks. That then gets us upon uh summer school in June. Um we have a couple of items for your awareness as a board. June 1st, strategic planning refresh uh with our partners from G&D Associates. On June 2nd, the board will spend time together in a board retreat and welcome Dr. Keart. She's going to join us uh

074for that event. She's also got a couple of dates scheduled between now and then to be in district uh with a number one priority of getting out into our buildings and our departments and having an opportunity to to connect with folks along the way, both our students and staff. Last thing that I wanted to mention is the legislative session. And I know you all have a portion of that in your board remarks, but um appreciate those that attended the MSBA legislative day the other day um and taking time out of your schedules to go down and connect with our area legislators. We had had scheduled this morning a Northland Regional Legislators breakfast and that unfortunately had to be cancelled due to inclement weather, but we're going to look at trying to reschedu that. uh given

075that it's their spring break this week as far as the legislative spring break, we thought that would be a good opportunity um to put something in place going forward. You may recall and you may have attended in the past, cooperating school districts of greater Kansas City used to have a dinner um sometime January, February, which was early in the session, not a whole lot of activity then. They've kind of set that aside to where districts are now kind of filling that gap. um whether it's attending more um opportunities in Jefferson City or hosting something back in their own districts uh here in the Northland, we agreed upon kind of a collective approach and so we'll look to have that rescheduled and share that information at the appropriate time. With that said, I would open it

076up for any questions you all have of me. >> Are you counting down the number of meetings that you have left? >> It did dawn on me. It did dawn on me last month after our board meeting as I was driving out of here that I think I only have three regular monthly meetings left. Doesn't include study sessions, but I'm not keeping track just yet. >> We could schedule. >> I know you could. That's why I don't have a ticker. >> We had eight meetings. >> I don't have a ticker going. >> January, February. >> We made up for some of that. That's right. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions for Dr. Tucker? Your body language suggests you're counting. >> Well, okay. Maybe so. I'll have to I have to work on I'll have to

077work on that. A giving it away. >> He gave you away. >> I'm a student. >> There you go. On to the next thing. >> Middle school. >> So, first item under unfinished business. You'll recall back at our study session earlier this month, we did uh spend some time talking about a middle school athletics proposal. uh shared that with you for first read. Appreciate Dr. Moore working closely with our teams along with Miss Sullivan from a budget perspective. Uh that is posted this evening for your consideration for action. Um just prior to entertaining a motion though wanted to share anything additional to update the board on Dr. Moore. The only thing I wanted to make sure that you saw maybe a few weeks ago in one of the Friday updates I shared were the questions

078about what other school district they have to find or separate. Um I think almost all of them were combined seven to eight. So just wanted to share that that it would be very similar to what um all >> okay just present that to you this evening for your consideration. I move the board approve the middle school athletics proposal. Second, >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Let's get to the good stuff. >> Yeah, new business. >> We're going to welcome Miss Cindy Sullivan back under 6.1 for preliminary revenue budget updates. >> Pressure is on. Thank you. So, tonight we will discuss one of our um budget development pieces and talk

079about the revenue budget. And um we do have a presentation. There it is. So, this is the first of four times that we'll talk budget this remaining year of the school year. And the first thing I wanted to talk about which we talk about often is the key variables in our revenue and that is the aggregate assessed valuation which drives all of our property tax revenue and that affects um operating budget only and it also makes up 40% of our total operating revenue. So it is definitely a key variable. The second key variable that drives district funding is K12 PK actually now that should read PK12 student enrollment and attendance and that's about 32% of our operating revenue and only affects operating revenue and it now includes enrollment whereas it just used to be attendance

080and that is the introduction of the waiting of the enrollment. So now we have weighted average daily attendance and weighted average membership. And this year we are 90% weighted average daily attendance and 10% weighted average membership. Next year it will go to 8020. And why that is important is as you'll see when we move through the rest of the presentation that including weighted average enrollment causes the denominator of how we are paid to change and generally attendance percentages are lower than enrollment. So adding that enrollment and increasing percentages causes the uh bucket of money to be a little bit distributed a little bit differently. So it the denominator goes up, the distribution goes down. So that's something important to keep in mind as we talk about the revenue piece. The first one we're going to

081talk about is the local and county revenue. And I've shown you here the projected increases and the projected decreases. This is a non-reassessment year. So we will only get increases in property tax revenue based on new construction. And historically it's a about a percent and a half to 2.5%. So I'm anticipating maybe a million two. Once we can get any information from the county, we'll be able to true that up a little bit. But um that's a million2 more than we would get in another year. So we're happy to have that. And we will also see increases in food service sales revenue and kids zone tuition. You've heard about those increases in prior board meetings and know why those are occurring. Um, but those will add about $723,000 to the operating budget across all areas

082of food service sales and programs. So, that is a a good increase to give our operating uh revenue a little bit of a prop there as well. The decreases that we're expecting are in Prop C. Prop C is the one cent sales tax. That is a statewide sales tax and it is also distributed based on the same um foundation formula method which is the WA and the whim attendance and enrollment. So it is being distributed this year currently at 1465 and they're expecting it because of the flat appropriation in the governor's budget and the changing um denominator that it will go down to 1418 for FY27. And so that would cost about $300,000 to our budget. So that's how we're budgeting there this year. interest income is primarily on investment earnings and as you know

083and we're not quite able to invest everything we would have so far this year and we will have we will show that next year as well in cash flow and we won't have bond and um all of the funding in fund 4 and 44 that we will so they we will show decreases in an interest income the rates are kind of um steady right now so hopefully they stay that That way we can at least have some good earnings. >> So that's where we can figure our bills to the >> county. That's right. Make up the difference right there. >> Right there. >> Another plus. >> That's right. Good luck. Let's let's talk about that more later. Um the other thing that will decrease are the state assessed railroad and utilities. that's showing a downward

084trend after some of the um board of equalization movement in the LLED um >> protest that will actually show us a decrease in that and that's trending downward there. >> I know we're just talking about revenue on this slide, but that food service sales increase that's going to be offset by cost. We're not not making money off that. It's just an increase in >> it's an increase in revenue. but nutrition services and we'll talk about this on the expenditure side. I've spent a lot of time with Misty working on that >> and she's really working hard to rightsize her program and some of the commodities and things that that the the nutrition services world is changing. Um, and I'm really talking in his area now, so if I get it wrong, get me straight there.

085But she's she's moving really well to rightsize that program and bring some of her costs down as well. She's working very very hard to break even in her program. That's her goal this year. >> And um she's very close. >> Yeah. >> She may have just a little bit of a loss this coming year, but if she can get anything else squeezed out of there, she still plans to try to break even. >> So this is just one piece of that. Okay. >> Um, other local and county includes minor changes or flat budgets for pilot payments in children's services fund. Children's services fund. I do believe um Dr. Meisenheimer presents her application to their board in the coming weeks. So, we will know. And um we're asking again for $2.5 million a year for the

086next two years on that. and um hopefully that that will go through as well, but it is currently budgeted flat at the same $2.5 million. So for operating funds overall, we're expecting a $2.8 million increase in revenues, but for overall budget, that will be a $1.3 million decrease primarily because of the interest revenue for state revenue. We talked briefly about this in the current year and it won't change again for next year. They're they're um anticipating the state adequacy target at $6,900 tops. When I attended the budget meeting last week, they were really thinking it may be a little bit lower than that, but until we finish this year, I'm going to keep that budget right flat at 6,900. Um and again with the change in the denominator we would expect that state foundation formula

087to decrease because of the flat funding and no additional appropriations and the de the denominator change. However, as you will recall, we've talked about before, you get paid out on the current year vam or the prior year, the highest of the three. And we are in a situation where one of the prior years will actually be better and give us a little bit of a boost in that state foundation formula. And this should be the last year that occurs. The 169day provision is flat for next year. So, we get the same basis we do um next year as we got this year. It's the year after where it it increases. So, um that's just kind of one of those things that until all of these things from Senate Bill 727 are enacted, we're going to

088see fluctuations in the state revenue that vary widely from year to year. The other decrease in state revenue is transportation funding. The funding that is being proposed for next year by the governor is at the FY25 level. And in addition to that, for this current year, they had added a one-time prop of $15.2 million to the transportation budget. He did not reappropriate for next year. So, in addition to being funded on FY25 revenues, that that money goes away. So, we'll probably be funded at approximately 95% of FY25 allocation. So, transportation funding will see a decrease of about $325 million or $325,000. A little extra there, but um that's what we're anticipating based on what we're hearing. Now other state revenues are the high need fund which is budgeted flat and the ECSC is currently budgeted

089for a small increase but it should be paid out if the funding is there at the actual allowable FY26 current year expenditures. It's paid a year um behind. So overall state funding is going to be fairly flat this year. Then federal funding. I indicated on here that a funding update was pending. Well, I got that update late this afternoon. So, I do know that our census poverty rate, federal programs are based a lot on our census poverty rate. And what federal monies are there? Federal monies are going to be remaining fairly flat but not decreasing this year. Our census poverty rate did go up a very small amount. So, we may see a tiny bit of an increase, if anything, there, but I don't anticipate a decrease, which is nice to hear because for so

090many past years, we thought federal funding was going to decrease. >> Good news there. >> What's IDA funding at >> as far >> percentage wise of what they were supposed to? >> Like, >> we get an allocation, >> okay, >> from the federal government. So, there they don't promise you anything. There's not a set amount, >> but it has never been at the full funding level in like the entirety of its existence. >> No, we get several million dollars and spend tens of millions of dollars. >> Yeah. >> On APA programs. >> Yeah. >> So, and I don't know what our allocation will be for next year. That comes out in May. >> Yeah. So, >> well, 50 years ago it was supposed to be 40%, >> right, >> of your cost. >> Yeah. And

091it's >> I'm pretty sure it's never gone. No, >> that is that's my understanding. That's my understanding as well >> what you stated and it's never been at the level that it was intended. So, >> yeah. >> And still will not be next year. >> Shocking. >> Yeah. Um, one bright spot here, federal food service revenue. Misty um Miss Nulan, director of food services is anticipating that that will go up due to some changes in the um food service laws for nutrition services at the federal level. So we will know more in May when the allocations um are sent out, but due to food service alone, we're we're increasing that budget federal programs by about $440,000 overall. So, moving on to look at the total projected operating revenue, we're sitting at 205,94,747. That's a net

092increase of $3.3 million over the current year. Um, I don't anticipate a great change in that, but I'm just very happy that we do have an increase in that this year. And you'll see again that we rely heavily on local sources of 60%, state sources of about 37% and federal sources of 3% to fund the operations of the district. And then the final slide I have for you is just a comparison of the overall budget revenue trends. And we have a to you're going to see again this is one of those anomalies in the total budget which is of the blue the blue bars and you'll see a great drop from this year to next year. And that's due to the bond proceeds and the paying off of escroed bonds. And you'll see in FY23

093when we sold bonds that blue bar was high again. But if you look at the other three years, you'll see a pretty consistent overall budget across those years when we didn't have bond transactions or sales. And then the orange yellow bars are the operating revenue. So you will see just a gradual increase, a steady increase in those revenues which um I don't know how much longer we'll have that but for the current time being we have a slow steady operating increase operating revenue of 205.9 million total revenue of 237.1 million. So that's the lay of the land for now. As you know, it will change between now and when we come back in May with a final preliminary picture when we put it all together. And as we go along, I'll keep you apprised of

094the updates and how things are playing out and where we'll go from there. But that's what we're thinking as of now. And I'd be happy to answer any questions that you might have. Just to clarify, this is this is all pre any legislation that would pass this year that would impact property tax collections or income tax that would go into general revenue for the state that would come to us through that allocation. >> That is correct. >> But are most is most of that legislation not for right this minute? It would be 27, right? Or would >> subject to change? >> Yeah. >> Right. It may be introduced with one date in mind, but then by the time it gets to the governor's office, typically you have a window of time to like ease into

095that shift or that change. >> Um, we've never been down the income tax road before. Um, so that's one to watch. >> Um, and then certainly the interest in it around property tax reform. >> Um, and of course the big question if those revenue streams shift, what revenue streams take its place? And so everything that we're hearing and seeing is is fairly bleak. That may be a nice way of putting it um in terms of FY27 projections. So that's certainly something to watch in that each district is is certainly impacted differently depending upon how you budget and depending upon your fund balances. Um we're already beginning to hear of districts that are looking at making reductions. Um, so thus the importance of this window of planning and budgeting season, which I appreciate Miss Sullivan and

096the business services department working closely uh with our schools and departments on that. What would you add? >> When I sat through the budget webinar last week, I I heard, you know, things that I haven't heard for a very long time and and in comparisons were made to 0809 and 1112. And this this definitely not the year to depart from budgeting conservatively on your revenue side. >> Yeah. >> Well, thank you for always budgeting conservatively for us so that we're where we are at the moment and not floundering. Thank you. >> So, what are you what are you figuring in this projection for SAT for 27 >> 6,900? >> You are. >> Yes, I am. Yeah, >> that's >> but that's that may be that may be higher than what they settle on for next

097year. >> That's the figure that Yeah, it may be for but I don't know that yet. Right. >> And the figure that was presented to us in the the webinar last week was 6,900. >> Yeah. And um we'll know more as the year plays out and can certainly change that >> as we go along. >> So originally it was the 7145 >> 71 budgeted the 69. >> Yes. >> Then they came up with the 7150 or 7050. >> 7050 >> and what was the 7050? >> So the 7050 is for the current year. >> Oh okay. or they may end up the current year. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. >> But it seems like then comparing last year to this year's if they tell us 6,900, we may need to go in at 67.50 or

098something to prepare for, right? potentially if if depending on how the legislature ends up and what they decide to do with the budget. When they return next week, they will be working on the budget. >> So, we'll learn a lot more next week as they um hammer out where they each want to end on the budget and send it back to the governor for his they have to have it back to the governor in May. So, they have a while to hammer that out. He doesn't have to sign it until June. So I will learn more as to what I think that 6,900 is, you know, feasible or not. And then again, it's a the best guess because even though they appropriate it, that doesn't mean the revenue will make it. Um, >> so >>

099I I appreciate it and I sat in on team Liberty meeting uh last week and and and Cindy did a great job of presenting to the team of the situation uh without saying that we're headed down a bad road or anything, but the reality of the situation and I think I mean I think Team Liberty grasps that. And there was one question that was asked that comes back to us and that is you know because the large percentage of this goes to salaries >> which are our staff >> and our people and the question was well are there things that we should not be doing >> and those types of questions you know fall to us at some point and because we don't want to end up in a place where we're >> cutting staff

100and ballooning the class sizes and and stuff like that. So anyway, if we want to start those, I think the prudent thing to do would be to have to start establishing that mindset of consideration before it actually has to happen. Um, and you know, gosh, I I greatly appreciate, you know, the way that you budgeted and give us room to navigate through situations like this cuz if not for that, then we'd be having to do it every year. We'd have to be playing that game. So, um, but if there are things that we need to look at differently, you know, I would sooner rather than later as far as I'm concerned. Well, and it doesn't necessarily mean it has to do something we never do again, but is there are there things that we can

101>> maybe not put off or postpone or maybe not do everything? I don't know. I'm sure you think of all of those things, but >> and that's the value of projection projections, right? and projection documents, which we've had for some time. In part to our earlier conversation around knowing where you're at from a cash flow basis, then also being able to look three to four to five years down the road, right? There are a lot of districts that don't have that projection outlook. >> Um, so that's one piece. Another piece to it is keep in mind consensus revenue estimates and where those come from, where it's derived from both bodies in the legislature, but then also political parties to agree upon here's our best guess. And so when we talk about things like classroom trust

102fund, Prop C, gaming revenues, um the list goes on and on. Like we're not just making a number up in terms of a best guess. It's an informed best guess particularly in the month of March because we still have quite a bit of time between now and the end of June when we have to have finalized that budget. So just as Cindy is having those conversations up with the board, those conversations are also happening throughout the system. Case in point with team Liberty, case in point with all the individual conversations you're having with principles and building leaders who also get it in the sense of okay, we're entering into some interesting territory and we need to be mindful of stewarding uh you know our taxpayer dollars. So, um, appreciate the history that we've had in

103doing that, but then also looking ahead, maybe it's just a little bit more attention and awareness >> around what's happening. >> Absolutely. >> And, and I was just going to say, I mean, I feel like we've always, you know, we've been fortunate as a board that we've had looking around those corners and we've had that information and we've been conservative and and there are other places that are having more difficult conversations than we're having tonight. Um but you couple that with the perfect storm of um just some of the different efforts and it's it it's chiseling away at every little piece of what um our revenue is drawn from. Um, so I mean I think you know if there is a time for people who are concerned about this and how it impacts their students

104in our district um to contact legislators or talk to folks about it or be supportive of local effort. Um, you know, property taxes are the the least economically impacting form of taxation. You've got some of these taxation organizations that'll go out there and say don't mess with that because it will lead to more income tax. Well, we're talking about getting doing away with both. And so, um, >> all of that's to say, thank you for, uh, shephering us through that process. And I know there's a lot that we >> kind of have to continue to think several moves down the chessboard, but it's where we're at. >> Yes. And thank you. Thank you for those words. Um those kind words, but I also appreciate all of you and the the care and concern you put

105into understand um what we present to you and the conversations that you're a part of to make sure that we do the right thing to s be sustainable and fiscally responsive and responsible down the road. Um because this year it's an extremely difficult task with many many unknowns. The perfect storm as Drew indicated. So thank you for your support and participation as well. >> Anything else for Miss Sullivan? We're going to see her again next month and the month after that as well as the month after that. So >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Uh, next item then 6.2. Uh, we actually only have one contract to walk through this evening. Is that correct, Mr. Anderson? >> That is correct. Well, there's there's two >> two there. Okay, >> we'll turn

106it over to you. >> Um, sure. And so, um, this we also provided Friday update on this one. So, this was actually approved a month ago with Apple for new devices. It's part of kind of our rotation of replacing and recycling out the MacBook Air. That's staff at 9 to2 9 to 12. Um what we uh were informed after it was approved by the board that Apple um was making a change that M4 devices were being rendered obsolete moving to M5 and they wouldn't be able to honor the cost agreement in the previous agreement. Uh they did not sign that agreement by the way. We checked that first thing. Um so they were not obligated to that. Um, so we were kind of in a position and spent the better part of a couple weeks

107uh myself, Cindy, Trey, folks from uh innovation learning uh thinking about what's the next right step. And so we came up with a couple options and where we landed is presented here for you tonight. Uh basically we um we thought the best move was to stay on course and to take this action still yet this year to prep for the next school year. Um, part of that was related to selling all the old devices and getting more value out of them. We're going to get 1.4 billion. That's the second contract here. I think waiting another year that number will have come down considerably based on our projections. Um, so that was part of what drove it. Plus, it was time to update the the devices as well. Um, we did consider um the Neo device.

108You've seen that's pro that's launched. It's going to be a new alternative to the MacBook Air device. Um that's where we probably spent the bulk of our time trying to evaluate whether that made sense for some of our students, all of our students um to realize the cost savings there. Um we we did flesh it out. I think the main concerns there were that was the capability and functionality of those those smaller devices, less RAM devices and whether it could accommodate the needs of the district and students now um let alone what that looks like in a couple years. That was one concern. The other concern which actually was traced Trey was more concerned with this um was this was the new device and and not knowing are there bugs. What's the you know how

109does that shake out over time if they start to fail? Um I think we've done that one other time 10 how many years ago it was and we ran into some issues with being kind of on the forefront of a new launch. Um with all that in mind um uh we we by the way we did um make a pretty hard push to Apple to honor the agreement. uh some tur exchanges. It's hard when it's Apple get very pretty far. Um but they were not able to go back to the original cost mainly because these were upgraded devices. So there was a cost delta there. Um so all that said uh we have two things in front of you tonight. One is a revised lease agreement that's at an increased cost that allows for um

110all the device replacement 6600 to be of the M5 caliber rather than the M4 at an additional cost of 100 $100 per device. Um so that's item one. The second item is the acceptance of the bid proposal for the buyback of all the devices that will we'll turn over here um this summer. Um the uh lease agreement that's kind of bundled into this is um the lease agreement itself would be for 5 years 0% that was another thing Apple said we would not be able to guarantee that 0% rate if you waited a year again sorry to know what to make of that um but um to guarantee that was that 0% lock and then we are we did come to agreement that that 1.4 4 buyback amount was going to fund the first year

111of that lease which we able we're able to spread through the capital plan that 1.7 1.8 75 and you know that cost throughout. So we're able to kind of balance it out and make it work without really minimal disruption to what we had planned previously. Um but again it was a bit of an undertaking. I hope that was reasonably um understandable but um so that's kind of where we landed and would appreciate your consideration of that tonight. I appreciate your explanation of the why not due to two different groups. I mean it's helpful to know because yeah it was just I was just curious how many people would actually how many of our students or staff would actually need that upper upper level of functionality in the device. And so to hear Trey that Trey

112had concerns about the roll out of the new device that does help provide that context that makes me feel comfortable with this decision. as frustrating as it is. But >> yeah, and I I would say I mean the frustrating component of it is, you know, historically they've they've honored, you know, the set rate that we've been at and and that's not just been for us, it's been for other districts. And so it's somewhat of a >> somewhat of a change in their position on how they do this and and and I've always felt like in the initial discussions, some of the representations have been that they would honor that. And so when you get to the point that they don't, um, I don't know, it creates some questions about what we, you know, look at

113going forward in the future if that's how businesses interact. So >> I mean, this isn't going to change my mind by any means, but we are in rock hard place. We're apple district. We still get apples. >> Yeah. >> So if we're going to truly explore something differently, and we probably need to start that path year three or four of this, not totally. Totally. That's exactly right. >> It's not clear that there would that any other would be any better. >> We we have no alternative right now. Right. So, you're kind of stuck where you're stuck. >> Well, and I I do wonder if this is like a harbinger of things to come with supplies or replace. I mean, like there's there's going to be costs related to purchases like this. I think I mean

114there's just there's just going to be things are going to cost more given the current environment. So I think this is unfortunately probably not the last time that we'll be in this position like >> so the devices were we're turning into this uh other group total technology those are ones we own >> correct >> going forward we won't own anything. No, we'll own them. We It's a lease purchase. >> Okay. Okay. All right. >> So, the same program. >> Okay. So, it is the same program. So, at the end of five years, we still have value. That's correct. >> Okay. Yes. >> So, the value of the ones being purchased, the used ones, are they five years old? I mean, are we going to see a similar kind of potentially a similar kind of return

115on these in five years? >> Potentially. You could probably expect that. Um I I think we 14 is a pretty locked in number where we really push hard on that. Obviously that was not with Apple. Um but I think that's reasonable to think that we did in that ballpark down the road 5 years. >> It will also give us an opportunity to purchase some of the test them and figure out if they will work in the future. >> That's true. and that transition uh with Total Technology, how much is on us to scrub things before they turn in versus they do that? >> Yeah, they do everything and we based on what we've learned over the years when we've done this in the past, we've really tidied up the specs of the proposal uh that

116really put we just put that on that. We have some controls in there, some guarantees on on prices. >> We baked that in as well. But I think um feel pretty and we've done this with iPads as well. We have a that's got on a off cycle to this. Um I think we really have a pretty good process now in place for the buyback. Um feel pretty good about the 1.4 and it does take a lot of not only the the we have to do the preparation work but then they are also involved in helping us prepare for the uh launching of the new devices and coding them out and stuff >> as far as the intake of new devices. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> there's a small chance that we could get more

117than that as well. >> My kids do >> I >> Well, I think Austin's his uh notebook's probably in really good shape. So I think high level >> I move the board approve the revised Apple lease agreement and the total technology contract. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. So, now we're on the board of education. And I do want to spend a little bit of time on legislation advocacy because we did go spend time at MSBA advocacy day and we've already talked a little bit about some of the environment that we're facing. Um appreciate I think we're very lucky to have a complete board that

118is very engaged on these issues. Um for advocacy day, Jen, Angie and I went down to the capital. We did have appointments um with our lawmakers. We got to meet with most of them and found them overall to be very I mean there was high participation from a lot of Northland school districts. There were a lot of other superintendents and board members having meetings with our lawmakers and they were generous with their time. Um I we had we generally talked about um well we talked about our success ready students network. We gathered a lot of information in advance. We talked a lot about success ready students network and our general approach as a district to innovation in how we are providing visibility and accountability in a way that is detailed to our fa our our

119families and community in a way that is frankly more sophisticated than an A throughF grading system. Um and so we shared about kind of our example had a nice appreciate Dr. Tucker providing us with a handout that we could use for that. Um, we also talked about our graduate profile and that that was developed with our community and that that is kind of what our values are in terms of what what we would like to see to kind of again give an example of that. There are a lot of local districts that are doing really innovative work in these areas and trying to give information to parents that is accessible and visible in a way that is meaningful and relevant. and also demonstrating that to our students that our students know what they're learning, know

120why it matters, know what how it will help them in the future. And of course, we also had conversations with them about the budget environment, about some of the legislation that's impacting potentially our budget. We talked a lot about as we all know that over 60% of our budget comes from local property tax revenue and that most of the remainder of it is state is general revenue from the state which most of that income most of that general revenue twothirds of it is state income tax and so I think lawmakers are very aware of these things generally they were hearing it from multiple districts um you know varying levels of of I would say responsiveness, but I mean good conversations, productive conversations. I think I think there is an understanding that our district does good

121work and and I think that's helpful. Um I think it was really good I think especially good for a lot of lawmakers to hear about the through-year assessments that we use. Um, I think pretty much universal agreement that the MAP testing, the annual high stakes once a year testing is not the best way to measure student performance. So there's a lot of consensus around that. Um, so I think then it does come down to well what are we doing? Is it scalable to what the rest of the state is doing? And that's when we talk about success worthy students network and the work that we're trying to do and model that for the state and then the importance of the local control that allows us to do that. And then I would say that almost

122every every lawmaker we also made sure to talk about um our legislative priorities about keeping elections for school boards in April as opposed to November. And that the reason that was important to us is because we feel like as a board we work together well. Like we feel like we model that variety of spectrums across the board, but because we are elected in April as opposed to November, we are minimizing the partisanship that can get into races in November. and that that was really important and that we are a good example of that and think that moving elections to November undermines that that possibility. So those were kind of our high points that we were hitting. We did hear from some lawmakers through MSBA. They had um several lawmakers speak to us before we all

123went out, but I felt like we had um a lot of information that we gave them and they were generous with their time. And I I echo Drew's um statements about it's a really important time for people, parents, average community members to be very engaged in speaking with lawmakers, particularly if they happen to run into them this week if they're here on spring break. Um I know I went to a town hall last week um for a state senator and just kind of listened and and I think it's good to be a part of those conversations. So what else would you guys add? I was very impressed with the amount of time they spent with us. I mean, the few years that I've done this, I thought that this year they were very generous with

124their time and we had some very good conversations. Obviously, not an agreement on everything, but an agreement on some things. Um, and I did do a little followup on some things just to make some points, especially about the November elections. Um, you know, I said maybe they wouldn't be graded by A through F. No, I'm just kidding. one. >> No, I thought it was really good, honestly, for the amount of people that were there and the amount of time that they gave us. I thought that was great. And I did some thank you notes just thank you. >> And Karen put together a quick recap of the visit that we'll get out to you in this week's Friday update. Um had intended to upload it this evening, but we'll get it to you in our

125Friday update. Oh, and that reminded me, thank you um Miss Sullivan because she also gave us a really good um really good bar chart that we were able to show to lawmakers to project the reduction in our fund balance. Um and we always have our great big chart that shows the fund balance in very tiny font, but this was one that was a much was very visually impactful to show the decrease in our in our fund balance. So, >> and she's really good at answering text messages that come in the middle of the day with questions of that something came up during conversation. And I would echo what Jen said with um I don't know that I've ever been down there that they've given that we've had that much time and managed to meet. >>

126I mean, we missed one because we went over on three of them. Mhm. Yeah. >> But I the I believe the only one we missed was was in a committee meeting >> even when we got ready to leave because >> um >> that's just the way it went and >> we were there early enough. The only thing I would say is I would like MSBA to kind of consider a little tweaking of the schedule. Maybe I can help with that. >> That's right. >> Well, speaking of that, yes. Yeah. Is it official now? >> It is not. It will not be official until after summer summit. >> Does it all go to summer summit? >> Where is it at? >> Uh it is at the lake. >> Lake of the >> It is actually at

127the lake this year again. >> That's where they will do that. >> But that was the wrong place. >> The other place. Yeah. >> Well, so that's a big >> It's It's the only place that can hold it cuz I asked I was like, "Why are we going back to the lake? I don't like it." But >> it is a matter of money and space. So, >> I think the the general >> I think that's Father's Day weekend, though. >> Consensus when I went home and was thinking about it is that the state is just broke. I mean, they're trying to fix things and their answer is pulling from a whole bunch of different places to try to >> broke or broke in. >> Both. Good, good answer. >> So, >> although I I would

128the little caveat I learned this last week while I was at a national conference was sadly we are not the only ones in this position. Sadly, we are not the only states where they're going after income tax and property tax. And the question was asked um one participant said maybe what the question should become is what are you afraid of and why are you going after education? >> What the question to >> the question from from us should be what to the legislators should be what are you afraid of and why are you going after education? >> I think they're going after a lot of things but >> well that's true but right now we can only deal with one thing. >> Yeah, that's our question. It it was I wouldn't say nice, but it

129was it was to hear that other states are going through the same thing as Missouri means that unfortunately there's a bigger educational a bigger national trend >> happening with that. I think I think it just re-emphasizes the point that that you know I think probably 30 years ago it was you nearly universally accepted that public education in public schools was a important value and I don't know that that I I still think that is true for the vast majority of people but I do think there needs to be more intentionality in communicating that and to telling our story because I think you know one of the things we talked about when we were there was that a lot of people generally if you poll people they think oh well public schools are in terrible shape

130but if you ask them how they feel about their individual school they love their school and they want to tell you all about the things the good things that are happening in their school and so the thing that Jen would say let's let's extrapolate that let's think outside of our own school that is it reasonable to expect that whenever you hear about things in schools that maybe we're not hearing the whole story and so think about how how are we capturing the story of what happens in public schools and I think that's why the work we're doing in this district is so important with Carnegie and how do we reflect what these high school students are learning and gathering and so making that making sure that's relevant so >> windows into our classrooms Dr. Tucker,

131right? >> Yeah. >> Provide windows to our classrooms. >> That's right. >> Well, thank you for the three of you for going representing us. So, >> it was certainly enlightening. >> Okay. I was ahead for that and then let's see what else do you upcoming dates. We have our um said the I'm going to NSBA. So, we'll compare notes and then um summer summit will will be in June. And we've got our remainder of our um >> fiscal year. >> Yeah. >> The list was the countdown list. >> The countdown list. >> I didn't make that list in case you wonder. >> I think it says like five, four, three, two. >> Am I going to be emojis on it? >> There you go. >> Okay. Any other remarks? >> Congratulations, Angie. Well, thank you.

132I mean, I know it's not official official, but >> No, but I did manage to make it through a 15 question interview that makes any other superintendent search look fail in comparison. And if >> which any other one >> any other one because we're not doing that again. Um, and then you can watch me on video when they send out the stuff on the um the officers because there are there is a race for the president-elect that our delegates are going to have to decide on who to vote for. >> I'm not sure if anyone is watching that they have any idea what we're talking about. >> That's okay. >> Okay. Yes, >> it's in regards to being a an officer at the Missouri School Boards Association, which is a state organization. >> So, it'

133be great that comes up. >> President, >> vice president. >> Okay. Okay. >> And how long is that term? >> It's a year and then there's a president elect and then there's a president, then there's a past president. >> Okay. >> Very good. Minute. >> You want to move us to adjourn? >> I move the board adjourn. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you.