001[Music] Yeah, I know. Good morning. How are you? [Music] Hello. [Music] Okay. [Music] Ready? Please have Nehemiah, Judge, and Chloe please come and lead us in the pledge of allegiance. from Warren Hills Elementary. And if you want to just stand right here and obviously see our flag and you can lead us. You just start whenever you're ready. >> Aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank God you guys. And they're from Warren Hills Elementary. Welcome to get started. Thank you all and good evening everybody and good evening to the parents and families who are here tonight to welcome Warren Hill. So we're here to start our regular board meeting and we usually start
002that by a move to approve the agenda. >> I move Oh, I'm on the wrong thing. I move the board um approve the agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, I don't know if he's Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right, great. And then we also have honoring excellence up next. Dallas Acurman who will fill us in more on our >> Yes, we'll be having those students come forward again here momentarily. U we do though want to lead off uh by introducing you to um Troy Fiser. Troy, would you like to come up? Did you get that little uh how I worked that in? He's a baseball guy. Leading off. >> I've done
003some PA announcing leading. What's your number? >> Uh 10. >> Leading off. Number 10, Troy Fisher. All right, here we go. Uh Troy made some big news uh just a few weeks ago and we'll introduce a couple of of his guest with us tonight, but I thought I'd read a little bit of of his recognition. Um, it was an exciting afternoon at Liberty North High School on Wednesday, October 1st, as members of both the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy and the Kansas City Royals visited to make a special announcement that Eagle Senior Troy Fischer had been selected as the 2025 Kansas City Urban Youth Academy Youth of the Year. recipients are selected for their achievements on and off the field, their resilience in overcoming personal challenges, and their positive impact on their communities. This award
004is in partnership with the Kansas City Royals. And for being selected, Troy will be one of only 10 youth in the country that will have the opportunity to be introduced and recognized prior to game two of the World Series coming up Saturday night in Toronto. Um, we would also like to share that Troy is a standout for the Eagle baseball team and has already committed to play baseball at the University of Arkansas next year. All of us would like to congratulate Troy on this amazing achievement. I tried to twist his arm to see if I could be his selected guest to go, but Troy's dad is going to make the He said he said he was just going to have to take one for the team and go with Troy to meet Otani and the
005rest of the crew in uh in Canada Saturday night. I also wanted to introduce Miss Donnisee Smith. She's the executive director of administration with the Kansas City Youth Academy and the Kansas City Royals. Donnise, thanks for being here tonight. Um, so Troy, here is your official certificate. Safe travels, my friend. Congratulations, Troy. [Applause] If anyone cares, the Dodgers in five games. We kicked things off last month with our LPS award, uh, which was was amazing to recognize students. um for for being flat amazing. And you see the LPS award, uh LPS, we changed it a bit instead of Liberty Public Schools for love, posit positivity, and strength. And uh this month we're so fortunate to be joined by three students from Warren Hills Elementary representing the Wildcats. And we receive continue to receive some amazing
006uh nominations and stories, and we'll continue to recognize these students. Um, I hope I shared with the the families uh a little background around this this award and and how special it is. And I had a chance to connect with them before uh they were seated tonight and and I'm going to introduce each of them as they come up. I'll read a little bit about them and what makes them special. So, let's lead off with lead off with third grader Nehemiah Fowler Madlock. Nehemiah, would you come and join me right here at the podium? Uh Nehemiah is in Miss Owen's class. Correct. And uh this is what they said about Nehemiah. Nehemiah is a gentle giant with tender with a tender and sensitive heart, though quiet and shy. I don't think you're shy. Look at
007that grin. He shows deep empathy for others and has a way of noticing when someone needs encouragement of a kind word. He's incredibly thoughtful, always putting others before himself, and his kindness shines through in the smallest gestures. He loves to share a hug, offering comfort and connection to those around him. His sweet nature and genuine care for others makes him a truly special presence in the classroom and a friend everyone can count on. Congratulations, Nehemiah. [Applause] Judge Hull, your real name is Owens, right? They call you Judge. All right. You are a fourth grader at Warren Hills in Miss Garop's class. >> Awesome. I'm gonna read a little bit about you. Okay. Judge is incredibly caring and friendly to everyone he meets. He works hard in all that he does and is always willing to
008go out of his way to help any of his classmates. With a big heart and a supportive nature, he makes those around him feel valued and included. His kindness and and helpfulness shine every day and he is truly a friend to all. On top of that, his sense of humor and great personality bring joy to the classroom, making him a wonderful classmate and a positive influ influence on our school community. Way to go, judge. [Applause] Make sure there you are, judge. Good job. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Yeah, >> got the skills already. >> And finally, a fifth grader at Warren Hills, Chloe Huscamp. >> Chloe, welcome. >> You are a fifth grader. So, we have three grades covered for the Wildcats. Chloe, I'm going to read a little bit about you. Okay. Chloe has
009a truly remarkable heart. She's always looking out for her classmates, showing kindness and compassion in every interaction. She stands up for others when they need support, and is quick to offer a helping hand or a comforting word. Her friendships extend to everyone as she makes sure no one feels left out and accepts others exactly who they are. She has a gift for making people uh valued and included. Even when someone makes a mistake, she shows grace and forgiveness, modeling what it means to move forward with understanding. Her caring nature makes her a trusted friend, a loyal classmate, and a wonderful example of kindness for others to follow. Congratulations, Chloe. Oh, Chloe. Before I wrap up, I just want to thank again all the family members and friends that have come out tonight to support these
010amazing students. And uh again, congratulations to Troy as well. And I want to thank Dr. Camp for being here as well to represent Liberty North. So, hope everyone has a great evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dallas. As we typically do, we'd love to have the opportunity to take a brief recess in our meeting before we get to our business meeting to take a break and just say hello to all of you. So, if we can take maybe about me back around 7:20ish here, that'd be great. Just love to visit with you. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Toronto >> to Toronto. >> Get your passport ready. >> Say what? >> Get your passport ready. Such a
011brilliant smile. >> Oh yeah. >> I can see it from here. >> Oh yes. >> Okay. Well, after that wonderful recess, um, we're back in for our meeting. And this would be the time when we would typically have public comment. So, that would be a time where we would have anybody available if we had people here to speak that this would be their chance to comment. I don't believe we have anybody in the that has decided to submit a comment card. So, we can move on to um move on our consent agenda. We have a motion on approval of our 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
012all 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 board member. If we have a motion, then we can >> I move the board approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.6. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. All right. And then item four on the agendas are administration reports. >> Yeah. Good evening, everyone. Uh first off, item 4.1 is innovation and learning report with Dr. Julie Moore. >> Good evening. >> Hello. >> I wanted to share a few highlights from um the board report. Um college visits are um getting ready actually
013started this week with our eighth graders at all four middle schools. Um so we're excited to continue that program. Um we also um were able to host an amazing women in STEM visit um at Liberty High School just a few weeks ago and that had over 200 um middle school and high school um students there. It was so popular they ran out of breakfast. Um but they the students planned the whole thing and it was amazing. So thank you to those who were able to come. Um we also hosted a cyber summit on the hill um with 50 students who are interested in cyber security. So, we appreciate um trying to grow that program as well. And then wanted to highlight on November 6th um the Greater Ozark Cooperating School District will be bringing um
014about 60 educators to Liberty just to see all the amazing things that we do. They were able to choose um from some different things and um we had 60 people who want to come here. So, we're working on a schedule right now. That's big. But >> what district? >> Um we're thrilled to showcase. >> What district? >> It's the Greater Ozark. Greater Ozark Cooperating School District. Do you want to >> It's It's similar to Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City. It covers the southwest corner of Missouri. So, >> okay. >> Uh Dr. Hedgepath is the director there. She's one of the success ready student facilitators. And so, she's kind of cast it and invited folks to come and see. Uh I think they're hitting a couple districts. >> Um but they'll spend time with
015us as well. And I believe a couple state board members might accompany them as well. So, >> that's great. We're going to convene on that day building 53 and then um break up elementary and secondary and take them around and then come back and have a panel um for them to ask uh principles um coaches, teachers about some of the work we do. Um annual reports uh or annual reviews. This month we have the assessment and evaluation um and um quite a bit of information in that one but how uh Mr. Hans and his department are working to support our buildings. in addition the fine arts review um highlighting some of our arts integration and um so many different um opportunities for our students to be exposed to um the arts with the field trips
016and um and guest speakers also instructional design um and highlighting the curriculum cycle and the work of our curriculum councils. So those um that's by Dr. Schmidz. And then finally, library media services. Um, and just being able to, I think, highlight for me, I love that highlighting the different things that library media specialists do now instead of just maybe 30 years ago, 20 years ago, checking out books and some of that type. They're doing quite a bit with AI and technology um, and support just to supporting a culture of reading. So, um, appreciate those directors um, taking time to do that. And then finally, um, I had the opportunity to be involved in a, um, I am involved in a fellowship with Getting Smart in Kaufman and I had the opportunity to go with some
017area assistant superintendent to five different school districts in um, Denver, Boulder area. And it was it was a great trip, but I just wanted to say it was also very reaffirming of all the great things that we do here. Um, and I heard Tom Banderarch say many times like you should go to Liberty. You should go and see what they're doing at Edge. You should go and do this. And so that just I'm proud of um everything that we're doing here. And some of you were able to go to the LMS walkthrough yesterday and to be able to see the walking and rolling um the work they do for kids who um maybe can't speak um or can't walk and to make them Halloween costumes um pretty was pretty powerful. So just wanted to say
018thank you for supporting us in all of that work. >> That's all I have. Thank you Dr. >> Any questions of Dr. Moore? I was reading about the reduction in long-term exp uh suspensions over the last two school years. I think there's been four at this time of the year and in the past it was seven. Anything that you're that we're doing that uh staff is doing is making a difference. What do you think? >> Long-term suspension. I think part of it is um trying to be proactive upfront. um identifying students who might need needs, who might have needs, getting them support early on um and trying to find things that work for those students. And I think through us having educators handbook and having panorama data on some of our students and knowing that
019maybe there have been some concerns in the past, we're able to um see that quicker. And then also one of the things that we've been trying to do is work with administrators to make sure that we're all on the same page that when something happens obviously that the the discipline would be the same across. So I think that those conversations continue to happen. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions >> Dr. Moore? I had a question about in the advanced studies section of your I think it was your report that there was a talk about a graduate progress report and when I go in as a parent and look at a graduate progress report that's for my kid but it sounds like that Dr. Suri is coming up with something that our counselors can use
020to help them keep kids on track. >> Yes. So it is really for counselors, administrators or registars. And so what the parent see power school is definitely the exact same thing. Um but we were trying to make it easier for our team to um not have to click through every student one by one and check several in school. If you know as a parent you go through there's it's on several different pages um and so you kind of have to click to find things and we were trying to put it all into one spot. So um the powers school team, Dr. Solori, Dr. Van Betavia, several people got together and they were able to um work their magic. I don't know how it's done, but so that all of those things go to one database.
021And so a counselor can see what um what credits maybe a student is lacking. Um if they don't have their MBA and we need to focus on that. So really looking at seniors if they haven't taken you know a test um if they haven't done their EOCC's it comes through and then there's a column that says not met. So then we can know for grouping like who do we need to focus on? So, we still obviously want counselors to sit down with students, especially again at the senior level when they're getting ready to make sure they can graduate. Um, and have those conversations, but it kind of lets them be a little bit more proactive on an easier level to say, I have 12 reds here that have not met, so I need to work
022with those students. It also helps um for the tiered diploma. instead of having to go through each student one by one, it will show you how many students met for each of the levels so that they can organize that much faster. >> So nothing will change for the student and the parent, but it is much more efficient for our team. >> Thank you. I'm just going to call out within the fine arts. I think it's great uh that we're making the note of the amount of community members who attend our events through the fine arts. The fact that it's full integration throughout uh classwork, the over 12,000, you know, students or student roles that have participated in the arts. I think a lot of times we sometimes forget about how far reaching that is and
023think of it as only theater or choir or something along those lines at the high school level, but uh pretty impactful overall on what we're doing. >> There's just about any night of the week that you can have a cheap date night if you're interested. >> That's right. >> So, yeah, thanks for that call out, Nick. >> Yeah, thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Moore. >> Uh, next is 4.2 and that is our student equity and access report. We will welcome Dr. Andrea Dixon Seahor. >> Mr. Burr, thank you for asking that question about the long-term suspension hearings. It actually is in my report. >> Okay. >> And um I asked Rebecca to include that because that's the not so glamorous part of what student services does. Um but that does show us
024that uh we are as Dr. Moore alluded to being more proactive in uh our strategies with students. So thanks for asking that question. I wanted to open up this evening with um the family engagement piece and particularly particularly around the um family focus groups that we have just recently held. Uh we had three uh sessions if you will one last Thursday uh this past Monday and then just this morning and we received 47 RSVPs but in terms of how many showed up we had about 28. So, we still considered that to be a success because that's about 58% of uh respondents that showed up for those focus groups. What we were excited about is we had a number of people representing families that are new to LPS um families that are also employees and then
025also families with multiple children within the home spanning across the various grade levels. So there are some great perspectives shared and uh our team is in the process of compiling all that data now. Uh that'll take us a little while and just making sense of what the data is telling us and of course we'll circle back um once we've wrapped all that up and share. I also wanted to highlight that within student services um LPS has been able to identify and to support 123 students that are experiencing homelessness or housing instability so far this year. And although this number is higher, a little bit higher than last year, we still consider that to be a success because that means that again we're being more proactive, more strategic with making sure we're properly identifying students to
026get them the necessary support. So kudos and a shout out to our social workers as well as our student services uh team members. wanted to also highlight on behalf of special programs since the counseling department uh falls under their purview that the professional recognition committee of the Missouri school counselor association has selected Dr. Rob Fiser as MSCA's director of the year for 2526. That is very very exciting news and Dr. Fischer will be formally recognized at the MSCA fall conference professional recognition event on November the 1st. So, congratulations to Dr. Fischer for that accomplishment. On behalf of special services, I wanted to highlight that on November the 5th, the next parent information night will be held and Miss Jennifer Henderson, who is our assistant director, special services for secondary, and Dr. Sarah Wickham, our director
027of remote learning. They will be co-leading a session on real world learning and postsecary transition plans. So we know that our families will show up for that because that's very important information that will be um presented. Also wanted to highlight that the annual report for special services is included in this month's report as well as you'll see uh an attachment for the funding application for the LEA parent and family engagement. That's something we do submit on an annual basis to DESIE and that's really about basically outreach and engagement with families of participating children including parents of migrant and ill children in a meaningful consultation to plan and implement parent involvement programs, activities and procedures. So that's what I wanted to highlight. Oh, and there is one thing I needed to just make a correction on.
028under engagement opportunities, you'll see um a webinar that I participated in ADA title 2 compliance webinar and it is misprinted here. It reads MSBA. It was not hosted by MSBA. It was hosted by NASA MSA. So I was just typing too fast and I apologize for that error there. So that's all I have. >> Thank you. >> Questions of Dr. Dixon Seaborn, >> remind me on when we are um helping and supporting those with homelessness or housing instability. What are some of those supports that we put in place? >> Well, sometimes there may need to be uh care packages provided for the learners. There's a transportation pieces. Um there's the just the social service part of that because when you think about being homeless, that's a trauma piece. And so those would be some of
029the the the ways that we support our learners and just making sure that they're at school, they're present, cared for, counseling, support, social worker services, all of that. It's all encompassing. >> Great. Thank you. >> Anybody else? I'm just thank you for organizing the focus groups and and I'm glad you got turnout for that. So I was curious about about how many people would be interested. So I'm glad you provided those numbers. >> I will say I said a lofty go. We were aiming for 60. >> Wow. >> That's all right. But the feedback that was shared was amazing. Very insightful. So we we look forward to coming back to you to share quality. >> Those sessions continue, right? Aren't there several of them? >> There were. Okay. So for each one of those nights
030that we held them or days, we had two sessions going simultaneously. >> Okay. >> Yes. So, we just scheduled them for three touch points and we did decide as a team that if we felt that we needed some additional feedback, if maybe you needed to do it again either later in the fall or maybe in the spring semester, perhaps we would explore that as a possibility. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Dr. Dixon. Thank you. >> Uh 4.3 then, uh second night out on the town. Last night, Miss Sullivan had her audit and finance committee and we're going to hear a little bit later on about the audit and so we'll turn over to her for our finance. >> Thank you, Dr. Tucker. And good evening. I have two donations to present to you tonight. A
031donation of books and bags to kindergarten through 2 grade students at Rich View Elementary, valued at approximately $4,000 from Amazon and Reading is Fundamental. And then a donation of football uniform sets to Liberty North High School valued at approximately $30,000 from Adidas football in conjunction with the Patrick Mahomes Gladiator football program. So we appreciate both of those donations to the students of LPS. Very very generous on both parts. Um, tonight I also wanted to point out that we received a state payment today and the foundation formula today was paid out at $6,89 per weighted average daily attendance and average membership combined. This is actually less than last month. So, we've continued to talk about the fact that we are not receiving the full funding in the foundation formula yet. Um, we're hopeful, but I wanted
032to remind you that if it continues at this level, that's about a $3.1 million shortfall in expected state revenue based on what the appropriation was allocated to districts this year. So, I just want to keep you apprised of that um because that that's a good um amount of money that we hope to get by the end of the year that we're still not um convinced that we're going to get. >> So, that's 3.1 million total. If this continues at just the current rate, but if it falls, >> it will be more than that. >> Great. I like the other part better. >> I know. And I think it fell this month just because of the denominator going up which causes the distribution to go down because the um reports people are starting to estimate their
033membership and membership counts for September are coming in and being compiled by Desi. So the denominator changed on the way the payment was distributed >> which causes it to go down. So I think that's why that happened but state revenue does continue to lag over prior years. So it is slow for sure but um >> and that will time will tell >> they will continue to monitor that over the course of the year. So it can it can go in a couple of different directions as Cindy is sharing. It can be that shortfall that was mentioned. And it could be worse or it could be where they projected it and then they make that correction at the conclusion of the year, >> right? >> Um for those months in which it was shorted if that
034makes sense. So we've got a little bit of a prior precedent in how Desi manages that >> which is a little bit of a conservative approach. >> U but at the same time we know that the projections aren't great. No >> um as far as the state revenue piece. So certainly something to watch as we go monthtomonth. And would you mind reminding about reminding us about the reason why we run a fund balance and how this time of year typically we would always we plan for to some degree this time of year being a waiting game for state revenue to kick in. So the fund balance actually is comparable to your savings account because we know that the majority of our revenue 65% of it comes from local taxes. We don't receive that revenue until
035January, February, March predominantly. So during the months of July through December, we are living off of our savings account basically. So it takes a certain percentage of savings account to pay to keep the lights on and keep staff paid. So, we haven't refigured it for a while, but I would imagine it's between 20 and 22% of a fund balance to prohibit uh prevent us from having to borrow money in the form of a tax anticipation note to make payroll in November and December. So, that's why we keep a fund balance on hand. >> Thank you. Make sense? >> Yep. Good. So, yes. So, that's all important information when we're looking at shortfalls in state revenue, why we need to keep a healthy balance in our books. >> And once we reach December 31st, the books
036are closed. >> No, we're a fiscal year. So, our books don't actually close until June 30. >> Okay. >> But we just don't get the majority of our revenue until the second half of the year. >> Okay. So yeah, >> be sure and pay your property taxes on that. >> Exactly. >> So um then the other thing I wanted to talk to you tonight about was a little later on you're going to be hearing from the district auditor and he's going to be presenting our audit report to you. Um before that I always want to thank the people that have participated and made that such a successful endeavor. Denise was great at getting us prepared. And then Joe Maloney ran point while the auditors were here and doing the work. And then thank a big
037thank you to everybody that got their stuff in on time and provided good good data and good information so we didn't have to keep going back to them. It takes again just like the budget there are so many people involved in that work and I am forever grateful that we have such a good team that continues to do good work and get us the things we need to have a successful audit. So I would be very remiss if I didn't do those thank yous to the people that made that such a successful endeavor. Last night the audit and finance committee did meet and they heard from the auditor as well. He did present to them the same audit report that you're going to be hearing tonight. They had some good conversation. Um and then that
038followed up with some conversation um after he left about the very things you were asking about fund balance, deficit spending, what that means, um how are we, what's our outlook in the revenue picture. So we did have a real good um discussion about that and they had some good questions of the auditor and then on the followup. So, I think um they gained some understanding about where we're at right now and and what we're thinking as we move forward with that. They did not have anything to share with you and I don't have anything else for you tonight either. >> Other questions clarification for Miss Sullivan. >> Thank you. >> Uh next then is 4.4 and that is our operations report. Mr. Anderson, >> good evening. Um I thought I'd just take a quick minute
039on the three reports that are uploaded uh for you tonight. Uh just to acknowledge I think I've done this typically do this maybe once a year but the involvement kind of pulling those together. So first of all the department report the eight chapters are all obviously compiled by each of the eight directors and appreciate their kind of p you know staying with it and putting the information together on a monthly basis. Um, also the uh the capital projects uh report that Justin Preston, our projects manager, he assembles that every month, make sure all that information is up to date. And then of course the monthly report on all the bond activity and that's a a broader team with newer Novak Hollison Miller and some of our folks to just make sure that information is always
040up to date. We also like to keep that uploaded up on the website to keep that current as well. Uh a couple things to just draw the report. Um uh first of all with respect to kids zone school age care um it's this Thursday is the lights on >> after school program um and um it's just their their annual celebration. They have some special programming that they do kind of alignment with all the other programs across the country and it's kind of a neat time of year for them and their team and appreciate all the work that they do each year and throughout the year. Uh it's also school bus safety week that's noted as well. Uh that's all of this week. I did want to make note, it's in the report, uh we've collaborated
041more this year, I think years past with Liberty Police Department and helping us kind of getting some additional signage and patrols out for the to watch for stop arm violations and and we've got a decent record of where those happen, where they're most maybe those most susceptible areas. And so appreciate their partnership to maybe flag and warn some folks that are not uh honoring the stop arm. So I did want to bring that up as well. Um last just a couple uh highlights or updates on the bond activity and construction work. Um everything again is as I've repeatedly shared is going pretty much on schedule. We're pretty hopeful that the heritage project which is the most involved which is on schedule to wrap up this calendar year that by the time students roll back in
042January that that space will be ready for them. Um it'll be a close call but everybody's doing pretty uh good that we'll get that done. Um the other is the Liberty Middle School track. that work has gone quite well. We've had a couple minor hiccups along the way with the conditions of the soil so before they lay sod and kind of finish the work up there. But again, that's on schedule to be finished and ready for play in February. So, we're excited for that. South Valley Discovery, I don't know if anybody here had a chance to get to both of those sites there. The uh ina is that right for the play. >> There you go. >> Yeah. So, they had they had both facilities were open for the first time for performances. I think
043we've heard all that went quite well. We appreciate the team and getting those spaces ready in time. Um, and then last thing I was going to point out, this is kind of transportation related. All the LED work that's occurring across the district continues to occur in all the buildings and we're kind of doing a lot of second shift work. We've pointed that out in the past to stay out of the way. Um, one of the things that we did and we talked about in the operations team meeting today, the uh the bus parking lot out back where the pumps are and and um everything we that has been a a problem area and a a very low light problem area for a long time. So, as part of all this work, we were able to
044get out there and and bring in LED and really fill in the gaps. And I was talking to Andrew Jones uh this morning and I said, "Just give me a sense like what was it on a A to F grade and what is it?" And he says it was a D, a low D and now it's an F. And just from a safety standpoint, you know, they're there a lot of times for the sun comes out, they're there before or after the sun comes down. And so just appreciate the investment into those spaces as well. Makes a big difference. So thank you for that. With that, if you have any questions, >> questions of Mr. Anderson. >> Okay. >> So, just for clarification, capital projects are from the capital projects budget, >> correct? >> They
045were not funded through >> That's correct. I >> Okay. Yeah. >> All right. Just double checking my thought processes. Thank you. >> There's a lot on there. I really appreciate how the pictures go with the info which goes it's very succinct. I can read it quickly. So, Jason did a nice job. >> Yeah. And I also want to shout out purchasing and distribution and then school age care. The manuals sound like a really boring thing, but putting together a procedural manual to capture institutional knowledge is one of those little things that is easy to set aside, but I think makes a huge difference. And so just seeing that across multiple areas of operations that leaders are trying to do that I think is really important and helpful. So thanks to them. Anything else for Mr.
046Anderson? >> Thank you. Uh, next is 4.5, our human resources report with Dr. Sarah Marriott. >> Good evening. I'm going to start this evening uh with a little bit of information about health insurance renewals. That's since that is on the agenda for this evening. So, our options for 2026 benefits were presented to the board at our last meeting for review and proposed changes include moving from Blue Cross Blue Cross Blue Shield to Sigma due to that cost analysis comparison. So, following board approval this evening, if that is how it it proceeds, um our HR team will provide 24 inperson and four virtual benefit information sessions to educate our staff um on LPS benefits and those changes for 2026. And employees will also have access to a selection tool to help them make the best choice
047for their health insurance needs for the upcoming year. Um, our annual benefits open enrollment will take place Monday, October 27th. That's the day it will open. And then it will close on Wednesday, November the 5th. And then benefits will go into effect on January 1st of 2026. And I do need to thank Christelle Morgan who's here this evening, um, as well as Kim Sarat and Rebecca Fischer. They are our benefits team. And we chatted today in our HR team meeting that um we recognize in HR the very significant lift that happens with these three team members um annually that because of their skill and expertise, it's seamless and no one else notices it. Um but there is a lot of very complicated processes um and information that has to be redone on an annual basis
048that they are truly experts in. So I I thank them tremendously for their work. It's it's it's excellent and would hire them anywhere. Um we have 15 LPS classified team members who are participating in our pathways to teaching cohort this year which is very exciting because this is our first year. That includes six in-person sessions and that includes professional development as well as partnering with universities on their teacher preparation programs. And so um on October the 28th is our second session and our special services team will be providing the professional development at this particular event and Grand Canyon University is going to be our teacher preparation program partner. So we're excited to continue to host those. And then the final item that I want to share is that our early notification incentive program um will
049open tomorrow and it will close January 13th and that is for full-time staff members who intend to retire at the conclusion of the 2526 school year that they are eligible for that financial incentive and last year we had 35 staff members who took advantage of that. Do you have any questions? questions of Dr. Marriott. That's >> great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh last item then under administration reports, just a couple of highlights uh from my report provided to you this month. Um noted the state board of education continues to work through the budgeting process um with a substantial uh ask for new funding to the tune of around $543 million. Um that's kind of working through their processes. There was a state board of education meeting today and so I spent part of
050the day down there presenting on behalf of the success ready students network. It was not an action item uh but instead was just anformational item to do really two things. Primarily to get state board members that are new to the state board up to speed on the work that we've been working on really since 2013. Um more recently from 2022 to present with the creation of the success ready students network. uh providing updates as it relates to professional learning for those districts that are participating along with assessment redesign but then also considerations for accountability and accreditation and then jumped in the car and headed back for this meeting. But appreciate the receptivity of the state board. Also appreciate the collaboration that we have on two fronts. The field as far as districts that are embarking
051on this work and have partnered together to create the network. Um but then also this could not happen without the collaboration uh that we've been able to see in partnership with the department. So appreciate uh the entire team at DESIE um for their support and moving us forward. Couple other things at the state level to make mention of. As you know, Governor Kho pulled together a couple of task forces um as he was installed in office. Uh two of them of which are really three of them are related to education. But the two I wanted to highlight this evening. Uh the first one is the workforce of the future and that they concluded their work. It culminated in a report that we'll certainly dive into and take a look at. It dovetales pretty nicely with
052the work that we do around real world learning and providing students those plus one experiences that they can obtain while in high school, but then equips them with those skills and dispositions to be successful beyond high school, whether they pursue college, go straight into the workforce, or even pursue military service. Um so we look forward to seeing how that can expand our work and how we can collaborate with more districts and business partners. The second uh task force then is our funding modernization task force of which there are four groups uh that are currently meeting work groups um between September and really the first part of December. Uh just as a reminder those work groups are related to the formula and its various components with one being funding targets. That's the one I get to
053serve on. Student counts is another category of workg groupoup performance incentives. And then lastly, local effort. We're about at the midway point of those meetings. Uh each of those work groups is scheduled for six sessions. And so I appreciate Miss Sullivan for jumping on most days and listening to that. Afterward, we kind of huddle up and, you know, ask each other what our takeaways were. Um but there's a lot of time and energy being spent into that right now. As a reminder, once those work groups conclude, the broader task force will be brought together to review the few recommendations that come out of each of those work groups. And then the work really begins as far as trying to put those puzzle pieces together because there's a tremendous amount of interplay in terms of a
054recommendation from work group that has implications on the others and vice versa. Uh so we'll continue to share that information with you as we move forward. also included uh an update on our strategic plan, which we'll have as an action item a little bit later on. Uh but I appreciate our strategic leadership team for the work that they do in doing a couple things, developing the plans, but then also monitoring progress over the course of each year. And so we look forward to sharing a little bit more information um on top of our study session that we had earlier this month as we bring that to you for consideration here this evening. Just to put this on your radar as well, even though we are part of the success ready students network innovation waiver in
055working to design an alternative APR, we still are beholdened to the current annual performance report. And so we we leverage both to move us forward in one regard, but then also kind of gauge how we're doing with the various indicators included in the APR. uh that release of information publicly is scheduled for November 6th in which the media will have access to that information. Uh we do have kind of an inside glimpse ahead of that later part of this month. Um but we'll look forward to sharing uh that information with you in its totality likely at an upcoming study session. So stay tuned for that. Last thing I want to do is thank everyone for a great start of the first quarter >> and reflected in the turnout that we had for our parent teacher
056conferences. whether it's face toface or virtual uh giving families choice but I know in having heard many of uh many of these conversations um from families and feedback from teachers um just appreciation on both ends for our families but then also for our staff that spend time uh giving families an update as it relates to how their children are doing both academically but then certainly as a mom and dad you're always interested in knowing how's my kid doing socially relationally right that is also top of line for many of us. So, I appreciate the time and energy put into our parent teacher conferences this fall. With that, we'll open it up for any questions you all have with me. >> Any questions? >> Just want to continue to thank you for the work you do
057outside of the district of an ambassador for public education in Missouri. >> Thank you. >> We move on to unfinished business then. So, right into that 5.1, as Dr. Marriott mentioned, is our insurance benefit utilization plan. Appreciate our partners from Holmes Murphy uh being here last uh month to really walk us through all of that and what it entails. As you can see, you have a plethora of documentation uploaded uh regarding the various coverages. And want to echo what Dr. Marriott shared um as far as giving credit to both team Liberty uh to Dr. Marriott, Dr. Sullivan and their leadership of that group um along with the HR team, Christelle and others um and really to all of our Team Liberty members for rolling up their sleeves as they bring those recommendations to me to
058digest and process through and then share those with you. Uh to go a little bit deeper into what Dr. Marriott shared earlier, um just as a reminder, the plan year coverage is January 1, uh 2026 through December 31st. Uh the estimated renewal um for the 2025 plan year was an estimated $865,000 additional expenditure uh from the prior year. That then gets us to the types of coverage be it health insurance. You'll recall early on the conversation was a renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City to the tune of about 21.52% u which we all recognize was pretty exorbitant. um them sharpening the pencil a little bit and coming back with a decline or a kind of a decreased renewal of 6.7% from Blue Cross Blue Shield. However, Sigma came in at a little
059bit lesser rate and that being 4.8%. So after those deliberations, uh, Team Liberty decided to recommend to move forward with Sigma and adding to that Sigma's cap for the second year, um, as far as a rate cap coming in at 10% for 2027 in that particular renewal, um, to not increase premiums over the course of that 10%. So the recommendation is certainly to to move forward with Sigma as it relates to dental insurance uh, remaining with Sunlife. So, no changes to carrier there. And you can see kind of the breakdown of cost per month and the district's contribution toward that as far as assisting employees. You look at vision insurance, the renewal there is to remain with VSSP, so no changes to the current provider. Uh life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, no changes there
060as well. Um, and then you have the voluntary or optional benefits of which some examples of that include accident insurance, critical illness, hospitality, indemnity, hospital indemnity. Sorry about that. Identity theft protection and even pet insurance. So, I'm not sure how long the conversation was around pet insurance, but we we do offer that as well. And those are optional benefits. and then the flexible spending accounts uh remaining with that provider, Tristar Systems, and the ensuing amount that the district contributes um as it relates to employees monthly fees. Uh the last piece that is certainly kind of a behindthe-scenes piece that is certainly always appreciated for those when they need it, that is our employee assistance program currently with Cure Link and that will not change as well um as we move forward with the coming year.
061So again, thank you to everyone that's involved as Dr. Marriott shared um the open enrollment window will commence and appreciate all the questions to be answered and answers to be provided. So what did I leave out Dr. Marriott? >> You did an excellent job. Um just share that again as Dr. Sucker um alluded to we can't thank team women enough. They engaged in some very heavy decision making um which they did not take lightly the move from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Sigma but I think they were very mindful in their decisions and because of that we they still are able to maintain their priorities of offering two fully paid discharge health insurance plans to staff members um and also maintaining the HSA contribution for our high deductible plan. So, um, again, those decisions are
062very difficult and those conversations are, uh, very deep and Team Liberty representatives just really engage in a in a great discussion, um, and think outside of themselves when they are making those decisions. >> Present that to you this evening for your consideration. Yeah, I don't think any of us take lightly the fact that there are some increases going across the board on deductibles as well as premiums, but know that um the team did put in all the effort to get it as minimal as possible. Um so, appreciate that work. >> Yeah, I was in the room for that one and it was it was very powerful to just see that how how seriously they take their responsibility not just to their own families but to other families in the district, families of employees. I move
063the board. >> Excuse me. >> Pardon me, Dan. How long have >> How long has Blue? >> A while. >> I think it's 14 years. >> Did you hear that, Dan? We believe it's 14 years. >> But we'll get an exact number back to Dan. >> Thank you. >> I think you're right, Dr. Marriott. It's been a while. It they've been the carrier for quite some time. We'll confirm that. >> All right. I move the board approve the 2026 employee insurance and benefits utilization plan as presented. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Right. 5.2 is our series 2025 general obligation refunding bonds. Are refunds? Yes. So, you
064have a a pretty lengthy description included in your agenda this evening um just for both public consumption but then just as a reminder uh for the board as it relates to um our prior meeting and that was our October study session in which we welcomed our friends from Piper Sandler uh Joe Kinder and Brady Hart uh to be able to come and provide kind of a timely item for us as we try to realize additional savings. when it comes to our debt service. And so really just to kind of hit on a couple of highlights from our study session together, as we think about refunding a portion of our debt, it's really attributed to the 2016 and 2018 general obligation bonds. Um, and looking at those two items together, it's roughly $77 million, $76.9 million.
065And what that entails is it gives us the ability to save uh funding money as it relates to lowering interest costs. That then in in as a result increases our cash flow and f flexibility for future bonds as we um free up uh bonding capacity u for future facility projects. So, some of the key items mentioned um at our study session that we're looking at refunding a refunding approximately $34.9 million attributed to the 2016 issue, $42 million to the 2018 issue. Um the current interest rates run right at about 3.9% in terms of the average. And as we go to market, we anticipate that being closer to 3.1%. So then as you estimate that savings, uh we're looking at roughly $11 million saved for taxpayers. Um it shortens the life of the bond issue by
066two years and taking that from 8.6 years to 6.6 years. Um and so that kind of hits the highlights from what we shared at our previous study session. Your consideration and action this evening sets us up to be able to go to market in an effort to try to get at it a little earlier than some of those other districts that might be looking at refunding a particular GEO series bond issues. Anything to add to that, Miss Sullivan, this evening? >> Thank you. >> Would share that with you this evening for your consideration? >> I appreciate that summary. That was great. >> Dan, anything? I I'm sorry. I haven't been calling on you to see if you needed anything. So, I apologize for that. >> No, I'm good. I'm good. Thank you. >> No problem.
067>> Anybody else? >> No, I just appreciate our partnership with Piper Sandler and Cindy and the team putting all this together. I mean, this is >> it seems rudimentary perhaps, but this is great stuff uh for us financially. I move the board approve the resolution of Liberty 53 School District authorizing series 2025 general obligation refunding bonds. >> Second >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Great. And then we get to move to 5.3, the LPS strategic plan. So for this particular year you have presented and uploaded uh kind of our public facing it's exceeds one page so it's not entirely a one-pager but it does reflect the various plans that
068we have in place for this um academic year. As you will recall our cadence has always been to conclude a year celebrate those things we've accomplished but then certainly go back to the drawing board to see what else we pick up out of our vivid vision. Keeping in mind that our vivid vision kind of casts that look as to what it would look like um if we accomplish kind of our future endeavors in the areas of teaching, learning, professional development um as well as community and leadership. And so from our vivid vision, we'll draw down what's next and then incorporate that into our work over the course of the summer and working closely with Scott Fuller and G&D Associates. So what you were shared with um at our study session earlier a couple weeks ago
069was kind of that culminating work from June to present. What's behind the scenes are the plans that each of our leaders have been working on. And so I appreciate our strategic leadership team for their due diligence, welcoming a few new leaders, getting them acclimated to this process. Um, another layer to this is kind of the ongoing monitoring that we have in place with our pulse check that we meet every other week to be able to share out progress being made or maybe items that aren't gaining as much traction as we have had hoped and on occasionally things that we decide we're going to pull the plug on >> um and go in a different direction which is the intent of having a living and breathing strategic plan. Um, so we've been working on this and
070getting better at it just about every year, but this is really, I believe, year seven, um, in two different iterations as it were as it relates to this approach to strategic planning. So, we present that to you this evening u for your consideration as well. >> I move the board Go ahead. I move the board approve the 2025 2026 LPS strategic plan. >> Second, >> Nick. Yes, >> Jen. >> Yes, >> AJ. >> Yes, >> Dan. >> Yes, >> Drew. >> Yes, >> Angie. >> Yes, >> Karen. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Great. Look forward to that. And 5.4 is legislative priorities. >> And we've had a couple of preliminary conversations at study sessions as well regarding legislative priorities. Appreciate the feedback that we've received already um as it relates to items that we
071have on our radar for next legislative session. Um, we've also had some different touch points with various legislators over the course of this fall. Uh, whether it's in a groundbreaking or a Rotary Club meeting or a community partners meeting and invited them to come and see the work that we're doing in our district. And so, we have a couple of meetings scheduled over the course of the next couple of weeks um to host and connect with some of our area legislators. We appreciate their service. As it relates to our priorities, we will come to you in November with those revisions that you have already um suggested we include um to be able to have a first look at that as far as a draft at our study session with the intent being to take the
072month of November and really December to chisel away at it um to finalize that document to be able to share with our legislators at the start of the legislative session or over winter break. In the meantime, keep in mind the date of December 1st, and that is in which we'll see a lot of pre-filing occur in both uh both chambers as far as what's going to come at us um through the legislative process to be ready for. Uh knowing full well that there will be a lot of discussion around property taxes. There'll certainly be a lot of discussion around the foundation formula and funding for public education. U but those those typically come at us each each year in each session. Uh but that's certainly something to to pay attention to this go around. So
073continue to be thinking about revisions, changes, updates to our legislative priorities and that you'll see this item again in the not too distant future. So that's it on that item. >> All right, great. Any other comments or can we move to new business? >> Under new business, the first item then is our course proposals and we'll turn it over to Dr. Moore to hit on those highlights. >> Thank you. um three course proposals. Actually, it's kind of unique this month. Um the first one is a removal of a course. Um and not sure if we needed to put that in, so we did. Um but the removal of um pre-calculus with trig and what we want to do is move um that class. We already have an AP pre-calc class um that students can take.
074So, we're wanting to remove the pre-calc and just have the AP pre-calc. Um we are in the middle of the uh 6 through 12 math adoption cycle which is why we're bringing this. The math teams have met and feel like this is a better move. Um we surveyed students as well um about taking this course. Um students who wouldn't take this course would could go on to either college algebra or the prof and stats. Um and again that is um the request of both high schools. Um and then the other two um would be in the fine arts department. So um the oral interpretation is actually um not a new class but it is the UCM course um that would kind of work with competitive theater. So, a student could take competitive theater um or
075they could take um the class called oral interpretation for dual credit regardless of the same class. Um students would be in the same um in that same class. So, that is again one that's unique that we weren't sure but we wanted to put on there to have transparency. And then the final one is public speaking. Um, and while it says it's a new course, we actually had that prior, but we took it out and we'd like to bring that back. When you look at our uh, graduate profile and it talks about, you know, the importance of being an effective communicator, we feel as though that um, public speaking would be a great course. We'd like to bring that back also as a dual um, credit offering. Um, and it would also be an elective. Um,
076and we're also looking to um is some of our programs which will bring um some more information next month about some fine arts opportunities. We're looking at how that could be embedded maybe as an ELA4 credit. So instead of an ELA4, students can take the public speaking. Um so those are the three um that are up for consideration. >> No action this evening. So that's just presented to you for first read. So, as you process through that, certainly entertain any questions this evening, but prior to the November board meeting, um if you have any clarification that's needed or additional questions, please uh reach out and let us know. So, okay, >> that was really helpful. Thank you. >> Uh so, under 6.2, it's that time of year um in which we want to take action
077as a board to appoint our TIFF commission representatives. And you can see with the motion language uh who those individuals are. >> Dan Dan Current >> Dan Current and Steve Anderson. And really keep in mind as we cover two municipalities, we're really talking about two separate TIFF commissions. So the motion this evening would be to appoint both Dan Curs and Steve Anderson uh to serve in this capacity with the tax and increment financing commission of Kansas City as well as Liberty. >> And I assume Dan just found it out tonight so we can Just mute them. >> It is with great joy. >> This is awesome. My move the Liberty School District Board of Education here and approve the appointments of Dan Currance and Steven Anderson to represent the district on the tax increment financing
078otherwise known as TIFF commissions of Kansas City, Missouri and Liberty, Missouri in all matters relating to TIFF plans, TIFF plan areas, TIFF projects and all amendments there too which affect in part or in whole areas within the boundaries of the district. Set appointments are for one year from date of appointment. Second >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> 6.3 is our um a forementioned early notification incentive program. >> Yeah. >> Do you need Oh, sorry. Nope. >> With the motion. >> You got it. >> I move the board approve the 2025 2026 early notification incentive program. >> Second, >> Nick. Keep it moving. >> How many Sorry. How many do
079we generally have? What did we have this past year? >> 35. Okay. Awesome. >> Um, yes. >> Jen, yes. >> Does it matter if it goes higher? >> Oh, she's reading the role. >> Dan, sorry. >> Yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. Motion carries. >> All right. The Now, here we are at 6.4 with our 2024 2025 audit report. >> We will re welcome our friends from Westbrook Westbrook and Company, uh, Brian Ekoff, to come and share um, similar to what he shared last night with our audit and finance committee. So, we'll turn it over to Brian. >> Hello. Hi. >> Hello. Good evening. I'm Brian Ekoff with Westwood Company. We're going to do a brief overview of the audited financial statements. Um, as you can see, um,
080it's a little different this year. Draft is stamped on it. Um, so the federal, um, OM data compliance supplement is our rule book, kind of our guidelines on how we do your federal program audit. Uh, it's usually issued in May every year. Um, it is not issued yet. Um, so we are not allowed to actually issue your audit until they release that. Um, I have a staff member checking every morning to find out if it's released. Um once it's released, hopefully we'll be able to remove draft and we'll get this issued. You guys can approve it at that that board meeting after that follows. Um we did the audit based upon last year's compliance supplement. Um assuming there's not going to be significant changes. If there are significant changes, we will come back in review
081that work and then I'll come back and present it again if need be. Hopefully we don't have to cross that barrier. So um so on the next slide you'll see the auditor's opinion and you can see in the red box it says it is presented fairly. So this is a clean audit opinion or a good audit report. Exactly what you want to see in your audited financial statements. This is the statement of activities. It's kind of a different financial statement and it has your expenditures down the lefth hand side offset by revenues through the middle of the page to show a net cost of doing business down the right hand side. Um usually we talk about food service during COVID. All districts were making money on food service. Now we're postcoid and you can see
082that food service actually cost the district about $2 million this year. So, we're back to the normal scenario of where food services is costing the district's money. So, the next slide is going to be the balance sheet. Um, you can see as of June 30th, we had about $123 million in assets between the four funds. Um, overall, general fund was sitting at 54, special revenue fund, it's always taken to a zero balance for school districts, debt service fund at 23, and then the capital projects fund at 45. And the next slide is going to give you the breakdown of those fund balances. Um, in your general fund, you have scholarships, um, non-spendable scholarships of $55,000 and then some earnings off those of $958. Your student activities balances of 1.3 million. That's your clubs and organizations.
083And then the 52.8 million is the unassigned balance in the general fund. That is for the day-to-day operations of the district. Uh, debt service fund is always shown as restricted because it can only be used on debt service. And then the capital projects fund, you had 38.8 million of unspent bond proceeds. And then the remaining balance of 6.6 million is always shown as a sign because that will be used on future capital projects of the district. Next slide should be the revenues and expenditures. And I'm not sure what happened why your revenues are blanked out. Um your total revenues this year were $232 million. And I'm not sure why there's something on the page there. So just know >> draft the final will be accurate. um 232 million of total revenues expenditures were 267 million.
084So if you look the district deficit spent this year 35 million however if you look you spent a little over 50 million on facility acquisition and construction. So the big deficit was in your capital projects fund which was planned. Um overall in the general fund we had a $2.2 million increase. So we consider that the operations of the district. So a good year financially um all while doing a $3 million transfer over the capital projects fund. So the next slide will give you a summary of the debt. Um started the year with about 200 203 million um paid down a significant portion there. I would consider a significant portion brought it down to 191 um with about 13.5 million due in the current fiscal year. Uh the next slide will actually show you all of
085the payments on those bonds prior to the bond refunding that you just approved. So >> draft. >> Yeah. Um, so those payments go through 2043. Uh, and then your next slide will be the three payments left on the lease participation certificates. >> So, all right. And then next slide is a 5-year comparison of revenues. Uh, thing to highlight here is if you look at the fourth chart over, that's your federal revenues. Um, you can see the CO dollars came in and went away and now we're back down to 3%. Um, you can also see in the local side, uh, districts are becoming more and more reliant on local dollars. Um, see, you can see you went from 56 up to 64 over the last 5 years. So, I'm seeing that across the board at all
086my districts. So, uh, next slide will be a 5-year comparison of expenditures. Um, overall, 79% of your expenditures are on salaries and benefits. Um, they did increase at a higher percentage or a higher rate this year compared to your purchase services and your supplies. And that's why it went from 77 to 79. Um, obviously your overall expenditures did increase. It's just salers and benefits increased at a faster rate. Next slide will be a 5-year comparison of reserve ratio and average daily attendance. Reserve ratio this year was 27.9. It has stayed basically flat for 5 years. We consider that a healthy, financially stable school district. Um, I have seen several districts actually bump up that reserve ratio because of the uncertainty, um, in your guys's world with funding. Um, Cindy talked about it earlier with the
087the cuts and personal property taxes and all the different things. So, um, I am seeing a lot of districts actually increase that rate if they can. Um, and then also on your guys' situation, the bottom chart is your average daily attendance, and you can see it had a decline again this year. We're down to 11,302. Um since average daily attendance drives all of your revenues almost um something to monitor and maintain going forward just so that you're on top of it from a financials perspective. Next slide will be the report on uh state laws and regulations. Um while we're here we'll look at budget attendance transportation compliance with bidding things like that. Um if we come across any violations we bring it to your attention in this report and you'll see that it says fairly
088stated. So somebody with a clean opinion. Uh the next report will be internal control. Um we don't give an opinion on internal control but we use it during a risk assessment. If we come across any violations or deficiencies we bring it to your attention. Um and you can see in the report it says we did not identify any deficiencies. So that's another good report exactly what you want to see. And then the last one is the report on federal programs. Um this is because you have more than $750,000 of federal expenditures. Um, so if we have any question, calls or anything like that, we bring it to your attention. Uh, the red box says that it's another cleaner report, exactly what you want to see. And then the next slide's going to say unmodified, which
089is clean report, good audit opinion, exactly what you want to see. Um, no, all the way down except for the bottom one is exactly what you want. Um, that the towards the bottom you can see that we tested the special education cluster. That's where my auditor spent the majority of her time pulling contracts and expenditures to make sure they were compliant. Um and then the bottom one, do you qualify as low risk of T? If you've sat through this presentation before, OMB was written for acrruel basis financial statements. 99% of school districts are cash basis. So you will never qualify as a lower SC. Uh just requires us to audit a higher percentage of your federal programs. So and then the next one should say none and none. And that is about as clean of
090an audit as you can get. >> Yay. >> Wow. Thank you. I know that was fast. >> Any questions, comments? >> So, to follow up on the federal level, we're amidst the shutdown. >> Yes. >> Um, which we're all aware, but I appreciate Brian's guidance and conversation with both Cindy and I in terms of the implication of what usually happens around May. Still waiting for that to happen um in terms of the the guidance. So then we reached out to the department of elementary and secondary education to put them on notice that this might be an issue to to keep in mind. Um the initial reaction was a little tippid. >> So then we took another run at it provided additional information and the reason I mentioned that is the submission is due to desi
091in December >> the first part or end of December. So you have until the end of December to submit your audit. Albeit, >> it's also due to federal government 30 days after the board approves it or 9 months after your fiscal year. So March. >> So that's what we're tracking. And so we have some time before that December close, but in the meantime, we're on a shutdown. So the intent would be typically to approve it this evening. We can't. We're going to continue to monitor that and bring it back to you at whatever point we're able to do that. November study session or board meeting. December study session or board meeting in the event that it gets us up against that December 30 wire. Um we'll see. We've yet to get guidance from Desi on
092this albeit we have pushed that their way u to make sure that they are aware. There is a bit of a prior precedent when we were experiencing COVID. Um there were some exe exceptions and flexibility that was offered during that period. Don't know if that might be a scenario. Uh but that's something that we'll continue to stay in touch with Brian about and then as well uh with Desi. I don't know if you want to add anything to that. >> The only thing I'd add right now is our recommendation if we get to that point is to approve the draft >> and send it into Desi and say here it is and then once we finalize it, reapprove the final copy and then send it in a second time. >> Okay. This also affects our
093continued disclosure requirements um that are due to the MSRB Emma portal on December 26th. So I did touch base with bond council on that as well. And so we if we are still in draft status at that point we will be uploading all of our continuing disclosure information to the Emma portal with a statement that this is the draft that has been presented and that as soon as it has been approved by the board we will update it with the approved um audit. So kind of the same way we probably would think. >> So we're not When you say that, are we talking the bonds that we're >> All bonds. >> So anytime we do a bond issue or a refunding or anything like that, there's a continuing disclosure document within everything that is approved.
094>> Yep. >> And that we're required to um submit a summary of the district for various things. um >> census enrollment financial pieces along with our ASBR and our group audit. >> Yep. Okay. >> So that's a requirement every year. >> So it's affected by this as well. >> So will this it's probably opinion more than anything but is this going to affect our refunding of the bond or No. Okay. >> Not at all. >> And again not unique to us. >> Sure. This is this is federal unique to any districts going through their annual audit. So, um we'll keep you informed along the way. >> Other questions of Brian while we have them this evening? >> No, Brian, you mentioned you you uh all the districts you work with um are they all Missouri?
095>> Yeah. >> Okay, got it. >> Yeah, we do around 40 give or take. >> Yep. Okay. >> Appreciate the guidance. >> No problem. Thank you. It's always a pleasure. >> Thanks. >> Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you. >> Our next item on the agenda 6.5 is our local compliance plan. Appreciate our special services team uh taking a look at that as we receive guidance from Desi um at the federal level. Um the last time we had a review and action by the board was back in 2023, but this is um an item you've seen uh from time to time. And so we'll share that to you this evening as it relates to our plan for 2025. I don't know Dr. Dixon Seahhorn if you have anything to add. >> No, other than just
096that the state has already prepared a plan to make it for LEA and uh we have the option to adopt that plan and in doing so here certified by this board. So that's our recommendation to adopt it the state has developed. >> Thank you. A motion from anybody. Move >> the board adopt the model compliance plan made available by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Board policy updates. >> You you have uh some items shared for you for first read that we'll then bring back to you in November. uh for consideration. In the meantime, our leadership team will take
097a look and see if there are specifics that need to be adjusted for uh what we do here in the district. So, let us know if you have any questions. Um so, there's the set of policies that you'll see again for action and then the ensuing administrative procedures which as we know are provided to us for awareness. Um so, put a placeholder on that. In the meantime, if you have questions between now and the November board meeting, please let us know. That's good. >> All right. 6.7 DAC second floor remodel bids. >> As many of you will recall, um the second floor is currently vacant in which we relocated our tech department along with a few other departments including fine arts and kids zone uh to the prior previous um mid-continent public library liberty branch.
098And so we procured that um through your approval a while back and then have taken the time to uh renovate and expand into that space. I think a few of you have had the opportunity to go there and check that out. If you've not um please be sure and do that. That gives us then the opportunity as we've shared in a couple conversations with the board uh to then consider what we do on our second floor. Uh which brings us to this evening's action item. And so we'll turn it over to Mr. Anderson to walk us through that. >> Yes. Um, first of all, I just for just a real little bit of history when the district admin center moved to this building back in 14, um, the financial situation was different and so it
099was a little bit of a scramble to kind of get into this space. Um, and we made some, um, accommodations to get in here and I think so just bear that in mind. This plan is really meant to kind of write the ship in a few different areas and I'll speak to that here in a minute. Um but again just the opportunity especially on the second floor with the relocation of technology and their the district server over to that new building really created the opportunity to kind of rethink the second floor. We've long thought that would be a good opportunity to do a a a floor that's main purpose and dedication is to a boardroom to hopefully kind of work around a little bit some of our columns and just to create the layout really
100intended to serve that purpose. Um, in addition to the boardroom, there's obviously going to be a a corresponding executive conference room. There'll also be a media/mpodcast room that will be set up for interviews, video, podcasts. Um, and that'll be kind of in that corner office. Um, um, where Trey previously sat. Um, and then we're bring up a small office suite as well. Um, we'll have the opportunity to host larger events there. Um, in addition, of course, to the board. um a couple of the alternates that we put into the bid package and ended up accepting several of the major alternates, but probably the biggest one is to get the HVAC system right in this building. This has been a long struggle of ours. Um so we are confident that this will kind of once and
101for all write the ship. We're also going to go ahead and finish off some of the restrooms that haven't had much attention these past 30, 40 years. Um and so we'll kind of update those as well. Um and then some of the other added costs that really um sneak up on or did sneak up on us on a little bit with the relocation of the server, but yet having to maintain the the server uh uh operation for this building required some relocation and electrical work and then movement of some cabling and all that. So that was another kind of added cost. So, it's a little bit larger project uh than we initially anticipated being funded out of present- year capital, next year capital primarily. Um, but all capital funds I think I just want to
102stress that this there's no bond dollars appropriated to this project. That was never intended. This was always envisioned as a capital project. Um, often these are within consent. This one being a little bit more significant. Having briefed you all on it repeatedly, we thought it'd be good to bring it out in front of you in open session. Uh, but would really appreciate consideration of this tonight. Since you brought up restrooms, the new Do we have new mother's room here? >> Uh, in this building somewhere. >> Yes. >> And did you cause the noisy air flow through the HB? >> What? >> It's all about timing. >> And is that going to fix all the HVAC in the entire building? >> Um, yes. >> Okay. that that is that is the full intent. We're spending the
103right money to get that done. Uh but we've cut this building up so many times over the years that's what really complicates it and the systems are very old. So I think this will be an opportunity to get that right. >> So if somebody has a heater or an AC unit in their office, they may not need it in the future. >> I would hope not. >> Okay. I think one of the things that is most important about this is having expanded opportunities for people to be in this space. It is we don't have a lot of visitors right now, but at the top of this meeting when we had a lot of people, it's not comfortable really for people to be in here. It's it's not a great setup. And so it will be
104really nice to have a space where people can come be more active and hopefully attend board meetings or or just be more part of of other just another space for community or professional development or other events as well. So but but I think that is one of the things I'm most looking forward to is having a space that's more accessible for people to visit. Steve, can you tell me which of the alternates are being accepted with this project right out of the gate or >> Yes, several. So, first would be the HVAC upgrades on floors 1, three, and four. Restroom upgrades on 1, three, and four. We're all We also included an alternate to finish off this space. We're going to bank off some offices and a meeting room and a secure storage room within
105the balance of this room. Um I think that was those are the those are the major ones. There might be one other minor one in there. >> fire alarm. Thank you. Yep. That was accepted as well uh for the entirety of the building. >> Good questions. Any other questions? I move the board approve the DAC second floor remodel bids. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. All of our DMS, SVMS, LHS, LNHS, turf, and track projects. >> So, you do have a couple items here as well, and we're going to let Mr. Anderson, continue to walk us through those. >> So, this was introduced a couple
106months ago. It because we had to really it was time to replace the turf at both of the athletic complexes at both high schools. Those turfs, uh, we test those annually. They they were into that not very safe zone. So, it was time to do that. Uh, which again, the use has been significant. They're constantly in use. So, we weren't terribly surprised by that. It just hit the uh 10-year mark. That's what this is planned to do because of the cost associated with replacing both of those plus redoing the track at Liberty High, resurfacing the track. We also thought it was an opportunity to resurface the track at South Valley Discovery, which was long needed. Plus, there were some pretty concerning drainage issues in and around the field that we thought if we could leverage
107all of that work, we could do this one lease purchase uh arrangement. Um, and so that is what is in front of you today. So, all the work and we're asking that you actually approve the purchase uh um with Mid America Sports and McConnell to allow us to move forward with the procurement of all the material. >> Um and then next month uh we will be uh I think it's an addendum to the lease purchase agreement that's currently in place and we'll just add to that and spread those costs over I think that's a fiveyear period, right? Five year period. Um so um that for tonight would we just ask for the your consideration of the the uh McConnell and um Mid America agreement >> that field turf was it should that last >> they're
108technically like about a 10 year I think that the uh um um warranty is like seven. >> Okay. Um but um I think I think the thing we didn't fully anticipate was I mean you go by the business there's used all the time but yeah we >> which is great. >> Yeah it's as we had thought. Yeah >> 10 years was a good run >> and there's probably nothing underneath it really needs to be addressed. It's just the carpet put it down. >> You know I think that's good to emphasize that when we did the original facilities we put so much attention in what was below the carpet. Yep. because we knew this would come and so really it's just to kind of roll it out. Roll it up and roll it out so it
109does keep the cost down um in that respect. >> Okay. >> Anything else? >> I move the board approve the turf and track purchases with Mid America Sports Construction and McConnell Associates. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Right. And you said there'll be more to come on that. >> Yes. With the lease purchase agreement. >> Okay. >> So then 6.9 >> going to jump to the rooftop. >> Yeah. >> Yes. So this is the phase two um really major work associated with the performance contract or the esco agreement uh with Schneider Electric. They're handling this work for us. Um so we did the LED uh work and approved
110that back um about six months ago or so. Um and that's when the lease purchase agreement was initially approved. So what this would allow for and this is on first read uh next month we'd come back in front of you would be to allow for the replacement of the roofs at both South Valley Discovery. Both long overdue. Um and this again takes a very expensive project. Um allows us to package it in here and spread those costs over time. this in this in this space it's 15 years. Um and then just as a reminder with our capital plan uh we have about $6 million that we spend annually in capital work and then there's another approximately 6 million that is used for leases and lease purchases and tech equipment and buses and these would just
111be absorbed into that into that lease section of the capital plan. So it's all within that overall 12 million. Uh but this really does allow us to tackle some of these very large necessary projects and spread the cost over time. So nothing for tonight. Uh but we'll be back in front of you next month with the amended agreement. >> How do we capture using the finances? Is this in debt service or >> No, these are paid out of fund. >> Okay. >> Capital. >> Okay. Okay. Got it. >> Okay. >> And see these weren't were not considered part of the the bond. No, they were not. But I think initially, Dan, they were identified as part of the facility review. Um, and at that time with as we were selecting projects and having to narrow
112down, uh, we started to discuss the possibility of doing this as part of an escro agreement. >> All right. Any other questions? >> All right. Contracts and purchases. We do have one item uh under contracts and purchases and we'll let Mr. Anderson cover that off as well. >> Yes, this was an emergency action uh required to meet the needs of uh students. Um and really it's a simple just we've had this agreement in the past with Imagine uh Learning and would ask for your endorsement of that tonight. >> Move the board approve the emergency contract with Imagine Learning. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right, we're up
113here to legislation and advocacy. Angie said there was the Is the book out? Hooks out. >> Mhm. Is that something you guys need a copy of? I have it. I just wasn't sure who all it went to. >> What book? >> The delegate assembly handbook. >> For sure. AJ and Drew. >> I I've got a copy of it. I think we all received an email. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I can resend it. I have it. >> And the delegate assembly is >> Friday 3:45 to 5:30. >> And you're going to be there. >> I'll be there. Yeah. Okay. >> And I'll be there. >> Okay. Great. >> Very good. >> There's seven. >> Anybody else who's coming? You're welcome to. I'll probably watch. Watching is all is always intriguing. So
114um but that'll be good. So it'll be good to have our we will be meeting our requirement for our governance award. We'll have our forum there. So the conference app is out. That's right. The conference app is out. So >> I haven't received an email about it yet. Has anyone received >> it? Maybe tucked into >> I emailed Denise. She said I was registered but I haven't seen anything at all. There there was an email that just came out I think the end of last week that said the app was live I think so but it it could go to spam because we get so much >> I'll just look them up. >> So yeah >> the app is updated. >> Okay. >> So there's conference full full schedule. >> It came but it came
115out with a weird heading. >> Yeah it didn't you may have just >> it wasn't specifically about the conference. I don't think >> you may look at October 16th. >> Okay. and that I think they sent out a a no before you go. >> Oh, okay. >> That email that's got a lot of information there. >> Well, the app is updated. That's fine. I'll just use that. >> Yeah, that'll be great. And then so we'll see everybody there. We've got some upcoming dates. Um, annual conference, board candidate filing, advocacy day for MSBA in March. So, and then some conferences you might think about for people that are interested. And then we've got our upcoming meetings. Um, any board remarks? I think you have something. >> Yes, I do. Um, Liberty Education Foundation's Community Impact Showcase
116is an an invitation for all of our stakeholders, taxpayers who want to come in and see what is happening in our district. Um, that is Thursday, October 30th, and it will be at the new South Valley Middle School. Uh what do they call the room performing multi-purpose or multi south >> all of the it's not the gym decafum anymore >> just just the gymnatorium okay so you can find out more about that um on the Liberty Education Foundation site or Facebook and I also wanted to do a shout out to our fresh club at Liberty High School they are implemented their buckle up phone down um program at Liberty High School as part of their fresh program for this year what they're working on with Missouri Department of Transportation. I think Steve Aldrich was helping
117them with that and um Laffy helped with some funding for that. And tomorrow they're going to roll that out at 7:30, 7:40 in the morning at Liberty High School. And they've got signage just as a reminder for the community and the students. One of those healthy things they can do. That's great. So Timmy Anderson is the fresh club sponsor at Liberty High School and he's doing a great job. >> That's great. >> I think that's all I have. Mark, >> I move the board adjourn. >> Second. >> Nick, >> yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> AJ, >> yes. >> Dan, >> Drew, >> yes. >> Angie, >> yes. Karen. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Do you know where that meeting will take place in the morning? >> Thank you everyone. >> In the morning
118Buffalo at the front of Liberty High School at 74. [Music]