001Good evening everyone. I would like to call our board meeting to order, please. Thank you all for being here tonight. Donna, would you do roll call, please? >> Ms. Chesney >> Here. >> Ms. Kearns >> Here. >> Mr. McMillan >> Here. >> Ms. Miller >> Here. >> Mr. Moore >> Here. >> Ms. Field >> Here. >> Ms. Williams >> Here. >> Everyone will please stand for the pledge. I pledge >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay, before we begin our meeting tonight, I would just like to um read the board norms that we have as board members so that um we're all on the same page. So, our first one
002says that our goal is to put the needs of students, teachers, and staff first, model the behaviors that the board expects of students, teachers, staff, and community members in all aspects, to ensure that we are fully prepared and on time and ready to participate in the meeting. We want to make decisions as a team based on facts, and we want to serve as an advocate for PK through 12 public schools. >> At this time, we are going to have a moment of silence. This moment of silence is to acknowledge and honor Christina Wilkinson who passed away last week. Christina was a fifth-grade teacher at Carden Park Elementary. She has been with our district since January of 2024 and she spoke at our convocation last year. She will be sincerely missed by all who had the
003privilege to know her. At this time, I will turn it over to Latonya Williams for comments before leading into the moment of silence. >> I appreciate the board of honoring Christina Wilkinson like this. On behalf of her family, I just want to give my gratitude that everyone is acknowledging her life and the impact that she made on her students, on the district, and on the community. And in honor of her life and employees like her, I would like [clears throat] to ask our board to ask Dr. McGinnis to do a review of the policies and procedures involving our employees who have end-of-life experiences. If you are at the end of of your life, it's no reason that you should have to work in order to continue your health insurance. We need to look at at
004the communication and the policies and the procedures in instances like those. I believe that if this is an important enough to honor with a moment of of silence, we should also look at the applications and pertaining to end-of-life experiences of our employees. And I would appreciate the board and the support in getting information like that going forward. And for a moment of silence, please. I appreciate it. Thank you. And I will give an email pertaining to this topic. >> And we are ready for for our recognitions tonight. So, if uh Miss Gaul could come to the front and the rest of the board members come to the front. >> Good evening. My name My name is Megan Gaul and I'm here on behalf of Spring Garden Middle School to recognize our Spring Garden Middle School
005Student Council. Um students, they had traveled to Branson in the spring and earned the distinction of the I'm going to read this because it's a lot of words. Spring Garden um Student Council Honor Council Gold Award. Uh in the state of Missouri, there were only 81 schools that received this recognition and only 11 of of were middle schools. And so, these kids went away for the weekend with their teachers and had a great time and also worked very hard to earn this award. So I just want to recognize them tonight and tell them great job and we appreciate them being leaders in our in our school as well as our teacher of the year, Dory Turner, for being their leader. So thank you, STUDENTS. >> [applause] [applause] >> MAKE SURE YOU CAN SEE ME. OKAY,
006HERE we go. >> Nice work, everybody. >> Good job, guys. >> Yeah, good job. >> [applause] >> And next, Dr. Davis, please. >> You just gave her a dance. >> It is an honor tonight to recognize Mr. Dave Wing as a Northwest Missouri School Counselor of the Year. Mr. Wing's dedication to his students is unmatched and as someone who has been able to call him a colleague for many years, um I know how privileged and honored we are to have him in our department and in St. Joseph School District. Mr. WING, EVERYBODY. >> [applause] [applause] >> GOOD EVENING. I HAVE THE extreme honor of working with Mark Anderson, which anyone that has worked with him um understands that he is very hard working and diligent and always puts students and staff before himself at all
007times. And he is here today because he is the middle school athletic director of the year in the Northwest District and will be recognized at the state Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association conference this year. CONGRATULATIONS. >> [applause] [applause] >> ALL RIGHT, GOOD EVENING. I AM HERE TO recognize Ms. Jamie Lawrence and the Hyde staff. Congratu- Congratulations to Hyde for being recognized in the 2026 Prime Center Statewide Growth Report. Hyde ranked in the top 20 for schoolwide growth in mathematics for the second consecutive year. They are one of only five schools in the state to repeat this achievement. This is fantastic news for our district and Northwest Missouri. This recognition also noted by DESE highlights the consistent hard work of the students and staff at Hyde Elementary. CONGRATULATIONS TO HYDE ELEMENTARY. >> [applause] [applause] [clears throat]
008[applause] >> GOOD EVENING. THE DISTRICT IS PLEASED TO recognize three exemplary student learning experiences that demonstrate authentic application of knowledge through real-world and career-connected learning across our schools. First, from Central, we have Mrs. Kelly Farrell with intro to sports officiating. Students enrolled in this new course are successfully completing certification assessments that qualify them to officiate athletic contests. This recognition highlights student achievement and leadership and the application of knowledge within the context of community athletics. COME ON. >> [applause] [applause] [clears throat] [applause] >> NEXT, FROM LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL, we have Mrs. Brooke Rich. Her students in the 2026 sociology course contributed to the development of the Saint Joseph Jewish history exhibition, now being installed at Saint Joseph Museums. This project represents a powerful partnership between education and community history preservation, allowing students to engage in research,
009storytelling, and civic learning that will be shared with the public through a permanent museum exhibit. Mrs. BROOKRICH. >> [applause] [applause] >> FINALLY, FROM BITTEN HIGH SCHOOL Physics with the Energy Reduction Project, we have Mrs. Jennelyn Paculan. >> [applause] >> UNDER HER DIRECTION, they designed and implemented a project focused on educating peers and developing strategies to reduce energy consumption within their school building. Their work demonstrates the application of scientific principles to real-world sustainability challenges and reflect student leadership in promoting environmental stewardship within their school community. >> [applause] >> Good evening, everybody. I am happy to introduce our winter sports. um First, I guess we're going to start with coach Jared Boone followed by Rebecca Bailey and then our wrestling program. Brad is at a golf match tonight, so we got James Taylor here today. So go
010ahead and come on UP AND NETWORK. >> [applause] >> I'D READ ALL THEIR NAMES, THE ONES THAT AREN'T HERE. I know we got a lot of kids >> All right. Thank you, guys. We had another great year. We went 30 and 2. Took third in state this year. Had a tough heartbreaking loss to Clayton in our first game, but this group is very proud of them. They've accomplished a lot the past 2 years lots of hard work. I only could muster up three of them to be here tonight due to prior obligations, but I'll just go ahead and read through the list of everybody on the team. We had Austin Grayson, Jamarion Warner, Derek Grayson, Jason Simmons is here, Xavier Warner, Cruz Bingham, Jontray Howard, Jose Carrasco is here, Lincoln Goodwin is here, Zaden Woodward,
011Austin Goodwin, Kobe Gross, Mach Ma'am, Carter Easley, assistant coach Spencer Downing, another assistant coach Bryce Markham, Carson Newland, Saxon Thuston, manager Carson Whitley, and water boy Clayton Boone. THANK YOU, GUYS. >> [applause] [applause] >> OH, JESUS. FILL THE WHOLE METAL BENCH. >> GOOD JOB, ASH. [applause] >> [applause] >> ALL RIGHT. HI GUYS, MY NAME IS REBECCA BAILEY. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING the head coach of these wonderful ladies this season and so just kind of a recap. This was a year where we all were finding ourselves in a few different roles, but we they embraced me fully and they are just a bunch of amazing wonderful not only basketball players, but they are amazing humans as well. So we have several kiddos that are involved in other activities in the spring. So like coach
012Boone, we don't have our whole team here, but I do want to make sure all of them are recognized because we wouldn't have got where we did this year without every single person contributing and so this group of girls has been around or several of them have been around for a while. So super excited for them. They were conference champs this year, district champs this year and were able to earn their way back to down to the state tournament where we were able to get a fourth place finish this year. So I want to read out all the names. I have Jersey Zolkosky, Miley Boydston, Jenna Cox, Eliana Arumbula, Jaylen Brown, Michaela Grayson, Maya Kimmel, Kylie Batchali, Kaya Cook, Emerson Lancaster, Clarabelle Turner. Our manager was Envy Ross. We had assistant coaches Joel Morlock, Julia
013Rice, and Matt Ziesel here and we had an amazing trainer Casey Ludwig who keeps us all healthy. SO GOOD JOB, GUYS. >> [applause] [applause] >> I'M COACH SMITH FOR THE BENTON WRESTLING PROGRAM. Like everybody else, we're missing a couple kids. Um I'll read off our placers. Girls class 1 100-lb fifth place finisher, Neely Zilkowski is here. Uh boys class 2 113-lb sixth place finisher, Christian Moore-Perez. This is the second year in a row placing. And boys class 2 132-lb third place finisher, Cole Hollandsworth is at a baseball game. We had A GOOD YEAR. >> [applause] [applause] >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS BRETT HANKINS. I'M THE ATHLETIC director at Lockport High School. I'm here to recognize uh Ian Chapin and coach Jay Grider. We uh coach Josh Walters, coach Tyler Minor, coach Patrick Nickerson, coach
014Jay Grider's here with us. Ian had a great year this year with wrestling and uh went down to state title and uh got fifth place down there. So, again, a great year and coach, thanks for all your hard work as well. So, THANK YOU GUYS. >> [applause] [applause] >> HERE WE GO. >> CAN I DO THIS FIRST, SORRY? >> YES. >> WHAT WAIT WHAT [applause] WAIT A SECOND. >> [applause] >> ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. >> YES. >> SPRING GARDEN STUDENTS CAME UP WITH the >> Recognizing the students is always our favorite part of the meeting. That was nice tonight that we got to have a lot of students to recognize. So now we're ready for public comment. Joe Pruitt? Good evening. Excuse me, I'll move this. >> Can you please state your name and your
015address for us? >> Sure. I'm just going to hold this. Joe Pruitt, 3835 Faron. My name is Joe Pruitt. I am a Christian. I'm a Republican. But truth does not change regardless of the audience. I find myself unique as I am one of the one of character that does not subscribe to tribal thinking. And if one of my own is wrong, I will not ignore it. I believe accountability is what shows a man's character. There are serious concerns that deserve immediate attention. First, I'm going to ask Kim Miller to step down before any motions and votes of this meeting take place. Secondly, I ask this board to formally address board member Kim Miller's actions which likely violated Missouri constitutional provisions regarding nepotism and conflict of interest. These laws exist to protect the public and when
016they are potentially violated, the expectation is not silence, it's accountability. Legal counsel was sought by the board president, received a direct answer that was shared to this board, and the constitution was clear. Kim automatically forfeited her seat. Any motions and votes are not appropriate to be recognized and you all know that because I sent the unredacted version of the attorney's response to each of you, including the two new board members prior to the reorganization meeting. I call you all to be firm in accountability and integrity of this district. When legal guidance is provided at taxpayer expense and ignored, that is not a misunderstanding. That's a choice. I also will remind you, in addition to the Constitution, policy BBFA includes nepotism and is required to be adopted every 2 years by the MEC. This was agreed
017and adopted by Ms. Miller on 8/22 of '22, 8/26 of '24, and is also on the agenda tonight. She has attended MSBA basic training, received advanced and master level certificates at MSBA, and signed an affidavit of acknowledgement defining nepotism due to her son's employment. This isn't lack of awareness. It's lack of respect for stakeholders, the district, each board member, every employee, and dismisses adopted board norms, law, policy, and the Constitution that she swore an oath to uphold. All of you did. Board norms adopted by the board Ms. Miller agreed to are to model behavior this board expects of students, teachers, staff, admin, and community members. Do we expect laws to be broken by our own employees? Policies to be ignored? You are setting a precedent that's going to spin off into potential lawsuits if you
018hold double standards to the below the highest seat. If you yourself cannot adhere to policy and law. Decisions are to be based off of facts, not politics or religious camps. Board members are to be fully prepared, on time, and ready to participate, and those are the norms that Kim has agreed to. The climate of this district should not be intimidation based off of those who have police in their corner, political or religious leaders in their camp. Deflection, intimidation, dismissal, or silence is not neutrality. It's a decision, and the community is paying attention. >> [applause] [applause] >> Next, uh, Dr. Beth Ann Reinert. If you would please state your name and address, too, I would appreciate it. >> My name is Dr. Beth Ann Reinert, and I live at 3103 Hampton Road. If you're my student,
019do not come for me with the cameras. Um I am here speaking tonight on item nine B. Um this is the proposed career ladder plan, and I'm actually speaking as the CTA president-elect. So, um the current proposed plan would cut 92,000 hours of tutoring. It is MSTA's position that we should hold off on this plan for now. We should use the plan that we had followed from 25-26, because it does not cut 92,000 hours of tutoring for our students. Also, while we understand that DESE is cutting budgets and appropriations cutting $20 million, that's over 400 districts. We don't have Dr. Hedgepeth here tonight to tell us how much we're losing. However, if we were to divide that equally, we would be losing five $50,000. So, why are we cutting half a million dollars? So, while
020we need to do a lot of restructuring, um cutting what helps our students the best is not the best place to do that. Um there are teachers that would be losing between 2 and 11% of their salary. These are teachers that are sticking with our district. We're in a time in our district where we need to retain the best qualified teachers. If you are cutting their pay by 2 to 11%, they're going to go down the road. That's worth the taking of the gas, so we Also, the way that this current plan is restructured is that it does not allow tutoring opportunities for some of our master teachers who are working with brand new teachers or our instructional coaches. These people, some of which do get an additional stipend, but they are currently on a
021teacher contract. They are paid the same as teachers. They should be allowed to do career ladder, and we should be allowed to earn the the $5,000 extra. Keep in mind the $5,000 extra is for 100 extra unpaid hours. Most of us put a lot more than that in. Um If we get go with the plan that is currently being produced or currently encouraged for an informational item tonight, it reduces activity opportunities for clubs. And clubs are what connect our kids to schools. When we are looking at our data and what gets kids to move and to stay connected to schools, no offense, and I say this is an English teacher, it's not my rigorous grammar instruction. It's the clubs that they're involved in. It's the walking clubs, it's the sign language clubs, it's the quesadilla
022club. Those are the kids that are going to come to school for clubs, and they're going to do well on their tests because they have a relationship with their teachers. The reason they have a relationship with their teachers is because those teachers are able to stay after school and get paid for it. Please don't go with the current plan. I know that Asia has to have it in front of them soon, but we can't afford this cut. >> THANK YOU. >> [applause] >> I DON'T KNOW IF I LIKE THAT. >> NEXT SPEAKER TONIGHT, Dakota Allen. >> Good evening. My name is Dakota Allen. I'm at 4805 North Lakewood Drive. I also have cameras and self-defense. Please don't come for me. Good evening. Uh my name is Dakota Allen. I'm a teacher at the St. Joseph
023School District currently. In the past, I've kind of allowed this culture of fear that exists about speaking to kind of cloud my words a little bit, but those clouds have lifted. Um this school board in partnership with the administration has made our school district look like a joke. The administration's actions in last school board meeting in accepting a nomination from a board member who forfeited her position and is under investigation for her refusal to step down. And then going a step further to limit the nominee's opportunity to speak only goes to further the culture of distrust towards this district. Refocusing on tonight's agenda, you'll be discussing board policy regarding conflict of interest. While community member, and I say community member not board member, sits in the seat that she forfeited. That may just be the
024funniest joke of this year. This could have been handled without scandal. Supposedly an honest mistake was made. I get that. We all make those. And the consequences for that action could have been quietly accepted. Instead, it's going to take a court case for this to get resolved. How do you think that makes us look? Choices. We expect our students to take accountability for their actions. We should expect the same from our leaders. Honestly, there are too many board norms that this violates to even put in words. Look, this district is amazing. It is amazing because you have a group of fantastic staff and teachers, both certified and non-certified, that are stepping up to keep it above water. It's high time to get back to the issues that matter, but the first step in that is
025justice being served. And the farce that was this board reorganization needs to be overturned. Mr. Moore, I'm so sorry that someone backpedaled and went back on his word. You should be president, and I can't wait until you are. It's time for you all to start rebuilding trust with this community. Whatever nonsense last week happened was not that. With respect, I would take all of you resigning if it ended the real housewives of St. Joseph nonsense, but let's start with Kim. >> [applause] >> Our next speaker is David Mason. I have a I have a question before you get started. You put on your on your form number four agenda. Do you have something specifically that you wanted to speak on? >> I'm speaking to the agenda. >> That's the whole thing? >> I think so.
026>> Okay. >> Pretty close. >> Okay, I just wanted to check. >> David [clears throat] Mason, 1324 North 25th Street. Members of the school board and madam superintendent, I address the lateness of the agenda tonight, not posted until Friday afternoon. I've noticed this is a habit. Too late for the news media. Such tardiness seems unprofessional, especially with your expectations of student homework and arrival at school. Most organizations I have worked with must give at least a week or two of notice. And several board members did not attend the work session, so with this packed agenda, are they just supposed to rubber stamp everything? I bet 400 teachers don't even know that you've scheduled a a vote uh on uh career ladder and that they're going to lose $2,000 of their salaries. But most egregious of
027all is that there is no item to declare a vacancy on the board nor set up procedure for replacement. And there is no scheduled vote for a school board president since there was a tie vote on the April 3rd 13th meeting. Let me be clear. The Missouri Constitution for over years has stated any public officer or employee in this state who by virtue of his office or employment names or appoints to public office or employment any relative within the fourth degree by consanguinity consanguinity or affinity shall thereby forfeit his office or employment. The Missouri law 162 .261 states that article 7 section 6 applies to school boards and the Nixon versus Belt case says that article 7 section 6 is {quote} self-enforcing and that forfeiture occurs {quote} upon the commission of the act condemned. Here
028on March 24th, the former board member in question not only voted improperly but moved the item so that the nepotistic acts were doubled and without question. And even [clears throat] if there is an appeal, there is no stay of the forfeiture. Any subsequent vote the offending board member made on March 24th or April 13th has no effect and the board secretary would be wise not to accept any further votes from her. This I would recommend then or thus I would recommend to you take a break to allow the offending board member to leave then reorganize and move the two agenda items that I have recommended earlier before any other business is conducted. If however the offending board member any board member or district [clears throat] official refuses to comply then any citizen can file a
029complaint which leads to a penalty of $500 or imprisonment. >> Thank you, Mr. Mason. Your time is up. Um our next speaker is >> [applause] >> Sydney Pinyan. Can you please state your name and address? >> Hi. Um oh, sorry. I'm Sydney Pinyan. I'm at 3115 Locust. Also, don't come to my house. Um I don't have notes today. I'm just going to speak from the heart because that's that's where I'm at right now. Um Prior to the last board meeting, I sent you all an email uh basically stating that it would be less embarrassing. And that if Kim had any integrity in her body, she would step down as the Constitution mandates. Um that would be less embarrassing. That was the best time you could have resigned. The second best time is now before making
030more legal motions and more legal votes. Uh Kim, this is a picture book about penguins. Uh >> [snorts] >> Kim could not read this before voting to ban it 2 years ago. She also apparently can't read board agenda items thoroughly, and she can't read the nepotism forms that she's filled out every single time. Uh so, tonight when those come up again, I think it would probably be in everyone's best interest if she as others have stated stepped out of the room that she has no right to be in right now. Um furthermore, I uh I didn't email you guys this time because most of you won't respond anyway. I think that after the last couple of years of watching you guys fight to ban books, watching you guys uh vote on closing multiple schools, and
031then have the audacity by the way to honor the amazing students and staff in the schools you voted to close, uh that's hypocritical. Um Sorry. Um you You the audacity last last board meeting to stand up there and talk about uh potentially cutting three chicken nuggets or half a hot dog from our pre-K students while you have, I believe, don't quote me on these numbers, a combined uh $87,000 you've received from organizations that fight against public school. Um and I guess if if I'm just talking person to person, it it really feels like you're all playing in our faces. Um the law is the law. Everybody makes mistakes, but nobody is above the law. Uh that include that includes Kim Miller. Kim, uh I sincerely hope this is the last time that we have to
032stand up here and beg you to act with integrity and do the job you signed up for um or I guess in this case, step down from the job that you forfeit the moment you made that illegal vote. Um and also just to reiterate what others have said, Mike, I think you'd make a great board president considering uh with all due respect, the current board president and vice president were uh put in their positions by illegal vote illegal votes uh and motions made by somebody who, according to the Missouri Constitution, has no right to be on this school board. Um yeah, that's pretty much it. Nobody's above the Constitution. Kim, again, the best time you could have resigned was a month ago when you forfeit your uh board seat according to the Constitution. Everything you've
033done since then has just been really embarrassing for everyone that lives in this town and pays taxes here. Uh the best time is to do it now. THANK YOU. >> [applause] >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NATHAN PINYAN. >> HELLO. I don't want to be back up here again, uh but here we are. People have already uh read to you Article 7 of the Missouri Constitution. So, we all understand at this point that that violation is about as cut and dry as it can be. And it's very clear, resignation or removal. Now, so far no action has been taken. As far as I can tell, that is because both the assistant prosecuting attorney and the prosecuting attorney have either direct financial or at least loose ties to Herschel. >> They do. >> Yes, they do. This
034is my time, is it not? >> Yeah, but please make sure you [applause] stick to the agenda topic. >> Right, of course. Um absolutely. I find it deeply ironic that there is a vote on that this evening considering the violation that I'm talking about. I understand that right now we are at a point in this country where politically there seems to be a disregard for the law, where as long as you have money and can get away with it and have people in positions to prevent you from having consequences, that just seems to be the way it goes now. But this community is watching. Everyone here remembers previous issues in our district that have caused the people in this town to have trust issues regarding our public schools. There is nothing transparent about any of
035this. There's no accountability as far as I can tell. I look out and I see a board that is with notable exceptions bought and paid for to explicitly hurt public schools. Please resign. >> [applause] >> Next speaker is Jeff Leak. >> My name is Jeff Leak. I live at 5013 Amazon Road. Uh, I want to touch on a few things. First, the career ladder plan. Um, we did this once before. The state cut career ladder and the district cut its portion of it along with the state. So, it's not just all state money. And that is 10% plus of a lot of people's income. And if you have two people that work, you you know, a husband and wife that work in the district, that is a major setback. That's a setback currently for their
036family and for retirement. And if you really want to look at data, you can go back. I think it's around 2000, 2012 or 13 when this happened. And this is the start of when we started to lose a lot of our veteran teachers. This is this this got the ball rolling and we had to replace more in larger numbers than ever before when that happened. Uh, if we also want to look at data, I'm always on Dr. Hedgepeth to kind of give an update on the impact of our decisions. And the state is going to make cuts. And that's going to have an, you know, that's going to hurt us even more. But also, our decisions, you know, there's a rumor going around that we're considering losing some students from families that have the means
037to go elsewhere. But I'm going to tell you we're going to lose a lot more by our own historical data. And I'm going to put this number out here since we haven't heard one, but we're going to lose an additional 1.75 to 3.5 million dollars in revenue based on the enrollment drop that this decision, the facilities, the reorganization is is causing. If you don't believe me, I'll be more than happy to look at the last 30 years of historical data with our decisions and how they've affected enrollment. Um there is one way to combat the state and the the lack of revenue and that is to ask your community for support. Have you put yourself in a situation that you're able to do that? And I'll just leave with this. The past weekend was the
038annual Lafayette alumni tournament. When 16 teams showed up and many more players came to watch in the tradition there the family environment is something and and I said it's it's like it's like a small town. And when we have statements made that we we don't want to rebrand the other schools. Yeah, I know it costs money, but that's where that statement should have ended right there. But the but to say that we don't want to lose those long-standing traditions and alumni connections, and that is a quote, and the community identities of those other schools, but we don't mind losing it of one. Boy, that's going to be really hard to ask those people to help support the community to make a sunset permanent, to ask for more money, and to even ask for another facility.
039There is a better way and I know that we've made a lot of mistakes so far and what scares me the most these unforced errors that we made on how we dealt with things how many more are we going to make next year? And I'll just leave with this. The only do-over we should consider is about our facilities and reorganization. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hi, can I please have a motion for approval of the agenda? >> Madam Mr. I'd like to move letter B >> We have motion. We have motion to approve the agenda as presented. >> Motion to approve the agenda. The regular agenda. >> The regular one? >> Okay. I'm sorry. Did Was that you, Cassandra? Thank you. Thank you, Cassandra. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. Thank you. So, Mike made
040the motion and Cassandra seconded it. >> Vice versa. >> The other way around. Okay. Sorry. Okay. Could you do roll call, please? >> Yes. Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Do we have discussion before we vote or >> Yes. >> It sounded like we had another board member trying to speak. I would like to hear what Ken Miller was trying to bring to the board's attention prior to our vote. >> I would like to remove letter B under the consent agenda into an action item. >> Okay. >> I have to switch the motion. >> That was my only question. We can do roll call. >> Okay. So, you need either to approve that or make a motion to accept it. >> No, we have a motion. >> vote on the motion that's on the table, I
041believe. >> That's right. Yep. >> Roll call. So, we're motioning to approve the agenda as is. >> Yes. Yes. >> Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kearns? >> Yes. >> Ms. Mr. McMillan, sorry. >> No. >> Ms. Miller? >> No. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Veal? >> Yes. >> Ms. Williams? Ms. absent, sorry. >> She left the meeting. >> So, you have a vote of four to two. It passes. >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. Um consent agenda? >> So, I'd like to move that letter B to an action item. >> Okay. >> So, that'll make it >> letter H on action items. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yeah, stop that real quick. >> So, my understanding from watching previous meetings is that all action items are supposed to be
042informational items first and then moved to an action item at a later meeting for us to vote on. So, this would still need to be It would need It would need to be an action an informational item first before it's allowed to be an action item based on our previous practices. >> Okay. >> I'm not following. I'm sorry. >> Well, I can't say. >> So, what I'm saying is historically, after watching 2 years of school board meetings, all action items are supposed to be informational items first where they can be discussed and talked about and then after they're an informational item, then they go on the next meeting agenda as an action item where they're voted on. >> Right, which we have work sessions and that's where they're informational items. >> Right, and they come
043to you >> asking to move this from >> I I I believe um any board member can pull something from consent um >> to an action item to talk about. >> Yes. >> From consent That's the key. From consent. Not Not just Not just that Right, not just that it's a new it's a new item for discussion, but this is a It was in consent agenda. Every board member has the right to pull something. >> Okay. Okay. >> And I'm just asking. I'm new here. I'm going to have a lot of questions. That's why >> [laughter] >> Okay. >> So that way we're all clear. >> You're fine. >> I just want to make sure. >> No, thank you for asking so that we're all clear and doing it the right way. >> Thank you.
044>> So I still need a motion. >> Uh >> You need to move it from consent. >> No, no, you've asked to approve it to move it to an action item, but I need someone to make a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Cuz we're amending to take that out >> Okay. >> it an action item. Does that make sense? >> Yep. Who would like to make that motion? >> I'll make it. >> And I need a second. >> I'll second. >> Will you call the vote, please? >> Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kearns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> No. >> Ms. Veal? >> No. >> Ms. Williams is absent. Motion carries 4 to 2. >> [clears throat] >> Ready for me?
045>> Yep. >> Okay, great. I am going to speak to two items tonight that are directly related to our CSIP, and that first one is finance, the second one is real world learning. So with finance, as we bring proposals forward and we engage the board in discussion, I just want to state, I believe it's very important that we collectively, and I mean the board and administration, keep our financial reality at the forefront. Dr. Hedgecorth has graciously provided us with financial projections every board meeting, and we continue to closely monitor legislative developments and that may impact public school funding. We had a meeting today, and I just want to go over some of those points with you. So, for this year, this fiscal year, we are losing $138 million at the state level for public education.
046The result of that is the state adequacy target, which we often refer to as the SAT, is dropping from 7145 to 6950. That is for this school year. So, we're not receiving the funding that we had anticipated prior to the school year. Additionally, the foundation formula is going to be underfunded for 26-27 at the tune of about 190 million that we know of so far. So, what does this mean for us? We are anticipating the SAT would be about 6898 with initial payments coming in at 66760 or 6810. So, at the end of the day, what I'm here to say, we have to be very mindful of every decision that is coming our way, and I know we are making very tough decisions with early learning programming and with career ladder, but I want to
047paint the picture that the funding is not coming in from the state both this year and next year. So, I wanted to update you on that. Currently, we are projecting our financial reserves at the end of this fiscal year to be between 10% and 11%. As you recall, we had some delayed federal programs dollars. All of that has been received in this fiscal year. So, we have multiple years of federal funding and yet we are still projected to be between 10 and 11% on our ASBR in the June 2026. Um so, uh based on the projected SAT range for next year, which could be anywhere from 6740, the number was 6760 this morning, to 6810, we will have a decrease in funding. As a result, we have got to make adjustments to our operations so
048that we can maintain long-term financial stability in our district. I know we have tough decisions. We have to make those tough decisions so that we can be fiscally responsible going forward. As of now, with our district reorganization, we have cut about $4 million. But now that the SAT has been reduced and the formula will not be fully funded, we're looking at another 4.2 million to 6.2 million, depending on where we land with the SAT. And that will be just to balance the budget for next year. So, if the SAT is 6 6740 or 6760, as it was mentioned this morning, that would be a $6.2 million reduction for next year. If the SAT is at 6900, it would be a $4.2 million reduction for next year. So, with our reorganization plan, that is additional dollars
049that we need to plan on saving for next school year. Again, I say all of those things because I know we have tough decisions and we're going to continuously be bringing things to your attention. I do want to point out, Dr. Hedgecorth leads the finance committee and they did a brainstorming activity where the finance committee members came up with a list of ideas for increasing revenues and decreasing expenses. So, we've chatted about that and I do believe he will bring that forward to the board for consideration on those ideas from the committee members. So, I just wanted to give you a little update finance-wise. It's not looking good for future for our district funding from the state level. Second piece that I wanted to talk about is real-world learning. This is a huge positive. This
050is also on our C-SIP where we are hoping to provide our students with more opportunities for real-world learning. We have grown this this year and I give a shout-out to Courtney Elm. She's been phenomenal in this work. Everything from the Kauffman Foundation. We have a student voices group that is meeting with the city of St. Joseph and that group is meeting with the city manager and all different kinds of city departments to discuss issues in our community and then the kids are coming up with with solutions. So, they're they're problem-solving real-world issues within that group with city officials. And we also have Make 48. I want to give Mr. Moore a shout-out for serving as a judge last week. And if you'd like to chime in on Make 48 or the Out Think Innovation Challenge,
051I'd love to hear from you as well. >> Yeah, absolutely. So, you know, with my day job I get the privilege of getting in a lot of this kind of opportunity. And boy, we had a great time the other night at the Hilly Center Missouri Western where groups of students presented ideas that were meant to help a lineman in a bucket truck as they did the job of keeping the lights on for us. And so, they came up with great ideas. The winning team was a middle school team from Spring Garden. And they did an excellent job of identifying a piece of safety equipment to address slips, trips, and falls. They did their research. They found out that was a top driver of safety. They they they had some sort of idea of how big
052the market was. And uh just a really really impressive group. And so uh yeah, that they will be going on uh to compete at the national level in Wisconsin this summer. And so they were super excited about it. Yeah, very good. >> Thank you for serving as a judge. And then we also have the Altec Innovation Challenge coming up this Thursday. If you want to Do you want to speak to that? >> Oh yeah, sure. This one's been This one's been around a couple of years and uh so so so we'll be up at Stony Creek on Thursday evening where teams of high school kids will present an idea to to resolve some issue either within the schools or the community. Um and the winning team is awarded $10,000 to execute that plan. And so
053we've had cool uh winners in the past. Uh the one from Benton where we're going to uh do recycling and composting and grow some food. I mean there there's some really neat stuff and so um yeah, that's coming up Thursday night. And uh you know, hey maybe just a shameless plug. Uh you guys all know I work for Altec and I I don't hide anything about that, but but uh I would love to make this a uh a jumping-in point for any of the other businesses in town. You know, there's so many opportunities like this out there for our students. And uh so yeah, I've said it before, come on in. The water's warm. >> And all of these learning experiences are directly related to our portrait of a graduate. So having that um communication,
054right? They're presenting in front of large audiences of unknown adults. And so that takes courage. That's one of our other dispositions. Respect, problem-solving. They're creating solutions to different problems and they're being an engaged citizen. So I just think that's really cool that we are expanding those opportunities and I appreciate everyone that's involved in in process. Last but not least, I have a a superintendent student advisory council and we met last Friday and they I will talk about some of their feedback in our district reorganization, but that group has been phenomenal to meet with and to problem solve and come up with different ideas. We have at least one of them here tonight. Gracely, want to come on up? >> Sure. >> She's going to speak just a little bit and tell you about her experience.
055She's a exhibiting that Yes, that'd be great. She's showing you her courage tonight. So, I asked her to just give a little bit of feedback about her experience with this council. >> Oh goodness. Um well, you know, it's like a really hard time with like the district and everything, you know, a lot of distrust and as a student, you know, especially going to Lafayette, it means a lot to me that like my opinion can go out there and I can like, you know, be a voice for my friends and my classmates and like they can just, you know, know what's going on for once, you know, feel like more connected to their community even as they're, you know, shifting schools, you know, we have some of our traditions that can carry up can carry on
056and it's just it's really nice to just feel, you know, like one with the district. And, you know, throughout um the student council thing, I got to know a lot of new friends and that meant a lot to me. So, it just helped me build, you know, a relationship with Central um building up towards next year and um it gave us a lot of opportunities for bilingual students, our special needs students, you know, advocating for what they need and you know, things like that. >> Thank you so much. Can we give her a ROUND OF APPLAUSE? >> [applause] >> DENNIS IS TELLING ME WE HAVE SOMEONE ELSE. CHLOE, come on up Chloe. It's been really awesome. So, I'll tell you last Friday we had three different stations and they were able to see some of
057their ideas like the farewell night and the open house and they're like, "That's really happening?" I said, "Yes, that's really happening." And they're contributing to those ideas. So, Chloe, you're the floor is yours. >> Yeah, it's just really great to get like the feedback from the students because even though I'm at Central and I'm staying at Central, sometimes there's stuff that other people don't think about that the students input will help decide on those decisions like just like the space around the school, ways to improve it cuz we are getting a lot of new students and it and it's just great to have our feedback get heard and people actually listen. >> We don't get to hear cuz we don't get minutes when we're supposed to. >> Thank you, Chloe, for sharing. >> [applause] [applause]
058>> It takes a lot of courage to come up here and speak, so I appreciate those girls coming forward and speaking a little bit. >> Quick question. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Is there a way we can get a list of like the ideas that they've had that we're actually implementing? And I also think it'd be a good idea after this we're doing things and that we keep this going. >> We are. So, actually these kids are going to be We started it in January. They're going to serve all through next year as well. So, we'll have the same group and then in January we'll start applications for the following year to get some new students in. But, we have a range of freshmen to juniors and then they they are um very energized. So, I'll
059say that and have lots of ideas. It's a great group. >> All right, thank you. >> Can I ask you >> Yes. >> any way we could get an attachment on the agenda for your report? Just so I could be able to review some of the information before the meeting in case there's like a question. And then I actually did have a question about the the Superintendent Council meeting minutes. That was something that was brought up on a previous meeting. Is there any way we can get the >> Yes, I just got it Friday so give me just a little bit of time and I will look at that. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Sure thing. And then I will speak to district re-organization facilities later on in the agenda. >> [snorts] >> Thank you.
060>> This is student. Happy Monday. Um in my report today I wanted to share our internal progress monitoring and our assessment redesign. And so this year really does mark a full implementation of Mastery Connect. I want you to understand this purpose of the system is really twofold. It provides teachers with timely standards aligned data that can be used to adjust instruction in real time quickly. John Hattie speaks to that. Students need to know how they're doing and so Mastery Connect provides that data for our students to create some student agency in this work. Second, this system equips building and district leaders with actionable insights to provide targeted responsive support to classrooms and schools. This might include coaching. It might include like looking at resource allocation to see what teachers need and perhaps professional learning aligned
061to identify the areas of needs. At the March board meeting I shared the elementary progress monitoring data for predictive three. Um this data included again in the report for reference and continuity. I am presenting to you tonight um predictive three results for our secondary work. Which provides an indicator of student readiness and instructional effectiveness as we approach our state assessments which many of us are already in. Um I've also included as that data point the spring 2025 MAP/EOC data. And so you'll see that for context and comparison. Our district really does remain consistent um with priority one, effective teaching and learning in our C set. 45% of students performing at or the advanced and proficient levels is our goal. The progress monitoring system is a critical mechanism for allowing us to reach that target. As
062we continue this work, our focus will remain on strengthening instructional clarity, coherence, deepening assessment literacy practices, and build that collective capacity for educators to use data effectively in the service of student learning. The second piece I wanted to share came from the annual performance report. And it's part of the continuous improvement MSIP 6. And it's a it's a a rethink on 2026 the APR update. So, that annual performance report really in simplicity is divided into two parts. You have performance and you have continuous. The performance are our state assessments. The continuous piece is things that we need to be doing as a district to carry out and reflect our ongoing day-to-day work to strengthen systems and practices that derive student growth and development. That includes improvement planning. Um for example, in June of last year
063when I presented the professional learning plan for 25-26 and then um Nancy Greely ensuring that we are leading that professional learning plan. I wanted to share with you that Nancy um presented to Dr. McGinnis and I that um our district had earned all 42 points possible in the continuous improvement section for the M- MSIP 6 APR. Um I've attached that report provided by the region and the state area supervisor there. This reflects a high level of fidelity of the implementation and strong commitment to those improvements that we need at a district level. >> That's awesome. All points. >> Yes. Um the last piece I'm going to speak to you tonight is um preserving access and being fiscally responsible for '26 and '27. And so, at this time, I'm going to call Tony, Lynn, and Tory
064to the mic there. Beginning next year, all learning center sites will transition to a half-day model. They will operate Monday through Thursday with no student attendance on Fridays. Staff will continue working on Fridays to support that instructional planning that they do not currently get right now. There are several key points I want you to think about. First, student outcomes remain strong in half-day structure. Current data shows that kindergarten readiness rates of 38% in state programs compared to 41% in full-day programs, a minimal difference that demonstrates we can sustain high-quality learning within the half-day model. Second, access Access will be preserved. Bus transportation will be available for all preschool students, and the total number of preschool spots will remain consistent for what we offer today. Third, it is supported by our early learning staff who recognize
065that with strong, intentional planning and collaborative, collective teacher efficacy, student growth will come. And that's where I'm going to stop there, and I'm going to let them speak to that work. >> Do you have specific questions for us? >> No, yeah, just if Thoughts on that moving to the AM/PM session. [snorts] >> Well, Tory is someone who lives it every day as a classroom teacher and has taught both half-day, four-day-a-week, and five-day-a-week programs. So, I'll just let her share a little bit about her previous work and how this change affected her and what she feels like um is beneficial for our children cuz that's the foundation of why we're here. >> Um yeah, so as Tony said I have I always had a half-day classroom. I teach in a title classroom. I went from a
066four-day model to a five-day model this year. So obviously the biggest change is that we lost that Friday. So our kids come on Fridays. I do receive plan time in the form of 30 minutes that my kids go to gross motor. But obviously 30 minutes twice a day doesn't quite add up to a full Friday. Um So while I'm very grateful for that time, it is definitely not the same as having a full day. So some of the things that I would be doing on those Fridays that I don't get the opportunity to do anymore. Things like going to PLC meetings to collaborate with colleagues. Not only my colleagues that I teach with but also different types of classrooms. So I don't have very much time to talk to my other title teachers. I also
067have really no time to talk to any of our special ed teachers. Which is very important because we have so many different kinds of kids in our classrooms and sometimes they have ideas that could work because what's best for those kids is best for all kids. And so I don't get that collaboration. I don't really have much time to collaborate with my para because she takes the kids outside while I have my planning break. And so I don't know if any of you guys I know Rhonda has taught with a para before that relationship is so important and I have one of the best paras but we cannot be as effective as a team when we don't have that time to collaborate with each other. Um Another big thing, just having time to implement our
068curriculums. We've gotten several new curriculums throughout the year. We have our elf curriculum for literacy. We have letters training that we've done. We have learning without tears now. All those things are new and they all take time for me to be able to understand it to then give it to my students. Um so if I don't have that time, I'm not effective in giving it to them. Um so we're doing the best with what we have, but the loss of those Fridays is huge. Um also just because we are a play-based um program, um our kids are learning through play, so we have to kind of create the environment for them to do that. Um we can't just push them into a room and expect them to get what they need. It's very intentional um
069and it takes a lot of time. So it doesn't seem like switching out toys and kind of getting those experiences ready would take that much time. Um I'm typically right now doing that on the weekends. Um so I'll come in on Saturday. I did it a couple months ago where we kind of did a flip of all of our centers um and it takes about 6 or 7 hours. Um it doesn't seem like it would, but by the time you get the materials, you're making things, um changing out visuals, making the visuals, putting out new toys, putting old toys away, making the labels, getting all those things ready, especially when I don't have a pair to help me, that I mean I went in a few weeks ago at 9:00 a.m. and I left at
0705:00. Um so we're getting it done, but it is not ideal and it is not what is best for us or our kids. So >> And as she mentioned too with um professional learning communities as an initiative of our district, right now because majority of my teachers are teaching the 5 day a week, um they are expected to you know, squeeze that in from 3:00 to 3:30 after students leave weekly. And so as you know, that's not enough time. We don't have that job embedded time because we don't have specials. We don't have and when she talks about gross moti- motor, that's kind of their recess time. So we're um hiring other pairs to cover that plan time. So when when we no longer need that because teachers have that time available to collaborate on
071Fridays to set up their environment, to clean toys, which we know preschoolers are put a lot of things in their mouths and we've had a lot of illness this year, too. So, not being able to utilize that three-step cleaning process like we have in the past, that's really something that affects our attendance, as well. Let me think if there's anything else. Do you have any questions that weren't covered? >> I do. Um and you might have answered those before, but when they are full day, how much of the afternoon is actually instruction time? I assume they have their nap and >> And then additional gross motor time. So, um and also thinking about when you talk about, you know, what is equitable for all children, how do you decipher who is getting four-day, half-day, who's
072getting five-day, half-day, who's getting five-day, full-day? And so, a lot of times we place children based on their DIAL screening, what we think is best for that child based on a 45-minute to an hour assessment. Once you get a child in a classroom for 6 and 1/2 hours, five days a week week in a structured learning environment without the ability to go to an art room, a music room, having PE, um it's it's a lot for a little person. It's a lot for us to expect of a little person. >> And do you think that the PM classes are going to be just as effective as the AM classes in coming in after lunch and >> We have that right now. I mean, we we have that effective. >> Okay. >> Yes. Cuz we start
073our day at 7:45, we let children in at 7:30. If I a lot of children sleep in a little bit later when they're in preschool if they don't have siblings getting up already. So, sometimes that 11:50 start time for the afternoon um works better for them, as well. Or if they have outside therapies, um things like that that they're working around their preschool schedule, um you know, we want to make sure that families that need that have that opportunity, as well. So. >> Thank you. I want to put a plug in for gross motor. Um because gross motor is just another learning opportunity for children um during the day. There's uh social emotional learning that happens during that gross motor, there's conversations, so it builds that oral language development. So, it's I want to say
074that in preschool, gross motor is more than just a recess. It's another section of learning opportunity for children just like group time is and center time is. It's just a section of the day, and so um I feel like there needs to be more teachers out there with kids to capitalize on those teaching moments that happen during gross motor as well. >> Absolutely. >> Cuz it's the most freedom those children have as far in the day, um but the person that is the most important instructional person in their life is not with them because we have to be giving, you know, I have to ensure that my teachers have the same amount of plan time as their kindergarten counterpart across town. >> Yeah. Anyone else have any additional questions? >> I have some questions. >>
075So >> we had talked about this in the last meeting about some of the pre-K counts going half half day. Um and I made the comment that I was worried it was going to further disparage our most at-risk children whose parents can't leave, you know, in the middle of the day or um you know essentially leave in the middle of the day either and pick them up or drop them off, which we had mentioned before and after care. So, are the before and after care hours being like offered in an extended time frame to those parents so that if your child is accepted into like afternoon pre-K that you can do before from, you know, whatever time in the morning until they go to pre-K and then vice versa for those children that are offered
076morning slots but not afternoon slots. Cuz like I get the idea of maintaining our number of slots, and I think you guys need all the support you can get. I don't disagree with that. I also heavily agree with Dr. Hedgepeth though when he says that these decisions that we're making need to touch the classrooms last, and this is an area we've done really well in and have seen the benefits in our APR growth from the extension of our early learning. So, I hate to think that we're going back on any of that or I I hate to think that we're switching to half day to keep the same number of spots, but not accounting for the fact that all those spots won't be able to be filled if parents can't find care for the middle
077of the day. >> I will say that our APR growth is based right now currently off our performance assessments. And so, those tap in in grade three all the way to English two. What we're trying to do is to ensure that our kids are kindergarten ready. Um that our kids leaving our early learning sites are coming in kindergarten ready. When I looked at the academic data, when our team looked at the academic data and said, "Okay, 38% to 41%", it is minimal um there. Um when I listened to the teachers, which you you listen to the teachers a lot, they were they were um really in favor of this work to make their work rich and and stronger um and leading with the core competency of teaching and learning. >> So, how many years have
078we've been doing pre-K in kindergarten? >> I started in my role when we consolidated and opened Lake as an early learning center site. Um obviously, we've had preschool in our district for tw- I mean, as long as I know, 30 years. Yeah. We've only had full day for this is our third year having full day preschool. It had always been half day previously. >> Well, I'm only asking because I'm saying we've we've expanded on our early learning. We've stressed the importance of it. We've seen all this positive APR growth, which I would think our emphasis on early learning has played a heavy part in. Um I understand we only test third and um for the math testing. However, I don't think it's fair to say that the importance we've placed on this work and all
079the effort and energy our district has put into it hasn't reaped positive benefits on the APR. And I get what you're saying with the the percentage. I'm not saying that that that data is incorrect and I'm not arguing that. What my argument is by preserving the number of spots but not accounting for the number of families that won't be able to utilize those spots, given the time constraints of their work, like being able to leave in the middle of the day. So, is our care through the Y for before and after, is that are those hours expanded for those families to be able to utilize that and the spots? I guess that's my question if I wasn't >> No, that's okay. The I think Mr. Ball was She had stated at the work session the
080last time that they were in collaboration or some talks and thinking that through. >> Okay. >> Well, and I also want to speak to that, too, because obviously, we want to ensure that you know, our preschool our curriculum is what, you know, we're educating children while they're there. So, I understand the challenges of before or after school care, also half day. We have a great relationship with Head Start, because right now all of the Head Start students come to Lake Early Learning Center in the afternoons. So, ensuring that we are still continuing to work with Head Start, so that for the families who struggle with that, we are meeting the needs not only educational standpoint at our early learning center, but also that relationship where they spend the other half of their day in a
081in a wonderful environment at Head Start, who has wonderful curriculum as well. So, um And then I was also when you when you were talking about those percentages, too, I want you to think about that percentage as where those children start when they come to us in the fall and where they end in the spring. That is the growth rate. So, we have right now wonderful peers in our full-day rooms, but our blended integrated classrooms that have special education students in They need those models for social-emotional learning, for communication. And when we pull out all those kids that can maintain for 6 and 1/2 hours in an educational setting, we're not giving those peers, we're not pushing them into those blended classrooms and having great peers for our kids to be around. So, I feel
082like this helps to ensure that all classrooms are well-balanced. >> Well, and and and it's true, right, that that if if if what you say is a concern of about you know, daycare, childcare, that that would be very evident quickly in the form of unfilled slots. Would you guys agree with that? >> I would >> I mean I mean we'll know. >> I would agree. I just would hate to think that that piece is not being You know what I'm saying? Like but that's something we should account for cuz I think those kids are sometimes the most [clears throat] at risk kids. I mean I have kids that come into my office that they miss school lessons and they don't make it to school because their mom can't leave work. So, I mean I know
083kids actually missing school that that will also happen to pre-K, but Thank you. >> And Julie did bring up, too, um Julie is the principal at Mark Twain Early Learning Center. And I didn't plan on coming up, but we do have a collaborative effort with daycares and in town. So, we do bus to those daycares if they're in a morning session, or we do bus from those daycares if they're in a PM session. So, that that hierarchy of care is still there um for those parents who maybe just can't pick them up during the day because of work. >> And I was going to say, I don't know how that is on the lake side, but Mark Twain would have been my area. My kids rode the bus from their daycare to school. That's how
084I That was a lifesaver as a working parent. >> Absolutely. >> Okay, but to summarize, you guys are saying, "Hey, the four-day model, half days, >> has been very effective prior to even me stepping >> It's what you would recommend if you were starting from scratch with this board. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> It's what's best for for children, it's what's best for teachers, it's equitable for everyone, whether you're a staff member or you're a student in any type of classroom we have. If everybody's being offered the same thing, that that is equitable. >> Got it. >> And it ensures that the learning environment, which is the second teacher, is made a priority again. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> You've done an excellent job, too. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you
085for coming. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Dr. Hedgeforth, we're ready for you for the March financials. >> I see him. >> Dr. Hedgeforth, can you hear us? >> [laughter] >> Are you all ready to work? Okay, sorry. I couldn't hear the transition. I will present March financials. As you can see, we are trending with our 2-year historical realized average within a percent or a percent and a half of both categories. The one exception is buys and materials. We had a good purchases this year. As you can see that that's trending a little bit ahead, but we do foresee that we will be within budget at the end of the year for that. Also wanted to point out on the revenue side, our revenues are tracking as expected. Dr. Gaines did talk about the state
086not reaching the full foundation formula for this [clears throat] year, which will be around 6950. So, as you can see, we're a little bit ahead of the state right now. You will continue to see that go back to the 2-year historical maybe go below because many times the state will make a large payment in June to catch up because they pay below the SA 18 just in case there are no appropriations. So, this year we won't see that large of a June payment because they will fall below as predicted because they've been paying right now 6900 not the full 7145. So, those are the highlights that I wanted to point out in the March financials and answer any questions you may have. >> Dr. Hedgeforth, Worth, Jacob. One of the numbers I think is really
087informational for our community is every time the SAT goes down $100, what is that equivalent to for our budget? I know you've shared that number many times. I actually think it would be a good informational piece for us as we work through budgeting. >> Yeah, that's a great question. So, well, our land number that we have for payroll this year is around 11,000. So, if you have that number go down by about 100, then that's going to give you the relative reduction that you're going to see from that. And so, it it hurts. You know, Dr. McGinnis kind of talked earlier that, you know, reduction from to 6900 is around 4.2 million. The reduction from 7145 to the 6740 is going to be around 6.2. So, that kind of gives you a little bit of
088a scale of where our $100 is going to go down. And you know, it's not over yet. We're still continuing to have discussions, but we know it's going to go go down regardless. We just don't know how much. So, once they go to committee, where both the House and the Senate there's five on the House side, five on the Senate side, and once they get a 6-0 either way, that that legislative how the House or Senate version basically wins, and their original bill goes forward. So, we're hoping the Senate side wins on this one because they're the one that has the appropriations back in. But, we shall see. We'll know by May 8th they will legislatively have to have the budget submitted. However, Governor Key still has the right to line item veto in June.
089>> So, Dr. Worth, sorry, Commissioner. I just wanted to double-check. So, the final figure for that we won't have until June-ish, correct? >> Yeah, we won't know until June for line item vetoes to see if there's any line item vetoes. You can't add anything in, you can just line item veto out. >> Okay. Thank you. Are there any other questions on the March financials? >> I'll make a motion to approve the March financials. >> Thank you very much. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Okay, can you call the roll, please? >> Ms. Jostein? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kearns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Ms. Beal? >> Yes. >> Okay, then excited minutes approval for bills. >> Yes, as we wind down the
090academic year, you continue to see less and less spending. You know, schools have wrapped up a lot of the you know, activities that they're looking to do or they've already purchased for those because we have some deadlines coming up that that they're well aware of to make sure they get those expenditures encumbered so we can give the board some accurate numbers. And I appreciate their cooperation with that. They've been very helpful you know, following these deadlines and so I don't have anything major on the approval bills to point out. I have to answer any questions you have. Thank you. >> I'll make a motion to approve the bills as presented. >> I'll second. Okay, thank you very much. Okay, any any other discussion on this? All right, Donna, would you call the roll, please? >>
091Ms. Jostein? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kearns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Ms. Beal? >> Yes. >> Okay, Dr. Hedgecorse, the quarterly investment report. >> Yes, so every quarter we give an investment report to show how our business are doing. Uh there's two documents within this again item one shows the full report uh that LOCAT gives us for each of the areas that we do invest. Uh so when you look at those investment areas, the first thing is our operating uh fund. And so anytime we get our local effort and majority of that is January, February, we immediately invest that uh with LOCAT. LOCAT is one of the approved um investment firms that the state of Missouri has that you can use in
092almost all of them. And so they invest in legal uh investment vehicles that a public entity can invest in like treasuries, you know, things like that. And so uh the second attachment that you see is a one-pager uh that basically summarizes everything in that you see in the multiple page of course that's kind of like an executive summary. Uh you can see in the operating we have 18 million fixed investments. And please note the interest rate on there uh 3.62% that's what we're earning right now uh on those investments. And then of course we invest in our healthcare trust. Uh that is an isolated fund where all the uh payroll deductions for healthcare that is that's where we self-insure any deductions or payments on claims uh goes in and out of that account. And then
093we have the bond proceeds which you can see uh was winded down and pretty much exhausted. So uh be happy to answer any questions you have on our quarterly investment report. >> Does anyone have any questions? Okay. Let's just go Okay. And the next item on our agenda tonight is the personnel report. >> All right, so I have submitted the personnel report to assembly. Um also added today the supplemental report. That one is quite lengthy due to summer school. There are over 100 plus individuals that have signed up for summer school to teach. We've also included head coaching positions for Benton and Central for next year. This is head coaches only. Most likely we will bring assistant coaches next month. If you don't have any questions, I ask for a motion. >> Mark, just a
094question I got from a community member. The coaching assignments would would all those folks be full-time district employees? >> They are not all full-time district employees. >> Okay. >> Through our Excuse me. Through our extra duty staffing plan we had stated that our full-time employees would not lose their stipend if there were two head coaches for one area. So, let's say a coach from Lafayette moved to Central and there was the possibility of two head coaches that we were going to have conversations, discuss, figure out who that head coach was going to be because when you go to a contest the officials or whoever is there, they want to know who the head coach is, not not dual head coaches. They're going to talk to one person. So, we had to identify who that head
095coach was going to be after that process. If there were no changes or there were not two head coaches moving to one school and there was a head coach that was not an employee but a coach only, they remained in that position. But if we had if we had two head coaches, one was a full-time employee and one was a coach only then that's where the head coaching position could have changed where that individual might have been the head coach who was coach only, they may not be head coach next year, but we do have some individuals on this list that are coach only. >> Uh-huh. And and would it be a situation that would we have any situations where an associate would have got told, "Hey, you you can't be a head coach because
096you're not a full-time employee, but yet others didn't weren't held to that same standard." Would that be a thing? >> Um I don't believe so. Um it would only have been if we had too many coaches. >> Yeah. >> Um or if but it wouldn't have been I'm trying to think of a scenario to where for head coaches, I don't think anybody was >> Okay. >> without a position. >> All right. >> It may not have been a head coaching position. >> All right. Thank you. And you know, uh that's a lot of positions to have only one open. That's probably pretty good, huh? >> It is good if you ask. >> Yeah. We have We have several openings for assistant or excuse me, for assistant coach. >> Yes. >> Um and those are posted
097now. >> I can see that. Yeah. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Okay. Do I have a motion to accept the personnel report? >> I'll motion. >> Thank you, Jennifer. A second on that? >> I'll second that. >> Thank you, Mike. Okay. Jen Jennifer. I was writing Jennifer. Okay. Now that we're done, would you call the roll, please? >> Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kearns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Abstain. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Ms. Beal? >> I abstain. I have a family member on the article. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Okay. Now we're moving to action items. Nutrition services? >> Well, that's me today. Um Miss Shonick was unable to attend tonight. Um so, this item was presented at the work session, um but was
098asked to be removed um from the consent agenda and placed on an action item because one of our board members has a conflict. Um so, we are asking for a motion for approval. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mike. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Jennifer. Okay, I'm ready whenever you are, Donny. >> All right. Miss Chesney? >> Yes. >> Miss Kearns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Abstaining. >> Miss Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Miss Field? >> Yes. >> Thank you. All right. You're up again. >> All right. So, this next one was also presented in the work session. Um it's an MOU with Mo West and a practicum in psychology for students to come um observe in our buildings. Um We ask for a motion
099for approval for approval. It is a 3-year extension. >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. Second on the motion, please. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Jacob. >> Was that Mike who seconded? >> Uh Jacob. >> Jacob, thank you. >> Okay. We're ready for the vote whenever you are. >> Miss Chesney? >> Uh abstaining. >> Miss Kearns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Miss Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Miss Field? >> Yes. >> Okay. Motion passed. >> Six with one abstention. >> Okay. Whenever you're ready, Donny, you're up next. >> Yes, we have uh policy BBMA. I was um contacted by MSBA stating that um the last time we approved this was in 2024 and it is to be adopted every 2 years. So, that's why I brought it
100to the agenda tonight. Okay, so I just need a motion to re-adopt this policy. >> [clears throat] >> Do you have a motion to re-adopt the policy? >> I'll make a motion. >> Thank you, Cassandra. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Jennifer. Okay, we're ready whenever you are. Cassandra and Jennifer. >> All right. Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kerns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Ms. Beal? >> Yes. >> Okay, Mr. Eastman, we're ready for you. >> Good evening. Uh so, what I'm bringing to you right now is the uh moving services contract. Um a little background, it went out to bid on March 3rd. I received all the bids April 6th at the deadline. Uh we did have one responsive and
101responsible bid. Uh we had a second that was submitted 3 hours too late uh per the guide per the deadline, it said we have to reject that automatically. Uh the scope is primarily to do work under the contract for summer 2026, and it's mainly focused for moving Eugene Field and Pershing Elementary to Ruby Do. Um with that being said, we had also negotiated in time material costs um of any other additional moves that we might need need help with. Um the biggest reason there is we haven't gotten the the largest turnout that we were hoping for as far as uh for part-time student help or summer help that we were really hoping to get that would help eliminate some of these costs. So, what we're going to do is is ask for a not to
102exceed a 50,000 for this entire uh proposal here. Um the initial contract with uh with Armstrong would be at the $38,505 and that does cover the two schools to move to Ruby Doo. Uh any questions? >> I do I have a question. What about um the Lafayette teachers >> Sure. >> that have to make a move or the central teachers that >> Absolutely. Yeah, so there's various schools across the district. We usually have around between 50 and 130 uh teacher moves every year. But we will handle them in-house. We will supply the boxes for and and do those ourselves. And also uh this bid does not include moving everything out of Ruby Doo prior to the elementaries moving in. Uh we will do that in-house as well in the month of June prior to Armstrong
103Services showing up at the end towards the end of the month. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. >> So I'll make that motion to approve the bid. >> Okay. >> Uh I do have a question. I know you said that we're going to do up to 50,000. On the motion that were is on the Simbli, it doesn't have that amount. Correct? We need to amend that as a board before we vote or >> That I don't know. >> Because the motion that were is in Simbli does not have a uh a cap. It just says a contract for the moving company. Which then if we have to hire more, the board has not established it. So do we need to amend it just to say to add on a cap of 50,000? >> Just make the
104motion in that. Then I can make that motion to amend it to the cap at 50,000. That's what you were suggesting. >> Right. >> You don't have to amend it because that's the motion that they suggested. >> Okay. >> So you can make that motion. >> Okay. >> So you're ordering the last time, I guess. >> Okay. Can I get a second for that? >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Okay, it was a cap at 50,000, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Got to put it in there. Do we have any further discussion? >> Jacob seconded that, right? >> Yes, uh-huh. Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kearns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Ms. Beal? >> Yes. >> Okay, motion passes. Okay, um
105Dr. Hedgecorth, the stop-loss insurance renewal. >> Excuse me. >> You might be on mute, Dr. Hedgecorth. >> Thank you, Mike. All right, good things come in threes. All right, ladies and gentlemen, let's finish for our stop-loss insurance renewal. And so, what kind of stop loss is is since we're self-insured, we want to protect ourselves from any high-end claims that might go over a certain threshold. And usually they when they go out to market, they look at different scenarios of what that threshold would be. So, in past years, we've used $200,000 as our threshold, meaning any claims that go over 200,000, uh we're protected from. We don't have to pay on those claims. Uh when they went out to bid this year, the best bid we received was Blue Cross Blue Shield with an 18% increase.
106Um and an Optum provided a bid with a 19% increase. Uh another piece of this is a cap. So, Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the few firms that provides a cap, meaning that they guarantee that next year that they will not increase by more than 45%. Uh in today's market, there's a lot of companies won't even give you a guarantee of that. So, um we felt Blue Cross Blue Shield was the least and also they provide a guarantee of in subsequent years they have a cap of 45%. Uh we are asking you to approve of Blue Cross Blue Shield as the provider for our stop-loss insurance for this year. Um we did go go through the process of looking at what other deductible limits might be. And when they ran the scenarios, 97.8%
107of the time, that $200,000 had the lowest cost for us. Um of course that 18% increase is a cost increase for us on an annual basis of over $230,000. Um it is just the cost of doing business and having that that stop-loss insurance in place. So, be happy to answer any questions you might have. >> So, your recommendation is Blue Cross Blue Blue Shield? >> Uh yes. Yeah, Blue Cross Blue Shield or Blue KC is another name they go by. >> Yeah, I'll make a motion to approve. >> I'll second. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Ms. Burns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Ms. Beal? >> Yes. >> Okay, motion passes. Dr. Hedgecorth, thanks to you again
108with the selection of construction manager as agent. >> Yes, so we went out to bid for a construction manager as agent uh due to the fact that your construction manager risk cannot do the Benton classroom model project because it is not over a $3 million threshold. So, we needed to change the structure of that um after we got through our RFQ. We received four bids. All bids were from local companies here in St. Joe, and we had a committee made up of five district employees and three board members. So, we went through those proposals and we rated them based on the criteria in the RFQ. They had a matrix [clears throat] of different point totals that add to 100. Um after we took all eight committee members and then all the scores from those submission
109sheets, uh Leeper was the top firm um of those submissions. And so, what this action is tonight is not actually to approve a contract. It is just to approve the ability for myself to negotiate with Lear a contract for the Bentley model project. The board of course would need to approve the actual contract as we get to a spot where we have negotiations and we feel like there's a fair proposal. So we have any questions about the process or what the next steps would be once Lear and the district would come to a tentative agreement. >> Dr. Hedgecorth, you said that we're going to you're going to negotiate on behalf of the district and you said a fair a contract. So does that mean that if Lear and you cannot get to what's a reasonable
110agreement to industry standard, does the board need to give you permission then to go to number two or how does that work if we cannot get to a industry standard with that negotiation? >> Yes, so what I would do then I would ask the board to give me authority to work with Bruna, who was the second rate firm, and that would take board action. >> Thank you. >> Any additional questions? >> I'll make a motion to allow Dr. Hedgecorth to move forward with Lear. >> Okay, I'll get a second. Thank you. Ms. Chastain? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kearns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Ms. Field? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion passes. >> Ms. President, point of order, do we with our
111time sensitivity with this project, do we need to consider as a board maybe calling a special meeting maybe this week after Dr. Hedgecorth has negotiated to approve that contract so that we don't get delayed in construction time? >> Will you will you so that we're all clear which contract you're talking about so we make sure >> With Lear. So >> Okay. >> Dr. Hedgecorth's going to negotiate with Lear. He's going to come back with that and it takes board approval, correct Dr. Hedgecorth? >> You are correct, Jacob. >> Um in order In order for this process to get going, we have a hard deadline of next year. I would recommend that the board set a special meeting. Dr. Hedgepeth, when do you think would be the soonest we could approve that contract? >> Thursday would
112be a great day if that would work in everybody's schedule. >> I would like the board to have a discussion and I would entertain a motion that we have a special meeting Thursday pending Dr. Hedgepeth securing a contract with Lear. >> I think it's reasonable. >> And can we do it in the morning on Thursday? >> I cannot do it in the morning on Thursday. >> Yeah. >> I'm in clinic. >> Do you Do you have any time at all on Thursday to see Andrew possibly? >> I'm in clinic from 7:30 to 4:30. >> Okay. >> I could do 6:30 in the morning. >> [laughter] >> My time is the same as both of you, so I would think after 4:30. >> And I have class if I get my days right here. Um >>
113I can probably do 6:30. >> Thursday evening. >> We have the board set innovation awards. >> Oh, that's right. That's going on, too. >> But I can do it before that or after. Yeah, or I guess after. >> I mean >> Yeah. >> I I just feel with our timeline, we're not at the luxury of So you would have to be Thursday evening. So we're down to Thursday evening. >> Thursday >> We have the Hilliard or the Altec Innovation Challenge. I mean it's going to be a quick meeting, I assume. I am a rookie like Miss Fields, so I don't know, but I'm assuming this will be kind of a procedural matters. Could we do I hate to say 8:30, but >> 8:30? >> Could 8:30 we could meet? >> It's fine. >> Miss Williams
114is not here. I I do want to take consideration, um but at the same time, we're just time crunched, so I don't know what else we do with Ms. Williams not being here. I don't want to overstep that also. >> Well, I can't say. >> I none of us can. Yeah, yeah. >> Yeah, maybe we can look at Friday or Monday as well, right? I mean, maybe we should maybe we should table this and and do a little survey and >> Okay. >> I can do that. >> But I in general I support what you're talking about. >> Okay, great. >> All right, I will um >> Cuz it we have to post it We have to post it 24 hours or >> Yes, so if we do it Friday, we'll need to have a
115decision made by Thurs- by Wednesday evening, I would say, to be safe on that one. I'll do I will do some checking by sending out um and asking and tallying and getting back with everyone. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Jacob, for bringing that up. >> I don't know, thank you for the consideration. >> You're welcome. Go get us a good deal. >> All right, the next one >> to confirm that. If he does get us a good deal. >> He will. He's my guy. I got it. >> Okay, thank you. >> All right, uh capital improvement projects, Mr. Houseman again. >> All right. All right, so thank you again. Um tonight I'm here to present the 2026-2027 capital improvement budget. Uh the total request is for $1,887,000. This is across five project categories. Um from
116structural and roofing to electrical mechanical, safety security, site and grounds, and interior renovations. I'm going to hit just a couple real big ticket the big ticket items. Um the first one is Rubidoux. It's the roof section will be the first section. You'll see that there's three sections of roof there that we would would be replacing. Um those are full replacements down to the decking. Um the next big one at 350,000 estimated is the Lake Elsinore brick facade repair. Um what that is is the roof has been replaced in the last three to four years. Um Prior to that they had some issues where the cap on the roof was leaking. And what happened is that moisture got down in between the brick and the center block wall. In between there there's a metal tab that
117holds everything together. Those metal tabs have rusted over time. So what has caused is allowed the brick to start to move away from the structure a little bit. So what we need to go back in is to repair those sections, remove the brick, put them back in place where they properly need to go and repair some of the drainage around the outside of the building. Um, see the next bigger hit item. One item I want to point out for under sight and grounds, I believe I have replace west fence on Hojia playground. That is a typo, that is Hyde playground. Um, the next one will be the bitten metals that you were just talking to the Dr. Hedgecorth about. Um, there is a estimated budgetary line in there for the $450,000. Um, we don't anticipate
118using all of that. Um, but that is budgeted in as a line item there. Any questions on any of the other items that are on the list? I can go through more. >> Yes, let's see. I may be I may be thinking too much about recent years where we had that that bond to really you know get some nice things done. But this seems pretty low to me for for for the whole >> It is very low. It is considerably low and that is mainly for budgetary reasons. What we did over the past year and a half my team and I have carefully walked every facility and identified every deferred maintenance item that has to be done. >> Yeah. >> Um, this year. >> It's really acknowledgement of our overall financial >> It is correct.
119Okay. that. >> Okay, thank you. And yep. >> I have a question about the Rubidoux playground relocation. Yes. I know you kind of estimated that bid based off of moving a playground across the road from one side of the building to the other. Was my understanding of that. And I would imagine that moving a playground from Field or Pershing across the highway to Rubidoux is going to be a significant amount more. Have we had that like have we bid that process out? >> Yes, again, I've gotten real hurry bids and we're under that that amount already for both. Yep. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> I think this is a question for clarification on how the fitness medals are being paid for. Dr. Hedrick may want to speak to this, but I know the board talked
120about using the bond money, the interest off the bond. But due to some timing with having to spend that, I know it's in this budget now. I think for the public sake and just for transparency, if we could just Dr. Hedrick, if you just want to take 30 seconds and kind of update us why it's coming out of capital improvements and not the bond savings, I think it'd be beneficial for the community. >> Yeah, that's a great question. And so the amount that we received from the bond is tax exempt and therefore they govern as rules around how that can be spent and the time that it can be spent to ensure that that tax exempt status. So basically, we have different milestones that we have to hit. It's called arbitrage. So at a certain
121amount of time into the project at like 10%, 50%, 75% of the project needs and has certain certain targets for spending and we have to have the whole thing spent by 2 years. If we don't have it spent 2 years, then that means we have to pay a portion of that back of the interest that we earned off those monies back to the federal [clears throat] government. That deadline is the 1st of June, June 3rd. And if we do not spend it all by June 3rd, we have to pay back over $200,000. And so we We use any amount that's in place to us before that date for this VIN project. It would be wise to make sure it's spent before that date so we don't have to pay that back. So, anything that's not,
122you know, spent within that VIN project, we want to allocate it towards something else and use our capital projects fund to basically pay for the remaining of the VIN amount. >> Perfect. Thank you for that clarification. I think it just think it helps clear up that change of funding. So. >> I also want to mention, just moving forward as we're making like a long-range plan or any long-term plan for the district, all of these improvements that we're making like I don't want us to be investing in buildings that we're we're potentially going to dispose of or reconfigure in some way, shape, or form because I feel like there's a lot of upset where we used tax dollars to redo like HVAC in buildings like Field, for example, and now we're closing that building down after
123this year. So, we're taking that into consideration as well moving forward with our our projected long-range plan at this point in time. >> Absolutely. >> And what are we doing about the Rubidoux? I think we talked about last time we partnering up with MoDOT to get another stoplight or I don't see anything on the list >> Yes, no. So, currently every student that is on the other side of Rubidoux on 59 Highway is bused. That's the way it's always been. They were not required to cross this highway. We have been in conjunction with the city and they are going to put a new crosswalk that goes across Maxwell at the at the base of the street there by the auto bus. Yeah, and you will see in there there's two other locations like you'll see
124that we're looking at at some crossing additions and also in front of Lafayette as well, some updated. >> Okay. Thank you. Any further questions? Thank you for for trying to really whittle that day on and do just absolutely what's necessary. We appreciate that. Do I have a a motion to accept the capital improvement projects? >> I'll make it. >> Okay, thank you Jacob. Do you have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Cassandra. >> Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kearns? >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Ms. Field? >> Yes. >> Okay, and that motion passes. Okay, we're going to look at letter H that was added to the action items and Mrs. Miller, if you could please explain to us why
125you wanted this out in the process for for doing that. >> I wanted to move it out of the minutes to move to an action item prior to the acceptance of the minutes of those minutes to rescind my vote on the personnel matter. >> Okay. >> So, I'll make that motion that the board rescind the March 24, 2026 vote as to the reappointment of Christopher Miller only included as part of the board's approval of the probationary teacher reappointment list as presented. >> Do I have a second to that motion? >> I see Mike getting a a book. I would second, but I Mike, do you have a >> Reading from Robert's Rules, um a motion to rescind is made when you feel the assembly made the wrong decision when the assembly made the wrong decision
126when it adopted the motion. So, if we rescind this, we would be saying that we don't approve that whole action. >> Yeah, I would take it that by rescinding it, we're acknowledging that the vote needs to be corrected because there was a incorrect vote casted. And so, we need to clear that up and grant the right to make it right. Um here's where I'm at with it. I will second it so we can have discussion. Um by rescinding this vote, we are not putting the district at any vulnerability in legality. We talked to legal this morning. The district would not be in any new legal vulnerability. We would not be interfering with the MEC investigation. The consequences of Ms. Miller's vote March 24th is out of the control and the authority of this board. We
127do not have the authority to execute a judgment or to render judgment. Um so, by rescinding this vote, we're not eliminating the consequences that she could face for that decision. Um as a person, I think as board members and human decency, I always teach my kids when they do something wrong, they need to make it right and pay the consequences. And I think this is granting another board member an opportunity to make it right. It's not eliminating the consequences. It's not trying to interfere with an investigation. It's giving an adult an opportunity to say I should not have voted for that person and I'd like to make it right. So, I [clears throat] think the board should entertain rescinding the vote and recasting it so that Ms. Miller can abstain from voting for her relative.
128So, that's where I'm at personally. It's not going to change the outcome of the vote. Legally, those contracts as of I think April 15th are in place. This is more of just a person-to-person respect that when anyone does something wrong, it's in my my personal opinion giving them a chance to correct that and face the consequences that another governing body will decide on. So, that's where I'm at. Um if any one of our seven board members would make a violation like this out of my out of my heart, out of my respect for them, I would want to give them a chance to make it right. And so, I would like to see the board give her a chance to abstain from voting on her son um since it does not put us at legal
129vulnerability, it doesn't remove the consequences, um and it does not change the outcome of the decision. And it will not change the minutes of March 24th, so item H that we're getting ready to talk about, the rescission will not change history. History has been written. Ms. Miller cast a vote for a relative of hers, and this rescission will not change that. But I am supporting it because I want to let everyone in our district, students and staff and community people know that when you do wrong, you should make it right, and then you should pay the consequences of that decision. >> So, I have I have several questions. Just because I was sitting here last time, and I think I've been very vocal how I feel about this to everyone. But, question. When we first
130this first happened, I got a call by LaTonya who said this is not our matter, it's not a board matter whatsoever, and then I hear that the votes can be challenged. I asked for follow-up on that from either the MSBA or from our legal, has that been done? >> As far as Kim's votes >> The votes. >> Yes, I have checked with legal twice on that, and while the MAC is going through their process, she has the legal right to cast votes while the process is happening. I checked on Friday, and I asked that same question again this morning to make sure. >> Okay, thank you. >> Mhm. >> So, I'm just going to say this once, and I'm going to put past us, but I've said this when I sat here in this seat,
131is that how are we going to expect the community to respect us if we can't respect each other? And my problem is even 3 years back when we had um our committees. They got dismantled because of personal conflict and that needs to stop. And things like this just overshadows the stuff we need to get done. So, why? It was going to be my recommendation last time to take out the agenda cuz I'm done talking about it. If it's none of our business, if it's not board matter, we're overlooking the most important things we should be doing, but instead we deal with this pitiful personal conflict and only the students and only the teachers hurt. So, whatever we need to do, get this done and get past it, I would like for it to be done
132and no more. >> I would like to point out that policy BDD-2, voting method, and our school board governance operations policy states that when the member abstains, or wait, hold on. Says, second line, "Members may change their votes up to the time that the result of the vote is announced. Votes may not be changed after the after the results of the vote has been announced." I believe that would fall under this policy at this point in time. So, my understanding is that that is our policy. Herman, you know, what this is doing is this is asking each one of us to violate board policy BDD-2 to allow her an opportunity to listen to a vote. I also want to point out, like you had said, this does not alter the course of that action in
133any way, shape, or form. Legally, it does not alter employment for any of those on that report as far as we know. Um, so I'm not sure how a- acco- accountability accountability can be made in multiple ways. I think first accountability starts with acknowledgement and owning our own mistakes, um, which I do believe this was an honest mistake. I I believe it was done intentionally or with any malice of of any any sort. Um however, I'm not going to be willing to violate our own board policy in order to allow her an opportunity at accountability when there's multiple other avenues for her to do so. >> Would you please state that policy again just because it's such a big [applause] one and I have >> Yeah, absolutely. So, it is under B School Board Governance
134and Operations is policy BDDF-2 voting methods and under the first bullet point urban districts, it's the second line where it says members may change their votes up to the time of the results of the vote is announced. Votes may not be changed after the result of the vote has been announced. >> I think that's why we have to go through the rescission and the board has to go to rescind it as a whole board and we'd have to reopen it. I think I think you're correct. Um someone could not go to Donna and change their vote afterwards after it's been announced. >> Did we ask legal about that? >> Yes. >> We asked them specifically about policy BDDF. >> I asked them if she was able to rescind her vote and we do a revote
135and they they said yes. >> And so, I'll I'll refer to because I come from medical community. So, in medical community, we have what we call this umbrella. So, we have more restrictive policies and less restrictive policies. So, um our state as a whole or or the state of Missouri may say legally she can do that, but according to our district which is falling under a tighter umbrella here, we cannot do that per our own policy. Not for legal policy, but per our own school district policy, we may not change votes after the result of the vote has been announced. >> Unless due to Robert's Rules, we rescind the vote as a board which brings it back up. >> No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Robert's Rules says that you you only rescind a
136vote if you think the board made the wrong decision. So, if this board thinks that that entire personnel report needs to be not accepted then that's what we're voting on here. And I and I totally appreciate what you're trying to say without ever saying it ever is that I made an honest mistake. And I believe that. However, we can't it's it is in the hands of people whose job it is to do this kind of thing, Missouri Ethics Commission, okay? Per policy, per Robert's Rules, you can't just rescind that entire personnel report. >> And she's not asking to rescind the whole entire personnel report, only the vote on her son. >> But what Robert's Rule is stating is that you can't just cherry pick one thing out. You have the whole entire vote. You would
137have to say you made a mistake. >> It It simply made the wrong decision. If we were to rescind this if we were to rescind this, we would be saying that we think we made the the wrong decision in adopt when we adopted the personnel report in March. And I don't think any of us feel like that. >> I don't think Kim should have been allowed to vote on it. I think that was a mistake. >> It was her choice, though. >> I understand, but she's part of the board. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. >> I mean I I do think a mistake was made. I I don't think she should have vote on it. I think it's conflict of interest. >> I agree that the mistake was made, but my point is we are being
138asked now to go against Robert's Rules, go against our own board policy, and attempt to offer her a moment of accountability where accountability can be made in multiple other facets without any of us having to violate our own board policy or violate Robert's Rules. And if the rescission of the vote does not change the fact that the nepotism law was broken, does not change the fact of any employment on that personnel report, I don't see why we are involving ourselves in a rescission of the vote. Because it's going again against our own policies, against Robert's Rules, and it changes the outcomes of nothing. Accountability can be made in multiple forms. An acknowledgement of the staff. >> I think acknowledgement of not holding on again is a start. >> If you're willing to break board policy
139and Robert's Rules, you go for it. >> So again, I'm still worried for us to legal. Did we talk to legal that we could just pull out >> Yes. >> the one name >> It's policy. >> Legal was So So board leadership anticipated this happening. Um board leadership did not put on the agenda, but it's our job to anticipate all outcomes that could happen at a board meeting. Um so uh the president and myself took legal this morning, explained the situation, explained that we anticipated this happening, and asked, you know, if this does happen, what is the proper procedure that needs to be followed. And that is what is being followed right now. >> But Jennifer, I would also remind you that the legal counsel is versed in this very long constitutional law. They're not
140versed in each specific organization's policies. Um and I I'm not sure that they I doubt they considered Robert's Rules in that judgment as well. But per our own policy, you can pull it up on your computer, BDD-2, second line. >> I've read that. Yep, they've read that policy, and that's what I'm more because again, I don't even know why we're having this conversation. I mean, it is what it is, and I've been very vocal about this. But my thing is it it's not going to change anything. So either way, it's not going to change anything. My problem is are we doing it the way legal wants, not breaking policy? Or are we just going to cause Are we going to cause more trouble for ourselves? Down the road. >> Madam President, >> Yes. >> I'd
141like to call the question. >> Okay. Okay. We're ready for a vote on the motion. >> Do we have a >> Yeah, the motion to make the motion to rescind the vote concerning her >> but who seconded? >> I seconded it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I just want to make sure I have it right. >> And it's specifically that one employee. >> Okay. So, can we >> You want me to read it again? >> What I have is Kim Miller motion that the board rescind the March 24, 2026 vote as to the reappointment of Christopher Miller was only included as part of the board's approval of the probationary 18 reappointment list as presented. >> Motion that I work is on the floor now. >> Everybody got it? Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Ms. Kerns?
142>> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan? >> Yes. >> Ms. Miller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> No. >> Ms. Field? >> No. >> And we need to take this new employee. >> Yes. And so, now I have would like to have a motion for voting on the employee. >> Mr. Chairman, I'll let you need to say something here. Okay. >> I make a motion that we appoint Christopher Miller as noted in the personnel report. >> Can we get this uh this vote out of here? I'm sorry. We have a motion. >> Would that motion need to be on the agenda? >> [applause] >> All of that is illegal, so I mean >> Actually, it should be a on the agenda as an informational item as well as the approval of the minutes. >> Yes, we've already
143we've already discussed that tonight. >> It was an informational item first. >> No, it was taken from the consent agenda to the action. >> that up. >> What? The mistake we're making >> is we're trying to rescind the entire motion. I mean, we're you you can't rescind that piece. >> Okay, so my question is okay, so we're trying to correct and I do apologize mine I was attending a visitation and so I'm trying to catch up a little bit. Okay, so we removed the approval of the minutes from the consent agenda. >> Correct. >> Who removed that? >> Kim made the motion. >> Kim's not able to cuz that's a conflict of interest. It involves her son and we're making the mistake all over again. >> Here's the I have spoken with legal twice on
144this matter to make sure that we're doing it the correct way and so I am following what we were advised by our legal counsel. >> I would like to look at an email. I think that we all would like to look at the advice of legal counsel with our own eyes or listen to it ourselves. I think that this is a very tricky thing and even if it's legal to do which I doubt, it's kind of it's a little off of a person to make a motion about the minutes involving a family member. I'm worried about the legality of that. Cuz in all honesty, you're still involved [clears throat] in an article about a family member. Are you understanding what I'm saying? >> Yes, I am. I brought up to the board policy BDD F-2
145says that votes may not be changed after the results of the vote has been announced and while in the state of Missouri according to our constitution, legal can advise us that we can do that, but our own policy states that we cannot. >> Okay, so then if our own policy states that we cannot >> We've already voted to >> What are we supposed to do? >> violate our own policy. >> Oh, okay, we voted to violate our own policy. Okay, so now what are we doing right here? >> Correct. >> We're voting to I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm a little >> Ms. Williams, what happened was is the board's leadership anticipated um Ms. Miller doing this tonight. >> Oh, anticipated or just knew? >> I didn't know. >> Oh. >> I Ms. Ms. Williams, we've
146been very cordial and respectful of one another, and we we need to maintain that. >> Yeah. >> And so what I'm saying is >> Uh-uh. >> Okay, I would like to finish. What I'm saying is we went to legal and said, "If Ms. Miller would try to make a motion like this, is there vulnerability for the district? Does this interfere with anything, and what how should we respond to it?" And they provided, in an email that we can share, um how this motion would be made and the only way it could be made. >> And what does our policy state? >> Our policy says that you cannot change your answer after a vote has been casted. That's why that the board would have to vote to resend it and bring it back up for vote.
147>> But if it breaks law, you can't resend it. So can I also point out that prior legal counsel emailed and said, "Based off of Nixon versus Waite, man, that the vote cannot be resended to correct the error. The action has been taken, and it results in forfeiture of the forfeiture of the board position, unfortunately. The law also does not require specific intent, so even if this was not purposeful, the result is the same." >> Yeah, I say that my personal position is I'm not trying to change any outcome. I'm just trying to provide her with a a chance to make it right and then accept the consequences of it. So I agree with you that nothing we're doing here is is changing outcome or trying to remove consequences. Um it's just >> even following
148our own policies. And Robert, >> I think when you read that policy, it's that if we all cast a vote, I cannot go to Donna and change my answer after it's been called and collected. It would take a board action to bring that back up. >> My question is you just read the advice of legal counsel, right? >> I did. >> And and that's what >> Now they're giving as well. Now they're giving other and they're now giving opposite advice of what they already gave us is my question. And so, here's why when we're going, you know, to do things, I think it would be a lot easier or cleaner, you know, for all of us to be able to get the under standing of legal counsel, especially it completely goes against the policy and
149what legal counsel already told us. >> Hey Robert, would you like >> They already told us, "Here's how we need to handle this." And you're saying, you know, that they gave us a different advice, is what you're saying? >> That's what I'm saying. >> And then my point is I would like them to tell us that. >> Yeah. The advice is not that the board must do this or the board needs to do this. The advice is if if Ms. Miller wanted to rescind the vote, what are the implications of that and how should that be handled? But I'm fine to wait and meet with with legal. I mean, I I'm not hiding anything. I think legal will say say the same thing they told us. So, >> Okay. I would rather wait if possible.
150>> So, you want to table it? >> I'm just nervous about I'm just nervous about what happened before. >> I mean, I was I mean, if we're going to start throwing out accusations and saying that people are lying or doing stuff under I have I have no problem sharing what was told to us cuz I'm >> I trust but verify. >> Yeah, and I'm okay with that. >> I verify. I'm not calling anybody a liar. >> Yeah. Ms. Way, I tried to call you today. Just to be really honest, I tried to call each of you and talk to you. I got a hold of two of the three. I I was able to get a hold of you and I talked to you before the meeting. But, if you would like to see the
151fiscal email, I have no problem with that. For board unity and board sake, I I have no problem with that because what I'm trying to do now is just give an adult an opportunity to make something right. I I have no secret agenda, so. >> But, we've already said you can't make it right. >> I I understand that. We just had a conversation this morning with legal, so we can have that same conversation. >> Okay. So, so so so are you wanting to table the measure now? >> I will I will table it if for board unity. >> We We have um contacted legal and they're willing to to chat with us about it. If you want to take a recess and chat with them and then move forward. >> Yeah, if you're out of
152order. >> There was a motion to table. >> I motion to table. >> I second. >> Yeah, I'm okay with that. >> There's a motion to table and there's a second. >> Okay. >> Table. >> Yeah. >> Okay. You know, I just said the last 2 years that I think it's great that you say that cuz you know I'm very hard on Latonya. Tell me what legal said. Oh, let me follow up. Tell me what they said. I think it's very important that we do get that. Especially now it it drives me crazy that we get one thing one meeting and something different the next meeting. So, I very much agree with that. And again, I feel like we can't do anything with this. I don't know why we're wasting time anymore. >> I don't
153agree. >> And I agree too. >> We have more important issues, you guys. >> I don't know why we're wasting time. >> at each other. >> Yeah. >> More taxpayer dollars on attorneys. >> Cuz we all agree and you know that we're not going to get involved as a board. And so, I don't understand why we're doing this as a board and then you've you've already contacted legal and now we're going to contact over to legal again. And as you said, that's wasting more taxpayer dollars when we could be really really doing work. And so, I don't get the point in this. >> All right. Wait, WAIT A MINUTE. >> [applause] >> DO WE HAVE TO TABLE IT? >> YES, WE DO. >> OKAY. >> MS. CHESNEY? >> YES. >> MS. CARDENAS? >> YES. >>
154MR. MCMILLAN? >> YES. >> MS. MILLER? >> YES. >> MR. MOORE? >> YES. >> MS. FIELDS? >> YES. >> MS. WILLIAMS? >> YES, only Ms. Miller who needs to abstain from things like this. >> That's not what I was told, but I will I will happily abstain. >> You were told to abstain. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, let's move on to informational items. Um, this is done the ADA digital accessibility. All right. So, the US Department of Justice issued an interim rule extending the compliance deadlines for meeting the new ADA digital accessibility requirements for state and local governments. So, with cities with a population over 50,000, the deadline for compliance is now April 26th of 2027. So, we have another year to be compliant. For this reason, we'll have more time to address
155resources, staffing, and technology changes. So, previously I presented the possibility of looking at vendors who would be able to assist us with more accurate captions during our live streaming. Because of the deadline extension, we'll pause on that. We'll continue our current practice of live streaming and we'll continue to evaluate what resource resources are available to be compliant with the deadline next year. >> Thank you for that information. >> Do we have a a possible timeline? I know sometimes we forget about issues and then all of a sudden we're back at April's deadline. I think as a board we need to work harder to work ahead. So, realistically as a board, when do we need to start having this conversation in order to have time to put it through committees, community feedback, all the stuff that
156makes our decisions informed? So, when would you say would be a good time for us to start the process of adopting or having this decision made? >> Yeah. So, unfortunately, I would like to wait as close to deadline as possible because in the interim rule, um the US Department of Justice indicated they may review the substance of the requirements. And so, it's possible that something will change and I don't want to commit um funds toward a vendor until we know what the requirements will actually be. >> Okay. So, we're we're pending someone else's decision. >> We are. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We wouldn't want to have to do it twice, so. >> Agreed. Yes. >> Thank you. >> All right, Mrs. Studer, the career ladder. >> Tonight, I'm sharing just an informational item here
157um with the board regarding the district's career ladder framework and the adjustments currently underway. Um at its core, career ladder is designed to improve student outcomes. It connects additional compensation um to work that directly impacts student learning such as targeted interventions, academic support, and instructional improvement efforts. Currently, our 2025-2026 model includes three stages that have a structure with differentiated stipends based on experience. And so, at stage three, we have 390 teachers at 5,000. At stage two, we have 60 uh six teachers at 3,000 and at stage one, 83 teachers at 1,500. Up to 60% of the career ladder salary supplement is funded through a state grant with the remaining portion no less than 40%. However, um thanks to um our district leadership team and and just kind of rallied around this, there have been recent
158developments at the state level that required immediate attention and action to this. And on April 14th, that Senate Appropriations Committee recommended a 20 million reduction to the career ladder program. Given the timeline, a revision became necessary. And so, over the past week, I have worked alongside other school district leaders, our district leaders, um building administrators, and a representative working group of educators to evaluate our current model and identify the highest impact practices to carry forward in 2026-27. The focus has been clear. Remain aligned to district priorities, concentrate resources on what mostly, directly improves teacher effectiveness and our student outcomes while ensuring fiscal responsibility. So, there were um in the work with other districts, um and just um connecting with the KCRPDC, I'm I'm just sharing other districts' plans and what they had um presented on
159the table. So, there was an option one where there was no career ladder. So, there was a district um because of state funding decided not to lead forward um with a career ladder plan. Option two was a true flat rate. And a true flat rate means everybody gets the same, and it would have to be and work with that um district, it would have to be 1,500 because that's at stage one. And so, the flat rate there would be at 1,500, which is that's at stage to The option three was a flattened tiered model. It was a compressed structure that we looked at. And it was 1,000 uh for stage one, 1,800 for stage two, and then 2,800 for stage three. Um when working with the working group and uh connecting with our district leadership
160team, um we looked at a proposed redesign and the shift to just to be a two-stage system. Um and the two-stage system would be $1,500 stage one. Um and then stage two, a minimum of the three years experience, um up to $3,000. So, stage one really remains the same according to the career ladder plan. So, a minimum of two years experience, um you've completed mentoring, you completed the B tap program, um and you have at least 50 hours of student contact. That's up to 1,500. At that stage three uh two then, it's a minimum of the three years. I'll take any feedback, any thinking. I meet with the working group again tomorrow. Um you they I showed them all three plans. Here's what option three, where I I shared the flattened tiered model. Um 2,800
161is less than 3,000. And so, they wanted to keep the 3,000 there. Do you understand what I'm saying? So, if we had it staggered, where we were going to um lead a different amount, um they wanted to keep that 3,000 that they could earn for stage two. >> So, could you repeat for me? So, at stage one, they have to have two years experience, and then how many hours? >> At least at least 50 hours. >> And then what about the $3,000 level? >> A minimum of three years experience, at least 75 hours. >> So, are those the same amount of hours that they currently do with those duties? >> No, stage three right now is 100 hours. >> Okay. Okay. So, then we are still doing stage three? Are you Okay. >> The proposal
162um would not be to continue on with stage three. So, it'd be continue on with stage one and two. >> Okay. So, I have questions. They might sound a little silly. So, what is our saving doing that? What would What would our estimated savings be? >> Yeah, right now at stage three um with 390 teachers at $5,000, we're totaling 1.9. >> Okay. >> But, I also want to point out that this is a leading measure per the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Educator Recruitment and Retention. So, while our short-term savings may point out at 1.9 or whatever, when we're not affording the opportunity for our experienced teachers to have that additional pay, we're potentially losing them to surrounding districts. And we all know that retention of our teachers um is also another meaningful
163aspect of our budget. So, uh this is one of those things that I feel like it's most definitely going to touch our classrooms um and have a large impact on our classrooms, especially after hearing some of our educators talk about it. I mean, I wrote >> That would be even That wasn't even what I was going to say. I was going to say what is the cost that it's going to cost us like tutoring? Um is it going to cost us our before and after tutoring? Is it going to cost before and after? >> That's a great question. So, we talked about that at length in the working group. And it currently right now in the career ladder plan, there are lots of categories that a teacher can um can work to be compensated on.
164So, currently our plan says at least 50% of the hours need to be involved with direct student contact." Um we we really feel that um and listening to the working group um that um there are other avenues for mentoring. Mentors, you know, receive compensation up to $500 in working with first and second-year teachers through the PDC funds. Right now, some individuals decide which way they would go. At this particular point, we would love if you are mentoring a teacher to use the funds available in PDC to receive compensation for mentoring. Um we really want this to be um centered on our students. Um and I realize, too, that professional learning is also very critical and very important to change our practices and in moving student outcomes. And so, um we had worked with the working
165group to ensure that 2 to 20 hours that would be the cap, regardless if you're at stage one or you're at stage two, you could receive um 20 hours involved in professional learning. >> So, when we talk about cutting career ladder or taking it down, what all what is that all cutting? Cuz my understanding from hearing them speak was that it's going to decrease opportunities for our kids because that's how they're getting reimbursed for after-school programs and clubs and organizations. Um which again ties into some of our attendance initiatives cuz sometimes those things are the way that things get kids to go to school. Um >> And I don't want you guys to forget there is funds built in buildings do have funds for tutoring as well. Um these funds are strictly at the core
166for improving academics and and um the work involving um student learning. >> But what I'm asking is what does it cut? So, like are we not cutting the opportunities for those teachers to get reimbursed like additional time spent after school with the different clubs and organizations or >> Well, it would I would have to see what clubs or organizations are supported through the career ladder plan currently. I know some of the clubs and organizations are funded through general compensation like Stu Co. They have their compensation funded through that other way, but principals approve the plans. Right now with the work that we're looking at is we we we still value very much the teacher student relationship. We value this is interdependent also like you shared it's not only a priority in effective teaching and learning,
167but it's a retention and a recruiting factor. But I'm also trying to be very fiscally responsible for the stewards of what our community has gifted us. >> So, one of the educators earlier mentioned that the total cut to career ladder was for the entire state and that if you took that into account and divided it by the districts in our state that participate in career ladder, the cut to our district would be $50,000. Dr. Hedgecorth, I don't know if you can if you know anything about that or if you can verify that number or figure. >> You're correct. >> Is that correct? So, so are we making this decision or looking at this decision based off of that deficit of $50,000 that we would be losing in state funding? >> This was a collaborative decision.
168We we we have talked district leadership. I've got talked to Dr. Hedgecorth, Mr. Correll, and Dr. McGinnis, and again the principals and the working group on how do we still honor career ladder? How can we keep career ladder? There I will say there's a lot of discussion around the state that this this opportunity won't be afforded to us in 2027-2028 and so it's a it's a general phase out of the career ladder program itself. >> I understand too as we are trimming 40% much like what the state is doing with the career ladder budget. They're trimming 20 million which is about 40%. So that's what we are doing with our plan. I also want to just make a note because the last two years I have overseen career ladder and every time we put it
169on the front page of the career ladder plan it's bold and it's underlined. This grant program is subject to annual appropriations and contingent upon state funding. And so career ladder has come and gone over the years in our district. It's affected me and probably several teachers where the state ends the funding. Eventually they may bring it back and but the word that we are receiving from our legislative advocates is that it's going to be a phase out approach. That's that's kind of what we're hearing and this is just a phase one eventually for it to go away because of the cuts to state funding. Again at the minimum we're looking at trimming 4.2 million for next year. And so we don't want to do away with this program. We understand the value but I will
170say there's also activities that we think could be repurposed to be more like tutoring and I'll give you an example. Sometimes we may have administrators who cannot supervise games and so we have teachers who are using career ladder for that. So we want to tailor those dollars to academic outcomes and things that are aligned with our CCIP and then as Stacia said we will just continue to re- re-evaluate this program. >> Is this still a work in progress? >> Yes, I'm I you know, I'm seeking any feedback that you guys have this evening. I'm going back to the working group. I will say the working group was pretty clear on the fact that they did not value the flat and tiered model, which I thought they would, but it was again, it was under the
171$3,000. And so they thought they liked the idea of having just the two stages and then aligning the priorities to those particular two stages. >> Dr. Hedgeforth, I thought you were going to chime in at some point. Were you Were you going to chime in as well? >> Yeah, Dr. Hedgeforth, you just basically said what I stated, you know, based on what the levels of the state were last year before and the reduction of 20 million. That's just over 40%. So, if we did not change our career ladder plan and left it as is, the state last year paid about 1.6 million. So, they saw that 40% reduction, they're going to pay, you know, like 6% of what they paid in the past. And so, that equates to about 960,000 that they'll put towards career
172ladder instead of the 1.6 million. >> [clears throat] >> And so, really the new plan is to try to reflect this, you know, this the cost that the state that they made and it's not changing the level that we are contributing towards career ladder, it's matching what the state reduced. >> Okay, any further discussion? I'll just say one other piece. It is unfortunate timing because these conversations are just now taking place at legislative level, but we do have a due date coming up for this career ladder plan with the state. We can put apply for it and put pending board approval, but I just want to make that very clear as well. >> Yeah, you know, look, I think from a slightly higher level, well, we have a tendency to I think people know our
173financial situation or We're to understand it. We heard it maybe maybe $4 million short, maybe $6. And so what we start to do is faction off, right? We start to say, "Well, hold on a second. My program." You know, so we hear from early learning, we hear from we hear from uh facilities, we hear from from career ladder. And everyone is really just advocating for their piece of the pie to remain the same. And I think as a board, we need to understand that that's probably not going to be possible. And uh I think from an administration standpoint, I mean, what I what I need from administration as a board member is I need your professional input on where it makes sense to make the cuts. This idea of cutting as far away from the
174classroom as possible. I promise you, nothing we talk about is going to think that they are far away from the classroom. And so we we we We've got a tough road ahead, and I think we need to start talking in those terms. >> And I agree. I just We're automatically So, we're going to keep cutting and cutting from and they're going to go somewhere else. And I mean, I cuz I know people around us are still doing the career ladder. So, that's the only thing I just worry about is we're going to lose our good staff because we're taking so much away from them in one year. >> Well, well, and the thing about it is And Mike, I do agree with you. You know, okay, but the thing is is we do need to
175cut away from the classroom, not the individual in the classroom. And we're >> Yeah. >> cutting individuals in the classroom, and I don't think that's right. I do agree with you. People are leaving. I mean, people use me as a reference the time. I get calls. Our people are leaving cuz we are taking away and we're not giving them a reason to stay. >> So, I would ask if we're not trimming this and we don't want to cut early learning, what are we cutting? >> We have to cut 4.2 at the minimum, so And I think it would be great when Dr. Hedgepeth comes back and we talk about some of those uh pieces that came out of the finance committee, but we have to make tough decisions and as we propose things, we have
176to make tough decisions. If we don't do this, then what? >> I agree. >> So, if I can add something, you know, the the statements that Dr. McEntire has made at the end of the meeting talked about 4.2 to 6.2 million in reduction of revenue, that is just related to the reduction in SAT. We have not taken any consideration to any of the property tax bills that's going through the state legislature right now. And so, we're assuming right now none of those going to pass because we don't have any indications of, you know, what the impact will be, but I have a feeling that some of those will pass and those will come uh to reduce our local effort as well. So, 4.2 to 6.2 reduction is just the um I'll call it the the
177small side of this if any of those property tax bills were to pass in the future. So, just something to think about as we talk about this. >> I think another thing I'm sorry. I think I Another thing to keep in mind is that we're just not at a place where we can absorb a lot of deficit. Um I think other districts with the revenues being cut can ride this out for a year, can make less, but like Mike said, everyone's going to come and want to defend their department, but as you look at the full pie, we just don't have the luxury to pass this down the river. Uh we don't have the reserves and the savings to absorb three, four, five million dollars in deficit. So, what we're going to have to get
178a balanced budget. The question is, how do we get there without impacting, you know, academics and the staff least, you know what I mean? We that's means we're the last thing we cut. So. >> So, Sean, I just want to say thank you for not just at the administrative level saying this is what we're doing, but getting input from other members of the staff to brainstorm together and I really appreciate that collaborative effort that you're trying to do and get get ideas from a multiple multiple people in order to make a decision. I appreciate that. Thank you. >> So, you're still working on it. >> Yeah, we are this tomorrow. >> And [clears throat] I get it. I get why we ask them because it's just hard. >> We don't like it either. >> And
179I I just didn't want to cut it all together. Like there like I said, I stated there are there are multiple districts down south that said, I already know this is not going to carry forward in 2027-2028. How much energy do I want to put behind this plan? >> Hey, Dr. McGinnis District Reorganization Update. >> Okay, let me get there. Okay, just a couple of reminders of the farewell event coming up on May 14th, the K-12 open house event coming up on May 19th. And we were able to meet a couple of our students in the advisory council today. And so, we met on Friday and we did some final feedback on our committees. If you remember, we have three committees, increased enrollment, academics, climate culture. And I'll tell you that probably the top topic
180was what are we going to do with class rank and top 10. And Dr. Davis is here and I know she's going to help figure that out next year. It's a little bit tricky because of PowerSchool. Um so, we'll have to probably do some by hand calculations, but she's got this. And then we also had three different stations for our kids to go and provide feedback on posters. The first one was about building one culture between two buildings. So, for example, Pershing and Field coming together at Robidoux, building that one team culture. The second station was any ideas for the open house on May 19th. And then the third station was about ideas to start the school year off as one team on a positive tone. And so, they had a lot of great ideas.
181Some of them were a little expensive, like getting together at the Civic Arena. And they do know we're on a budget, so then they narrowed it down to Missouri Western. And then other ideas that were really simple, building a culture, they talked about principals and staff interacting with kids at lunch. And that's really simple. So, anyways, I've gotten so much feedback and great ideas from these kids, and I will share those minutes with you as soon as I can get those all cleaned up. And then Mr. Hausman spoke about the crosswalk on Maxwell Road. So, that is in the works. We appreciate that partnership with the city of St. Joe, and they are going to put in high visibility crosswalk crosswalk markings, which is an estimated cost of 2,500 to 5,000, and also the fluorescent
182yellow-green pedestrian warning signs at a cost of 1,200 to 3,200. So, we appreciate that from the city of St. Joseph taking care of that for us. And then the last piece is about MSHSAA eligibility. And so, Dr. Nolte is not here tonight, but he has been working with MSHSAA to make sure that our students who are being impacted by the district reorganization will be eligible for participation in sports and activities next fall. And so, we did get confirmation from MSHSAA last week that they will have immediate eligibility as long as they are in that resident school. >> Yeah, I was surprised that was even a question. >> We didn't think it would be either, but I'll tell you the kids were super relieved on Friday to get that hot off the news. Yeah, because you
183just don't know until you have that writing. So, we feel much more at ease having that in writing for Misha. >> Yeah. >> So, and that is really all the updates that we have on the district reorganization. Are there any questions? >> I do, but I'm wondering I should have asked my question earlier with Mr. So, I'm sorry. >> It's okay. >> All of us on the board have received email from a concerned teacher at Central who said that they were worried they hadn't gotten word of their placement, but knew several other teachers at Lockett that already heard of their placement. They asked about a timeline of when they were supposed to find out their placement as well as the other educators at Central. >> he knows his placement. What they're wanting to know is
184what classes they're teaching in the fall. >> Okay. So, is there a timeline of when the educators will know this or you know, people are reaching out asking questions. >> Yeah, our academic service team along with Dr. Reed, Dr. Davis, and myself have been working on the master schedule to support Central right now. I believe Dr. Davis has turned that over to Mr. Hardy, right? And he's currently looking at that schedule and building that schedule out. All the teachers know where they will be teaching. They just don't know their course subject yet. >> Okay. Maybe I I shouldn't have said placement then. Maybe it's all right or their subject matter. So, do we have a time frame of time frame of when they'll know that or I mean I mean I get there's so many
185moving pieces here. So, I don't I I I don't understand all of the inner workings but just you know, when these people are asking at these things, I want to make sure that they feel heard and seen and like I want to make sure I'm responding to them appropriately. >> Mhm. Mr. Stover has met with that individual multiple times. But, I will tell you sometimes teachers will resign and then we have we hire a new person, and so it depends on what they're certified in, and so the schedule can change even to throughout the summer. So, we hope that what we're communicating right now is what teachers will be teaching, but there's still some positions that we may need to fill before we can say this is your set schedule for the fall. >> And
186I will add to that because we've even through our initial placements that we announced back in February-ish, we've had to make some adjustments from that as well. So, saying this is your initial placement was good because we had to go to some staff members and say, "Hey, we had a resignation." Once they were doing the schedule, they realized we needed more sections at this school versus this one. So, telling someone now, "Yeah, you're teaching American history." Could change next week because we have another resignation, and we need to put this individual here. So, if we did tell them again, it would be another initial placement on what they're teaching. >> So, basically what you're saying is they have like preliminary placements up until about June-ish, and then sometime in June we'll have official permanent placement?
187>> I mean, that could even change too. If we get resignations in June or July or August, which happens, we may have to make adjustments then as well. And that's very typical at the elementary level. We start school at elementary, and sometimes have to move a staff member because we didn't anticipate enrollments being higher in first grade at this building, and then they're lower at this building. So, we've had where staff members have to move buildings at the elementary, and that's pretty frequent. >> We had to do it even at high school last year. We didn't have a math teacher at Lafayette, and we had to move from another building. So, it happens. >> But, those are rare rare occurrences. Usually, staff members know what they're teaching. Um I'll I'll speak as a former building
188principal. When we were making adjustments, um I did not tell them. I told the last week of school. So so it's not uncommon for them to not know. >> Okay. Okay. Any other questions? >> [clears throat] >> Okay. Um Facilities and discussion. Yeah, so we have a draft that has been uploaded. It's very similar to the draft that we uploaded in January with the same kind of questions that we presented in January. I know the the decision was to pause on a facilities plan draft as we were going to complete the steps in the reorganization process. Um but now we're in April, and so we think it's an appropriate time to bring this back. Um so we have everything in there. The piece that we need help with is the 5-year, the 10-year, and the
18915-year plan. As we build that out, we believe it is going to be important to have community input in that process as we're moving forward long-term planning. And so DLR does have a service where they will come in and facilitate community engagement sessions if that is something the board would like to consider. And then we will reach out to them and see if they can come speak to the board directly and allow you to ask questions. Um if that's not something that you want to do, you can give us that direction, too. Obviously, we still have work to do finance-wise. 75% of our budget is staffing, and so that means that means tough decisions are ahead. Um but I would gladly receive any feedback that you guys may have in regards to facilities long-term planning.
190>> Would you happen to know the cost of having them come in and advise? >> I don't. So they gave us a ballpark number, but it included a scope of work that was far more extensive than what we would probably need, including coming in looking at buildings, doing our rating scores. And we think we can do some of that internally, but we could do just the community engagement piece. Um I don't know what that pricing is. I kind of wanted to get a feel from the board to see if that was something that we wanted to do. >> Yeah, I mean I'm sorry. >> I'm okay either way, you know, but it if they're going to come in and we're going to pay them, we need to listen, even if the answers [clears throat] are
191things we don't like. >> That's my thing. >> That was going to be my statement, too. I just feel like in in the past, even before this board or before this administration, historically our district has done this, where we paid demographers and different people to come in and give us advice and suggestions, and then just left it at that. So, if we're going to pay somebody and contract them to do it, then I feel like we need to be willing to accept that advice, regardless of of what it may be. >> Well, sometimes we did, and the voters didn't accept it, so that's the thing. >> Yeah, but that's not That's true. I mean, at least if we try. >> Community engagement is a necessity. I mean, for that to work, it's going to have
192to happen. >> Yeah, I mean, look, we and and and and it will cost money, but, you know, if you look at where we're going to have to go with millions for the sixth to, you know, gosh, whatever, um I think it'd be money well spent. Yeah. >> Only if we listen. >> So, if that's the consensus of the board, I will reach out to DLR and see if they can come speak to the board, that way you guys can learn about the scope of the work, and they can hopefully put together some some numbers for us on the cost. >> So, they would have kind of like a medium option if we ask for that. >> They do. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, I know that they would scale it down to only do
193the community engagement sessions if that's what we wanted to do. >> Have we considered re-implementing our facilities committee? >> We haven't discussed that. >> To facilitate this, that would be I mean that one would be free of cost. >> It would be. We also wouldn't have an outside perspective. So just the experience that we had in that facilities committee, lots of feedback from different angles, but I feel like we didn't Jacob, you were on that committee as well. I feel like we had a hard time building consensus around a direction. >> Yeah, I was as well in years past. And that's true. >> Lots of opinions, lots of great ideas, but nobody to build consensus for a path forward. >> Okay. Just curious. >> I would be interested in what a third party would say
194knowing our buildings, the the ratings, and and seeing what they think would be the best path forward. >> Kind of takes I feel like some of that emotional piece out if someone comes in from the outside and looks at it. >> So if we're good with that, I will move forward and have a conversation with DLR and see if they can come here and present. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. The last item is uh board notes. Latonya, want to give your report um from your MSBA of experiences? >> Yes. Um our quarterly meeting was um almost a couple weeks ago. And of course, our main focus was on advocacy um for public education especially funding. And there were lots of hours, you know, leading to school boards as a
195whole need to do all they can to advocate for public education at every level. It's not the time, you know, to be kind of passive or even passive-aggressive. I mean, all of us are elected officials on the body of a public school board, and we need to reflect that. Um It was really disappointing and kind of embarrassing, you know, that everybody knew about my resolution of last month. It was not approved under our board. Um cuz I was told many times, "How can our board advocate to others to support public education when we're not doing it ourselves?" And that's about it. Are there any questions? >> Uh actually, yes. I'll bring something up about that. And I said earlier, when we had our workshop last June, we made a really good plan together for advocacy.
196We had like the last 20 minutes. I actually sent the clip to somebody. Um so, this year, I would like us to be able to plan that. I think it's embarrassing that we didn't follow through with that. So, I would like to make that plan again at this workshop and follow through. >> Okay. I can add that as a retreat um item. >> Thank you. >> I would also like to add, along with Hedgecock, that there's a question about a bill about a policy. I am on a committee of MSBA, and so I know a lot about the policies in there and the ins and outs of those if anyone ever has any questions. That's all I got. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Okay, we're at future meetings and events. On May 11th, that's
197the scholar athlete coach of the year community service awards. May 12th is a change for our board meeting in order for board members to be able to go to the May 11th meeting. So, May 12th is a Tuesday at 5:30 will be our next board work session. Uh May the 12th at 3:00 is also the board finance committee. The district will be closed on May 25th for Memorial Day, which puts our next board meeting also on a Tuesday, May 26th, um our special Board of Education meeting. Can I have a motion, please, to adjourn our meeting to executive session? >> about future meetings? >> Sure. >> We had discussed I'm just going to say I'm on the board. We had discussed having a town hall in April. >> Oh, yeah. >> And that never happened.
198Is that still something that we are doing? And I feel like that was Before I was on the board, we had talked about the importance of that and having a town hall, you know, quarterly, whatever. Um since we didn't do it in April, is that something moving forward into the spring summer board meetings to do? >> I think that's a great idea. I just think if we say we're going to do it, we need to do it. >> I agree. >> I and I understand it's not fun >> Oh, no. >> to be >> I think it depends on the topic. >> There is some feedback, but you know, at the same time, I think >> Sure, that's fine. >> it's important to hear people. >> Do you want me to put that on my
199to do and checking with everybody list? >> Yeah, I'm sorry. >> No, you're fine. That's why I That's why I bring papers so I can write it down. >> Go for it. >> Okay. I make a motion to adjourn the executive session pursuant to 610.021, closed meetings, closed records for legal, hiring, firing, disciplining disciplining or promoting of particular employees and individually identifiable personnel records. >> All right, can I have a motion and then to adjourn the meeting and we'll do roll call. Ms. Chesney? >> Yes. >> Ms. Burns? >> Yes. >> Ms. Noe? >> Yes. >> Ms. Noe? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore? >> Yes. >> Ms. Beal? >> Yes. >> Ms. Williams? >> Yes.