001Thank you. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. Thank you, please. Miller. >> Miss Williams. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Mr. Moore. >> Yes. >> Thank you all for being here tonight. We are here to discuss our facilities and district reorganization. That will be an action item on our board agenda following this public hearing. So without further ado, we will get to public comment. This is the way to speak about the structure of that. Thank you. Okay. There's lots of speakers and so I'm just asking for everybody to please be mindful of your time. Everyone will have up to 3 minutes in order to speak and after I will let you know everyone's able to speak only one time and the comments are only about the organization. As you speak, I need
002you to provide your name and your address, please. And if you're ready to start one, you guys can just line up number So there's Okay. Also another thing as people are up here speaking it takes lots of courage takes lots of everything tonight is an emotional evening and I do understand that please be mindful and courteous of everyone. Hello, I'm Vanica 2707 Street at Central High School. I would like to say that under schools in our community as a whole of this decision. Yes, it's awful many other schools. How does this indicate half student population here we have to go to school and sit on the sidelines I need to leave school Okay. >> Students, faculties have test. If you decide to push all these things into one place where there would be crowd and
003classes full of over 30 kids, these tests are so important will tank drastically. We cannot learn in class where we can't concentrate the best teaching and education possible due to the population of school. It will also increase competition and hundreds of kids will not be able to participate in things they love. Yes, you guys may be impacted by decisions but you have no idea that their whole lives by the decision made by adults who aren't a bigger picture. Money doesn't seem so import communities. It is still more important than making sure every single decision has impacted thousands. You spent the last couple of weeks in the community speak out on behalf of the kids and themselves and it's been a conscientious decision that we all seem to agree on. We want our students to stay
004first. It shouldn't be our decision to make what is best for us. The most flexibility with the least staff while still achieve the necessary. If you can sit there and throw together and it's not with us and it's obviously not that much truly Thank you. [applause] Can hear me here. Okay. My name Street Professor. No. For the past few years, people asking you and previous school board members to leave our three high schools intact, but for some reason more reasons some do not want to bring forward. We keep readressing this this year. I oppose the closing of the country being a service to the neighborhood called Church and here we are wanting to repurpose it as Graceville again, which it should be. For the past few weeks, adults and students have been asking to please
005leave our three high schools alone. We have heard various times about how these numbers and those numbers of students will be affected. Just numbers. But I ask you, look out the faces, the very real faces of those your decision will affect. I'm one of the people concerned with reading people through schools because I was hearing either upset me, upset me, or did not make sense. We know every plan is not exactly perfect, but we feel the best plan for the city next is plan B for everybody. All three sight schools are important to its neighborhood. Everyone thinks these schools are a safe haven for students, but they get good meals and protection from the world they have to live in at home. If they are stuck on buses, they will lose both and other positive
006influences that I've seen. These schools are behind our community and they will have their own specific districts. My schools been included in three different buildings in it 120 year history. Part of our history good, some bad produced doctors, lawyers, architects, builders, machinists, professional athletes, musicians, artists, teachers, and hundreds of others are essential to our economy. Sadly, this year though, we We remember the 50th anniversary of losing one of our friends Jenny Sparks to his uncle name in his honor. Jimmy's dad at barber shop a member of ours community. We have lost students and teachers through the years. We honor them and remember them. His admission into a hospital was a very big bad idea in my opinion. When I say that from personal experiences back in the days when dinosaurs role the world, I dated
007a girl from Central. We had a conversation once about which was better. Of course was better. Yes, Mr. Reese was part of my but I asked her if she knew everyone in her class and she said no. I told her at the time I knew all my classmates by name that men which at the time was the second largest. >> Let's just say in closing that plan for everybody. [applause] >> Hi Lafayette. I'm asking the board to vote for planning for everyone. I want you to keep kids in mind as you vote. Thank you. [applause] I was involved in LA basketball softball at the sports department. As a freshman, I had opportunity to grow and participate in school in the community. The pressure to be able to have the same opportunities in high school experience.
008It was also clearly stated that two failed closed up which led to mistrust in the church at school for the past week students. option for options. You guys have to change your responsibility. Good. Thank you. People fear that in a few years after closing schools and uprooting families, we will be right back, but with fewer community left. Consolidating schools might look efficient on paper, but efficiency is not the same as effectiveness. If these measures succeed in if these measures don't succeed in balancing enrollment or attendance, and it's more than possible that they make them worse. We'll have widened the gap between the district and the people you serve. Once that trust is gone, it is nearly impossible to rebuild. Every school in this district represents more than a building. It represents a neighborhood, a history,
009and a sense of belonging. Families want to feel they are a part of something they choose, not something forced upon them by distant decision. 5 years ago, my family chose to return to St. Joseph. We could have moved to County districts with stronger reputations, but we came here because we believe in this community. But if the board goes forward with either of the administration's proposals, I will look back on that decision with deep regret, and I know many families will face serious decisions about their future here. That's why I am urging you to support a plan modeled after plan B. Plan B is a communitydriven plan that respects the structure of our neighborhoods and honors the character of our town. is for everyone because it represents an inclusive forwardinking path that brings people together instead
010of dividing them. If one of you will move uh moves to go forward using plan B as a model and another of you will second that motion, each of you will have the opportunity to show the community that you're willing to stand with us and not simply above us. Let's rebuild not by closing doors but by opening them. Let's choose a plan that includes everyone. Thank you. [applause] I'm Lieutenant Colonel Dave Jones. I'm the senior army instructor right here at Central High School. Has bombs artillery and and machine gun fire and small small arms rounds and packing all around us. I would like to give words of encouragement to the school board and to our district staff. To the school board, thank you for being a volunteer serving our school board. You don't get paid
011to do this job. You make enormous sacrifices of personal time, finances, and restless nights to serve right here in St. Joseph. Thank you for your service. I would like to ask the school board to trust the district staff to implement the plan that you choose. We have homegrown educators and now administrators leading our district. We have a superintendent who will work day and night with her staff to implement your plan. We have an HR director who generally cares about people and has a proven track record to show it. We have a one of the most competent budget directors that we've had in many years that will badly will get this district in better shape with our plans. We have an academic service director who's passionate about curriculum and mentoring our teachers to be the very
012best in the classroom. We have a director of operations who will help plan out the necessary building transitions. I will be as a stock cabin. We have countless other staff members at the district who have worked tirelessly to implement your plan. Trust your district. Police trust administrators in each of the school buildings to implement the plan that you choose. Their leadership at the ground level will be tested and tried. That's for sure. How they chosen to be here in St. Joseph. Many of them are homegrown and their loyalty to this city and the courage to care for our students is firm. Never doubt that. Trust your administrators. And lastly, please trust your teachers and staff to implement the plan that you choose. As one veteran teacher that I know said, Jones, we'll teach in grass
013because everything we do is for the kids. Everything that we do is for our students. Trust your teachers. Trust your building. Hello, I'm Billy Bridges, a senior at Lafayette High School. I'm here to speak on behalf of all Lafayette students. This will be impacted. I want to start by sharing that I went to a private school here in St. Joe from preK to sixth grade. I decided to transfer to Rubo Middle School to get out of the toxic school environment that I was in. I chose the North Side. I chose Lafayette and I chose to be a name, not a number. I chose a close-knit family that welcomes everyone. They welcome me with open arms and everyone was so kind. The teachers at Lafayette are amazing and they care about each and every one of
014their students. I had many opportun captain on the cheer team. I played softball and got to attend state and internationals for DECA. None of that would have been possible in a big school. So, I want to point out this to show you how many opportunities you're taking away from so many kids. I understand there needs to be a change within this district. So, I support the Lafayette model, not only because I go to Lafayette, but also because of the logistics behind it. However, my mom is a teacher here in this district and I fear of what will her job if these plans go through. Are the jobs of tenure teachers safe in this district? How many teachers will you be changing the lives of? How many great people on your staff will leave to find
015better opportunities? I ask these questions because I care about the people who changed my life. Now, I'd like to point out the hypocrisy of what was said at last week's meeting. You want equal opportunity in the middle schools, either moving sixth grade to all the middle schools or moving them back to the elementary, yet you want to have a freshman center where they're completely separate from the high school. That doesn't make much sense to me. And if I interpret that wrong, I want a better explanation. Lastly, I want to say thank you for listening to everyone here, but please understand how many people you're affecting. Please just make a decision to better this community, not tear it apart. Hello, I am Kenzie and I'm a senior at Lafayette High School. I am here today to
016keep LS and plan too. As a Lafayette senior, it breaks my heart to think I could be a part of the last graduating class. I think about my younger below me who have dreamed about graduating sad that they could never get that opportunity. Although it has been said forever, Lafayette is truly a family and I want other generations of kids to experience that of what privileges I have had experiencing the last four years at Lafayette. Beyond these four years, I have grown up surrounded by Lafayette. Through my older brothers and my other family members, Lafayette has been more than just a school. It's been a community and a home for so many other students and families. taking that away would mean denying future kids the same meaningful experiences and opportunities and the sense of belonging
017that has changed so many of us. I would like to point out that Lafayette is the only school in this district that has the targets program taking that away from Lafayette but you would also be taking away the opportunities of the deserving kids that need it. Personally I have experienced being a part of the Lafayette softball team where I'm a name not a number choosing would be a slap in the face of the community as it is not the best decision for the district financially. But if money is the whole point, why is still even considered and recommended to the board? Closing LHS would not rally to my school together, but send hundreds of students and staff out of the district for better opportunities. Thank you for listening. Please choose to keep my school open.
018>> [applause] >> My name is Jacy Jackson. I'm a junior at Lafayette. I want to speak about my concerns for the effects that closing the schools will have on my senior year and the future years of the students in this district. I understand that a decision must be made and that closing schools would help us save money and deals with issues of lowering enrollment. But before any final decision is made, we need to make sure it's the right decision based on information and fact, not opinion. Closing a school isn't something that can be undone. It affects students, teachers, and families and communities as a whole. If we rush into it without all the facts, the risk of making a choice that harms more than helps increases greatly. Have all the options truly been looked into?
019Have you listened to the students, parents, and staff? What are we really going by the numbers? Are we taking the time and thinking thoroughly through this? If we don't take the time needed, this could end us wondering if we truly made the right decision. Every school is more than just a building. It's where students connect, gain support, and add to love and history. If we close schools, we will lose these communities forever. So, I'm asking our district to pause, gather all the information, listen to the people who know the schools best. Thank you again, and I hope you all take a minute and think so that the correct decisions can be made. >> [applause] >> Hello. Tonight I'm Columbia being recognized as being named Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year. I did decline that invitation
020as I figured there was more important things to discuss. So here I am. I truly do believe in the powerful statement that was shared last week. The educator makes all the difference and we are hurting. I have never worried about our culture this much. Now, I can only speak for the buildings that are closing, losing our colleagues to become family and students we see as our own. I did brace myself for the year as the message was loud and clear at our convocation. One team, everyone in the same gray t-shirt. Any identity or pride we had in a place where many of us spend more hours in our own homes was taken away from us. I do believe in the power of one team. But I know the families we create in our schools, not
021just with each other, but with our with our kids. The secret handshakes, the morning hugs, the squeals of I can't wait to be in your room. Our schools come together with a common mission every day. Make the best day for our kids. And we do that. But right now, we are running on fumes. I think we forget that inside those buildings are humans. The demands are high. Stress is The resources are limited from mistakes that are not ours to shoulder. I love my job when I'm in my room. It's when I open the door. Right now, we're worried about our students, our colleagues, and ourselves. Probably in that order. So, I stand before you not knowing what to do, but please remember us, the ones who have stuck around and poured so much into this
022district, into these kids. The common answer with the younger teachers this year, and really the past few years, when things top. I'm going home. They're going home. They got some experience and now they're marketable to other districts. This is my home. My house is off St. Joe Avenue. I was raised on 15th and Pacific. And I'm a proud Lafayette graduate. But I'm tired. And I know I'm not alone. My oldest was a middle school counselor in the Springs District. SJS was not even a consideration. And I'll tell you why. Not because of pay, not because of buildings, but solely due to the instability of the dark clouded message. We're going to shut the buildings down. No dumb teacher wants to come here and be uprooted or you might not have a job. This has been
023our [laughter] message for so many years and we wonder what the problem is. Many of us stand before you asking for help two years ago. A possible 4day work week, a Hail Mary, not because we wanted it, but we work every day knowing something has to happen. we were not listened to. Please stop and listen. Listen to our community. Listen to your teachers. Listen to these brave kids. So, I stand before you again today to really think about what's best moving forward. To take my teacher hat off and put my mom hat on. 900 kids in a north side middle school is not okay for my sixth grader. I'm going to continue to real fast. I know my family has options and I know I sit in privilege when I say that. So, please consider
024the hundreds with others I love like my own that do not have that privilege. Move forward, but make it fair. Make it equitable. Do the right thing. Your students and teachers are counting on you. All of us. [cheering] [applause] Good. Good evening members of the board, community and administration. My name is Cassandra and I asked not to share my address due to professional reasons. I come before you tonight as a concerned citizen but someone deeply frustrated by the process that has unfolded around the proposed consolidation and closure of buildings in our district. Over the past several weeks, our community has shown up, parents, students, staff, all speaking passionately and thoughtfully about the impact these decisions will have on our children, our schools, and our neighborhoods. Students have voiced concern not only for themselves, but for
025their peers and younger siblings. Staff have asked critical questions, and yet many of those questions remain unanswered. Questions that are essential making an informed, responsible decision. What's most troubling is the administration's insistence on urgent change due to a financial crisis only to recommend a plan that is the least fiscally responsible, the most disruptive to students, and displaces more staff than any other option. For what purpose? It feels not only misguided, it feels insulting. The administration has pushed a false narrative to the public yet again, provided the board with inaccurate and delayed information, often retroactively after decisions have already been made, and yet still seeks board approval. That is not transparency. That is not accountability. I also want to take a moment to thank those of you on the board who have listened, responded, and validated
026the concerns and emotions of your constituents. Your engagement matters, and I especially want to thank the board president, Lata Williams. You the weight of this role, often alone, and cannot make any financial or any final, excuse me, decision without the support of at least three other votes. You do a thankless job for the children and staff of this district. And I want you to know that my family sees you. To our staff, thank you. You continue to show up for our children every single day, despite heartbreak and uncertainty. We see you. The public sees you. And we thank you. Right on the school board's home page, the first reads, "Put the needs of the students, teachers, and staff first." I urge you to remember that tonight when you vote. The current plan being pushed by
027the administration comes from a team that includes multiple members who do not live in this district or send their own children here. But you, the board, were elected by this community, and it is your duty to represent us and do what is right by us. We are all watching, and we will all remember how each of you vote tonight. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hi, my name is Alex Val, third generation resident with the fourth attending school district. Our family has had three members retire from this district and I've always voted to support the schools. As I sat through these public engagements, I've used my skills. I've sharpened I've used my skill I've sharpened over the years of being a father of four and I've listened and watched at the same time. I've listened to
028the community and watched the board as their actions because actually words as community has poured their hearts out at their passion for their schools. I've watched board members slouching in their chairs, blinking, staring blankly ahead. I've seen some smile as people smile as people spoke almost in tears as if they enjoyed the misery of others and emailed staff members about better plans that they have made or allow their husbands harass other members of the board. I see most of you more interested in your other things happening on your phone, drinks or staring across the room blankly. In the meetings I've attended, some moments of wasted time has stood out to me. Some have argued the book should be banned so they could walk in their church on Sunday to feel like they made a difference
029while their pastor breaks Missouri election laws. Some have given more pointless gratitudes than actually ask questions that haven't already been answered. Some have flip-flopped on beliefs and votes because they don't see enough for you to follow through. Others tried to remove pres the president the same week my uncle and her mentor passed away leaving no time to mourn some failed to even do their job and have lost seven figures worth of funding Whitney Dr. heads. Thank you for your attention. Thank you for giving these people the respect they deserve. Members of the community, any ones that can't vote, if we're going to vote for people that are backed by a corporation or backed by a Christian nationalist church, we're going to put people in Jeff City that are going to gutter a public education. people
030in Washington DC that are going to do the same thing. You're part of the problem. That's part of the reason why we're in this situation. As for me, the fourth generation that's in schools will be the last one in my family to go here. The state will be taking this over whether for financial or testing issues. Historically shown it's going to happen. But like I said, Lata Whitney Had thank you for your time. Rest of you Good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening. My name is Katrina Smith. I live on Eastwood Drive. I'm an active duty member of the Air Force, a proud resident of St. Joe, and most importantly, a mom to three amazing children who all attend Bessie Ellison Elementary. While my kids love their school, my youngest daughter,
031who is autistic, has especially thrived there. Ellison has been more than just a school for her. It's been a place of growth, stability, and belonging. When I moved here in 2021, I spent more than six months searching for a home. Every house I looked at was in the Stone Crest area because I wanted my children to attend Ellison Elementary. That decision wasn't made lightly. I chose this district based on what I heard from community members, family, and staff who spoke so highly of the school. From the moment we arrived, I knew I had found the right place for my family. Over the past year, my youngest daughter has made remarkable progress, and I give full credit to the teachers, aids, and staff at Ellison. They understand her needs. They know how to reach her, and
032they've built trust and consistency that have truly changed her life. Those relationships can't simply be recreated somewhere else. For children like mine, stability and familiarity aren't luxuries, they're necessities. I've heard people say that even if schools close, the district will still provide a great education no matter where students attend. With all due respect, I disagree. Education isn't just about test scores or curriculum. It's about relationships, community, and belonging. Ellison Elementary provides all of that and more. This is a high performing school, of the top in the district for math testing, second highest in attendance, and home to award-winning staff at both the district and state levels. Ellison isn't failing, it's thriving. Closing a school that has proven itself academically and emotionally successful, doesn't strengthen our district, it weakens it. I understand that funding is a
033major concern, but a plan of this magnitude, one that directly affects families, communities, and taxpayer dollars, should not move forward without taxpayers being the to vote. Yet the reality is that decisions like this aren't put to a public vote. They rest solely with the school board. Even though the taxpayers you represent are the ones funding these schools and trusting that their voices matter. [applause] I urge you to consider what it means to make a decision of this size without direct community consent. Families who can afford to will will move their children to private schools or neighboring districts like Mid Buchanan and Savannah or Plat County areas or move out entirely. That doesn't just reduce enrollment. It impacts our local economy, housing values, and community stability. So tonight, I ask you to look beyond the numbers
034and see the people, our children, our teachers, and our families who make Ellison Elementary what it is. This school represents excellence, connection, and hope. Please, let's not take that away. Please consider plan E. Plan E is for everybody. Thank you for your time. [applause] >> Hello, my name is Emily and I'm a senior at Lafayette High School and a student body president. Today I'm not going to talk to you about statistics. I'm going to talk to you about experiences. I've lived in the South End for almost my whole life. I went to High Garden and I can tell you that moving to Lafayette was the best decision I have ever made. Not only is the environment amazing, but is truly like you are part of a family. The reason I went to Lafayette is because
035I not only needed something new, but there was always a bunch of drama or something going on while I was in middle school. And I did not want that to me through my high school career. My sister is currently a freshman at Lafayette and chose to go there constant bullying. Since being at Lafayette, she has been thriving. She's an honor class, has a great group of friends, and has been able to get involved in a lot more things. If she or I would have gone to Bon, we wouldn't have other opportunities that we I have a siblings that do go to Bon and I can tell you they're struggling with their education. When I try to help them with stuff that I learned my freshman year, they are just now learning about it as juniors.
036I have a step that goes there as a junior. I've been in his struggle with his education. Last year he was failing three classes and in one of the classes the teachers just gave him extra credit so that he would pass. So instead of actually doing the work and putting in the hard work that the other students do, he just got a buy. There are also kids that come from Benton to because of how more advanced our education is. I also have a brother at high that school will affect as well cuz if he does not know where he will go next year and worries about it every single day. I know you think this won't affect me because I'm a senior but it does. I am planning to become a high school biology teacher
037and applying for the grow your own scholarship which means I come back here four years and teach. But what would future hold? I don't know what the future will hold or if they have a job depending on what decision you choose. The teachers of Lafayette have also done so much over the years for all the students and make it a priority to make every one of us a person and not a number. Thank you for your time and please choose plant. Hello, my name is Julie Salsbury and I teach at Bessie Ellison Elementary. You've heard from our staff, students, families, and community members. You've heard how this decision willffect people. I understand high school students and your ownis It's not just the north side that will be affected. It will be central and we know
038the option the administration chose. I personally know there are several families that will not be able to attend next year due to where they actually live and they should not there should not be any exceptions. I know this sounds harsh but why should some kids be grandfathered into the school that they love whether it be Central or Benton when my son's school Lafayette is closed to business. The administration should go to each school and form committees. Talk to the kids. Kids can think outside the box, can't we? Remember, we're all here for our children. The most important thing is to give a child a good education. I know we need to do something, but we need to have a long range plan, not something immediate with so many unknowns. My heart goes out to every
039junior in this town. That is what the thought of their senior year will look like. This is not only impacts people in St. Joseph students, but surrounding schools, Muchanan, Savannah, Eastan, North Andrew, local private and perial schools. Get ready folks because your is going to look very different next year if they go with this plan. If this passes, put out surveys, ask families what they're going to do next year if this happens. You may find out something. You may be really surprised. All I can hope is that this board, they look at everybody. Look at these kids. All these kids, teachers. I don't know if we've ever had so much community involvement as tonight. Think about that before you make your vote. >> [cheering and applause] [applause] >> My name is Jennifer Letterman. I'm a
040staff member and parent. Once again, I'm here to speak and I thank you for your time. Imagine it's your junior year of high school. You've worked tirelessly since you can remember. You regularly chose staying home to study instead of hanging out with friends. you chose rewriting that essay again so that it's topnotch because you've worked so hard to ensure that you remain at the top of your class. You put hours upon hours of practice in because not only are your academics important to you, but so is your extracurricular life. In fact, it's earned you a potential scholarship that your family so desperately needs. What an accomplishment. Imagine then waking up one day and hearing that everything you know will be gone because of the administration that led your school district there. They didn't do their
041jobs. Whether it was one person or more than one person, it's ultimately comes down to them. And that's why our school district's in the position it's in today. Suddenly, you're no longer at the top of your class and everything you have worked so hard for is gone in a flash. Your senior year of high school is nothing what it should have been and what it was to be because of oversight. and lack of accountability over and over again. This will be the story of so many children in our community if you, our school board, does not put a stop to this moment of panic. There are other options. You just have to be brave enough to hold the administration accountable, find other ways to save money. Those mistakes were those of their own, not of
042the staff or students who are having their lives ripped apart. Accountability must fall where it's deserved. They need to go to work. They need to recover those losses. Closing schools should be a dead last decision making process. I am here fighting for quality education for all. The house will receive a quality education because their families are going to seek it out for them. It's the nots that I'm here speaking for. They're the ones that need to be fought for. And board, they're the ones that are going to be crammed into these classrooms shouldertoshoulder. Lord, please fight for the little ones tonight. Fight for education. Remember why you wanted to sit at that table in that seat. I hope it was for the right reasons. Prove to our city that you are there for the right
043reasons. Vote no tonight. It's not equitable. It's not right. There are middle schools with to a middle school with almost 900 kids. It makes no sense. At Bessie Ellison, we tell our students every single day to be brave and do hard things. Their foundations depend on learning environments like ours. Don't throw away a invaluable schools like Bessie Ellison, Eugene Field or Persing. So tonight, Lord, I ask you again to do what we do every single day. We ask our kids to be brave, do the right thing. I've been praying for each and every one of you. I know it's hard work. I don't envy your position, but be brave. Do the right thing. Hold the right ones accountable. Thank you for your time. I'm coming behind a lot of very awesome. My name's Heather Siver.
044I um I live on Riverside. I graduated from Humbult Truman and Lafayette. I've lived here my whole life. My kids now go to Bessie Ellison, have their whole lives. Um, I wanted to speak a little on Mr. Ingram's um talk about broken trust. I think that follows you because we went to the polls. We told you we wanted three schools. We didn't want to go to one or two, but you continue to bring it back to us. You continue to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to have people a one and two school district when we told you we want three. We want it to stay like it is. If we need to save money, let's get rid of all these extra buildings. We now have less of a population, right? So, we need less
045administrators. We need less money going into that. Less money going into those buildings. Move the administrators into the schools. How good would it be to have the administrators in the schools learning and looking and seeing what all is going on in the schools themselves? Wouldn't that just be that would just be awesome? I'm not going to say I would rather be closed than Lafayette or Lafayette. I'm going to tell you vote for take your time. Make sure that you're doing what you should be doing. Look at all the mistakes that have been made so far. Don't let this be a quick decision. against our kids. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Cler and I'm a sophomore at Bittton High School. It upsets me that summer coming up here and putting our school down. It
046is better if we were together. I have an incredible school with incredible teachers and I have straight A at Bon, but I'm not sure I would have a chance to be in the NHS at Central A,00. Many kids won't have a chance to play a sport, get a role in the school play, or some other opportunity that gives them a reason to come to school. I think you can see there's one thing that unites all of us, whether red, green, or blue, in this city together, and that's the pride we have for our community and our schools. We all care about progress in the future of this district, but we don't want that progress to come at the cost of literally ripping community apart. Please go back to the drawing board. Consider plan E and
047any other options that keep schools open and preserve our beloved communities. Take the time to find a solution that doesn't leave one side of the town devastated. Our schools are the heart of our community. Don't close that door on any of us. We need time. We can vote tonight and parts of our community will feel like the lights are turned off and no one is coming home. It is time for progress. But will it be progress if we lose so many good staff, people, and families? There are options. I won't pretend like I'm an expert, but I know we have passionate people willing to find those solutions. We are all St. Joseph and this is a unique place with great people. I know we can do this together and we have the right to get
048this right together and not against each other. Thank you. I'm short. I've got to bring the mic down where I can use it. My name is Cindy Cook and I live on Kronite Road um located in the boundaries of Persing, Rubidu, and Lafayette. I graduated from Benton High School in 1975. My children all attended Rubidu, Persing, and Lafayette and graduated from there. I'm speaking tonight because I want to remind the board of something very specific. You are the supervising aspect of the St. Joe School District. You work for everyone who lives within the boundaries of this district. It is time for this board to realize that your responsibility is to every student and every future student in this district. We must stop prioritizing dreams of a brand new high school. We must work to get
049scores up and to equalize opportunities for every student. Then and only then will this community even begin to consider voting for a new school in any part of town. You currently have a plan before you 7B that does not meet any of the financial criteria that this district has said that they must have. This is a severely flawed plan. The disparity in the middle schools is dangerous. Someone decided that it was smart to have over 800 students in one middle school, 12 to 14 year old students where behavioral issues are a huge issue for all of the middle schools. This administration just you think that's a good idea. It's not. You have another plan in front of you that is so much more what this community wants as a whole. There are only certain people
050that want a new school and chances are most of them don't have their children attending school in this district. Sorry, I've lost my place. Um, most of those people send their students to private school. outline districts where they live or they live in Kansas City area and they commute. Their student is not in this district. Quit listening to them. It is time for the board to put St. Joe students, every St. Joe student first. The gerrymandering of school boundaries has been occurring for decades. In the past, it was just easy build on to central instead of redrawing the boundaries. This current map is is a perfect example of gerrymandering. You have redrawn the boundaries of one area to send those students to Oak Grove. Normally, gerrymandering is a political tactic. In this case, it's a
051socioeconomic tactic. A district administrator reminded me that Smithville has a freshman building and it is only 60 yards away from other facilities on their campus. I mentioned that building is ADA compliant. It was built specifically to be a freshman campus because they had outgrown their high school. That was a decision that Smithville made, not St. Joseph. St. Joe is a unique community. We have had neighborhood schools that we are all incredibly proud of and proud to claim as our own. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I encourage you to take a stand to remind this administration that they work for every student in this town. You must have the intestinal fortitude guts to stand up for every student and vote no on this incredibly flawed plan. Plan E is the only current
052plan supported by the majority of this community. If this board continues on its current path, I am willing to bet none of you will be reelected after your current term expires. Listen to your constituents. Thank you. My name is Nancy Kelly. I live at 2837 Renick Street. I want to thank the board for being here and listening to all of us. And I hope all your ears are open to listen to what we're saying. I want to thank the people that are out back that didn't have the courage to come up and talk. Um, I'm addressing the board to keep the three high schools and vote no on your plans. Sincerely hoping you have read plan E, which is a workable plan. Again, I'm asking the board to vote no in your plan and make
053a motion to vote for plan E. >> [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Jason Ingram. I live at 6806 Carnegie. And I'd like to take a moment to congratulate all the students that have come up to fight for their school. [applause] It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of these people. I'm shaking like a leaf now and I'm 58 years old. I don't know if anybody's been keeping score on these last three forums that we have. I've tried to do the best I can. I've went back and watched the videos from the previous two forums that we had. The numbers I come up with plan two that were that they stood at the mic and said this is the plan that I want. Plan seven was one. Plan E 30.
05430 people said plan E. Now I know you hear this a lot. You hear it every day. You hear it at every meeting. You were elected to to represent the people. These people came out to tell you what they wanted. And on a night of a chief's game, you were elected to make the decisions for them because we all can't come to every meeting. There's people that couldn't have come tonight to voice their opinion, but the people that could have told you what they wanted. And it's clear that plan E is what we want. We go by the majority. Just like you have seven votes, you need four to pass. I think 30 out of all these numbers is a clear winner for plan. So, I hope you make the right decision and I hope
055that it comes out the way that the public wants because that's what the public has told you in the majority. Thank you. >> Hello, my name is Ken Clark and I live on Blackwell Road. I am a senior, not a senior. I'm a junior at Lafayette High School. And I come here speaking not of just my experiences, but everyone's experience I have grown up with because I have been very privileged in my education. I have not only grown up in a family rooted in St. Joe, but also had a mother that has worked for the district for over a decade. I grew up first going to Persian for most of my uh elementary career. Then fifth grade, I went to Parkway following my mother and following her again, I went back to Mark Twain. and
056I decided to stick with Midtown schools instead of going back to North End as I worried for my future at Rubidu. I had been in the gifted program since I was in fourth grade and I had been advanced classes in my middle school and I have loved the community I've grown up with both in Midtown and in North End as I chose to come back to Lafayette to continue my families at coming back third generation graduate of Lafayette and I have loved the amount of opportunities I've had being at Truman and Lafayette. I have been able to make my own club Truman. I have been able to join the band at Lafayette. I've had a relationship with my band directors. They taught me an entire instrument my freshman year. And I'm worried how many students
057will fall behind in their education miss on opportunity like joining other clubs, creating their own or miss out on being able to be eligible for the gifted program as they fallen behind in the numbers of students because currently Lafayette's average number for advanced classes is 20. What happens if there's 30 or 40 or there too many slots and there's not enough there's not enough slots for kids that are wanting to get in? What happens when the students who are graduating this year stay in town or the ones that like me, a junior that'll be able to vote in our 2027 election uh like vote on school district issues. How will we feel if you close down and bunch us up all together? We lose our personal experiences with our teachers and families and directors and
058coaches. how we feel when we have no more slots for classes we want. How will we feel when we miss out on opportunities because we were moved to a school we didn't want. I have had experiences with friends at Central because of growing up in Midtown and many of them are worried they already have large class slices. What happens when they get more? What happens when they get pushed back even farther? What happens when I have friends across the entirety of Lafayette school districts? What about the like I have three friends that I live that live quite close that are able to walk there. Then I have one that lives near Carton Park. when he if he gets booted to Bitten, what will he have? He knows no one in Midtown. He's grown up on
059North Side. What will happen then? So, I have I would like to say keep every school open. Allow student allow us to rewrite borders instead of just creating brand new ones for closing down schools. Thank you for listening to me. [applause] Good evening. My name is Payton Letterman and I'm currently a freshman here at Central High School. I attended Bessie Ellison Elementary in Bodie Middle and I'm here to share my thoughts and concerns with you. Consistently since the last meeting, I've heard fellow students talking to others about how they're scared because of the plans you guys have made up. They're anxious, mad, but overall upset that they have to deal with the constant question that they will have to be ripped away from their friends next year because the because of the decision that is
060in your hands. Neither plan two or plan seven is what's best for us. Please keep our schools open. I'm honestly disappointed that your reaction to being in a financially unstable place is to immediately close schools instead of trying to find other ways to cut spending. When a family's budget gets tight, they won't just immediately go sell their house. They'll stop and reflect and try to find places where there's unnecessary spending because because having stability is important. And at the end of the day, having a home to go to is the most important thing. Students and teachers spend seven, if not more hours at these schools. And when you shut them down, you're not just closing a building, you're closing our homes. As a student of this district, I'm standing here begging you to stop and
061really reflect on your decision because this is affecting us. I don't think you're really thinking about how these plans will have an impact on all of our personal lives. And we are tired of being looked at in these plans as just numbers. Start thinking about how this will affect the kids of your district you say you care about. I said this last time I spoke and I will say it again. This does not protect our education system. We're supposed to have trust that you will make the right decision for us. Then listen to the people who come up here and speak. Listen to your community and what your community wants. Thank you. [applause] >> Just a moment. I think that we're a little um >> There is somebody in front of me. >> Okay. What's
062your name? >> Lindsay Nadler. Whitney signed up right in front of me. >> No, we've got number 28, Hannah Rush. >> Oh, no. You're fine. I just want to keep it in order. My apologies, Miss Lindsay. >> Okay. Well, good evening. I'm Hannah Rush. Um, I am a parent, a taxpayer, a Benton graduate, and a member of this community who refuses to stay silent while our children are sacrificed because of this district's failures. Tonight, you're being asked to vote on plans that will reshape the future of our community. And let's be extremely clear, neither of these plans is a solution. They are both the direct result of financial mismanagement, inequity, and a blatant disregard for the voices of the people that you were elected to serve. This administration mismanaged funds for years, and now they're
063asking our students to pay the price for their mistakes. They are telling us we must choose between two broken options, as if we should be grateful to pick the less harmful way to harm our children. That's not a choice. That is coercion. Let's call this what it truly is. A manufactured crisis built on poor leadership and neglect. And the impact is not equal for our families and children. The proposed boundary lines blatantly favor the wealthiest neighborhoods, protecting their access to opportunity while leaving workingclass families and underresourced students to bear the burden. That's not equity. That's discrimination wrapped up in policy. The division we're seeing across this community is not an accident. It is a direct consequence of this administration's actions. They have pitted neighbor against neighbor, school against school, community against this community while they
064stand behind a podium and pretend that their hands are tied. But they are not the ones who will live with these consequences. Our kids will and our families will. And we will not let their futures be destroyed. to cover up years of irresponsible decision making. To the board members sitting before us tonight, this is your moment of truth. You don't work for her, the superintendent. You do not work for that administration either. You work for us, the people, the parents, the taxpayers, the voters. We're not asking you to choose between these two plans. We're demanding that you reject both. send them back to the drawing board. Demand transparency, demand accountability, and demand a plan that serves all students, not just the ones in the right zip code. If you pass either of these proposals tonight,
065you're telling us that our ch children are expendable, that equity is optional, that community voices are meaningless. But let me be very clear. We will remember how each of you vote tonight. We'll remember who chose to protect a broken, corrupt system and who chose to protect our children. You have the power to stop this. You have the power to leave with courage. And if you choose not to, the legacy you leave will not be one of fiscal responsibility. It'll be one of moral failure. Our children deserve better. >> Vote no. I think it's my turn now. 29. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. I'm Lindsay Nadler. My address is 9998 Southeast Mitchell Road. I live about two miles from Bessie Ellison. Um, I have a son who currently attends Bessie Ellison just like his sister, just
066like his dad, just like his grandpa. I have a daughter who goes to Bodie just like her dad, but not her grandpa because grandpa went to Bessie Ellison when Bessie Ellison was an administrator, not a name on the school. Both dad and grandpa went to Central. Many other family members did the same. Bessie Ellison was initially annexed into the St. Joe School District because the people out there believed that this school district would take care of our kids. And I can't tell you how many conversations I've had with people wondering how to reverse that decision. Every time I have a conversation with um with people about this, their first response to me is, "I wouldn't send my kids there. I'd go to a different district. That's why we go to St. Joe Christian. That's why
067we go to this school." I work at a business here in town who every time somebody new is hired, they don't move to St. Joe. They live in the outlying areas so that their kids can go to another school district. If you want if you believe in this town, if you believe that you want this town to grow and flourish, you need a better school district. And you need to do that by not tearing apart the families and the communities that we live in. [applause] Bessie Ellison has not just been a school for my kids. It is where they have met their lifelong friends. And with this new plan and the way that you've drawn the lines, they will be torn away from every one of those friends to go to a different school because
068you want merely less than 20 students that live between Highway 6 and Highway 36 outside of the city limits to go one school while all of their friends are being sent to another. And this doesn't just affect my son in elementary school, but all the way up because my daughter is now going to go to potentially a middle school with 800 kids that she's never been to school with before. This isn't fair. It isn't equal. It isn't right. Please do better. [applause] Good evening. I'm Molly Pucket, a junior and a fourth generation future graduate of Lafayette High School. As much as I would like to stand up here today and talk about keeping our three schools open, I can't because that's apparently not an option. So, I like you to think about option 2B. With
069the data you've provided, this plan is the most financially stable and affects the least amount of students and staff. If you look at the If you look back at the vote last spring, the options were for a new high school or Benton to close. The bond failed and now we're talking about clo closing Lafayette. What changed between then and now? The bond failed and Bitten isn't closing. Now we see the statistics. So why? So I'm here to ask, do you really want what's best for our community? If so, vote yes to plan 2B. When you cast your vote tonight, remember that we are the faces and the people who are affected by your vote. We are not just numbers and stats. Thank you. [applause] >> Hello, my name is Whoa, hot mic. Uh, my name
070is Jeff Leak. I work in juvenile detention in a 12 by 12 room with up to six to seven residents from simple offenders to murderers waiting to be certified as an adult. I was assigned this position. I was not asked. There were five of us affected and we were moved without consideration. Moving 500 will be a nightmare. The administration's recommendation of plan 7B shows this is not about a financial crisis. the true can being kicked down the road is segregating our lower inome families when all possible from others. I don't have a problem with the people who live in a different part of town. What I'd like to have a problem with is people who are trying to keep others out of a school for personal or financial gain in a district and potentially a
071school board who will support that. We have ignored experts in the community over and over. Who are we catering to? From 1995 to 2018, the number of students in our district was was consistent. In 2018, despite support for a more modest levy, the district overreached and put a permanent dollar19 levy on the v to the voters. When it did not pass, the district punished the community by closing two schools. The result was the largest drop in enrollment in the last 35 years, over twice as much as a drop during CO and five times more than any other year in the last 20. The drop would cost over $3.5 million today. That would wipe out any projected savings from option 7B. This is far more impactful than that, causing us to lose more money than we
072will save. We have to consider this when we make a decision. This could be for nothing along with a drop of attendance, discipline problems, and lower achievement. There are so many other areas we could increase efficiency. We should immediately do a personal study comparing to previous years. If our enrollment has dropped, why do we have more positions? We have more top positions and administrators than ever before. We spend more money as a district on lost or stolen laptops than in the building expenditures report for the three schools that we would close over $300,000. We could we could save a million dollars a year by switching to Chromebooks over our expensive touchscreen devices we provide. Other districts like Plat City and Lee Summit do it. That is a better change than closing a high school. This
073district discredited plan E, but the plan has the ability to adapt and change. It has options that have been shared with you for every question that was asked, and they were answered. Options two and seven don't answer all of those or haven't been. They're like jumping off the cliff. There's no turning back. The crisis created and the idea that you must do something now, even if it's wrong, is dangerous. The best decisions are not made under duress. This crisis moves us down a path of unanswered questions that will go down a series of worse choices. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Find a way to do the right thing. >> [applause] >> My name is Russell Book here and uh piggy back on what coach Leak said. I didn't come to talk
074about that. You guys have heard me talk about the boundaries and the old problems long enough. But I do hope someday and we've wanted this for a long time. I see my old buddy Mike Muser sitting over here and we we've we've watched this forever. I hope someday that we can look back and go, "Hey, there's a group that finally stood up to the segregation because I know people want to, but it's hard to do. It's hard to do." But we've watched for a lot of years and it just it just keeps on keeping on. I want to share with you why I'm here tonight real quick. And it's kind of my life path, my daily life path that brought me here. And my daily life path is kind of unique and I get to
075see an incredible amount of people. I go to two or three schools. I try to help some kids. Lindberg, I saw Gary up there, some Rubidoo, some places. The kids aren't going to school. Kids aren't behaving well. Kids kids aren't attending school. I do that a few hours a week. I've got a gymnasium kind of like this with no bleachers like this. I get to see 250 kids a week plus parents. So, that's a ton. And I own a place called the Brown Bear. and I get to see a ton of people there and some of you may want to visit that tonight at some point if this doesn't go well. We will definitely help you. In all seriousness, what what's happened to me in the last month, I come across hundreds of people. The
076one of the few things I do good in life is connect with people. I'm not super talented, but I connect with people. And I've been concerned kind of kind of mindboggling the people I've came across that are going to take a different path if two or seven goes. Two or seven. And I just kind of chitchat with them. And these are people from different different walks of life. And they've talked private school, they've talked area schools. But my biggest concern or what's really hit me, I had five of these tonight as I walked in, sat down with Jeff and some of his family back there, the people I'm talking to have the financial ability to do this. It's one thing to say, "I'm going to move my kid," and you can't do it. I've talked
077to literally hundreds of people that aren't going to go along with this, and they have the financial ability to do this. And that kind of worries me for our city, for our district, for everything. The second thing they've got is the want to. Their kid is the want to. You know, people are passionate about their kids. You do, you've all in the audience watch parents do crazy stuff for their kids, silly stuff, stuff they shouldn't have done. And they have the want to. And I'm just sitting there thinking, man, you combine financial ability and the want to, we're going to lose some serious good people. And I would ask you to seriously think about that because I think once you make that decision and open that door, whatever door you vote on tonight, I don't
078think we ever get it closed again. Thank you. >> Thank you, Coach Book. >> Excuse me. I've got um Chrisman next. Luke Chrisman. Sorry, Miss Woodbury. here next. >> Hello, my name is Lucas Chrisman. I'm a junior at Lafayette High School. In the past three years, I've been attending Lafayette and I build a family around there. It's not just me. Everybody at their respected schools has a family of friends and teachers. It's their other home. I built bonds with students and teachers at Lafayette and like I said, so do each student at their respected schools. The last time I was up here, I thought I talked about the bus situation. I got nervous and I said I was done, but I'm here to talk about the rest of what I wanted to talk about. Closing
079one of the schools, either Benton or Lafayette, is like pulling somewhere someone away from their family, from their home. I have a few friends I know that would have issues transferring to a different school, but it's not just my friends. What are your plans to handle the special education kids? Cuz then they don't easily open up to everybody. They have the people they work with. They've grown accustomed to it. You can't change it up on them. They will not like it. It'll be harder for them to learn than it is the rest of us. What are your plans on dealing with the people that leave your school district? Because closing one of the schools will have backlash and people will not like to have their kids go to a different school. They will leave your
080school district. You have had us on our toes for the last few years with this decision and you're still at it. And the past few board members have tried talking about one mega school and that instantly got shut down. You had brought it up which makes me wonder if you guys are trying to go for that goal of one mega school because you're trying to close schools down. At the end of last year, you board members brought up a vote on a new Lafayette school on a new school in this house outside. However, it failed. With that failing, you were going to go with the Lafayette and Central model which had one and it was the backup plan. If if the new school had failed, which was the original plan, why would you go back
081on the plan that was already voted by your community and won? People have lost trust in the board of directives and the board of education for not only this issue but many more. Thank you for your time. [applause] >> My name is Gan Woodbury, 4110 Bennington Drive. Um, I haven't spoken at the previous two meetings because I really dislike public speaking. But what I dislike even more is seeing my family and friends being hurt by the actions of other others and people under underestimating the north side. Some people accuse me of wanting three high schools because I am because of nostalgia and that I am holding the town back from progress. What they don't know is yes, my children are fourthg generation Lafayette graduates and my aunt was basketball homecoming queen in 1960. So there
082is some north side pride involved, but I don't see anything wrong with that. It baffles me that some of you have forgotten where you came from. One of my grandmas attended Benton. I was baptized and had my first communion at St. James. I lived at 3424 Jackson. attended Blair from prechool through third grade. And if truth be told, Blair was the bless the best school this district has had, but of course it was closed. I have friends and family in all three high school districts. I want new buildings, smaller classes, and three high schools. But most of all, what I want is is for it to be honest and right. It just felt wrong to complain that we were not being listened to if I were not a part of that we. So here I
083am. I do not know everything and I don't pretend to. Although we would all know more if you were more transparent. We are not in as much financial crisis as you are leading everyone to believe. 14 years ago my husband and I went to an open house in Greystone. And the second thing the realtor said to us very proudly was and it's Bodie and Central District. I didn't even know how many bathrooms it had yet. So the blatant assumption that either one I would not buy it if it were Lafayette district or two we were from the Lafayette community that we could not afford it. It was both insulting. I immediately said, "Well, then I guess it's the only thing wrong with it." Which leads me to my address. The only reason I live where
084I live is because my husband wanted a new housing addition, and due to constant targeted boundary changes, that was not possible. I can still see Melody Smith telling everyone that the Webster building was in such horrible condition that it needed to close. that school was closed and that building has been used by the district every day since then. What I would just like you've gone about it all wrong and focused on the wrong things for the wrong people. It's blatantly apparent that this does not directly affect most of you, but I pray that the board does the right thing. Go Bessie. Go Field. Go Panthers. And most of all, go Irish. HERE WE GO. Kim Deru 6525 South Third I want to start by saying I have followed this district close your budget your studies
085the money invested in plans I don't want to go back to the drawing board we've spent tens of thousands of dollars on plans that's never been offered to the community because it wasn't their plan. Um, the gold standard is vision forward. I challenge you to look through vision forward because nowhere in there does it say they choose two schools to get rid of one. Nowhere. So, you can't go by your own go standard because it doesn't say it. But you're running the narrative. It does. It doesn't. I my heart breaks for Lafayette. First of all, they had to go out on their football field to a ribbon cutting ceremony knowing that might be the only year they get to play. How sad that you did that to them. They were full of joy. Friday at
0864 o'clock, thank you KQ2 for doing the sunshine request to find out what plan they're going with. So, We had 500 students from Lafayette that dressed up, went to trunk or treat with a smile on their face, knowing the administration just cut their school. This is really going to sound harsh. It doesn't matter how any of you have voted in the past. It doesn't matter how How you vote tonight is going to make or break you. You're either going to be a hero or you're going to be a zero. If you don't vote for plan E. [applause] We're not done. We will find two people in April that are for our three schools and we will put them in. Not only that, if this doesn't go in the right direction, I personally am going to
087the courthouse tomorrow and I'm going to file for this district to be separated. I want we need new districts. We need competition. The better districts will get all the good teachers. It'll help spending. That's how the free market works in the world. We don't have that. You're just guaranteed money. And you spend more than you're guaranteed. So tonight, you're going to make or break yourself. You're either hero or you're a zero. And that's how they're going to vote from here on out. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Dakota Allen. I will not be disclosing my address for professional reasons. I'm a first year educator in the St. Joseph School District and I have to say when you find people who have never agreed on anything saying the same things, you know something is wrong.
088I think something entirely lost in this conversation is the impact on our community at large. Mosaic and St. Joseph School District are the two largest employers in the region and their success walks hand in hand. As much as our community relies on them, just last week, Mosaic's CEO identified the perceived quality of the local school district as one of the number one roadblocks for recruiting nurses and doctors. This detrimentally harms our community. Now, back to reorganization. This process dragged out over years has been compounded by millions of dollars in budgetary mistakes, including the additional million dollars that came up in last month's board meeting that admin thought we would all just miss. Maybe it's time we cut some of those salaries before we talk about cutting teaching positions. This all has had detrimental impacts that
089on the trust this community has for the districts. It's having very real impacts on teachers and the classroom. Without community buyin, schools simply cannot succeed. The right questions have not been asked and answered. The community, which includes your staff, is still confused. I get it. It can be frustrating to educate. I do it every day. But if this was my classroom, you would ask me to stop, provide some clarity, and revisit the topic. It might take me time to take a page out of the teacher's playbook here. We must center what matters most. Teachers, students, and staff. Your teachers are terrified. They don't know what's going to happen with their jobs, their class sizes, or whether the top scoring schools getting cut are going to lose us our accreditation. Whatever the next steps are, we
090absolutely must move forward with transparency. And one of our favorite focuses lately, with clarity on goals and intentions, and you must provide it before you lose some dang good teachers along the way. My name is Stacy Armfield. I live on North 39th Court. I'm a Benton graduate. I raised five Benton graduates. I'm a Bessie Ellison grandmother and I'm a Webster teacher. But I'm here to fight for everyone. Smaller schools are better for kids. Neighborhood schools are better for kids. I shouldn't have to stand here and convince any anyone that smaller schools are better for kids. Deep down, I believe you already know that. The research shows it, the teachers see it, and the families feel it every single day. I believe you already know that. What this community wants to know is if you care.
091In smaller schools, students are known, supported, and believed in. They aren't just names on a roster. They're individuals with stories, challenges, and potential. That's what makes scholar smaller schools work. Smaller schools build belonging. They build confidence. They build leaders. When students feel valued, they take risk in learning. They speak up. They try harder. Those relationships, the ones that make learning meaningful, grow best in smaller settings. But as schools get larger, those relationships become harder to sustain. Students become data points. Teachers become overwhelmed, families lose connection, and communities lose trust. Now, I want to make this personal. My grandsons attend Best Ellison. They live just one mile from their school. And yet, every day, they spend over an hour on the bus. Imagine that. An hour each way for a onemile trip. If their school closes,
092how much longer will that become? Is that what really what's best for kids? Long rides, long days, and less time with their families. If you care about that, your actions tell a different story. I'm also fighting for Webster. Webster is on the chopping block in all of your plans. I've spent 10 years at Webster in the alternative program. Every year, we've had to change our focus depending on who's in charge. And every single year we rise to your challenges. But I have to ask, where will these programs go? Do these students matter? They matter to those of us who show up every day despite getting cussed at, assaulted, and threatened. Because every student deserves a chance. Stop forcing virtual learning on every secondary behavior student. These students need structure, support, and in-person guidance, not a
093one-sizefits-all virtual program. This board has the It's right right now to write to do right by this community to show that you value children more than convenience. For years, decisions have been made that brought us to this point and our families are the ones carrying the burden. When local schools are neglected, our kids suffer and our communities weaken. I'm asking you tonight to change that pattern. To remember that the strength of a district isn't measured by how efficiently it can consolidate. It's measured by how well it supports the children it serves. Thank you. Thank you. Jessica Wy, 69 Northridge Drive. Parent, resident, and taxpayer. I'm concerned about the district's proposed decision to move forward with option 7B. I respectfully urge you to vote no on this plan. Option 7B is not in the best interest
094of our students, particularly those in high school and our youngest learners in elementary school. The financial implication alone are troubling. The cost of repurposing buildings to fit new functions will be significant, and it's unclear where those costs will come from. This plan does not offer meaningful savings when weighed against the expenses it will incur. More critically, the academic consequences could be devastating. The three elementary schools slated for closure or conversion, Ellison, Persing, and Field, are among the district's top performing schools. These schools are instrumental in helping us to get to the required 70% accreditation threshold. Displacing students from these environments and placing them into classrooms nearly double in size will inevitably impact performance, potentially lowering scores, and risking state intervention. As a parent of three children at Persing, I speak from personal experience. my ch
095middle child who has a heart condition and has recently been diagnosed with ADHD. He faces learning challenges that required focused attention and support. Purging smaller class sizes allow his teachers to provide the individualized help he needs to stay on pace with his peers. In a larger classroom, that support simply won't be possible, and he, like many others, will fall behind. We must also consider the mental health and voices of our high school students. Many have already expressed their opposition to this plan and their concerns deserve to be heard and respected. If the goal is immediate cost savings, then option 7B should be rejected with the no vote. Instead, I urge you to make a motion to vote on plan E, which offers a more balanced and student- centered approach without the financial strain or disruption
096that 7B would cause. Thank you for your time and I hope you I hope for your continued commitment to our children's education and well-being. My name's Kathy Smith and I live at 5520 Carish Road in the north end. I have two grandsons in the district. One's a junior at Lafayette and the other is in the seventh grade at Rubidu. I beg you the board not to accept the recommendation of the administration and please consider plan E. It's best for everyone. I don't know if you guys are aware, but Justin Jewelers was just at Lafayette a couple of weeks ago to assist the juniors with the purchase of their class ring. It's sad these kids have just purchased a ring from a school that they're not going to graduate from. What about the kids who have
097worked so hard to maintain their class rank? My grandson plays baseball and this is the year he's to start his college recruiting. What happens to him? Not every parent has the means to send their kids to college and need these scholarships to help with expenses. I also ask that you reconsider sending students into bigger environments. Please remember that these are students that were taken out of school dur during COVID and many have lost their social skills due to the isolation. The bullying will only get worse and the staff will not be able to monitor it. My daughter's been in education for 15 years. She said the hardest thing about the first year of teaching kindergarten in one of the grade schools here in the district full of the have nots that no one wants to
098associate with which are really some of the sweetest kids you would ever meet. She she said didn't realize that first she had school because they don't want to go anymore. and parents who are worried as their kids travel across school to across town to school and no longer have their older children to help assist in getting the younger ones home. And to those students whose mental health can't handle being in such large environments and that there are so many kids that nobody will notice, please make the correct decision. My name is Travis Smith. I live at 1908 Black Wheel Road. And first, I'd like to thank everybody in the community for coming out and making their voices heard, but especially the kids. All the kids, especially kids from Lafayette. I'm a proud graduate of Lafayette
099and I know what it means. Let me tell you something. I know there's that old saying about it doesn't matter how big the dog is in the fight, it's how big the fight is in the dog. Well, you haven't seen nothing until you see the fight in the Irish. That's all I can tell you. So, last night eating supper, my son, who's a junior at Lafayette, he said, "Dad, my friends, they all think they're going to close their school." And I said, "Bud, I don't I don't know." And he says, "Dad, will you please do and make sure they don't they don't close my school. I don't know what else to do other than to stand in front of you guys and ask you how many more people have to come up here and pour
100their hearts out to you. How many more tears have to be shed in front of you guys? What's it going to take for you to understand the community doesn't want it? The kids don't want it. Most importantly, the kids. You guys really have, like I said last week, an opportunity to do something very special. You have the opportunity to be known as that school district that saved your community, not ruining it. And and I don't even know how after watching and hearing everybody come up here with their testimonials to you about leaving the schools open, I don't even know how you could vote to shut the school down. How How could you do that and then even expect to be able to show your face in the community? I I'm dumbfounded. I I mean there
101I don't even know what else to say that everybody else hasn't said all night for the last three weeks that I've been at these things. Just please plan E. It's the only way to go. Stop. [applause] This will haunt you for this will haunt you forever. This is a decision that that also impacts you. There are some of you that have further dreams of going on with a political career and things. You think you're actually going to get a vote from somebody in this community after you tear it apart? Get real. [applause] Just please, I'm asking you from a parent who's dealing with a child who's had the mental stress of wondering if he's going to be able to finish his senior year at high school. Stop it. You know, I'm not standing here threatening
102you, but you guys have sure threatened these kids in this community. And that was wrong. We've spoke. The answer is no. Leave the three schools and just stop just stop this. >> That's your time. Thank you, Miss Jones. >> Pat Jones, 5314 Savannah Road. If anybody would have told me a year ago that we'd be here tonight because a school board is going to vote possibly to shut one two schools down. I'd have said no you're kidding. But we're not kidding. This board is very very serious. And I just want to ask the board if you have selective hearing because so many people have stepped up here tonight and said plan B, plan B, plan B. And I hope you heard them all. Because when I first heard about all this and read about it,
103I wasn't for any of the plans, but I am for plan B. And as you look out here tonight, you see a lot of us whiteheaded people. The seniors in this city are for plan B. And as I look at the board, I see several of you who are Lafayette alumni. That has nothing to do with this tonight. This has to do with our youngsters. And by youngsters, I'm looking at all of you right here. You're our next group of mom and dads at Lafayette High School, Central High School, and Benton High School. And I'm not going to repeat what's been repeated here time after time tonight. I'm just asking this board to take into consideration plan B. Thank you for your time. Hello, my name is Elelliana Rumbla and I'm asking you to vote
104for plan E, which is for everyone. First thing I would like to say is there does not need to be a decision made today to close an entire school. You can never undo closing one of these schools and taking away such a huge part of people's lives. I'm a senior am and and am student body president at Benton High School and I spend close to 60 hours at Benton High School every single week. Whether it's studying, shooting in the gym, or just sitting in my mom's classroom thinking, I could never imagine being taken out of the school I have laughed many laughs in, but also cried many tears in. If I was a part of a larger school, I do not believe that I could have been a part of so much throughout my high
105school years or connected so deeply with a building or a community. Additionally, while this decision does not affect me directly because I am graduating, my sisters are affected greatly with either decision. And when I say sisters, I mean my teammates and friends within Benton because that is what this town builds. It builds families within these schools, both on the north side and the southside. I wouldn't wish the devastation I'd feel I'd feel if Benton closed on anyone else. I was born and raised in Mibuchan district up until 8th grade. I had friendships I had built all of my childhood, but chose to move to a school that I knew very few people. But because of how much pride my mom explained she had in Benton High School and being a southsider, this made me want
106to be a part of something much larger than me. As a new student my freshman year, I was terrified to come to a bigger school. I couldn't imagine going to a school the size of many Kansas City schools that we are comparing ourselves to. In ending last year, when all this was discussed, closing and combining, Hyde had their annual carnival on April 10th. I still remember this event vividly because when I left, I sat in my car crying for over an hour because the sadness I felt for all of the kids I saw who are so innocent that have no idea they have a chance to become a number and be forgotten compared to a name and part of a family. Why take this chance? No child is a waste. And I believe two high
107schools we will create, even if it is a slightly larger chance, it still creates a larger chance to become a number, which has made me sit up at night wondering why would we would even take the chance to hurt so many kids. High school and the friendships people built during this time may be the only genuine friendships that build their entire life. I am blessed to go to Ben High School and I'm sad for my friends who might be robbed from graduating from such an incredible school. I believe plan E is the best because it is for everyone and won't take the chance for any little kid to become a number. Thank you. [applause] I'm number 43, Lori Brown. Um, I live on South 14th Street and I think most of you have seen me
108here before. This is my third time. Um, tonight I have a different sickness and disgust in my stomach. Um, third time of coming. First time I was number 27. Second time I was number 33. And now I'm number 43. Uh the disgust in my stomach comes from the district to start with that you have brought this on the community yourselves from bad decisions. You've stressed our teachers, our kids, and you have put forth a plan that talks about moving thousands of kids and then disrupting all kids' lives. Um to to the board, you should be ashamed of the district. They have brought you nothing right now. From everything that everybody says, you're your your votes easy tonight. It's a no. You don't have a solid plan from them. They have fear-mongered over money. The only
109responsibility to the board right now is to find out where the missing money is. We don't need schools closed. The money's there. find out that's your responsibility, not closing schools. It's disgusting that they didn't even bring you a plan that anybody supports. The community brought you a plan based on their numbers from what they say. They can't even tell you a dollar amount of what it's going to cost to get thousands of kids from anywhere in this town. You can't do it. You don't have enough teachers. You don't have enough counselors. Now, do you know how many counselors are going to be needed? You have no idea. It It's sad. And it all goes back to political reasons, not the kids. Nobody thinks about these kids in any of these decisions. I've I there there's
110nothing that supports the kids and the scores. All you talk about is the money and you have to make these decisions. And that's not true. I'm sorry. It's not. And we all know it. And if you you can't tell me that you have one thing that they've given you that would make you vote yes. And I'm I'm not here anybody's friend. I don't have kids in the district. >> But if there's anything other than a no vote, you're in bed with the district. >> That's your time. >> It's that simple. I'm number 44. Uh my name is Carrie Haber. um 2916 Frederick Avenue. Um I have a daughter, Ella, who is a graduate of Central High School. I have a son, Rudy, who is currently a junior here. And my daughter, Audrey, is an eighth
111grader at Bodie Middle School. With the new plan you guys are proposing, you would be taking my son, who is a junior with aspirations to play college tennis. He's been a varsity tennis player freshman, sophomore, and will be junior year. and you're going to move him to an entirely new school. Under this new plan, in his senior year, he'd be in an entirely different athletic conference, separated from the team and coaches he's trained with for years. For any student, that's more than just a roster change. It's a disruption to their identity and their goals. Now, I know my kids aren't alone. You've heard countless stories for the entire night. My husband and I made a very intentional decision several years ago. We moved our children out of private education and into the St. Joseph School
112District. That decision was rooted in two core values, diversity and academic opportunity. We wanted our kids to be part of a school system that reflects the real world and pushes them to succeed within it. In the plan you're currently proposing, you're going to be sending kids to an elementary school at Hyde, which is not equipped to be a ninth grade center. What? How is this going to affect those kids going there, their opportunities academically, not to mention sports? I don't understand the boundary changes, how the lines continue to move with this proposed redistricting map. We live just north of Central, less than a mile away, walkable, but we'd be reassigned to Benton that's nearly 12 miles away. And what's now less than a five minute commute becomes a 20 minute drive each way every day.
113We're not the only ones. That's probably a minor disruption to the countless kids that will be up before the sun rises waiting at bus stops and their commutes will become our [applause] we understand that redistricting is a complex process, but it has to be done transparently and with a commitment to student well-being. not just building utilization or budget numbers. What this district has proven is that you can't maintain your budget. It's always overspending, not transparent on where the money's going. And we're tired of it. The taxpayers, the families here, we've had enough. Our students matter. Our teachers matter. This is home. our our students that come to our schools. My family's central Indians. You've heard from so many North Enders, the Lafayette, the school is home. Our kids spend more hours every day at school
114with their educators than they do at home. These educators are not being supported the way they should. And we've had enough. >> So, let's take a step back and ask. This is not better for our community. From where I stand, it doesn't feel better for my kids. And I know I'm not alone. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> My name is Joe Puit. I am a K through2 graduate of St. Joe School District Central class of 1991. I'm also a mother of a teacher and a homeowner in this district for over 30 years. I'd like to thank Robert Hedgeorth and his transparency in our financial health. All things were recognized quickly and communicated immediately to the admin, the board of education, and the stakeholders. We now have received some delayed title funds of over
1155 million and are slated to receive another 5 million this week for a total of over 10 million added to our account. that drastically changes our 10% reserve to likely 16 to 18%. That's a good question for Mr. Hudgecourt to analyze. I urge the board to see the end from the beginning. Carefully considering the staff and students and not the surveys from admin, cabinet, and team that no longer work in the schools that may close decisions that do not affect them. seek the staff, not the ones looking to be a loyalist for their next promotion, but the teachers who are trying to help SJSD students win. It is clear that buildings must retire, and I support that. But it's also clear to me that we f first must make painful cuts to administration and be
116critical of excess spending. Good leaders make sacrifices they expect of others. So, start in your own building. Enrollment declined. did admin. [clears throat] Some facts. During our eight-year scandal, our fund balance went clear down to 4.46 and we survived. In 2024, our tax revenue was over 66 million. And due to the reassessments that happened in 2025, we're projected to get a $5 million increase to 71 million. board. You do not need my criticism tonight and I'm not going to tell you which plan to pick. I'm asking you to pause. Funds are secure and the payday comes in December. We can settle this down a little bit. Crowded buildings, total chaos, and disruption is not a life hack for better scores or more funding. You have one action item before you and you have four options.
117A yes, a no, an abstension. Please don't do that. or silence as it will die due to lack of motion. This does not betray or harm admin. This is not emotional. It's business. You, the entrusted elected board members, have a duty to the public. Donors, organizations, churches, corporations, and political affiliates are not decision makers. You guys are. So decide with mindful intent solely focus solely focused on students and staff and know that the consequences that come are the ones that you seven are purposely deciding for the district tonight. Four people hold the power to affect 10,000 plus students and staff. >> That's your time. Thank you. Hello, my name is Kenneth Reader and uh like I did the first two times, I want to thank all of you. You are the most important people in
118this room. I'm going to thank you again for coming here. Thanks. Keep up the good work. We aren't going to lose this battle. And wow, after all this, boy, I wish I had a good joke. And I also realized that the only thing standing between us, the Cold One and the Kansas City Chiefs game. I don't get it though. Why all this? To beg four people to do the right thing. You know what's wrong with this? Like I said every time, none of us, you parents, you taxpayers, you voters, you don't get to vote on this one. But yet in the last 10 years, we voted four times overwhelmingly no. No, no. Do you guys remember the American family mega school debacle? Yes. Somebody keeps wondering uh why they haven't put a value on the
119disruption to all these lives because they can't. It's lifealtering the damage is going to do to the psyche for everybody in this town for the next two generations. I want to display another thing that most people aren't aware of. All the people, different people pushing this from behind, pushing these folks, Mosaic and the chamber are likely things. But do you guys realize a few weeks ago our city council and mayor voted unanimously to do whatever they decided to do, whether it's two or seven, they didn't care. They didn't want to weigh in. And by the way, I'm still needing a few signatures for petition to run for mayor at the end of the meeting. Thank you. I want to know also when has a student been educated with a longer bus ride. Trying to figure
120out how that works. What does two schools do? Onethird one, two, three out. One, two, three out. It gives onethird less of our students in this town the opportunity to be in band, to be in theater, to maybe do sports. onethird less for the craziness of going with plan two or seven or however many they're going to come up with. [applause] The best thing to do, I think, is to start over. Scrap this thing. Let's go back to educating the kids, which is what the administration's supposed to be doing. None of the board, none of the administration has the ability, the expertise or wherewithal to come up with all these plans that are life altering to half of our town for the next two generations. If it is C >> and that's your time, Mr.
121>> Save a lot on the have nots and the poverty disc. >> I appreciate you coming to speak tonight, Mr. Reader. >> Three schools forever. Forever three schools. >> Thank you, Mr. Rita. >> [cheering] [applause] >> Okay, members of the board of education, is there a motion to adjourn this meeting? >> Thank you, Whitney. Is there a second? >> Okay. Would you call the vote, please? >> Miss Miller. >> Miss Williams. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. Miss Lanning, >> yes. >> Mr. Moore, >> yes. >> Mr. Richmond, >> yes. >> And this meeting is adjourned and we will open back up in