Watch a full replay of the January 14th School Board meeting on the Excelsior Citizen YouTube Channel.
Excelsior Springs, Mo. (January 14, 2025) – The Excelsior Springs Board of Education convened on January 14, 2025, to address a range of topics including academic performance, facility updates, and district planning. The board approved the 2025-26 academic calendar, reviewed MAP and EOC data, and discussed a sponsorship agreement for new baseball and softball scoreboards. Additionally, members considered the possibility of transitioning to the Midland Empire Conference, with a vote scheduled for next month. The meeting underscored both ongoing challenges and opportunities for growth within the district.
Middle School Reports Gains in Academics and Culture
Dr. Brett Coffman shared an encouraging update on the progress and achievements at Excelsior Springs Middle School. From impressive math proficiency improvements to cultural shifts fostering engagement and positive behavior, the middle school is experiencing a banner year.
Math Proficiency Increases
The school reported growth in mathematics scores across grades:
- 7th grade: A 23% increase in proficiency.
- 8th grade: A 24% increase in proficiency.
These gains were attributed to enhanced instructional practices emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and engagement.
Student Engagement Initiatives
Efforts to boost accountability are paying off, with rising participation in after-school tutoring and students actively monitoring their academic progress. “This cultural shift is empowering students to take ownership of their learning,” said Dr. Coffman.
Canvas Learning System Enhances Parent Involvement
The successful adoption of the Canvas Learning Management System has improved communication and transparency for parents, who now have real-time access to grades and assignments. “This partnership between families and the school is pivotal for student success,” Dr. Coffman noted.
Decrease in Discipline Incidents
The school has implemented restorative practices and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), resulting in a marked decline in disciplinary issues. Programs like “Student of the Week” and a school store tied to behavior incentives are helping to grow a positive learning environment.
Spirit Week Builds Unity
The inaugural PBIS Spirit Tournament celebrated teamwork, academic achievement, and community service. Highlights included a canned food drive for “Meet the Need,” a dodgeball tournament, and a culminating assembly. Winning dens will be treated to a special celebration for their efforts.
Counselor-Led Support
Academic support from counselors has also played a crucial role, with personalized academic plans and regular check-ins helping at-risk students.
Dr. Coffman concluded by thanking the community for its support, emphasizing the middle school’s commitment to ongoing growth.
Excelsior Springs Explores Midland Empire Conference as Alternative to Suburban Conference
The Board of Education is weighing a move from the Kansas City Suburban Conference to the Midland Empire Conference, following complaints from parents and coaches about uneven competition against significantly larger schools. The potential switch, discussed at Tuesday’s board meeting, has garnered mixed reactions and will be put to a vote in February.
Challenges in the Suburban Conference
Excelsior Springs is currently in its second year in the Kansas City Suburban Conference, where it competes against schools with much larger enrollments. With some opponents boasting nearly double the student population of Excelsior Springs, parents and coaches have voiced concerns about competitive balance and its impact on student-athletes.
“These uneven matchups can be discouraging for players and their families,” said Athletic Director Eric Marshall during his presentation. He highlighted how a shift to the Midland Empire Conference would address these issues by aligning Excelsior Springs with schools of comparable size.
Benefits of the Midland Empire Conference
If approved, Excelsior Springs would join schools such as Savannah, Chillicothe, and Maryville in the Midland Empire Conference, which features smaller schools and less travel. Unlike the current double-round-robin format in the Suburban Conference, Midland Empire would require away games only every other year, reducing travel commitments for students and families.
Timeline for Change
While the board continues deliberations, Marshall confirmed that the switch would not take effect until the 2026-27 school year. The timing would allow the district to make necessary logistical adjustments and integrate smoothly into the new conference schedule.
Community Input Encouraged
The board plans to vote on the switch to the Midland Empire Conference during its February meeting. In the meantime, district leaders are encouraging stakeholders, including parents, students, and coaches, to share their thoughts.
Board Approves Creative 2025-26 Academic Calendar Amid State Mandate Changes
Dr. Melissa Miller, Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services, presented the proposed 2025-26 academic calendar, which was unanimously approved by the board.
Adapting to DESE Changes
A recent change by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shifted school year requirements from hours-based to a minimum of 169 days. This posed a significant challenge for Excelsior Springs, which previously operated on a shorter 162-day calendar as part of its hiring incentive.
“Our goal was to meet the new requirements while protecting staff workloads and avoiding additional student contact days,” said Dr. Miller.
Features of the 2025-26 Calendar
Monthly Half-Day Professional Development (PD): To accommodate DESE’s new requirements, the district converted full-day PD sessions into monthly half-days. Students will attend a half-day of school on the second Friday of each month, while staff use the remaining time for professional development.
Ending Semesters on Half-Days: The calendar incorporates half-days at the end of each semester to provide a smoother transition for students and staff.
Extended Training for New Teachers: New teacher training has been expanded to four days to provide additional classroom management and instructional preparation.
Three-Day Weekends and Two-Week Winter Break: Popular features from previous calendars, including spaced three-day weekends and a full two-week winter break, were preserved to support teacher and student well-being.
Challenges in Crafting the Calendar
Dr. Miller acknowledged the complexity of the task, describing it as “one of the most challenging calendars to create.” She worked closely with colleagues, including Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mark Bullimore, to devise a solution that addressed the district’s unique needs.
“This calendar took creativity,” Dr. Miller said. “We didn’t add any extra days for staff and still met the state’s requirements. It was a balancing act between compliance, teacher satisfaction, and student success.”
Community-Friendly Design
The decision to hold PD days on Fridays was made with families in mind, ensuring predictability and minimizing disruptions. “It’s easier for parents to adjust to a consistent schedule than to juggle random days,” said Dr. Miller.
Board Feedback and Future Considerations
Board members expressed appreciation for the calendar’s innovative approach, with several noting the inclusion of monthly PD as a significant improvement for teacher support.
The approved calendar also aligns with the Career Center’s schedule, ensuring a seamless experience for students enrolled in those specialized programs.
Annual Performance Report, Raises Concerns About Assessment and Outcomes
Dr. Miller also presented the district’s Annual Performance Report (APR). The report focused on MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) and End-of-Course (EOC) data for English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, with a promise to address STAR growth data and more comprehensive insights in February.
While Dr. Miller highlighted some bright spots in performance, her presentation pointed to some systemic challenges, including assessment limitations, persistent achievement gaps, and external barriers impacting student success.
ELA Performance:
Elementary Schools: Cohort analysis revealed that while younger students showed growth year-over-year, performance remained uneven across grade levels. Attrition among fifth-grade teachers and the implementation of the Wit & Wisdom curriculum contributed to variability.
Middle Schools: Sixth-grade ELA scores were a concern, with new teachers and an implementation dip from the Wit & Wisdom program likely contributing factors. Dr. Miller expressed cautious optimism, noting that students who had prior exposure to the curriculum should perform better as they progress.
High Schools: English I and II courses exceeded state averages, providing a strong capstone for secondary ELA.
Math Performance:
Similar to ELA, math performance dipped significantly in fifth and sixth grades, attributed to curriculum transitions and challenges with instructional consistency.
Secondary math showed improvement in some areas, but the district is working to address zero proficiency in eighth-grade math. Dr. Miller noted that splitting students into pre-algebra and algebra pathways could better meet diverse learning needs.
Barriers to Academic Success:
Dr. Miller identified key obstacles impacting outcomes, including:
Attendance: Chronic absenteeism undermines learning consistency
Staffing: Teacher attrition and turnover disrupt instructional continuity.
Classroom Management: Efforts to enhance Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) are showing promise, but challenges remain.
Virtual Learning: Students transitioning to and from virtual platforms have posed ongoing challenges, with many returning after struggling in the alternative format.
Legislation: Compliance with shifting state mandates continues to strain district resources.
Criticism of MAP Testing
Dr. Miller was candid about her frustration with the MAP testing process, citing delayed results and limited utility in informing real-time instruction. “The cost of assessment isn’t just financial—it’s time lost for teaching,” she said. While preliminary results are available in June, actionable insights often lag far behind, diminishing their value for curriculum adjustments.
She expressed some hope for new pilot initiatives, such as breaking assessments into smaller segments, though she warned that uniform implementation could pose challenges for individualized instruction.
Mixed Reception from the Board
Board members acknowledged the district’s efforts to address systemic issues but expressed concerns about the pace of improvement, particularly in middle school performance.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Miller assured the board that next month’s update would focus on STAR data and APR growth metrics, which she described as more relevant for understanding student progress. She also outlined plans to expand professional development and instructional support to address areas of concern.
Sponsorship-Funded Scoreboards for Baseball and Softball Facilities
The Board of Education approved a proposal Tuesday for new scoreboards at the district’s baseball and softball fields. The $34,993 project, funded through a partnership with Farmers State Bank, will bring much-needed upgrades to aging facilities without requiring additional district funds.
A Solution for Outdated Equipment
During the meeting, Eric Marshall, Athletic Director for Excelsior Springs High School, outlined the issues with the current scoreboards. “When the wind blows too hard, the scoreboards go blank,” Marshall said, emphasizing the need for reliable equipment as the district regularly hosts softball and baseball tournaments.
Marshall shared how the partnership with Farmers State Bank came to fruition after Vice President Brad McBee inquired about advertising opportunities. “I just kind of threw out the idea… would you consider buying us a new softball and baseball scoreboard? Half joking but half serious,” said Marshall. To his surprise, McBee returned with a commitment: “He came back and goes, yeah, I want to do that.”
Financial Structure and Sponsorship Details
Under the agreement, Farmers State Bank will repay the district over five years, with $8,000 allocated annually from its marketing budget. In exchange, the bank will receive exclusive advertising rights on the scoreboards for the duration of the contract.
“The district will front the money, but it will be fully reimbursed through this sponsorship,” Marshall explained. “To me, we’re getting two brand-new scoreboards, and it’s not costing us anything.”
Key Features and Standardization
The new scoreboards, provided by Daktronics, will include protective netting to reduce wear and tear, along with updated technology for ease of use. Marshall emphasized the benefits of aligning all district scoreboards under a single manufacturer. “If we can start aligning what we’re buying, we pick up the phone, and we’re talking to the same person. It’s good for us.”
Questions and Approval
The board sought clarification on contract terms, including payment schedules and advertising rights. Traci White asked if someone beyond the central office would review the legal details. “That’s a contract we get through Daktronics that they’ve used through legal, and we get it approved,” Deputy Superintendent Mark Bullimore assured the board.
The next Board of Education meeting is set for February 11, 2025, where further discussions and decisions, including the potential shift to the Midland Empire Conference, will take place. More information is available on the district’s website at www.essd40.com.
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