The Excelsior Springs School District’s School Board held their normally scheduled board meeting on Monday, August 9th, where they voted to adopt the current guidelines being offered by Clay County Health Department in accordance to reopening schools this year. With cases on the rise again, there were many parents in attendance, both for and against the use of masks in school this year. Giving each side only one speaker each to represent their position, and only three minutes to express it in, each side was represented.
The first speaker was citizen Chad Wagner, who represented the anti-mask community in three points. He stated essentially that masks don’t work, we haven’t ever done this for infectious viruses in the past, and even offered biblical references in regard to the rights they have as parents. Citizen Anne Winter spoke after, countering those arguments with a plea for the health of the kids, to protect in person schooling, and to further protect the community by requiring masks.
Dr. Jaret Tomlinson reported on behalf of the district’s committee dedicated to developing protocols in regard to the return to school. Stressing the word “recommended” throughout, the committee proposed to adopt the draft guidelines from the county board of health. By just highly recommending that students wear masks, the mandate that was in place last year will no longer apply, giving the decision for mask wearing up to each student. Citizens can find the details of the proposal on the district’s website. Response from the community was mixed, with a lot of parents with special needs vocalizing their concerns.
Citizen Michael Rhodus stated on Facebook, “Masks are the most effective way of protecting our children and they aren’t going to require them. They are likely wanting Clay County to mandate them so they can use them as a scapegoat and not take the responsibility. Thanks for showing such weakness when it coms to protecting my child.”
But others expressed thanks, like High School English Teacher Seth Morton who stated, “Thank you to the committee for preparing the document, taking in advisement of the county and others and allowing individuals to take personal liberty and make their own decisions regarding their health.”
Clay County Board of Health will have a special meeting on Wednesday, August 10, to finalize guidelines given from the county to each district. Dr. Tomlinson did stress that the decision may change based on the advisement from the county. This left many parents and staff members hopeful that something may be done at the county’s meeting to change the outcome. It was noted that masks will be required on all school buses, which is enforced as a federal mandate. It was also stated that staff who will miss work due to covid will need to use their own sick or vacation leave time while away from the classroom.
Safely returning to school was just one agenda item among a number of other projects taking place throughout the district. Dr. Travis Hux, ESSD’s new Superintendent, gave an update on the construction projects. The Early Childhood Center has seven classrooms built out. There is currently a waitlist and the district is looking at adding another classroom. It will also be dependent upon how many personnel they’re able to bring on. The design of the renovation will be similar to Cornerstone’s look. Elkhorn Elementary is also undergoing a remodel, with all new LED lighting and tiles being laid down this week. There is also a FEMA storm shelter being built on the property.
Dr. Hux gave an update on what is taking place in regard to legislation from the state. HB 349 and SB 86 dealing with school vouchers passed, meaning public funding can be used to transfer students to private or charter schools. If a student transfers out of the school district, their tax dollars will follow and can be applied at a charter or private school. But because there’s nothing legally binding a charter or private school to accept a student, they could turn the student away, while at the same time keeping the funds that came with that student. The concern then is that the public school has to accept the student back, but doesn’t have the funding that would normally be there for cost of the student.
There’s a total of $4.6 million that is being spent using emergency relief funds through CARES funding. They’re using those funds for Indoor Air Quality, upgrading the HVAC in both the Performing Arts Center and High School Gymnasium.
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Heather Gross gave an update on the Clay County Children’s Fund Contract, whose renewal was passed by the board. Previous funding was used in conjunction with Synergy, providing behavioral analysts throughout the district with a K-5 focus.
Required by the state, the district will host a tax rate hearing at the district office on September 27th at 5:30pm. Interestingly, because Clay County became a first class county this year, they were given an extra month for properties to be assessed, pushing the date back.
A new committee is being formed to come up with a name for the building that the Early Childhood Center is currently using. When they move to where Westview was, the space will be used for technology and physical plant employees. The “Support Services Center” was thrown out as an example.
After the meeting several parents stayed and expressed their concerns to the school board members. The next meeting will take place on Monday, September 13th at 6:30pm at the Childhood Center on Line Street.
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