School Funding, piggy bank

School Board Recap: Administrative Moves, Healthcare Cost Increase

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At the recent school board meeting, a variety of important topics were discussed and approved. The board approved bills and financial reports, as well as accepted resignations, and approved classified and certified substitutes for the current school year. Building reports were presented and approved for several schools, including the Early Childhood Center, Cornerstone Elementary, Elkhorn Elementary, Lewis Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Career Center. Additionally, the board approved requests for proposals for occupational therapy, orientation and mobility, and physical therapy services. They also approved the Panorama Social-Emotional Measures & Behavior Contract and declared surplus property. Finally, the board approved academic services extra duty compensation.

School Board Recognition Month

Dr. Mark Bullimore noted that March has been proclaimed as MO School Board Appreciation Month. A staff and student video were viewed along with their gifts of appreciation to the Board for their service and dedication to the school district and the community.

Classified Employees of the Month

During the board meeting, the classified employees of the month were announced with the board recognizing two exceptional employees.

B.J. Johnson

Dr. Christen Everett nominated paraprofessional B.J. Johnson. In her nomination Everett said:

I would like to nominate B.J Johnson a paraprofessional at the high school BJ consistently goes above and beyond for every student and is an advocate for all she’s incredibly smart and hardworking her original career was in nursing so she’s able to help special education students with academic and health needs because she has a strong Science Background when she is in the science classrooms it’s like having a co-teaching set she’s always willing to help with students in SLC and in our weekly intervention lab. BJ makes a difference at ESHS every single day and the students and staff are so honored to have her as part of the high school family.

A parent added a comment saying “she’s made a huge impact on all three of my kids and I know she has on many more. She’s a cheerleader for all kids at ESSD and truly makes a difference.”

Lee Jarman

Mr. Jon Coleman, the technology director, nominated technology specialist Lee Jarman for the classified employee recognition program. Coleman explained that “Lee is a proven leader in the technology department and goes above and beyond to support Cornerstone and the middle school with all their technology needs. He takes pride in his work and is always willing to jump in and assist when and wherever needed.” Lee’s efforts were instrumental in ensuring a successful start to the 22-23 school year, as he took it upon himself to make sure that the technology in his buildings, as well as those of his colleagues, were ready to go for the first day of school, despite being short-staffed during the summer. Along with the technology team, Lee prepared and distributed over 1300 Chromebooks for secondary students. In today’s classroom, technology plays an integral role, and the district is fortunate to have someone like Lee who can be counted on to ensure that students and staff have the necessary tools to succeed. The board thanked Lee for his outstanding contributions to the technology department and the school community.

Student Recognition – ESHS State Wrestlers

Ryne Marcum, Micah Danner, Cooper Collins, Hunter Scoma, Vada Burton (photo Mackenzie Cole).

Mr. Eric Marshall introduced ESHS wrestling coaches Cody Beck (Boys) and Scott Schwab (Girls) and their recent success at the MSHSAA Wrestling Championship 2023 held in Columbia, MO.

Coach Beck introduced the following wrestlers:
• Cooper Collins – 113 lbs. – State Champion
• Ryne Marcum – 132 lb. – State Qualifier
• Micah Danner – 126 lb – 4th pl.
• Hunter Scoma – 157 lb. – State Qualifier

Coach Schwab introduced Vada Burton – 130 lb. – 6th pl.

Cabinet Reports

Bus Barn Continues to Face Staff Shortage

The transportation department of the district is facing staffing issues, with the director and dispatcher having to drive buses on occasion. The district is planning to meet with First Student (the district’s contracted bus company) to discuss the possibility of increasing driver pay and improving the bus driver program to attract more applicants. The district has added one staff bus driver, but it only helps with extra trips like sports and not the regular routes. The district is hoping for higher transportation reimbursement from the state, which may be discussed in upcoming board meetings.

Transportation Passes Safety Inspection with “Flying Colors”

Dr. Bullimore also reported that the transportation department has recently undergone both a Missouri Highway Patrol inspection and an internal audit, both of which they “passed with flying colors.” Bullimore said the internal audit was particularly stringent, but the department still performed well. The official data will be presented next month, and the district hopes to recognize the hard work of the department head, Kim Green, at that time.

New Cameras

The School District plans to replace over 110 outdated security cameras that are over 10 years old. According to Dr. Mark Bullimore, these cameras are difficult to use and can barely capture faces. The district has put together a financial plan and budget for the next several years to strategically replace these cameras to improve the Safety and Security of the district. Dr. Tomlinson, along with Mr. Kimsey, have helped with the budgeting plan.

Food for Thought

According to Bullimore, the School District is making strides in its food service program, with breakfast participation on the rise and lunch participation already eight to nine percent above regional numbers. Bullimore said the district is focusing efforts to increase breakfast participation, which he sees as the largest growth opportunity. To increase the food program’s competitiveness, Bullimore has been collaborating with neighboring districts on coordinating bid meetings to present an economy of scale and secure more competitive numbers. The district is also having a March Madness program, offering special menu items and a bracket of food choices during lunch and breakfast to coincide with the NCAA tournament. In good news for the budget, the district recently received a grant of nearly $54,000 from the state for local supply chain assistance in the food service program. Bullimore notes that the district will continue to be careful with its spending and select the best bids for Excelsior Springs.

Prop Lewis

The School District continues to gear up for Proposition Lewis, a levy transfer aimed at building a new elementary school in downtown Excelsior Springs. Dr. Bullimore reminded attendees that on April 4th, voters will decide whether to approve the proposal. Bullimore said district administrators had recently held a meet and greet with staff members to discuss the ballot proposition. He urged everyone to vote and not be overconfident, citing a previous failed levy in 2019 which failed by only 6 votes. Bullimore promoted the Chamber of Commerce luncheon hosted by the School District where they discussed Proposition Lewis. Bullimore said the district also recently held an open house at Lewis and Cornerstone, where attendees were able to tour the old Lewis building and see some of the updates that could be made in a new building. He noted that the design team has incorporated elements of the historic downtown area into the new building, including warm wood accents reminiscent of The Elms and other historic structures.

Improvements to Mental Health

Dr. Heather Gross, Director of Student Services, spoke about the department’s primary focus on mental health and well-being. She said the Panorama survey will open on March 27th, and they are setting a target response rate of 85%. She said self-efficacy and grit are measured by the survey, and the data is used to form support groups for students. Previous survey results indicate that there is still work to be done to improve the percentage of students who respond favorably to the categories of self-efficacy and grit. The department’s expenditures for the Clay County Children’s Services fund are about $375,000 since July 1, 2022. Gross said the department is contracting with organizations to hire FTEs, but retaining good people has been challenging. She also noted the board and executive director of the Clay County Services fund and school districts in Clay County are working together to figure out how to address this issue.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

Gross provided an update on the latest work being done in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). She said at the last meeting on February 28th, the group task force focused on three main goals: leadership training and coaching, creating a district-wide handbook, and establishing an onboarding process for new staff members. The leadership team is working on developing a communication system for all stakeholders to know how the district supports behavior and mental health.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Jaret Tomlinson provided an update on the cash flow chart. Despite a decline in spending during the semester break, December and January brought in higher-than-expected revenues. Dr. Tomlinson anticipates that the financial success will continue throughout the year, with a goal to finish above average. The district recently received $420,000 in revenue from the county for railroad utilities. Going forward, Tomlinson said the focus will be on managing expenditures and determining how to allocate funds toward staff and student needs.

Attendance Report

Tomlinson reviewed district-wide attendance numbers and shared the following figures:

• Early Childhood Ctr. – 88.7%
• Middle School – 91.1%
• Elkhorn Elem. – 93.0%
• Lewis Elem. – 92.5%
• Cornerstone Elem. – 93.3%
• High School – 92.4%

Last Day of School

Dr. Tomlinson said the last day of school will be Friday, May 19th, and noted that elementary will dismiss at 12:45 PM and secondary will dismiss at 11:30 AM.

Prop Lewis, take 2

Tomlinson also promoted Proposition Lewis stating Proposition Lewis, is a levy transfer that would allow them to move 70 cents from one account (Debt Services) to another (Operational Expenses) in order to fund a new elementary school. Tomlinson emphasized that this transfer would not increase taxes or affect the amount already collected from taxpayers. He reiterated that the money would simply be redirected from one fund to another, allowing the district to use it for a lease purchase to build the new school. Tomlinson noted that the district has already paid off an adequate amount of debts and has sufficient funds to cover its debt service, and he sees no need to raise taxes in the future.

6.5% Increase in Healthcare Costs for Upcoming Year

Excelsior Springs School District’s health insurance premiums have seen a negligible increase over the past two years, thanks to the district’s efforts to keep them at zero percent. However, this past year, there was a 1.5 percent universal increase for all members of the Missouri Educators United Health Plan (MEUHP), which the district participates in. Additionally, due to local issues, the district had to take a five percent increase for moving up a step due to districtwide health issues. Overall, this amounts to a 6.5 percent increase, which while still lower than the national trend of seven percent will be a significant increase for district employees. Dr. Tomlinson asked the board for approval to continue the district’s agreement with MEUHP, which provides employees with a choice of four plans, including two HSAs and two PPOs, with a low and high option for each. The request was approved 7-0.

Tomlinson added he will be working to propose an increase in health insurance contributions from the district for the upcoming year’s budget. Under the proposal, the district’s contribution would rise to $575, covering most of the cost for employees. While the increase would cost the district over $100,000, Tomlinson said he believes it’s a needed step to help prevent employees from having to pay more out of their paychecks for basic health insurance.

Career Center Update

Mr. Ben Rubey presented a Career Center Data update. The focus of his presentation was on how the center is funded and how well it is performing. The center has two main sources of revenue, tuition, and grants, with Perkins and Basin Performance being the most significant grants received. While Perkins funding is determined by community population, Basin Performance is based on enrollment and performance. Enrollment figures for the different programs were shared, with Rubey expressing hope that expansion would increase the number of students. Attendance data was also reviewed, with 90% and 95% being the key benchmarks. Placement data for graduates was also presented, with three criteria (employment related to their program, continuing education in their program, or military service) used to determine positive outcomes. Rubey expressed pride in the overall placement percentage of 67.91% but hoped to increase it to 80%. Industry-recognized credentials, which demonstrate that students have the necessary skills and aptitude to work in their chosen field, were also discussed. The center had over 200 students enrolled last year, earning over 300 credentials. Recruitment was the final topic, with Rubey noting that over 300 applicants had applied for the 220 available spots in the programs, indicating strong competition for places. Shadow visits and middle school recruitment were strategies being used to attract students to the programs.

Students Share their Success

During the meeting, two students from the Career Center, Andrew DeOrnellis, and J.B. Prestia shared their positive experiences with SkillsUSA and the Career Center program. DeOrnellis talked about how he initially struggled to envision his future after high school and didn’t see himself pursuing a traditional college path. However, his brother’s experience in the HVAC field inspired him to pursue a hands-on career, and he joined the SkillsUSA program under the mentorship of Justin McBee. Through SkillsUSA, Andrew gained confidence in his skills and was able to secure a job at Summit Heating and Cooling. He expressed gratitude for the Career Center program and the opportunities it provided him to learn and grow, even during difficult times.

Prestia also shared his positive experiences with the Career Center program, specifically in the electrical program. He was initially introduced to the program in seventh grade and was immediately drawn to the HVAC welding activities, although he decided to pursue the electrical program. He expressed his love for the program, his teachers, and his classmates. J.B. also mentioned that he had been accepted into the TC Linesman program but was still undecided about his future career path.

Overall, both students emphasized the positive impact of the Career Center program and SkillsUSA in providing them with valuable hands-on experience and career opportunities.

Approval of MOU with City of Excelsior Springs (FEMA Safe Room)

Excelsior Springs School District and the City of Excelsior Springs approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the use of community safe rooms during certain weather-related events. The MOU lays out rules and responsibilities for both parties and covers the appropriate use of current and future FEMA safe rooms during school and non-school hours. Under the agreement, the city will contact the school district’s Director of Safety and Security to open the safe rooms during non-school hours, and the school district will help clear out and lock up the safe rooms once they are no longer in use. The next steps include the development of a standard operating procedure and a separate MOU with Ray County. It was stated that the city and school district wanted to ensure the MOU was in place before the storm season.

Career Ladder Approved

The board approved a new District Career Ladder Plan for the 23-24 school year (7-0). The plan aims to enhance the educational experience for district students by recognizing and rewarding productive and effective teachers who go above and beyond their regular duties. The plan will replace some committees and utilizes some funds that were already being spent by the district.

The plan is divided into three eligible stages, with increasing hours and maximum compensation for each stage. General requirements for each stage include years of service, regular full-time contract status, appropriate certification, and a mean score of 2.5 on the educator effectiveness performance indicators. The plan does not dictate how teachers should spend each hour, but teachers must prepare and get their plans approved at the beginning of the year.

Examples of eligible hours include serving as a mentor or cooperating teacher, assisting students with post-secondary education, tutoring, and direct and indirect student contact. The plan cannot be used for anything that is part of the educators’ contracted day, or anything that is already being reimbursed. The Career Ladder Committee will consist of two members from each building, who can use their hours towards their own career ladder. The estimated total cost of the plan is $900,000, with an estimated state reimbursement of $360,000.

The plan is expected to help retain and recruit effective teachers by reimbursing them at a higher rate for activities that enhance the educational experience of students. The plan is scheduled to start on July 1 and end on May 31, pending legislative approval.

Employment Moves: Hux Retiring, Tomlinson Takes Over

It was announced that the district’s superintendent, Dr. Travis Hux will be retiring June 30, 2023, after less than two years in the role. Hux was placed on paid “personal leave” in mid September of 2022 and has not been seen since. A joint statement was emailed to parents and employees in the school district on March 15, 2023, the first public statement regarding the superintendent since his disappearance. The contents of the email were as follows:

Joint Statement of Dr. Hux and the Board of Ed.
The following statement is sent to you on behalf of the Board of Education and Dr. Hux.
Excelsior Springs 40 School District and Dr. Travis Hux, Superintendent of Schools, announce that Dr. Hux will retire from Excelsior Springs 40 School District effective June 30, 2023. Dr. Hux and the Board of Education both wish each other well in their future endeavors.

On Friday, March 17, 2023, it was announced via email to district families and school staff that Dr. Jaret Tomlinson, who has been serving as ‘acting superintendent’ in the absence of Dr. Hux will be hired as the next superintendent of schools for the Excelsior Springs School District. The email contained the following information:

Good Morning Excelsior Springs Families,

During the Mar. 14th Board of Education meeting, Dr. Jaret Tomlinson was hired as the next Superintendent of Schools for the 2023-24 school year. Dr. Tomlinson has served as our Deputy Superintendent for the last 9 years. Please join us in welcoming and congratulating him on this exciting new role within the Tiger family!

Dr. Tomlinson has agreed to be the next Superintendent of Schools for the next two school years. The Board of Education is also planning to hire a Superintendent in Waiting to bring on board to work alongside Dr. Tomlinson so that he may mentor and train them in the many complexities of the role. The Board of Education wants to ensure that our district has a steady, stable and consistent leadership direction for the foreseeable future and this process is the first step in accomplishing that goal.

The email also contained a link to a document with more information about Tomlinson:

Additional employment moves were as follows:

The next regular Board of Education meeting will be held Tuesday, April 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the Boardroom at the Support Services Center. Full details of the Board meeting and public agendas are available via the district’s website at www.essd40.com.


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