The Excelsior Springs Board of Education met Tuesday, April 11 for their regular monthly meeting as well as a brief special meeting to certify election results and welcome newly re-elected board members. The board briefly celebrated the passing of Proposition Lewis which will bring a brand-new elementary school to downtown Excelsior Springs. Among the agenda items tackled at the meeting were the presentation and approval of strategic building plans from the 7 schools within the district for the next five years, which will guide the district’s investments in its physical infrastructure.
They’ve Got the Skills
Several students from the Career Center were recognized for their participation in the SkillsUSA State Competition. Accompanied by their sponsors, Ed Gouldsmith, and Justin McBee, (Sherry Ballinger was unable to attend), students Max Williams, Caleb Schuman, and Aeriel Pilger each spoke about their competitions. The ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of the following state medalists: Ryan Mapes, Isaiah Manus, and Mason Duncan who placed 3rd in Building Repair & Maintenance, Sheet Metal, and Residential Wiring Tech Info respectively; Nolan Werle who placed 2nd in Electrical Construction Wiring; Max Williams and Caleb Schuman who placed 2nd in Robotic Urban Search & Rescue; Madeline Snyder and Robert Fischer who placed 2nd in Emergency Medical Technician; Camden Dickey who placed 1st in Firefighting and qualified for the National Competition; Skyler Arner and Jacob Goodman who placed 1st in Cyber Security and qualified for the National Competition; Madeline Snyder who placed 1st in EMT Technical Info; and Aeriel Pilger who placed 1st in SkillsUSA Knowledge Tech Info.
Talk of the Nation
Joe Greim recognized the ESHS Speech & Debate State and National Qualifiers and introduced Allison Neumann, assistant sponsor, who spoke about the students and their recent district competition. Audrey Ishmael was named a State Qualifier and will compete in Prose Reading at the State Tournament on April 20th-22nd. Four students were recognized as National Qualifiers and will compete in the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky on May 27th-28th. The National Qualifiers included Kyra Davidson, Jason Besherse, Anna Selby, and Audrey Ishmael. The recognition ceremony celebrated the hard work and dedication of these students as they continue to excel in their academic pursuits.
Classified Employee of the Month: Ellwood “Mr. Al” Andrews
Dr. Bullimore recognized Ellwood Andrews, also known as “Mr. Al”, for his outstanding dedication to the staff and students of Elkhorn Elementary School. Mr. Al was nominated by Elkhorn Principal, Dr. Annette Shelton, and “most of the Elkhorn staff” for the Classified Employee of the Month recognition. Bullimore said Ellwood’s colleagues praised him for going above and beyond his job description every day and for quietly watching over students in the hallways to ensure their safety. Nominations stated that Mr. Al is always willing to lend a helping hand and greets students and staff with a friendly hello each day. His care for the students is evident, and they and the teachers notice it. When Mr. Al was recognized at the ceremony, students and teachers came rushing down the hallway to show their appreciation. Mr. Al’s dedication and hard work have made him a valued member of the Elkhorn Elementary School community.
MSBA Monthly Video Report
The April edition of the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) video highlighted their Spring Virtual Meeting and a series of Lunch and Learn webinars to prepare school board members for their meetings with legislators and provide information on several legislative issues before the Missouri General Assembly. Senator Carla Esslinger spoke at the Advocacy Day event and emphasized the critical role of school board members in the legislative process. The event also included the Carter D. Ward Excellence in Advocacy Award, which was given to a past or present School Board member who has excelled in advocating for public education. Advocacy Day included a student showcase at the Capitol where students from 20 school districts throughout the state demonstrated innovative programs. The MSBA offered a subscription to the Missouri Emergency Operations Plan development tool at no cost for two years for those who sign up before June 1st. The MSBA’s Summer Summit and June Delegate Assembly were also promoted as opportunities to connect with colleagues and learn about emerging trends and hot topics in education. Finally, new school board members were reminded of their training requirements, and the MSBA’s CBM Essential Board Member Training was highlighted as fulfilling the requirement and providing a foundation for becoming an effective School Board member.
Academic Services Report
During the Academic Services Report, Melissa Miller informed the board that all surveys have been completed and the baseline data for this year has been uploaded to the DESE website. The CSIP Review Team will meet over the summer to evaluate goals and update for next year. All Building Plans were presented, and are now fully aligned with the existing CSIP. The presentation also mentioned a new Reading Program for K-8, with five programs evaluated and the top two selected by the Literacy Team. Teachers are currently making their choices, and the bid will be brought to the board in May for approval.
Miller noted that there will be Kindergarten screenings at Lewis Elementary on May 1st, Elkhorn Elementary on May 2nd, and Cornerstone Elementary on May 4th. The Curriculum and Instruction Handbook has been completed and is ready for approval. It includes a Grading Philosophy, Roles and Responsibilities, Instructional Coaches, all Assessments, Assessment Terminology and Best Practices, and Curriculum Writing, and is planned through the 2030-31 School Year.
Student Services Report
Dr. Heather Gross, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, was not in attendance but her report included in the agenda notes, presented the following information: The Annual Meeting of all Title IA served buildings was held, where they discussed Student Achievement Data, Parent Evaluations, School-Parent Compact, Programs Strengths and Weaknesses, Consolidated Programs Plan, and Recommendations for Title IA Services. The meeting included teachers, administrators, coordinators, and parents and provided updates on Title IIA, Title IV, McKinney Vento (Homeless), Gifted, and English Language Learners. The yearly detailed Federal Programs program evaluation will be shared with the Board in June.
The report also covered the Clay County Children’s Services Fund expenditures and new grant applications for the new year, allocating funds towards PBIS, and planning for ECC. The Positive Behavior Intervention Support Current Work was discussed, including leadership, training, and coaching. Gross said the district is developing a district-wide “message” for staff, students, and parents, a district-wide handbook, as well as training opportunities for substitutes and bus drivers. They have also developed a presentation for staff to take a self-assessment survey to determine where they are with the features of PBIS and what areas of support they will need.
Tomlinson’s Talking Points
Jaret Tomlinson, Acting Superintendent of Excelsior Springs School District, provided updates on the Lewis Elementary School construction project and the district’s financial status. The first bid package for the construction project has been accepted by Newkirk Novak and will be brought to the next board meeting for approval. The trailers for the Early Childhood Center are projected to be delivered by the end of June or early July, but there needs to be site work completed before they can be set up. Asbestos abatement is also required before demolition of the current building can begin, which will take at least five weeks to complete. The new building is projected to start being built in September, assuming demolition is completed beforehand.
Tomlinson also discussed the district’s financial status, including a cash flow analysis and fund breakdown. The working budget for this year was $5.7 million, and $4.3 million has been spent year-to-date. However, the actual revenue received is $1.8 million shy of the budgeted revenue of $3.3 million, with a shortfall of $400,000. The district’s reserves are projected to drop to about $17 million by the end of next year, with the assumption that the district will finish this year with $8.5 million in the bank account. This projection takes into account steps for all employees, an increase in insurance contributions, and career ladder implementation, which will result in a lower reserve balance than the district has had in a while.
Tomlinson also provided attendance figures and the projected last day of school. He emphasized the importance of attendance and noted that it is a category of responsibility for Dr. Bolmore next year. Graduation is scheduled for Friday, May 12th, at 7 pm in the gym, with seniors’ last day being Tuesday, May 9th.
New Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Handbook
Dr. Melissa Miller, Assistant Superintendent of ESSD40, has released a new Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Handbook. This handbook serves as a valuable resource manual and guideline for best practices in the field, in line with BOE Goals #1 and #2. Based on the work of Larry Ainsworth, the handbook outlines future expectations and ongoing work in the area of curriculum and instruction. It fully aligns with and supports the current CSIP plan and will be updated annually.
The handbook includes a curriculum cycle that prioritizes every subject area along a six-year continuum, effective through the 2030-2031 school year. This is great news for students and educators alike as it will ensure that everyone stays up to date with the latest developments in curriculum and instruction. The release of this handbook demonstrates ESSD40’s commitment to providing quality education and staying at the forefront of educational innovation.
Building Improvement Plans 22-27
The Building Principals presented their Building Improvement Plans for the years 2022-27. The schools included in the presentation were the Early Childhood Center, Cornerstone Elementary, Lewis Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Career Center. Elkhorn’s plan was postponed to allow their new building administrator to join the team this summer and help to build the plan. See their reports below.
Early Childhood Center
Cornerstone Elementary
Lewis Elementary
Middle School
High School
Career Center
Upgrades for Weight Room and Career Center Approved
Dr. Tomlinson, presented a proposal to the board to approve funds for two projects. One of the projects is to remodel and equip the high school weight room with new flooring and equipment, which requires funds not exceeding $400,000. The other project is to upgrade the Career Center, which is eligible for the grant that Mr. Rubey received, with funds not exceeding $800,000, of which $400,000 would be reimbursed through the grant.
New Day, Same School Board
The Board of Education of Excelsior Springs held a special session, where newly re-elected members were sworn in. Incumbents Darren McKown, Kenny Manley, and Jill Evert took the oath of office. The board then elected Tray Harkins as president and Troy Snelling as vice president, while Dr. Tomlinson was elected treasurer, and Lisa Shelton was elected secretary. The board also appointed Darren McKown as the district’s MSBA delegate and Kalyn Goode as the alternate.
Official Summary/Notes Provided by ESSD
The ESSD School Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Support Services Building in Room 8, 113 Line Street in Excelsior Springs, MO. Meetings are live-streamed courtesy of the Simmons Sales Team and the Excelsior Springs Hospital to the Excelsior Citizen Facebook Page, Facebook Group, and YouTube channel. Board of Education agendas and documentation can be found at https://essd40.com/district_information/board_of_education
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