Watch a full replay of this meeting on the Excelsior Citizen YouTube Channel.
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, M0. (Sept. 9, 2025) – The Excelsior Springs Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, featured recognition of a longtime Elkhorn custodian, state-level updates from the Missouri School Boards Association, a superintendent’s report covering district news and facilities, and an in-depth presentation on the Career Center. The board also unanimously approved annual program evaluations for Facilities & Grounds and Food Service.
At a Glance
- Classified Employee Recognition – Elkhorn custodian Al Andrews honored for his dedication, positivity, and commitment to students and staff.
- MSBA Delegate Report – State update stressed early-year budget amendments, long-range financial planning, and previewed October’s annual conference.
- Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Mark Bullimore highlighted a smooth school year kickoff, rollout of the FirstView bus-tracking app, capital project updates, and strong early results from the district’s new cell phone policy.
- Career Center Update – Director Ben Rubey reported 211 students enrolled, nearly 80% positive placement for 2024 graduates, 328 credentials earned, over 14,000 work-based learning hours, and standout SkillsUSA achievements.
- Facilities & Grounds Evaluation – Preventive maintenance, roof audits, and planning for aging HVAC systems remain top priorities; program approved.
- Food Service Evaluation – District participation outpaces national averages; program rated “Excellent” but faces challenges with unpaid meal balances and secondary-level free/reduced form returns; program approved 6–1.
- Upcoming Dates – Board photos scheduled Sept. 23 at 5 p.m., followed by the annual tax rate hearing at 5:30 p.m.
Classified Employee Recognition: Al Andrews
The meeting opened with recognition of Al Andrews, custodian at Elkhorn Elementary, as the September Classified Employee of the Month. Principal Dr. Harris praised Andrews as a “beloved father figure” who greets staff each morning, checks in frequently to help, and maintains the building with pride. Known for his positive attitude and rapport with students—even spending lunch breaks chatting with children—Andrews continues to commute an hour each way after relocating, demonstrating loyalty to the Elkhorn community. Board members presented the award during a lively cafeteria celebration with cheering kindergartners.
MSBA Delegate Report
Board members watched the September Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) Board Report video. MSBA officials emphasized the importance of budget amendments early in the school year, noting enrollment counts, assessed valuation, and tax rates now provide final data to update projections. Districts were urged to maintain clear communication with communities about local revenue, especially amid rising property valuations and taxpayer concerns.
The report also underscored the value of long-range financial planning and previewed sessions at the upcoming MSBA annual conference in Kansas City (Oct. 23–25), including a one-day AI in education symposium. Breakouts will cover finance, policy, cybersecurity, and legislative issues. Board members confirmed they are registered for the event.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Mark Bullimore shared a wide-ranging district update.
- Strong start to the year. Convocation, new teacher week, and back-to-school activities set a positive tone, with parents and staff offering encouraging feedback.
- Extracurricular activities. Fall sports are underway, and Excelsior Springs will host an extra football game on Oct. 3 after Raytown High shifted home contests due to gas line issues.
- Transportation: FirstView app. The district is rolling out the FirstView parent app, a GPS-based bus tracking system provided through First Student. While “go-live bumps and bruises” are expected, the tool should help families better anticipate pick-up and drop-off times. Troubleshooting will be handled directly through FirstView, limiting administrative burden on school staff. Board members inquired whether the service could expand to extracurricular trips; Bullimore said that the possibility will be explored during upcoming implementation meetings.
- Capital projects. Parking lot resurfacing at the high school is complete, with quality issues being corrected by contractors. Central Office’s roof replacement remains pending, scheduled once the weather is consistently cooler to avoid shutting down air conditioning in high heat.
- Cell phone policy. Bullimore reported the district’s new restrictions are being embraced with fewer referrals than anticipated. Teachers are enforcing the rules consistently, and principals are finding ways to keep students engaged during lunch and downtime, including trivia competitions. Early observations suggest students are more interactive with peers in hallways and cafeterias, and administrators noted the policy may already be reducing discipline referrals.
Career Center Update
Career Center Director Ben Rubey presented data from 2023–24 and updates for the current school year.
- Student outcomes. Of 2024 graduates, nearly 78% achieved positive placement by continuing education, entering the workforce in their field, or joining the military—near the district’s 80% goal. Rubey noted that sometimes learning what a student doesn’t want to pursue is equally valuable.
- Credentials earned. Students earned 328 industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) last year, a modest increase from the prior year. Credentials included carpentry, HVAC, health, automotive, physical therapy, and more, giving students portable certifications valued by employers.
- Work-based learning. Students accumulated 14,000+ hours of internships, field trips, and job shadowing, exposing them to real-world expectations.
- Perkins accountability. The district met state performance levels in most areas but fell short on non-traditional enrollment (e.g., females in trades, males in nursing).
- Rubey highlighted several students whose accomplishments are bringing statewide and national recognition to Excelsior Springs. Mason McConnell, a 2024 graduate, was named a national SkillsUSA champion in Carpentry, a distinction that placed both him and the Career Center on the national stage. HVAC student Meline Throckmorton earned Missouri’s prestigious Breaking Traditions Award for excelling in a non-traditional career path, an honor celebrated at the Governor’s Mansion. Meanwhile, Excelsior Springs senior Adrien Crawley was elected as a SkillsUSA State Officer, allowing her to represent her peers at conferences and leadership events across Missouri.
- Enrollment. This fall, 211 students are enrolled across all Career Center programs, with full staffing for the first time in three years following retirements and turnover.
- Future focus. Rubey plans to continue shadow visits and recruitment in sending schools, deepen partnerships with industries, expand SkillsUSA involvement, and explore new programs in skilled trades where demand is high and AI cannot replace human work.
Facilities & Grounds Program Evaluation
Dr. Bullimore presented the annual Facilities & Grounds Program Evaluation, which the board approved unanimously.
The district completed more than 2,600 work orders last year while focusing on preventative maintenance to avoid costly emergency repairs and extend the life of older systems. Efforts include seasonal checklists for HVAC, plumbing, lighting, roofing, and concrete.
Key challenges remain: the middle school and high school rely on HVAC systems well beyond their 20-year life expectancy, with parts sometimes scavenged from retired equipment. Roof replacement needs are estimated at $10 million districtwide, with central office already scheduled. Administrators stressed the importance of developing a 5–10 year maintenance and replacement plan, including roof audits and cost forecasting.
Custodial staffing continues to see turnover due to low entry pay, but the team was praised for preparing buildings to look “fantastic” at the start of the year. Goals for 2025–26 include staff training on monitoring systems, scheduling major work in summer, and securing grant funding for system replacements.
Food Service Program Evaluation
Assistant Superintendent Scott Guilkey presented the annual Food Service Program Evaluation, which was approved 6–1 after discussion.
- Participation. Breakfast participation rose 13% and lunch 8% from the prior year, both above national averages. The district’s programs reached 36.8% breakfast participation (4.6 points over national) and 75.5% lunch (9.8 points over national).
- Financial status. The program continues to operate in the black, with federal guidelines requiring funds to be reinvested in food service. This surplus funded the new kitchen at Lewis Elementary and free meals during testing.
- Quality & recognition. Aramark, the district’s food service provider, introduced limited-time menu items to boost interest. Three cafeterias received Clay County Health Department Food Safety Excellence awards last year.
- Challenges. The district ended 2024–25 with $33,000 in unpaid meal balances, which have grown to $48,000 this fall—an issue seen statewide. Administrators also noted a steep drop in families returning free/reduced meal applications once students move from elementary to secondary, limiting eligibility for state and federal supports. Board members stressed the need to educate families that the forms carry no visible stigma and influence more than just meal costs, affecting technology grants and state reimbursements.
- Recommendations. Continue boosting participation, pursue equipment audits and upgrades, expand breakfast access (including grab-and-go and “second chance” meals), and increase outreach on the value of free/reduced meal applications.
Board member Traci White questioned whether the program deserved an “Excellent” rating, given room for growth, but the evaluation passed with a 6–1 vote.
Next Up
The board will gather on Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. for the annual tax rate hearing at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned with a unanimous vote.
If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!
