Aug. 16, 2019

Board of Education Meeting Recap – August 2019

The Lee’s Summit R-7 Board of Education met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, August 15, 2019. At the meeting, acting Superintendent Dr. Emily Miller presented the Superintendent’s Report. The Superintendent’s Report is linked here for reference. 

The Board recognized several students during the recognition portion of the meeting:

• 2019 Spring State Champions – Team Driven – Lee’s Summit High School Robotics
• 2019 Spring State Champions – Lee’s Summit High School Winter Guard
• 2019 Spring State Champion – Johnny Brackins, Jr. – Lee’s Summit High School
• 2019 Spring State Champions – Lee’s Summit West High School Girls Track and Field Team
• 2019 Spring State Champions – Lee’s Summit West High School 4 x 800 Meter Relay Team
• 2019 Spring State Champions – Lee’s Summit West High School – Audrey Parson, Ginger Murnieks and Jessica Haney
• 2019 Spring State Champions – Lee’s Summit North High School 4 x 100 Meter Relay

Additionally, the Board approved items for decision specifically relating to Finance. These items were approved: 6.01 Finance Committee Report, 6.02 Approve Transfer of Funds, and 6.03 Approve Treasurer’s Report and Payment of the Bills.

The Board of Education then approved items for decision in consent – 7.01 Approval of Minutes – July 25, 2019; 7.02 Ratify Contracts $5000 And Under; 7.03 Approve Tax Rate Hearing Date; 7.04 Approve the Final Tuition Rates for the 2019-20 School Year; 7.05 Adoption of Model Compliance Plan 2019-20; 7.06Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – Mutual Sheltering and Reunification Agreement for the Great Beginnings Early Childhood Center and Legacy Park Community Center; 7.07 Memorandum of Understanding with Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation; 7.08 Approve the Board Priorities for 2019-20;7.09 First and Final Reading of Board Policy FED; 7.10 Revision to Human Resources Comprehensive School Improvement Plan Goal; 7.11 Declaration of Surplus Property

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It is important for us to note the approval of the 2019-2020 Board of Education priorities in this section, as these were initiated and refined over the past two months in preparation for this school year’s work. The Board of Education had full-day work sessions in June and work session time in August to think through these priorities. 

Board Priority 1
Increase the achievement of every child through a continued focus on innovative practices, student well-being, and equity in program design and implementation. 

Board Priority 2
Ensure equitable access to future ready learning environments by further engaging stakeholders in the continued implementation of the Comprehensive Facility Master Plan by identifying preK-12 facility projects in anticipation of an April 2020 no-tax-increase bond issue.

Board Priority 3
Elevate communications by continuing to foster confidence and trust in our school district through increased involvement opportunities, interconnected public relations and engagement.

The continuation of the work in the Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan (CFMP) process is specifically emphasized in Board Priority 2 – identifying facility projects in anticipation of an April 2020 no-tax-increase bond issue. There will be much more to come on this priority as we engage with our students, families, staff, leaders, Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and community members about how to ensure our district’s schools and classrooms are best equipped to educate future learners. We want to signal to our community that this is a priority as we move into the fall and start identifying projects for our buildings.

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Next the Board of Education approved items for decision in consent (contracts over $5000): 9.01 Approve New Contracts over $5,000; 9.02 Knowledge Matters Software Renewal; 9.03 MOREnet Internet Connectivity Renewal and Membership; 9.04 Mythics Inc. Renewal – Oracle; 9.05 PowerSchool SIS Renewal; 9.06 Pre-ACT

Items for decision included: 
10.02 Woodland Elementary Sewer Improvements – J&N Utilities Contract Award
10.03 Construction Manager At Risk
10.04 Change of Position from Para Specialist to Licensed Practical Nurse at Lee’s Summit West High School for 2019-20
10.05 Personnel Report

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Sixth Grade to Middle School Conversation
The presentation portion of the meeting encompassed an overview of the “Sixth Grade to Middle School” process action team. The presentation reviewed the work that was conducted in the Spring of 2019 by a robust team of teachers, counselors, parents, elementary administration, middle school administration, district administration and community members. 

The work team explored current facilities needs, realities and implementation needs while looking at research and professional literature on the topic. The team also toured current middle schools and conducted meetings surrounded by middle school students so the team remained mindful of the focus of the work. They also considered facilities and middle school program plans from other school districts.

Another component of the team’s considerations included the needs of the adolescent learner and how those needs would drive any recommendation to the CFMP Team and Board of Education.

The team actively gathered questions and concerns on the topic (within the team and with additional stakeholders over the course of the team’s work). Ultimately they looked at what was best for this age group of students relative to their social/emotional needs and how programming could support these needs.

Lastly, the team planned for feedback gathering of various stakeholder groups. This presentation overviews the information provided to the Board of Education. 

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Written reports included: 
12.01 Facilities and Maintenance Project Update
12.02 Human Resources Annual Program Evaluation

For further information about personnel, finance and other reports, please see our BoardDocs for specific detail. 

You can also see the video of our Board meetings on our YouTube channel. Please note we work quickly with Cinematic Visions to get the video posted based upon the processing and production time. And for our public’s benefit, we are now live streaming our Board of Education meetings through our YouTube channel.