July 18, 2024

No "Good News, Recognitions and Announcements" this month. School is not is session. Instead, Dr. Ruess gave the Board an update on the progress that is being made in achieving the goals set forth in the "Vision for R-VI in 2026" Comprehensive Improvement Plan.

The board passed the consent agenda with one abstention. Items were:

• June regular session minutes
• Bills payable for the month
• June Financials
• July Ledger Subtotals
• Second Reading of BOE 2024B Policy Updates: BDC, DFI, FFA, GBEBC, IND, JEC, JECA, JO, KH, EEA-AP1
• Approval of the 2024 Distinguished Service Award nominee
  
• Approval of the 2024 Hall of Fame nominee
  
• Approval of the Staff Wellness Reimbursement for 2024-2025

Superintendent's Report

• MSBA (Missouri School Board's Association) convention is in Kansas City in October
• Community newsletter with Back to School information was in the Leader last week
• New teacher orientation will be held August 5, 6, 7
• 1st teacher workday is Tuesday, Aug. 13
• School starts Monday, Aug. 19
• All-staff convocation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15. Breakfast in the gym, followed by program in the Performing Arts Center
• The District has received preliminary MAP data. Administrators are still going over the numbers. Will have more in the coming months.
• Preliminary enrollment numbers for the 2024-2025 school year shows numbers are up by approximately 100 students.
• Jeffco Mental Health Summit will be held July 23 in the PAC

Investment Report

Mr. Earnhart laid out details of the investments from the past 18 months. In that time, the investments have gained approximately $1.2 million. Some of that has been re-invested, some has been placed in a fluid account to pay Middle School expansion bills the come due. Ultimately, the invested monies will pay for the Middle School Expansion project and Intermediate renovations.

Summer School 2024 Report

ADA is down in the K-4 and 5-8 programs. The District will be looking at ways to improve incentivizing students to come to summer school.

ADA for high school is good because of the credit requirements for summer school.

Professional Development Program Evaluation

The District spent approximately $175,000 - $180,000 on professional development for the 2023-24 school year. That far exceeds the 1% requirement from DESE.

Communications Department Program Evaluation

Working to meet goals laid out in the Communications Plan. 2-way communication was the focus of the 2023-24 school year. Achieved with the implementation of Remind. The next year will be to get more parents engaged on the platform. Will also focus on increasing open rate of the Ruess Round-Up.

Facilities Report and Recommendations

Summer work report:

• The 3 additional classrooms at the Early Childhood Center are nearly complete.
• The new AC units are installed and abatement work is complete in the 3rd grade wing.
• The 1st grade stackup renovation is moving along. Drywall is hung, cabinets are in and courter tops are ordered. Work is expected to be done by the end of July.
• Intermediate school tuckpointing is moving along. The blue diamonds are being changed to gold.
• Middle School restrooms - tile is in, lighting is in. Expected to be completed by the end of July.
• High school - FACS room tile is ready to be laid.
• Across the district, the areas that failed lead testing for the "Get the Lead Out of School Water" have been remediated New testing will be done next week.

Middle School Expansion update:

Roy Mangan from ArchImages provided an update:

The main focus has been the interior work in the kitchen/cafeteria/multipurpose room - it is on schedule to be completed by the time students arrive in August.

The board did give permission to purchase a new dishwasher once the specs are confirmed.

Outside work has experienced weather delays because of the rain. Block work has begun. That will continue into the fall. Underground plumbing will be installed soon. The roof is expected to go on in early-mid November.

• Approved the demolition of 1601 & 1608 Mid-Meadow Lane. These are homes the District purchased within the past two years. Herzog was awarded the contract for $74,746.98.
• Approved the installation of athletic record board signage outside the high school gym and at Tiger Stadium.
• Approved a newly developed Comprehensive Crisis Communications Plan for emergency situations.
• Approved the MOCAP Procedures for the 2024-25 school year.
• Approved a one-year transportation contract with Huskey Bus Service for at least 2 routes for the entire 2024-25 school year.