KSD eSpotlight

It's a Kirkwood holiday...Greentree weekend! Thank you to all our schools for their efforts and energy for your floats and fun. Our KSD float with Teachers of the Year, Key Contributors, and members of our Board of Education will be float #8.

A tax rate hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, September 23, at the Board Room located on the east side of North Kirkwood Middle School’s campus. At a recent work session of the Board of Education, the Kirkwood School District outlined its proposed tax rates for consideration by the Board of Education.

The proposed 2024-25 rates would include a one-time recoupment rate in light of adjustments by St. Louis County after the appeals process during the previous year. This is a standard process each year when there have been modifications to assessed values. Additionally, the proposed rate includes an increase permitted under the law due to reduced assessed values.

The Board of Education will consider several additional actions that would affect tax rates for the Kirkwood School District. The District’s Chief Financial Officer is proposing:

1. Reverting the tax rates to the voter-authorized ceiling. This would undo a voluntary rollback put into place in 2017.

2. Rolling back the Prop i tax levy, a temporary levy approved by voters in 2005 that was set to sunset. In 2024-25, the revenue generated through undoing the 2017 roll back would pay the entirety of any remaining Prop i debt.

3. Voluntarily rolling back of the commercial rate to ensure the undoing of the 2017 roll back does not create an undue differentiated impact on the business community.

As a result of these three actions, taxpayers would not see any increases in their rate. The only increase would be due to the one-time recoupment and reduction in assessed values.

The rates as proposed are pending the approval of the Board of Education. They are also reviewed and approved by the State Auditor’s Office to ensure compliance with Missouri law.

Meetings can be viewed in person or can be viewed online. Visit at kirkwoodschools.org/virtualboe for additional information.

We’re hopeful we see many students, families and community members cheering on the Pioneers at home games this year. These are truly community events that bring the meaning of “One Kirkwood” to the forefront.

When there are large crowds, there can be an increase in behavioral issues. Please help us enforce our expectations of student behavior and remind your children that school sporting events are school functions. School discipline will be enforced for violations of the student handbook that happen at school functions. Fighting, profanity, bullying, and harassment will not be tolerated.

All students are encouraged to sit in the stands, watch the game and enjoy the time with their friends while cheering for the Pioneers. For students in middle school and younger, a parent or guardian should be in attendance to supervise their student(s). If students are found to be running, throwing objects or causing other disruptions, they will be required to sit with their guardian for the remainder of the game.

As with last year at football games, students will not be permitted to gather on the north hill, north stairs near the scoreboard or south hill. There will be staff and security on hand at these events to ensure we are encouraging students to not congregate in this area.

We appreciate your partnership in keeping our events safe for all attendees. Go Pioneers!

The Kirkwood School District celebrated the accomplishments of athletes, coaches, and community members on and off the playing field, pool, mats, and court on September 6 and 7 during a full weekend of events to celebrate the Kirkwood High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Stories were told, memories were shared, families connected, and high school friendships were rekindled. It was the purest, most joyful display of Pioneer Pride! Thank you to our Athletic Hall of Fame Planning Committee for your time, efforts and dedication in organizing a wonderful weekend for our distinguished alumni.

Thank you to the staff members and coaches who volunteered their time to support the event. For a full list of our Athletic Hall of Fame inductees and photos, please visit our website.

We look forward to celebrating our Outstanding Alumni in Spring 2025!

The Kirkwood School District observes Hispanic Heritage Month between September 15 and October 15 each year to celebrate the Latino community. Please check our social media channels throughout the month on how our schools are recognizing and celebrating Hispanic culture.

Monday, September 23

Tax Rate Hearing

6 p.m. Board Room at North Kirkwood Middle School Campus

Board Meeting

6:30 p.m. Board Room at North Kirkwood Middle School Campus

Thursday, September 26
STEAMFest Informational Meeting
6 p.m. KHS McCallie Lecture Hall

Tuesday, October 1
8th Annual Unified Night Lights - Please join us!
6 p.m. E.L. Lyons Memorial Stadium

October 16 & 17
KSD Grades 3-8 Cross Country Meet

Students interested in participating in this year’s STEAMfest Science Fair are welcome to join us with their families for an informational meeting. This meeting will be held on Thursday, September 26, from 6:00p-7:00p in the Franklin McCallie Lecture Hall in the KHS Campus. Please park on the Essex Lot. We will go over what to expect, when to expect it and answer any additional questions you may have.

If you have any questions please contact Kaylie Weiss, STEAMfest Coordinator, at kaylie.weiss@kirkwoodschools.org

The Kirkwood School District (KSD) is hosting the eighth annual unified flag football event. The KHS Varsity football players, along with cheerleaders, dance team members, band musicians and students with and without disabilities play together - side-by-side - shoulder-to-shoulder. Please join us Tuesday, October 1, at E.L. Lyons Memorial Stadium on the campus of Kirkwood High School at 6 p.m. Admission is free. All donations benefit KSD and its special education programs to carry on the unified spirit within all school-wide activities. kirkwoodschools.org/UNL

Kirkwood Schools is partnering with Big River Race Management for the 2nd annual Kirkwood School District Cross Country Meet at Kirkwood Park. This two-day event will be open to elementary students in grades 3-5 and middle school students. Elementary students will compete in a 1-mile race on Thursday, Oct. 17 and middle school students will compete in a 1.5 mile race on Wednesday, Oct. 16. To register a child, please visit kirkwoodschools.org/KSDXC

To subscribe to email updates from the Board of Education, visit kirkwoodschools.org/boe and fill out the required information on the right hand side of the page.

KSD is committed to expanding opportunities for communication and engagement with students, families, community members and our staff. Use Let's Talk to start a conversation, submit a concern or share a success with the district. Visit kirkwoodschools.org/letstalk