As of August 21st, the Smithville School District has it's own local weather station. The station provides current temperatures, wind speeds, precipitation, humidity, barometric pressure, moon phase, hourly and 10 day forecasts, radar, and historical "look back".
So, one may ask "why does the district need a weather station?" The answer is to keep kids safe and to comply with MSHSAA requirements for lightning detection and heat and humidity (wet globe). One of several features of the system is to detect lightning and provide an audible warning when lightning is too close which will allow those outside to shelter. In addition, the system provides a matrix on outside temperatures in relationship to humidity to comply with MSHSAA guidelines.
Bookmark it on your computer and mobile phone.
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Zip Trip: Fox4 Travels to Smithville
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Thank you, Fox 4, for highlighting our amazing students!
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These are the highlights from the August 21st meeting of the Smithville School District Board of Education (BOE).
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A recommendation was made to set the tax rate for 2019 at $5.10. The calculated rate has been validated by the State Auditor’s office based on the district’s total assessed valuation of $273,210,625 which represents a 9.2548% over last year. The 2018 total tax rate was $5.1790. There were no public comments. The recommendation passed 7-0.
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- Approve Bills for Payment
- Approve Contract Service Agreements
- Approve Second Reading of 2019A Policy Revisions
- Approve Free/Reduced Lunch Guidelines
- Supplemental Pay
- Services 2010A QSCB Audit
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Board Priorities Update
- Mrs. Ambroson and a small team is scheduling visits to neighboring early childhood programs (BOE Priority #6).
- SSD Finance 101 meetings and ExcellenceK12 survey (BOE Priority #1)
- Community meeting with DLR in regard to facilities planning is set for August 28 (BOE Priority #2).
- Mr. Krueger provided a budget update during the financial review (BOE Priority #5).
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Comments from the Assistant Superintendent from Support Services
Mr. Wayne Krueger
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Mr. Krueger provided the final wrap up for Phase VI. With the exception of the roofing improvements at Maple Elementary, which are scheduled to begin by September 6, all projects funded through Phase VI savings are completed. The projects included installing replacement turf at the stadium, restoring and installing new flooring at the middle school, asphalt and concrete improvements in all locations, and finally pedestrian crossings at Eagle Heights. In all, projects totaled nearly $825,000.
On Wednesday, August 28 at 6:30 pm in the High School cafeteria, DLR group will lead an educational facilities planning session with stakeholders to collect information to develop the district’s 10 year master building plan. All are invited, but request for planning purposes, to RSVP with Mr. Krueger by August 23 if interested in attending.
Finally, Mr. Krueger reminded the Board that following each regularly scheduled school board meeting, expenses to date, revenue to date, and a check registry to date will be posted on the district’s
website
under the department’s tab under school business and finance.
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Comments from the Assistant Superintendent from Academic Services
Dr. Michelle Kratofil
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Dr. Kratofil recognized students from Smithville High School who were recently recognized by the College Board for successful completion of the AP Capstone program. Jonah Palmer and Alyssa Edwards were honored for earning the AP Seminar and Research Certificate based upon earning a “3” or better on the final projects for both AP Seminar and AP Research. Makayla Ferguson, Paige Myers, Emily Newton, Rylie Parr, Abigail DeAnna, Jake Johnson, Ethan Kershaw and Robert Schwind were honored for earning the AP Capstone Diploma based upon earning a “3” or better on the final projects for AP Seminar and AP Research as well as earning a “3” or better on a minimum of three additional AP exams. Congratulations to these students!
Preliminary MAP data in English language arts and mathematics has been released to the district. In mathematics, every grade level/course tested improved over last year resulting in a MAP Index increase of 17.1 points in mathematics. In English language arts, four grade levels/courses improved while three decreased. Despite this, the MAP Index in English language arts held steady. Last year was the first year of full implementation of the workshop model district wide. As new instructional practices are introduced, implementation dips are common. In addition, the Super Subgroup MAP Index increased nearly 19 points in mathematics and decreased by less than 2 points in English language arts. The Super Subgroup performance comprises 10% of points toward the district’s Annual Performance Report. Inclusion in the Super Subgroup is based upon race, native language, disability, and/or socioeconomic status.
Our new certified staff participated in five days of orientation and professional development prior to all staff reporting back to the district. A New Teacher Reception will be held on Wednesday, October 2. The Board will enjoy meeting them - they are a great group!
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Comments from the Audience
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Carmen Xavier addressed the Board on the topic of random student drug testing. She stressed the importance of honoring the 4th Amendment of the US Constitution which prohibits unwarranted search and seizure. She asked the Board to think about the students and their rights when they vote on this issue.
John Chevalier also addressed the Board on the topic of random student drug testing. He expressed support for the policy as an excuse for students to say “no” to peers when tempted by drug use. He thanked the Board for honoring feedback and adjusting the policy from the original intent, especially regarding students with parking passes. He also encouraged the Board to seek the state audit and commended the intentions of those seeking public support for an audit.
Shauna Holman, Class of 1992, also addressed the Board on the topic of random student drug testing which she opposes on the grounds of illegal search and seizure. In addition, she is concerned with HIPAA violations and student privacy violations. She encouraged the Board to listen to all of the voices in the community on this topic. She commented that this policy may inadvertently discourage students from participating in extra-curricular activities resulting in exclusion rather than inclusion.
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District Finances and
Accounting
Postponed to September
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Mr. Krueger provided a summary of the revenues and expenditures from FY19. The summary was taken from the Annual Secretary of the Board Report which was submitted to the state on August 15. This summary shows that the budget restructuring efforts from last year have allowed the district to begin to right the budget. Additional revenue or budget restructuring will be needed to significantly increase the reserve ratio. Ian Saxton suggested that the Board provide a target for percentage increase per year. Denney Fales commented that the growth seen this year makes him concerned for adequate facilities and personnel in the future and makes the meeting on August 28 to gather feedback on the master building plan for the next ten years very important. Russell Fries asked that the average expenditure per student be added as a metric as he is concerned about focusing solely on the percentage of reserves at the expense of our students. Mr. Krueger reminded the Board that the focus on the reserve balances is important because without such a focus we cannot provide students with what they need.
During the month of July, we received $1,179,813.55; making a total of $1,179,813.55 received since July 1, 2019.
Expenditures for July were $1,410,544.16 making a total of $1,410,544.16 expended since July 1, 2019.
Patrons can access the revenue report, expenditure report, and check register for the district on the district
webpage
under Departments and Business & Finance.
The current district enrollment is 2,656 which is up 58 students over last September. Dr. Schuetz mentioned that we are watching three elementary grade levels in specific buildings for enrollment numbers. Other than these three groups, average enrollment in the elementary classes are generally in the upper teens and low twenties.
Dr. Schuetz requested the Board approve an expenditure to deploy ExcellenceK12 patron survey. It has been five years since such a survey was conducted. It would allow the district to gather feedback from the community at large on the topics of random student drug testing and requesting a state audit among other topics. The Board approved this expenditure.
Dr. Schuetz made the first public presentation of a RSDT policy to the Board. He shared there are several details still to decide. Kelly Kobylski and Gini Fite answered questions and provided a summary of the committee’s efforts and findings over the past year. One activity of the committee was to survey schools in Missouri and in the nation that has such a policy. None of the surveyed schools reported decreased participation in extracurricular activities. Ms. Kobylski emphasized the intervention aspect of the proposed policy in that the district would know who needs help and then be able to provide help for them. The Board asked many questions and offered several suggestions regarding self-reporting, allowing for students who did not meet the registration deadline an opportunity to appeal, and processes for re-admittance to extracurriculars. Mr. Saxton recommended exploring less punitive ways to encourage student education and behavior changes as the proposed policy continues to evolve. Mr. Fales asked for the number of students with parking passes compared with students in MSHSAA sponsored activities so the Board knows the difference in the number of potential participants by focusing solely on students in MSHSAA activities. Dr. Schuetz recommended that the Board not take action on the proposed policy at this time.
Dr. Schuetz shared that eight participants attended an SSD Finance 101 meeting on July 23, two participants are scheduled for August 28, and three are scheduled for September 12. The meeting on July 23 was lengthy with good discussion. Those in attendance were very supportive of the district and our efforts. The SSD Finance 101 meetings are a good idea and worth our time and effort but will not give us a sense of the sentiments of our community as a whole. Wade Keifer inquired as to the additional staffing that would be needed in order for district personnel to be devoted to support the auditors for the months they will be in the district. Dr. Scheutz suggested that we reach out to other districts to see how they handled extra staffing. In addition, Dr. Schuetz recommended the Board not approve a resolution requesting a state audit at this time but utilize the ExcellenceK12 survey to better inform the Board on the public’s opinion of the district’s stewardship.
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The plan for assessment for the 2019-2020 school year was presented to the Board for approval. The 2019 Assessment Plan is very similar to that of the previous year with two exceptions. The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be given in grades 4 and 6 rather than just grade 6. This assessment is used for a screener for special programs and provides detailed reports about the abilities of each student which will be beneficial to teachers. The other change is in regard to NWEA testing. We will begin assessing science in grades 3-8 instead of the language usage test previously administered in those grade levels. The Board approved the 2019 Assessment Plan.
Dr. Kratofil provided the Board with a list of new courses for our online course selection as well as the newest class in the PLTW Biomedical program. The Board approved the new courses as presented.
The Board approved the following revisions to the supplemental pay schedule for 2019-2020: substitute custodian rate of pay; PLC leader description and rate of pay for support PLC leader grades K-4; and rate of pay for part-time teacher PLC participation.
The Board approved personnel items as presented.
Miscellaneous
- The Board was asked to please make Donna aware ASAP if your MSBA travel plans change.
- ACI has invited the Board to dinner on September 26. Please RSVP to Donna. Dinner is typically at 7:00 PM.
- The CEO of the City's strategic planning firm will be in Smithville on September 18. This is the day of the September Board meeting and Dr. Schuetz inquired as to the Board's interest in a joint Board meeting prior to their monthly meeting.
- The Board typically hosts a new teacher reception at your September meeting. Dr. Schuetz asked their preference in this regard.
- Dr. Schuetz shared Key Communicator and Listening Tour dates with the Board.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.
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Coulter Bus Service is Hiring Drivers
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Coulter Bus Service is hiring drivers!
- Part-time and full-time positions available.
- Paid training to obtain CDL.
- Rate of pay: $1,500 per month for full-time drivers or $20 per route for substitute drivers.
- Sign-on bonus for drivers who continue employment for 6-months or more.
Contact Kelly Dearinger at 816.591.5399 if interested.
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The Missouri School Violence Hotline (SVH) began in October of 2001. In 2019, through the Missouri School Safety Initiative, the reporting mechanism moved to the Missouri Information Analysis Center for 24/7 operation and was named
Courage2ReportMO
. The goal is to make schools safer by helping school districts and law enforcement learn about school violence as soon as possible.
Courage2ReportMO
takes CONFIDENTIAL reports involving any public or private school in Missouri with students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Learn more
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Hot Summer Nights with Casi Joy & It's Back to School Night
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When: Saturday, August 24, 6-10 PM
Where: Downtown Smithville
Click
here for more details.
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SSD Finance 101
Community Engagement Events
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SSD is hosting a series of brief walkthroughs as a means to inform patrons how their tax dollars go to work in our schools, answer questions related to the condition of our finances, and learn where we may promote more transparency in regard to the handling of your tax dollars. Click the Register button and pick one of the remaining dates/times to get signed up for a brief, one hour overview and feedback session
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Join us for the
Inaugural
Smithville State of Our Community Dinner on Thursday, September 12 at Smithville High School. This event is for all Smithville area citizens. The event will feature a dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. and an education program beginning at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive to register and for a reception at 6 p.m. The cost of this event will be $10 per person.
We are excited for this night of information and community building as the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Smithville, the Smithville School District, and Public Safety Agencies serving Smithville highlight achievements, and discuss opportunities and challenges ahead.
Make your reservation by contacting the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce at 816-532-0946 or at
smithvillechamber.org
or purchase your tickets online.
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DISTRICT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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We are frequently approached by members of the business community wanting to promote their business to the staff of the Smithville School District. We appreciate the services local businesses offer to our community and staff and would like to work together to promote businesses while supporting the students and staff of Smithville School District.
For this reason, we provide a format to assist in the promotion of businesses through our District sponsorship program. The sponsorship dollars will assist in providing staff and student activities, services, or awards in addition to creating ways for you to share and promote your business and services.
Sponsorship and support of the District is available at various levels – bundled or separately.
To learn more about our sponsorship program, click
here
.
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- September 2 - Labor Day (No School)
- September 18 - Board of Education Meeting
- September 27 - Homecoming (Early Dismissal)
- September 30 - Teachers' Meeting (No School)
- October 16 - Board of Education Meeting
- October 18 - 1st Quarter Ends (Early Dismissal)
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Smithville School District
655 S. Commercial Ave.
Smithville, MO 64089
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