Board Candidate Filing Dates
In compliance with state law, the Board recently set the filing dates for the April 7, 2020 Board of Education election for December 17, 2019 to January 21, 2020 during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) on days when school is in session.
 
As per Board policy (File: BBB), each candidate filing on the first day shall draw a number at random at the time of filing. The names of candidates filing on the first day of filing will be listed in ascending order of the numbers drawn and ahead of the names of candidates filing on a later date.
 
The positions currently held by Russell Fries, Denney Fales, and Greg Chastain will be considered by the voters at the April 7, 2020 election.

As of today, Russell Fries, Scott Haggerty, and Susan Whitacre have filed for the April 7, 2020 Board of Education election.
2020-2021 School Calendar

The 2020-2021 Smithville School District Calendar is now available!

You may notice some changes, like a little later than usual start date (August 25) due to new legislation, and a guaranteed last day of school (before Memorial Day)!

Click here for a printable version.
Foundation Announces Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame Class of 2020
Cheryl Taylor
Class of 1965
Just a few of the accomplishments and honors of Mrs. Taylor include: Local co-owner of Taylor Plumbing; served the Smithville Chamber of Commerce for several years and was a past President; participated on several philanthropic groups including "Twisted Sisters" and the Spelman Foundation; served on multiple committees for Clay County, the City of Smithville, Smithville School District, Sesquicentennial Committee; received the 2017 Citizen of the Year; and was recognized as the recipient of the 2018 William E Parks Legacy Award. 

When asked to describe Cheryl, a few words that were shared: amazing, community minded, smart, go-getter, take charge, and an unselfish person who gets things done. 
Mark Littrell
Class of 1971
Just a few of the accomplishments and honors of Mr. Littrell include: 40+ years as an educator and coach, led multiple teams to state play-off appearances in Kansas and Texas, 2017 GKC Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, NFL Coach of the Year nominee, Metro Coach of the Year, and two time KC Chiefs Coach of the Year. 

Mr. Littrell has touched thousands of lives as a teacher, coach, role model, and mentor for young adults and colleagues alike.  

In an interview, Mr. Littrell stated that he felt blessed to have coached, not because of the wins, but because of the opportunity to help kids grow and develop for "real-life" situation - football is just a way to get the job done.
The Foundation would ask that you would congratulate the inductees and if you know of other deserving SHS alumni, the Foundation is always accepting  nomination forms.
These are the highlights from the January 15th meeting of the Smithville School District Board of Education (BOE).
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
The Board approved the following consent agenda items:
  1. Approve Bills for Payment 
  2. January Supplemental Pay
  3. Independent Contract Agreement
COMMUNICATIONS
The Board received a thank you note from Peggy Renz for a plant sent after the loss of her father.
  1. The winter edition of the Warrior Wire is on its way to patron mailboxes. A copy was made available to the Board at the meeting. 
  2. Work continues on the Master Building Plan. The administrative staff are seeking additional feedback prior to submitting the final plan in February.
  3. We have an impressive applicant pool for the Director of Student Services position and expect to bring a recommendation to the Board in February.
  4. Andrea Ambroson and Dr. Schuetz are engaging in discussions and evaluating data related to options for our early childhood program. Dr. Schuetz shared that without additional space needs, we may be able to begin serving students that don’t quite qualify for Title serves with no additional expense with our current staff. In the future we will consider a sliding scale concept and options for children of employees in the District. Local daycare providers will be involved in conversations as we look down the road. Programming will not be contingent on square footage. We will define programming first.
Comments from the Assistant Superintendent from Support Services
Mr. Wayne Krueger
Mr. Krueger reported that administration plans to reconvene the master plan steering committee to get concessus on the identified projects and timeline that was presented by DLR at the December Board of Education meeting. It is anticipated that a presentation will be made at the February board meeting.

Mr. Krueger shared that work has begun on the FY21 budget. Preliminary data suggests very minimal increases in revenue over FY20. Currently, administration and staff are sorting through identified needs and priorities to develop the FY21 budget which will be presented at the June board meeting, a financial workshop is scheduled for Monday, May 4. One potential challenge for the FY21 budget will be healthcare costs, currently actuaries are suggesting a 23.4% premium increases to maintain the same benefits as the current year.

Finally, Mr. Krueger shared that the Smithville Foundation selected its 6th class to the Foundation Distinguished Wall of Fame who will be inducted on October 9, 2020. Selected was Mrs. Cheryl Taylor, SHS Class of 1965 and Mr. Mark Littrell, SHS Class of 1971.
Comments from the Assistant Superintendent from Academic Services
Dr. Michelle Kratofil
Dr. Kratofil is currently working with Silverstein Eye Center Arena on the graduation date for the Class of 2021. At this time two dates are being considered, May 22, 2021 and May 23, 2021. 

On January 30, the Northland Education and Business Alliance is hosting an open house for parents and students which will highlight high demand careers in our area as well as the education path that best prepares students for these careers. Representatives from business and industry as well as post-secondary institutions will be available to talk to students and parents. The event will be held from 6:30-8:30 in the Staley High School gymnasium.
Middle School Presentation

The Smithville Middle School Student Council officers, Katheryn Pham, Luci Siler, Haili Stubbs, and Haley Frederick, presented "The Top 10 Reasons why SMS STUCO is AWESOME." They highlighted the various leadership activities and accomplishments of the Middle School Student Council and the positive influence they have on our building. The Smithville Middle School Student Council sponsors are Sarah Cline and Leah DeYoung.
PROGRAM EVALUATIONS
Russell Fries inquired about the Missouri Options program (HiSet). Dr. Platt explained that students in the HiSet program attend school at least 15 hours per week alongside their regular work schedule. This group of students is growing each year. It is a great option for students who are non-traditional. Wade Kiefer asked what ideas are being considered to involve parents at Smithville High School. Dr. Platt shared that it is difficult to reach high school families because of time. Students are involved in many activities and families are busy.
OLD BUSINESS
During the month of December, we received $1,831,014.46, making a total of
$8,965,823.67 received since July 1,2019.

Expenditures for December were 92,468,262.79, making a total of $14,198,250.61
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. Early graduates are reflected in this number.

Robert Hedgecorth, Director of Technology, shared details about the District’s comprehensive survey process. 

The first step in the process is creating questions that link to our Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). Each question is directly related to a specific indicator, which helps our District evaluate how we are performing. For consistency purposes, survey data is collected in the same month each year (Staff - November, Parents - December, Students - January).  

Greg Chastain acknowledged the positive trend for one particular question, “This school provides quality counseling or other services to help students with social or emotional needs,” illustrates a positive three-year trend shifting from 51.2% agreeing/strongly agreeing to 81.3% agreeing/strongly agreeing.

Russell Fries shared that this is a tool that the Board can utilize in their evaluation of culture throughout the Smithville School District.

Ian Saxton expressed how he would like to be educated on the process of the data being used to create actionable plans and evaluating results.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board of Education received a request to name the Library at Maple Elementary School. Dr. Schuetz reminded the Board that they have discussed similar requests in recent years and have been cautious. Policy FF deals with the naming of facilities but does not deal with naming portions of facilities. The old high school library location, currently the counseling center, was named the Homer D. Williams Library, and that plaque has been moved to the existing library location.

Naming a facility or a portion of a facility is a great way to honor educators that have provided a lasting impact on our school system. What can be complicated is honoring one educator when a list could be generated at a moments notice.

Dr. Schuetz recommended the Board be deliberate in any action involving honoring an individual through the naming of a facility. If the Board chooses to consider such a request, perhaps a small committee could consider a list of potential honorees and potential locations to be named.

It was suggested to recognize those who have done great things in the past and have set a great example for others by using the same methodology as the Alumni Wall of Fame for a Distinguished Wall of Fame of Former Educators. The process would involve accepting nominations on an annual basis for the award. A committee would evaluate the nominations and orchestrate a celebration in the recipients honor. The Board was unanimous in their expression of support with this idea.

The top priority of the parent and staff survey was to conclude the school year by Memorial Day. This calendar accomplishes this and provides a guaranteed last day of school by May 28. Only two snow days are built in to the calendar as the state has shifted from a required number of days to a required number of hours (1044). We surpass this requirement considerably. There calendar is available here.

The Board approved personnel items as presented.

Board Self-Evaluation Results
The Board self-evaluation is scheduled for March 4, 2020 at 6 p.m.

Miscellaneous
  1. Filing for the Board of Education closes on January 21. Russell Fries and Scott Haggerty have filed thus far. Susan Whitacre has filed since the Board meeting.
  2. The Board Recognition Dinner and Student Recognition Night is set for January 27.
  3. The next joint Boards meeting with the City is set for February 3 at 6:00 p.m.
  4.  Board visits are scheduled for Friday, March 27; due to a conflict, Dr. Schuetz asked the Board to consider an alternate date.

The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. 
Smithville Rotary Student of the Month
Congratulations to Cassie Sherwood, Smithville High School Senior, who was honored by Smithville Rotary as Student of the Month.

Cassie is ranked first in her class. She plans to intern at a sea turtle nesting sanctuary in Georgia before attending Northwest Missouri State University to study Marine Biology.

Way to go, Cassie!
SHS Cheer Finishes Strong at Competition
SHS cheer comes away from the NCA Midwest championship with 2nd Place in performance, 2nd place Game Day Band Chant, 1st Place Game Day Cheer, 2nd place Game Day Fight Song, overall winner in Game Day Showmanship and Overall winner in Vocal Excellence!‬

Congratulations, SHS Cheer!
Archery Team Hosts The Warrior Battle
The Archery Team hosted and competed in the the Warrior Battle on Saturday, December 14. Ten schools with 256 archers participate in the tournament. The team showed great pride. The team took 2nd place in High School Division with improved scores over the previous tournament. Kierstin Beshears took 1st in overall girls, High School girls & 11th grade girls. Delani Leary took 8th in High School girls and 3rd in10th grade girls, and new comer Matthew Eisman took 9th overall boys, 5th High School boys & 2nd 9th grade boys.

Congratulations , Warriors!
Coach Ambroson Named KMZU Class 4/5 Coach of the Year
Jason Ambroson, Head Football Coach, was recently named KMZU Class 4/5 Coach of the Year.

Congratulations, Coach Ambroson!
Smithville High School Little Warriors Preschool
SHS Little Warriors Preschool Enrollment is now open. Please complete the form and bring form, official vaccination records, and $15 snack fee to the high school office if you wish to enroll your child. Forms will be accepted until January 31st or when we are full. Spots are first come, first serve. Please email  sinclair@smithville.k12.mo.us  with questions.

Parents As Teacher Schedule
Parents As Teachers (PAT) is a FREE early childhood family education program to assist and support families in preparing their children for success in school and beyond. For more information or to sign up call 532-0406 or email grusenmm@smithville.k12.mo.us.

Click the image above for details.
WE ARE HIRING!
Consider joining the Warrior Family! We are currently accepting applications for known vacancies and possible vacancies for the 2020-2021 school year. Learn more about our schools and community by watching this video and check out our job listing here .

It's a great day to be a Smithville Warrior!
Miles of Smiles is Coming to Smithville!
Miles of Smiles is a full service dental program that provides FREE dental care to children in the Northland. This free service is made available through private donations and Missouri Medicaid funding. If your child participates in the program, their dental care will be provided on site, in the school, by a Missouri licensed dentist. Please click  HERE  for more information!
SHS Girls' Soccer Fundraiser
Click the image above for details.
Smithville Band Fundraiser

Do you need to replace a bed in your home? Now is the time! The Smithville Band Program is hosting a one day Mattress Sale at Smithville High School on Saturday, February 1st from 10AM-5PM.  Mention this announcement and get free delivery with any bed purchase! All purchases benefit our students! Click  HERE  for a video!
North Kansas City CommunityEd
Check out the 2020 Winter Class Schedule.

Click here .
Shop AmazonSmile & Support SSD's Foundation
Customers shop. Amazon gives.

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

Consider supporting SSD's Foundation when making your next Amazon purchase. Click the image for details.
DISTRICT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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 .
IMPORTANT DATES
  • January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
  • February 14 - Teachers' Meeting (No School)
  • February 17 - Presidents' Day/Inclement Weather Make-up Day (School will be in-session)
  • February 19 - Board of Education Meeting
  • March 13 - End of Third Quarter (Early Dismissal)
Smithville School District
655 S. Commercial Ave.
Smithville, MO 64089
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