Board of Education meeting recap

​     The Board of Education met November 17th for its regularly scheduled meeting, reviewing changes to MSIP standards, ballot language for a proposed $32 million bond issue, and reviewing district pay compared to 15 local districts.
     The Board began the meeting by recognizing members of the high school girls tennis, girls golf, and boys swim and dive teams for their performances at State competitions.
     The Board also heard an update on the changes to the MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Missouri School Improvement Plan (MSIP). The MSIP 6 is the state’s accountability system for reviewing and accrediting districts, with standards and indicators divided into three sets: Continuous Improvement, Performance Standards, and Best Practice. The first MSIP 6 annual performance reports will be published December 5, 2022.
     Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle reported Dr. Jeremy Plowman, GVHS Principal, has announced his retirement at the end of the current school year, and the search has begun for a replacement. The district has requested stakeholder input via an online tool to assist in the process. Welle stated the soonest a candidate could be identified would be December.
     In terms of progress on the new Central Office building, delays related to interior HVAC systems and wall systems are delayed, and a March 2023 opening is anticipated.
     The Board also previewed ballot language for a $32 bond on the April 2, 2023 ballot. Welle outlined the projects to be covered through the bond, including site development and construction of a new gymnasium/fieldhouse addition to the high school, upgrades and improvements to athletic facilities including stadium turf for 8th/9th grade football and overflow band practice, roof repairs at the high school, reroofing at Matthews Elementary, district-wide climate control system upgrades, an operations storage building, and demolition of the old central office.
     The Board also reviewed pay comparisons for certified and non-certified staff as compared to 15 other area districts. The comparisons consistently show Grain Valley toward the bottom of the pack, with pay for Tier 1 paraprofessionals the most severe at $11.62/hour, ranking 16 out of 16 local districts. Tier 2 paraprofessional pay was an improvement, ranking 7th out of 16 districts at $14.82/hour. The data was provided as part of a plan to address pay scales in the coming year.
     The Board also approved 2 full-time non-certified positions, currently referred to as behavior interventionists, to be trained by the district Behavioral Specialist to work in the district’s elementary schools. Also approved was the addition of one special education teacher position.
     In other business, filing for school board candidates will begin Tuesday, December 6th at 8:00am. Candidates to be placed on ballot in order of arrival in designted parking spots at Central Office.