School Board meeting recap

​     A standing room only crowd was on hand at the beginning of the Grain Valley Schools board meeting on November 18th, as recognitions of the district’s Cross Country, Girls Tennis, Girls Golf, and Boys Swim and Dive topped the agenda. Each team was recognized for successful seasons and respective visits to State competitions.
     Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services Dr. Beth Mulvey reported both in-person and virtual options for parent-teacher conferences were offered, with a  participation rate of over 90% across the district. In addition, Mulvey mentioned a meeting with Metropolitan Community Colleges to discuss dual credit and dual enrollment options for high school students, anticipating new options for students arriving this fall.
     Assistant Superintendent of Support Services Dr. Nick Gooch noted the recent addition of a fourth technician for the technology department has increased the department’s ability to more quickly address student Chromebooks in need of repair.
     Deputy Superintendent of Student and Community Services Dr. Brad Welle reviewed enrollment growth, ultimately
Welle reported elementary enrollment has been relatively flat,  citing that K-5 enrollment as of October 1st sat at 1,941 students.  This is the exact number of K-5 enrollment eight years ago.
     “Now, if you live in the Prairie Branch attendance area, that is probably the most foreign number to  you. Because, as it turns out, all the growth we are experiencing in our district is all at Prairie Branch, which is offsetting declines at the other three elementary schools combined,” Welle said.
     Prairie Branch is at 91% capacity with 578 students this year, returning them to pre-2019 boundary adjustment levels. Welle shared with the board that the recommendation is to look at another boundary adjustment prior to start of 2023-24 school year. 
     The board will meet in Executive Session on December 2nd and for its regular board meeting on December 16, 2021.