​School Board Meeting Recap

by Cole Arndorfer
 
The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, January 16 for its monthly meeting.
 
The Board recognized boys swimming and diving state qualifiers and all-state band members. Six swimming and diving state qualifiers were recognized and two all-state band members were recognized.
 
Following recognitions, Valley Kids Program Director Amanda Hegarty, spoke to the board about the program. Hegarty outlined the goals she hopes to achieve as the program director, which include expanding enrollment at all sites, enhancing staff training with broader professional development, increasing awareness of the Valley Kids program by participating in school events, and deepen community engagement through staff and student participation in local community service projects.
 
The board then moved into new business, starting with discussion over the 2025-2026 budget planning process. The board’s attention was brought to important calendar dates regarding budget planning.
 
For the second item under new business, the board approved adding a 0.25 FTE 504 coordinator for the spring of this school year. This is a part-time position from now until the end of the school year with no guarantee that the job will continue past that. This position will help take some of the stress off of the current full-time employees in these roles.
 
The final item the board approved was adding a baseball coach stipend for the spring season. In the past, the high school has had three baseball teams. With one more coach a fourth team can be added, thus minimizing the number of cuts that need to be made while accommodating the growing interest and level of talent.
 
The meeting was then adjourned into executive session. The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, February 20th at 6:00pm in the Leadership Center.