School board meeting recap

​by Cole Arndorfer and Grain Valley News staff
 
The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, November 21st for its monthly meeting.
 
The meeting began with recognitions for student athletes who achieved state-qualifying status for girls golf and cross-country.
 
Following the recognitions, the board heard a report from L.J. Hart & Co. regarding the authorization of refunding series 2020A and series 2020C bonds. During the report, the board was told that refunding, or refinancing, these bonds is the most cost-effective option they have. Following the report, the board approved a resolution allowing the refunding of these bonds.
 
The board then heard an overview of the latest demography report for the district from Preston Smith, with Business Information Services. During the presentation, the board learned that the birthrate in the district has dropped and at the same time, the older population has increased.
 
Smith reported that older adults will represent 50% of the district’s population growth over the next 10 years. The report projects an 8% decreasing in the school-age population, and a 60% increase in residents over 60.
 
“You’re going to have a whole clientele who is not going to be able to relate to what the school district does,” Smith said.
 
“Next time you go for a bond, it’s going to be a bit tougher to make that connection with older people.”
 
Smith noted the projections do not anticipate any capacity or overcrowding issues at current buildings based on square footage at district buildings.
 
Next, the board had some time to ask questions over the curriculum report they received.
 
The board then moved into an overview of the district’s state assessment report from Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amanda Allen. Allen said that in every content area and grade level except for three, the district’s scores were significantly above the state average.
 
Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nick Gooch gave an overview over pay comparisons for certified and non-certified personnel across the metro. Although the district did take steps forward for its beginning teacher pay, it fell back on the list. Welle noted, as the district turned, so did the rest of the world. Overall, Dr. Gooch said that the district took good steps and is headed in the right direction to be competitive with other districts from a pay perspective.
 
The board then moved into unfinished business for an action item on board governance reflection. The state has asked school boards to take surveys regarding their governance and reflection, they also offer a facilitator for the discussion as well. The board approved the use of the survey and facilitator for their discussion on the topic as well.
 
Following this, the board moved into new business. First, the board discussed the nomination for the John Belcher scholarship this year. After reviewing applications, the committee selected Landon Barnes as this year’s nominee. The board approved the nomination.
 
Next, the board approved adding a new elementary special education teacher for the next semester.
 
Welle noted school board candidate filing will open December 10 at 8:00am and conclude December 31st at 5:00pm.
 
The board then moved into executive session and the meeting was adjourned. The next Board of Education meeting will take place on Thursday, December 5th at 6:00pm inside the Leadership Center.