School Board Meeting Recap

     The Grain Valley School Board met January 18th, approving the 2022-23 school calendar and receiving an update on the district's multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) program, which is a framework used by many districts to support struggling students. 
     During patron comments, Board of Aldermen candidate Dale Arnold spoke to the board in an attempt to address concerns raised in an unsigned flyer recently distributed on cars in which concerns were outlined regarding funding for the proposed central office building. Arnold detailed his concerns and stated that while everything the district has done is "appropriate and legal", he wonders if "going with these premium bonds, if the additional cost of excess interest is justified for the amount of money that we got". 
   Assistant Superintendent of Support Services Dr. Nick Gooch highlighted Sni-A-Bar Elementary principal Dr. Carrie Reich for her work in securing playground equipment for the school from the former Joe's Crab Shack in Independence for $2,500, which is thousands less than comparable equipment would cost the district. 
     The board approved the 2022-23 school calendar, with the first day of school on August 22nd. One change to the 2022-23 schedule includes a shift in the scheduling of first and second semesters. First semester will now conclude before Christmas break, with second semester beginning when school resumes on January 4th.