School Board meeting recap

by Cole Arndorfer, Grain Valley News

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The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, April 24 for its April business meeting.
 
The board began recognitions with honoring the All Missouri Best of Show winner, Genevive Wheeler for her human-interest story at JDay in Columbia.
 
Senior Drew Melching was then recognized for earning his spot in the Missouri Scholars 100 program. Melching was also honored for being selected as a semifinalist for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholarship.
 
The next group recognized was the winter guard varsity team for finishing fifth in the nation at the World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.
 
The girls swim and dive team state qualifiers were honored as well as the wrestling state qualifiers.
 
CTC students who medaled at the SkillsUSA state competition were also recognized.
 
Ryan Hay, who is a field technician in the technology department, was then recognized for his selection as 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year.
 
To cap off the recognitions portion of the meeting, Eric Ball was honored as the winner of the 2025 Grain Valley Schools Teacher of the Year award.
 
Following recognitions, the board moved into reports, beginning with a curriculum committee report and the Superintendent’s report, which included a financial summary.
 
Moving into unfinished business, the board discussed the progress the district has made on its annual priorities. Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle reported that for all of the priorities, the district is falling where it expected to be at the end of the school year.
 
The board then discussed the draft of the budget for the 2025-2026 school year. Welle mentioned that a priority for the budget is on new full-time positions for the 2025-2026 year. The district also wants to expand extra-curricular opportunities for middle school students in the upcoming year.
 
The board took action on insurance rates for the 2025-2026 school year. The board approved the rates, which increases the amount the district contributes on behalf of the employee, while keeping the rates flat for employees.
 
The board also approved the hiring of one non-certified staff for 2025-2026 school year.