Regular Open Meeting Brief – March 16, 2023
The entire meeting agenda can be viewed at: March 16, 2023 BOE Meeting
Curriculum & Instruction Update
The Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP), the state’s accountability system outlines expectations for school practices and student outcomes. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) produces an Annual Performance Report (APR) for districts across the state. The most current version – MSIP 6, used standard state testing data from 2022 to calculate student achievement as well as student achievement growth from 2021 to 2022. Grandview C4 showed above average performance in student growth over this time period.
Program Evaluations
The Board was presented with program evaluations for Early Childhood (EC), Parents As Teachers (PAT), and Community Education (CE). The objective of the EC program, which traditionally serves about 45 students annually, is to increase kindergarten readiness. PAT promotes optimal early development, learning, and health of children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers. PAT typically serves over 200 children annually. The goal of CE is to provide lifelong learning options for community members. Learning opportunities are based on needs assessment surveys and have included classes for social media/technology, literacy for Spanish speaking adults, and financial basics such as budgeting and credit recovery.
Resolution to Oppose Open Enrollment
Over the past few years, the Missouri legislature has discussed legislation to allow open enrollment throughout the state. Open enrollment poses numerous concerns for public school districts such as disproportionally impacting districts in the urban core that are traditionally underserved, will lead to consolidation as enrollments in some districts will decrease, uncertainties around funding structures, and fewer options for students in schools whose enrollments may decrease as a result of open enrollment. Data thus far on states with open enrollment has not shown positive impacts on student achievement. The Board of Education joined numerous other districts’ boards in adopting a resolution to oppose legislation supporting open enrollment.
Listening Tours
Data gathered from listening tours that were conducted with Grandview C4 staff during the first semester was presented to the Board. The tours included in-person feedback opportunities and digital surveys. The tours were initiated last year in recognition of the stress related to changing work environments due to the pandemic and will become an annual improvement process related to workforce recruitment, retention and engagement. Action steps already taken based on feedback, as well as plan to address longer term issues were reviewed.
Estimated Tax Levy
Districts are required to annually project estimated, non-binding tax levy rates to be submitted to the County Clerk in April. The Board approved an estimated tax levy rate of $4.5128 per $100 Assessed Valuation for General and Teacher (Combined) Operating funds, and $1.4431 for the Debit Service fund, for a total estimated levy rate of $5.9559 for 2023. This is essentially the same rate that was set for 2022. Official tax levy rates are typically set annually in the fall.