Regular Open Meeting Brief – December 15, 2022
The entire meeting agenda can be viewed at: December 15, 2021 BOE Meeting
School Improvement Plans (SIP)
The Board heard SIP presentations from the principals of Grandview Middle School and Martin City K8. Principals reviewed school data, root cause analyses, and results of their 30/60/90 day plans, as well as adjustments made to their plans based upon those results. Goals include increasing student achievement in English Language Arts and Math, and improvements in building culture and climate. Data analysis showed both schools experienced increases in student achievement last year.
Annual Audit Report
A representative from the auditing firm DSWA presented the audit report for the 2021-22 year showing a clean opinion with no material weaknesses or significant findings. Additionally, DSWA noted that a financial strength of the District is that it is well below the constitutional debt limit even with the passage of a $45M bond issue in April 2021.
Program Evaluation
The Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Finance presented an evaluation on finance and investment of surplus funds. The District concluded the 2021-22 fiscal year with an operating surplus of $5.4 M and operating reserves at 32.9%. Strengths of the program include controlling reserves to minimize the need for tax anticipation borrowing, efficiently managing competitive bidding processes for multiple school services and employee benefits, and strategic investment of reserve funds to capture more funding from interest earnings. Long range projections show the district maintaining fund balances above the 18% goal through fiscal year 2024-25.
Policy Review
The Board contracts with the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) to recommend updates to existing policies or adoption of new policies based upon statutory changes or best practices. The Board initially approved MSBA recommended changes to 14 policies regarding school board governance, fiscal management, instruction, student services and personnel. Final approval of the recommendations will occur most likely in January 2023.
Roofing Projects
The Board approved bids for roofing projects at High Grove early Childhood Center and the CAIR/Conn West complex.