Ste. Genevieve School District R-II releases March 21 meeting briefs

This information includes highlights from the Ste. Genevieve County R-II Board of Education’s March 21, 2023, Regular Meeting. This is an unofficial record. The official Board Minutes are posted on the district website and are located on BoardDocs, linked here. The video of the meeting can be found on the district’s Youtube Channel, SGDragonsTV.

 

MSBA MONTHLY REPORT

The MSBA March Report takes a look at MSBA’s Spring Virtual Meeting and the other advocacy-related activities this month, as well as shares more information regarding the Governor’s supplemental budget bill to provide school safety grants to LEAs. Authors Eric Litwin and Gina Pepin explain the power of joyful and immersive learning.

President David Bova discussed how the Board adopted a resolution to oppose any legislation providing for open enrollment at its February meeting. Board members also reached out to Rep. Rick Francis to oppose a house bill that unfortunately still passed the House and moved on to the Senate. Mr. Bova encouraged attendees to reach out to Sen. Gannon (573-751-4008, elaine.gannon@senate.mo.gov) to share opposition to this bill.

 

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

 

Board members and administrators listen to concerns and respond when appropriate by mail or telephone at a later date. The Board does not respond within the meeting to those who come to offer public comment. In order to speak during public participation, a Public Comment Form must be filled out and submitted to the Board President prior to the beginning of the meeting. See Policy BDDH-1: Public Participation at Board Meetings for guidelines and procedures.

 

 

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

 

Kindergarten Registration.

 

Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-2024 school year will take place the following dates and times:

  • Genevieve Elementary: Saturday, March 25, 2023, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Bloomsdale Elementary: Saturday, April 1, 2023, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Parents may contact the elementary offices beginning Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, to schedule appointments.

 

MAP End-of-Course Exams.

 

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lance McClard reviewed the testing window for the MAP End-of-Course Exams, which will be April 18, through May 5, 2023.

 

High School End of Course Exams:

  • April 18, 2023:
    • English I – 9th Grade
    • English II – 10th Grade
    • ACT Test – 11th Grade
  • April 27 — May 5, 2023:
    • Algebra
    • Biology
    • Government

 

MAP Grade Level Assessments.

 

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lance McClard reviewed the testing window for the MAP Grade Level Assessments, which will be April 24 — May 11, 2023:

 

  • Bloomsdale Elementary: April 25 — May 11, 2023
  • Genevieve Elementary: April 25 — May 11, 2023
  • Genevieve Middle School: April 24 — May 11, 2023

 

Review of Annual Performance Report.

 

On March 7, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the statewide Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for the 2021-22 school year. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor shared that the district is incredibly proud of having earned a total score of 91.8%. This means that our district ranks 7th in Missouri among the 160 school districts that were eligible to achieve a total of 180 points.

 

This year’s new APR is a component of the latest version of DESE’s school accountability program, the Missouri School Improvement Program 6. MSIP6 outlines expectations for schools regarding practices and outcomes, and sets the goal of having students graduate with a framework to be successful in college, career and life. These measures are then combined to create the APR, which measures students’ and school districts’ progress toward standards.

 

This year’s APR cannot be compared to previous years’ scores, as it is built upon a completely new metric system. The accreditation/classification of school districts under MSIP 6 will begin in the 2023-2024 school year, once districts have received an average score utilizing three years’ of data. This year’s APR will serve as a baseline measure for future APR calculations, and can also be viewed as a starting point for future score increases.

 

Dr. Taylor pointed out that due to the changes in metrics and data transfer, many districts have received somewhat challenging scores, and this year’s APR score does not define the hard work of these districts. In fact, as a result of these new measurements, there has been a statewide shift in the distribution of district APR scores. In the MSIP 5 2018 APR, approximately 320 school districts scored higher than 95%. In the MSIP 6 2022 APR, only four districts scored higher than 95%.

 

The most significant change from MSIP5 to MSIP6 was a reassignment of the 100% Performance score to a total score now based on 70% Performance and 30% to a new category called Continuous Improvement. Our district earned 89.3% on Performance, and 98.1% on Continuous Improvement.

 

Under MSIP6:

  • Performance is composed of: MAP grade-level assessments and End-of-Course exams—both of which include student scores and growth; a category called Success Ready Students, which includes advanced credits and assessments for College Career Readiness, such as ACT, ASVAB, and ACT WorkKeys; and graduation rates.
  • Continuous Improvement includes measures such as a district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP); community engagement through climate and culture surveys; student supports such as kindergarten readiness assessments and Individual Career and Academic Planning (ICAP) participation; and student attendance.

 

It is important to note that the APR is only one of many data points—a snapshot— in evaluating a district’s programming. In addition to the annual MAP/EOC testing, our district also utilizes through-year NWEA testing in order to measure and assess student growth at multiple points during the school year. This provides our educators with the opportunity to impact student learning in real time. This supports our teachers and staff in helping students to take an active role in setting goals and working toward achieving them. Along with through-year progress, the new APR does not measure the success and well-being of the whole child. Our district focuses on social-emotional learning, coping skills, prioritizing mental wellness, building confidence, and preparing students for success after graduation.

 

Annual School Board Election.

 

The Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District has completed candidate filing for the district’s Board of Directors. In accordance with § 115.124, RSMo., the district will not hold an election, because the number of candidates filing was equal to the number of open positions. The following candidates will be sworn into office at the School Board’s reorganization meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 2023:

 

  • Eric Basler
  • James Kirchner
  • Martha Resinger

 

MSBA — School Board Recognition Month.

 

Dr. Flieg shared that March is Missouri School Board Recognition Month, and she thanked the Board for all that they do for our district, our students and staff.

 

2022-2023 Retirement & Recognition Banquet.

 

The 2022-23 SG R-II Recognition & Retirement Banquet will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Ste. Genevieve Elks Lodge #2674.

 

Principal Reports.

 

Principals and students reported on a variety of student and teacher accomplishments.

 

Safety Reports.

 

Safety drills from each building were reviewed.

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Instructional Program Presentation — SGMS Mathematics.

 

The team of Ste. Genevieve Middle School Mathematics teachers presented the educational programming and learning opportunities for 6th through 8th graders! Some of these included: a focus on cohesiveness and collaboration; implementing innovative student work stations that positively impact students’ confidence and problem-solving skills; an overview of skills and topics taught in each grade level and class; demonstrating how brain-based learning theory and thinking classrooms affect student performance; and sharing the goal of teaching different methods for finding an answer to a question.

 

Prop SG Update.

 

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor shared the construction progress on the new addition at Bloomsdale Elementary. The walls of the addition are up, sealed, and ready for stone and brickwork.

 

He shared that the high school project has recently had some significant sitework challenges with increased costs, some of which include moving a water main which would require a permit from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), updating the location of electrical poles and associated lines, and the addition of a sewage injector. District administration met with KRJ Architects and Brockmiller Construction to discuss the increased costs associated with each project, and came to the conclusion that a shift in direction might be needed, and that the District Level Facilities Committee should reconvene to provide input and make a decision. The committee delved into the updated plans, cost estimates, and unexpected hurdles and discussed the best approach to take going forward.

 

The original timeline included the Early Childhood Center beginning construction last. The committee discussed how that project could not then be completed if funds ran out due to increased costs of the other projects. Dr. Taylor pointed out that the group didn’t want five major projects halfway done, either. “When we finish a facilities project at Ste. Genevieve R-II, I want to be able to stand by it, and I want the Board to be able to stand by it and be proud of it,” he said.

 

The committee decided to put the high school gymnasium plans on hold, and ask KRJ Architects to shift their focus to the Early Childhood Center plans. Dr. Taylor stressed that the district is not cutting any of the projects at this time. The goal is to strive to save as we move through construction, and take advantage of the value engineering opportunities that Brockmiller Construction identifies.

 

Dr. Taylor shared that the committee discussed the significant updates that need to be done at the high school, including the locker rooms, the current weight room and current wrestling facility. He said that the group is hopeful that the district can begin addressing those concerns through Prop SG, even if the gymnasium is not possible as we approach the end of the projects. At this time, all of the projects are still on the table.

 

Dr. Taylor also shared that the plans for the Early Childhood site are moving forward in terms of what needs to be done to begin dirtwork. Taylor Engineering is drafting a proposal for an easement for Citizens Electric to be able to access their substation. Some of the electrical poles in that area will need to be addressed, as they will be low with dirt moved to that area.

 

With the reorganization of the projects, the timelines are nearly the same, with the Ste. Genevieve Elementary timeline moving backward a few months due to the focus on the Early Childhood Center plans. All timelines are all contingent on updated costs, the availability of materials, and unexpected processes that may arise.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Insurance Rates for the 2023-24 School Year.

 

The Board approved the health, dental, vision and life insurance rates for the 2023-2024. The Mineral Area Health Consortium will renew its contracts with United Healthcare. All coverages and services will remain the same, but there will be a 4.5% increase in fees, which equates to an approximate increased cost to the District of $80,834. Dental, vision, and life insurance will not change, and those rates will remain the same. The SG R-II Insurance Committee looked over the plans and unanimously voted to present this decision to the Board. In addition, United Healthcare will implement a rewards plan for employees and their spouses who are on a district health insurance plan. Participation in the program offers the opportunity to earn some cash back ($300 per person per year) through health screenings, sleep studies, etc.

 

See more information below:

  • 2023-24 UHC Plan Options
  • 2023-24 UHC Plan Rate Summary
  • 2023-24 MAHC Plan Election Sheet

 

MSBA Board of Directors.

 

The Board nominated and approved Martha Resinger as the MSBA Board of Directors Representative. This position is a two-year term.

 

Acknowledge Resignation Letter from Board Treasurer.

 

The Board acknowledged the resignation letter from Dan Abts as Treasurer of the Ste. Genevieve County R-II Board of Education, effective March 31, 2023.

 

Appoint New Board of Education Treasurer.

 

The Board appointed Crystal Roth, Ste. Genevieve County R-II Finance Coordinator, as Treasurer of the Ste. Genevieve County R-II Board of Education, effective April 1, 2023. MSBA encouraged the appointment of the district employee who keeps the books and has an in-depth, working knowledge of the district’s financial statements as the Treasurer of the Board of Education.

 

According to RSMo § 162.641, the treasurer shall be the general accountant of the Board and shall preserve in his office all accounts, vouchers and contracts pertaining to school affairs. This person shall examine and audit all accounts and demands against the board and certify their correctness. This person shall require settlement of accounts to be verified by affidavit whenever s(he) deems proper. This person shall keep accounts and shall make available budget and cost information as requested by the superintendent of schools and the board of education.

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

 

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Regularly Scheduled Meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 7 p.m.