STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve School District R-II has released its “board briefs” from the January 16 meeting.
Note: This information includes highlights from the Ste. Genevieve County R-II Board of Education’s Jan. 16, 2024, Regular Meeting. This is an unofficial record. The official Board Minutes are posted on the district website and are located on BoardDocs, linked here: https://go.boarddocs.com/mo/stegen/Board.nsf/Public
The video of the meeting can be found on the district’s Youtube Channel, SGDragonsTV: https://youtu.be/5ib1QwoIn5k
MSBA MONTHLY REPORT
The MSBA January Report https://www.mosba.org/page/board-report looks back at 2023 and the emergence of AI and its impact on education. Annual Conference keynote speaker Sadie St. Lawrence discusses some of the pitfalls and potential of AI. In addition, the report offers a look at MSBA’s Advocacy Positions for the legislative session and information about the upcoming Advocacy day event in Jefferson City. The MSBA Board Report is a short monthly video featuring the latest news from MSBA and about public education in Missouri. The program is designed to be shown during local school board meetings.
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: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=426&revid=lMmxGb8TEAsBTEgSqAnO4w%3d%3d&ptid=amIgTZiB9plushNjl6WXhfiOQ%3d%3d&secid=zxfvZYmcKkpluslhKHzD4ftFA%3d%3d&PG=6&IRP=0
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Annual School Board Election — April 2, 2024.
The annual school board election will be held on April 2, 2024. The filing period closed Dec. 26, 2023, at 5 p.m. Four candidates are running for two positions: David Bova, Geralyn (Geri) Diesel, Mike G. Wolk and Norman Vogt. Superintendent Dr. Taylor encouraged everyone to remember to vote on April 2, 2024.
Kindergarten Registration.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year will take place on the following dates and times.
- SGE – Saturday, March 2, 2024 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- BLE – Saturday, March 23, 2024, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Parents may contact the elementary offices beginning Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, to schedule appointments.
Annual Performance Report.
On Dec. 18, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the statewide Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for the 2022-23 school year. The APR is a component of the latest version of DESE’s school accountability system, 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.
The 2023 APR is the second APR generated under the newest iteration of MSIP 6 and will be used for accreditation purposes for school districts once the 2024 APR data is released and three years of data are available to support those determinations.
Success-Ready Students Network
Because our district is a member of the Success-Ready Students Network, we have been approved for an innovation waiver that allows us to pilot an alternative, growth-based student assessment and ultimately, implement a better accountability system. Part of this work is administering through-year NWEA testing in order to measure and assess student growth at multiple points during the school year. The district still administers the MAP and EOCs; however, the scores will not affect our accreditation while the waiver is in effect. The ultimate goal of the innovation waiver is to build a system that is actionable and provides our educators with the opportunity to impact student learning in real time.
APR as a SnapShot
Dr. McClard pointed out that unlike through-year testing to determine a student’s growth, the APR is a measure of a district’s scores at one point in time. It is a snapshot, and while it is important to understand, there are several factors to consider when reviewing the 2023 APR data:
- There are two categories within this new APR framework: status, and growth. The district’s status includes standardized test scores, and in every area of student testing, our district outpaced the state, and in many subjects, we widened the gap between our scores and the state’s. (At the Dec. 19, 2023, Board of Education meeting, Dr. McClard reviewed the district’s standardized test scores.)
- This is the first year that a rather ambiguous growth measure has been included within the APR. As a result, our district’s overall APR percentage has decreased from last year, which is the case for a large percentage of high-performing school districts.
- Under MSIP6, a district’s total score is now based on 70% Performance and 30% Continuous Improvement. Our district earned 72.7% on Performance (which includes the new “growth” measurement), and 100% on Continuous Improvement. Overall, this equates to a score of 80.1%.
- “The term “growth” in the new growth measurement is really a comparison, an unclear ranking system among districts, and is built upon predicted growth targets that are unknown to districts until the APR scores are released. This makes it difficult for already high-performing districts to show “growth” through these statistical methods.
- The new APR does not measure the success and well-being of the whole child. Our district focuses on social-emotional learning, coping skills, and prioritizing mental well-being.
Dr. McClard shared the following takeaways:
- The district is showing improvement in student scores and what our teachers are doing is effective for students.
- Our faculty, staff and administrators should be commended for the dedication and hard work they put into preparing our students for success.
- The district will continue to utilize state and local assessments to examine instructional effectiveness and how best to meet the needs of students.
- Genevieve County R-II is excited to be a part of the Success-Ready Students Network to help build a better pathway forward for student achievement.
Graduation Rate.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lance McClard shared that the 2023 graduation rate was 90.5%, surpassing the state’s graduation rate of 89.3%. Dr. McClard noted that for some students, an additional year to complete courses and earn credits is necessary for graduation. The district’s five-year graduation rate was 92.7% for 2023.
Safety Reports.
There are no safety reports to present this month.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Prop SG Update.
Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor explained that throughout the Prop SG process, the district’s priority has been to both invest and spend the bond monies wisely in order to gain the most from our taxpayer dollars for these building needs across the board. Altogether, the district has earned roughly $1,825,736 from the sale of the $20 million bonds, as well as interest on those monies. Through value engineering and continuing to take advantage of cost-saving measures with the expertise of our CMAR and architects, we are hopeful that we will have remaining funds that will allow us to plan and build a quality wrestling/athletic facility.
Dr. Taylor provided an update on the ongoing Prop SG projects, beginning with an overview of the budget.
- Bloomsdale Elementary Project: $818,300 (Project Complete)
- Genevieve Middle School Project: $1,709,400 (Projected Cost — Based on Bids Received)
- Early Childhood Center: $8,200,000 (Projected Cost — Based on Bids Received)
- Genevieve Elementary Project: $6,500,000 (Projected Cost — Based On Design)
Projected Total of the Above Projects: $17,227,700
Ste. Genevieve Middle School:
- Construction crews are currently completing drywall.
- All Ste. Genevieve Middle School students, faculty and staff members had the opportunity to participate in filling a time capsule, which was installed in a wall in the elevator addition. Students and staff wrote their names, as well as inspirational quotes or facts about themselves on dragon paw print cut-outs, which were then enclosed in the time capsule to be opened sometime in the distant future.
Early Childhood:
- The district is currently working through the Value Engineering process with Brockmiller Construction and KRJ Architects to identify areas of possible savings.
Ste. Genevieve Elementary:
- The district is hoping to address parking issues in conjunction with the launch of the Ste. Genevieve Elementary project construction. The district has worked with Bauman Excavating to identify possible parking opportunities to undergo in early summer prior to the SGE project construction beginning.
- In the fall, the District was made aware of possible FEMA funding available for Ste. Genevieve County, which could be applied to a storm shelter for a District facility if our district were selected as a recipient. The District learned that we were not chosen as recipients for that funding, and therefore, the Ste. Genevieve Elementary gymnasium will not have a storm shelter integrated into that facility.
Wrestling / Athletic Facility:
- As we move through these Prop SG projects, the district focuses on the projects that are in progress, or that are in the planning stages. Currently, our focus remains on the progress and any pertinent updates for the SGMS elevator addition, as well as finishing designs for the Early Childhood Center. Once the SGMS addition is near completion and the Early Childhood Center is fully underway, our focus will shift to finalizing the design and construction of the SGE project. The planning stage for the wrestling or athletic facility will follow, and those plans will be dependent upon what Prop SG monies remain when all prior projects within
- While our current focus is not on a wrestling facility and/or athletic facility, that does not mean plans have changed in regards to it. What is possible regarding a wrestling/athletic facility is dependent upon what Prop SG monies remain when all prior projects are complete. That being said, the district has been able to complete the BLE and SGMS projects within a budget that is both fiscally responsible and frugal. We plan to do the same with the Early Childhood Center and SGE project. As we have detailed from the beginning, a wrestling facility continues to be on the project list and at a minimum, a wrestling facility will be completed. Our hope is through proper fiscal management, we may be able to do more and provide a facility that will benefit many more students and programs here at SG.
- Once the timeframe for the SGE project is solidified, more information will be shared regarding wrestling/athletic facility possibilities and its timeline.
Instructional Program Presentation — SGMS FACS
Tricia Woodward, FACS teacher from Ste. Genevieve Middle School, presented an overview of the FACS programming at SGMS. This is Mrs. Woodward’s third year teaching at SGMS, and she teaches FACS I, FACS II and Intro to Culinary Arts. She presented the various units, learning opportunities and projects for these courses, some of which include: time management and values; sewing tools, safety and machine parts; kitchen basics, safety and sanitation; conflict resolution; food labs; caring for children; cupcake wars; food truck projects; monster projects with the kindergarten classes, and more!
NEW BUSINESS
Draft Copy of 2023-24 Proposed School Calendar.
Below is the draft copy of the 2024-2025 calendar from the SG R-II Calendar Committee. The members of the committee will present a final copy of the calendar to the Board of Education for approval at the Regularly Scheduled Meeting in February. Below are a few bulleted highlights from the draft calendar:
- First Day of School — Monday, Aug. 19, 2024
- End of First Semester — Friday, Dec. 20, 2024
- Two Full Weeks for Christmas Break (three weekends)
- Classes Resume after Christmas Break – Monday, Jan. 6, 2025
- Easter is Sunday, April 20, 2025 (Prior Year = Sunday, March 31, 2024)
- Last Day of School — Friday, May 20, 2025
- 5 Scheduled Make-Up Days — May 21 through May 28, 2025
- Graduation – Saturday, May 10, 2025
Addition of Early Childhood Center Director.
The Board of Education approved the addition of an Early Childhood Center Director position for the upcoming Early Childhood Center. This position would direct the operation of this new Center, which includes early childhood education, early childhood special education, Parents as Teachers, before / after school programs and other programs in the District that focus on early learning for children. Director of Student Services Dr. Jami Drury and Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor discussed the importance of bringing on the right person for the position at this stage, in order to utilize their expertise in planning the operation of the new Center, as well as the transition and implementation of programming.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Regularly Scheduled Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.