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It is that time, so we're going to go ahead and get started.

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Welcome everyone in attendance. It's always great to see a good crowd and

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participation from the state, and it's something really

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special. Welcome you to this meeting, and we're going to get started here.

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So, with that, I need approval-

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Move to approve the agenda.

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Okay. We have a motion for the agenda. Is there a second?

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Second.

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Okay. Motion and a second. All those in favor say, "Aye."

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Aye.

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Aye.

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Okay, and minutes?

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Move to approve the minutes.

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We have a motion to approve minutes.

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Second.

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We have a second. Who was the second?

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Robbie.

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Robbie? Okay. We have a second for that.

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All those in favor say, "Aye."

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Aye.

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Aye.

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Aye.

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Okay, very good.

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With that, commissioner's report.

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Dr. Pritchett?

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Yes. Thank you.

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Good morning.

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So, I have a few things to mention. Last week I had the opportunity to be in

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Washington, DC for the Stronger States, Stronger Schools Outcomes Conference,

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that was held by the network of comprehensive centers, the US Department of

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Education organizations that provide technical assistance and program

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evaluation support to us. So, the event was the kickoff for the Learning

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Agenda Playbook release, which is something that the US Department of

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Education has put together to help schools

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align resources, maximize flexibilities allowed under ESSA, and there

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were eight states that had agreed to participate in that pilot.

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So, we think that playbook is going to be a really great resource for us as we work

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to improve our strategies for supporting struggling schools.

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It was by invitation only, and it was a great opportunity for me to connect with

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other SEA leaders in other states.

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And the first meeting on Wednesday morning was for state education agency

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chiefs, which is state superintendents and commissioners.

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And so, I had the opportunity to meet Secretary McMahon at that time and let her

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know that we were looking forward to seeing her this week, which takes me to my

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next point. US Secretary of

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Education McMahon will be in the boot

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heel tomorrow. She will be in Gideon 37 School

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District and Cape Girardeau Career and Technical Education

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Center. She travels from there to Washington University to

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meet with university officials. But Dr.

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Kyle Cruise and I will attend the Gideon and Cape Girardeau site visits to

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represent the department.

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And then I always want to highlight when I have an opportunity to

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visit schools, and I had a

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couple of interesting things early on in the year.

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It's just barely gotten started, but we are already underway.

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I was able to be in Lebanon

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School District for the opening of their Robert W.

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Plaster Center on Student Success, which is a tremendous investment in

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education and in the students of Lebanon.

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So, I got to tour their state-of-the-art facility, saw firsthand how education,

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healthcare, and workforce development are coming together under one roof to better

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serve students, families, and the community.

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And then the day ended with a ribbon cutting.

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And so, it was very exciting for me to be there with that.

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Love seeing

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the innovation and ideas in our public schools, and my questions to them is

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always, "So, how does somebody else do what you've done?" And got some good

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information there that we can share with other

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districts. But just a

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big shout-out to that community, too.

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The Lebanon community is so incredibly supportive of that school district

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and those school leaders, and the turnout was

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tremendous, both from school people and people in the community.

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So, that was really very impressive.

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I also saw the Boone County Nature School, which is a collaboration between

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Columbia Public Schools and the Missouri Department of Conservation, and it's open

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to all Boone County school districts.

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So, fifth graders in Columbia rotate

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two-week sessions through the nature center throughout the course of the year, and

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they're able to do their core content areas while they're at the nature

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center. It's really exciting. It's a great setup, and they've been a model

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for

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other places that want to do this. They actually presented, they meaning the

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Department of Conservation and the school district, presented at a national

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conference in the summer on the nature school and how they put that together,

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because there's a lot of interest in other people doing similar things.

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So, this upcoming week, I will be at

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St. Louis Public Schools on Wednesday, September 23rd, and at

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Normandy on Thursday, September 24th.

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So, I think the only other thing I had is just that we had

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some really good AF grade card stakeholder engagement.

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We had two in-person sessions this week and an additional virtual session.

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And so, those were very well attended, and it was a good opportunity for us to

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continue to get information out about the grade card framework and the

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plans going forward. So,

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that is all I have.

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Okay.

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Thank you.

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Any questions from the board?

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Hearing none, we'll move on to the president's report. Mr. Matusik.

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Hey, good morning. I'll give a quick update on the strategic plan.

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Well, I think I've given an update a week or two ago, so not

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much has changed since then. But last week, we approved the MOU with Bellwether to

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support us in this effort.

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The next step is, I think most of you or all of you should hear from

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them soon to set up one-on-one meetings.

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We're also putting together a list of stakeholders that we're going to reach out

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to.

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But that's the next steps, and the timeline is still to have

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something approved by the board by the end of this year

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or

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January of next year.

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Does anybody have any questions about where we're at on the strategic plan?

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And again, as a reminder, we are

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essentially updating and refining the work that has been

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done previously. So,

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we have a lot of data that we're looking at, and that's going to inform

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or help shape this plan. So, any questions?

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Thank you.

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Mr. Meyer

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Yeah, the legislative committee. We've not called a meeting yet.

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We're still trying to formulate, looking what the next session's going to look

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like. But when we do, we'll have a public meeting of the legislative committee, but

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we're not quite ready for that yet.

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Okay. Thank you.

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Mr. Otto.

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Yes. So

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I'm

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giving a report out on the governor's committee.

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I intended to have a meeting in the last week, but there's been a lot going

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on, I probably told some of you guys, in my personal life, so just haven't had the

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time.

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And so,

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the one thing we do need to address is the committee structure, committee chairs,

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things like that. And so,

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off the top of my head, I think that's one thing that we will plan to meet

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about in the next coming weeks. And then also,

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the calendar, approving the calendar.

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I think we've sent a tentative calendar out, but

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just want to make sure we finalize that and make sure there's no

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conflicts or anything like that. And then anything else that might come up with

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respect to bylaws and things like that.

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But,

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that's all I got.

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John?

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Yeah. So regarding the committee structures, I've told, I think Vince and some of

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the others, when we came up with the bylaws,

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the intent was to

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have a committee structure.

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We capped it at four people thinking that we needed to avoid a quorum, right?

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Otherwise, it's a full board meeting.

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My understanding is now that all these committee meetings are posted, that

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board members can participate in any of the committee meetings. Is that ...

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So, when we talked about this in orientation yesterday,

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the point of clarification is whether or not the committee is acting as a

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committee. So as long as they don't make decisions as the board in a committee

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meeting, so the committee can vote to recommend something to the full board, and

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therefore, then the number of people who are actually there doesn't

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matter. Correct? Megan's saying yes.

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So, as long as they're acting as a committee.

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Okay. So,

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I think we need clearer

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understanding of exactly... I mean, since last month, I

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think is when this came up, and we've still been dealing with somewhat

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hypotheticals and uncertainty for what this

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means.

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And Megan, I would encourage you to write something up

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that we can follow as guidelines and check boxes as

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we go along to what needs to be an open meeting, what needs to be a closed meeting,

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who can participate, who can't participate, instead of these conversations that

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we have on the fly,

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and we forget it, or I forget it three minutes later.

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So,

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we need that structure for our meetings.

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I would absolutely

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Yeah.

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So one of the things that we had mentioned is that Megan will give a copy of the

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slide deck that she did during the orientation yesterday, as well as

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the attorney general's office has new copies of the Sunshine Law booklet

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that they put out that she will make available to everyone, and then anything else

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that she wants to as well.

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Yeah. Well, I'll make sure I'll put that on as an action item on the governor's

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committee, and I'll meet with her directly, and that way we can have something

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clearly in writing, and we can even add that to our bylaws and policies just so

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that we have something to refer to.

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And if it's a book, it needs to have really big letters in crayon

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for me to read. Okay?

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Okay.

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Thank you.

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Well, and

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just lastly, on the bylaws,

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I don't have the solution yet, but I think it's worthwhile to look at the

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voting order again. I know that some people don't always want to vote first,

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and

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that's a valid point.

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Mm-hmm.

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So, we'll see where that goes, but just an FYI there.

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Okay.

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That's fair. Yep.

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Very well.

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Was that your report, John?

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Yes, that concludes my report. Thank you.

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Okay.

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Kerry? Finance report, Kerry Casey.

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Thank you, Mr. President. So the finance committee meeting, a committee meeting was

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held on August 31st to review updates to the FY28 budget.

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All board members were invited, and it was a productive discussion

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which informed further updates.

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After further internal review by the department, the

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FY28 budget has been prepared, and it will be presented

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today for our discussion,

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further debate, and ultimate vote.

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The final FY28 budget will then be submitted by October 1st

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as required. And that concludes my report.

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Okay.

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Okay. And so, Mrs. Casey, you're still on here

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for National Association of State Boards.

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Great. Thank you.

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So NASB, the National Association of State Boards

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of Education, of which

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we are a member, the state of Missouri.

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Just a few quick updates. The September issue of the NASB

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publication, The NASB Standard,

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is focusing on school improvement and state accountability with several

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articles, and I'd encourage each board member to review it, read it.

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It will give good insight from various perspectives.

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Thursday, September 17th, which is this week, there

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will be the third meeting of the NASB Math Improvement Learning and Action Group.

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This is a virtual call of which all of us are invited to attend.

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And Mike, I would like to extend it to you as our teacher

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representative if your schedule allows, but beyond that, get you more involved

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in this work that NASB's doing around math, knowing that that's your

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background. I think it would be very

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advantageous for what you could learn and then bring to us.

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Additionally, and

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related to that, Professor Patrick Sullivan from

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Missouri State University and I have connected.

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He is a co-founder of the Missouri Math

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Collaborative, of which

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Various educators and education

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partners are coming together to look at best practices, curriculums, et

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cetera, in math. I'm continuing to learn more about that.

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But I have introduced Professor Sullivan to NASBE

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as well, so he can also become aware and engaged in the work

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that's being done across the country.

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And I know he is already working with

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the DESE team.

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Okay.

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And just a reminder, the annual conference is in

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Baltimore October 26th through 28th, and if your schedule

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allows, extremely informative

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sessions will be there around math, as you can tell is

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a recurring theme, as well as accountability, assessments,

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and just the opportunity to meet and work with board members

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from other states.

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And that concludes my report.

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Okay. How about a modernization? Do you have one on

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modernization?

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I absolutely do.

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And just bear with me.

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So, the Missouri Funding Modernization Task Force held its 11th

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meeting yesterday.

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The task force continues to explore two different funding models,

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one that modernizes the current formula in several ways,

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and a second one that relies on a combined wealth index, or

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CWI,

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that combined wealth index approach to determine the state and local

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shares for funding.

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The combined wealth index approach includes household income, in

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addition to local property wealth, to determine the expected

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state and local shares of funding.

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The task force has identified a method to address the challenge of

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uneven property valuations across the state within the mechanism of

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the formula to help ensure property values are considered

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equitably.

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The current formula includes additional pupil weightings for students from

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poverty, those with disabilities, English learners,

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gifted students, and homeless students.

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The task force has also identified a mechanism to add

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student weights for smaller districts in the state, recognizing that

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some economies of scale are difficult to overcome in more remote areas.

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The task force discussed in some detail yesterday how to address topics such

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as small and/or sparsely populated

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districts. Also, multiple proration

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options to address any shortfalls in funding, potential hold harmless

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provisions

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for any districts that might otherwise receive less under a new formula,

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and potential phase-in approaches for transitioning from the current formula

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to the next formula over a period of time.

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The next meeting of the task force will be on October the 19th,

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when an initial draft report will be reviewed, along with simulations for the

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two models currently under consideration.

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And you can find the presentation slides and meeting recordings for all of our

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meetings via the DESE website.

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Okay, any questions with regards to that?

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00:15:35,980 --> 00:15:39,380
Your final report should be on the search committee.

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Do you want to give a brief report on the search committee?

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00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:44,080
Yes. Thank you. The

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search committee for our new commissioner,

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the board approved our MOU, our memorandum of

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understanding, which will result in a final agreement

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with NASBE as our partner, who will be working

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with us as we conduct a national search.

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Our next steps are now reviewing the proposals

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from search firms that were in a response to a formal

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00:16:11,940 --> 00:16:15,440
RFP. And as the search committee reviews those

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00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:19,140
proposals, a selection would be made with a

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00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:22,940
recommendation for approval by the state board, of which that meeting would

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then be scheduled for approval.

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Any questions on that from the board?

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Hearing none, we'll move forward.

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But please make sure we have that report every

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00:16:35,599 --> 00:16:38,860
month on here as far as the search committee.

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Okay.

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00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:46,190
So do I have a motion for the consent agenda?

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00:16:46,500 --> 00:16:47,460
Move to approve consent.

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00:16:48,020 --> 00:16:49,620
I have a motion. Is there a second?

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00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:50,580
Second.

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00:16:51,300 --> 00:16:52,600
All right. We have a motion and second.

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00:16:52,660 --> 00:16:54,620
All those in favor of the consent agenda, say "aye."

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00:16:55,380 --> 00:16:56,160
Aye.

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00:16:56,220 --> 00:17:00,060
Any opposed? Likewise. Okay, hearing none, that does

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00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:00,480
pass.

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00:17:01,500 --> 00:17:04,641
So, that takes us down to item nine,

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superintendent presentation, A through F grading

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00:17:09,300 --> 00:17:09,921
framework.

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00:17:18,820 --> 00:17:22,560
Good morning. For those of you listening via live stream,

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I'm Lisa Sorino. I am the Deputy Commissioner for Learning Services at the

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department, and

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I am here to

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basically introduce the presentation provided by a group of

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school leaders from the Joplin, Monett, Oran,

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00:17:40,540 --> 00:17:42,860
and Pattonville school districts.

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00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:47,100
They have requested to speak to the board and provide their input,

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insights, and feedback regarding the A through F

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00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,410
school grading framework and the grade cards that are required by

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Governor Kehoe's Executive Order 26-01.

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00:17:58,040 --> 00:17:59,480
So I'll let them have the floor.

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00:17:59,920 --> 00:18:00,240
Okay.

341
00:18:03,300 --> 00:18:05,560
Do we have three or do we have four?

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00:18:06,940 --> 00:18:07,280
Four.

343
00:18:08,340 --> 00:18:11,160
Okay. That's a change from what...

344
00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:13,440
We were told three.

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00:18:15,864 --> 00:18:16,044
So,

346
00:18:17,404 --> 00:18:20,304
okay. Thank you. But we will

347
00:18:21,464 --> 00:18:24,743
hold you to the 20 minutes, okay? For the four of you.

348
00:18:26,884 --> 00:18:30,804
Okay. Thank you very much. Before we get started, I'd just like to thank the

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00:18:30,864 --> 00:18:33,364
State Board of Education for the opportunity to be here this morning.

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00:18:33,404 --> 00:18:36,794
We appreciate it very much to engage with you on such important

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conversation.

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We'll get into the introductions here.

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Before I do, we won't go over backgrounds and resumes, but I think it would be

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00:18:44,884 --> 00:18:48,744
worth to mention that the four of us in this panel this morning are going to bring

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00:18:48,784 --> 00:18:52,734
over 100 years of public education, of experience to this conversation this

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00:18:52,744 --> 00:18:55,824
morning. My name is Dr. Adam Frigg.

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00:18:55,864 --> 00:18:58,584
I'm the proud superintendent of the Orient R-III School Districts.

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00:18:58,944 --> 00:19:02,874
My colleagues presenting alongside me today is lead researcher for

359
00:19:02,904 --> 00:19:04,404
the Pattonville School District, Dr.

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00:19:04,484 --> 00:19:05,044
Matt Goodman,

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00:19:06,344 --> 00:19:08,544
Superintendent of Schools for the Joplin School District, Dr.

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00:19:08,784 --> 00:19:09,444
Carey Cicada,

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00:19:11,324 --> 00:19:14,724
and Superintendent of the Monett School District, Dr. Mark Drake.

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00:19:17,044 --> 00:19:19,783
So as we get into this introduction this morning, I just want to take just a moment

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00:19:19,804 --> 00:19:21,904
and talk about the responsibility of leadership.

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As you all know very well, we're superintendents.

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We're charged with the responsibility to serve our schools, our communities, and of

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00:19:27,904 --> 00:19:28,784
course, our students.

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00:19:29,784 --> 00:19:33,104
As State Board of Education members, you are charged with the responsibility to

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00:19:33,144 --> 00:19:36,824
serve approximately 900,000 students across the state of Missouri.

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00:19:37,984 --> 00:19:41,504
It doesn't matter if it's at the Orient R-III School District or the State Board,

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00:19:42,284 --> 00:19:45,624
every decision we make has got to be centered around do what's best for our

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00:19:45,704 --> 00:19:46,044
children.

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There's a lot of discussion centered around accountability and high standards on

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00:19:51,384 --> 00:19:55,144
the A through F discussion. And to be abundantly clear this morning, we

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00:19:55,244 --> 00:19:58,304
have no opposition to accountability and high

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00:19:58,384 --> 00:20:00,934
standards. If done correctly, we welcome them.

378
00:20:02,304 --> 00:20:03,304
But what does that look like?

379
00:20:04,844 --> 00:20:08,604
We believe moving forward, the best path for us to optimize,

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00:20:08,764 --> 00:20:12,284
for us to achieve the best A through F framework to serve those

381
00:20:12,524 --> 00:20:15,204
900,000 students, has got to be a partnership.

382
00:20:15,924 --> 00:20:18,744
It's got to be a partnership between the State Board,

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00:20:19,764 --> 00:20:21,144
a partnership between DESE,

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00:20:21,984 --> 00:20:25,424
and a partnership between school districts. We cannot work in silos.

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00:20:26,443 --> 00:20:30,424
So we have traveled across the state today to sit here in front of you to

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00:20:30,464 --> 00:20:33,824
form a partnership, to work together, and to do what's best for kids.

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00:20:35,264 --> 00:20:38,084
I'm going to talk about the workflow of this presentation just real quick.

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Again, my name is Dr. Adam Frigg. I'm responsible for the introduction.

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00:20:42,884 --> 00:20:45,584
Section two for educator concerns will be Dr. Goodman.

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00:20:46,874 --> 00:20:50,814
Sections three and four for recommendations and additional concerns will

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00:20:50,844 --> 00:20:54,304
be Dr. Cicada and Dr. Goodman, and closing remarks will be Dr.

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00:20:54,384 --> 00:20:57,884
Drake. We have four

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00:20:57,894 --> 00:21:01,624
requests today, recommendations that we believe will help

394
00:21:01,684 --> 00:21:05,584
strengthen this framework. Number one is pilot the initial release timeline,

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00:21:06,244 --> 00:21:09,864
provide districts secure draft reports to validate calculations before

396
00:21:09,964 --> 00:21:10,724
public release.

397
00:21:11,644 --> 00:21:14,004
Number two is delay the inclusion of literacy measure.

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00:21:14,864 --> 00:21:18,784
Phase in reading metrics in '26, '27 when approved tools are

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00:21:18,844 --> 00:21:19,944
implemented statewide.

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00:21:21,704 --> 00:21:25,304
Align window with instructional time to maintain testing windows through

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00:21:25,344 --> 00:21:27,684
mid-May to protect valuable instruction time.

402
00:21:28,324 --> 00:21:32,144
And number four, preserve time for data validation to ensure adequate

403
00:21:32,204 --> 00:21:36,144
time for districts to validate and correct MOSIS and core data.

404
00:21:37,004 --> 00:21:38,944
At this time, I'm going to turn it over to my colleague, Dr.

405
00:21:39,164 --> 00:21:40,464
Goodman, for educator concerns.

406
00:21:42,364 --> 00:21:43,204
Thank you, Dr. Frigg.

407
00:21:44,124 --> 00:21:45,724
Matt Goodman, Pattonville School District.

408
00:21:45,904 --> 00:21:49,784
I work in the space of research, assessment, accountability, evaluation.

409
00:21:50,924 --> 00:21:53,104
And thinking about the educator concerns,

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00:21:54,624 --> 00:21:58,364
we appreciate the department's feedback sessions recently, the

411
00:21:58,404 --> 00:22:00,324
webinars, the in-person sessions.

412
00:22:01,184 --> 00:22:03,924
And as those have kind of

413
00:22:03,984 --> 00:22:07,884
unfolded, that some of the larger themes that

414
00:22:07,924 --> 00:22:10,644
we're seeing come out of those comments, whether in the chat, whether in

415
00:22:10,684 --> 00:22:14,104
participant comments, go along with other themes that have been

416
00:22:14,184 --> 00:22:17,864
seen through earlier webinars with school administrators throughout the year.

417
00:22:19,044 --> 00:22:21,964
Some of that deals with a feeling of a rushed timeline

418
00:22:23,064 --> 00:22:24,684
and uncertainty towards measurement.

419
00:22:25,154 --> 00:22:29,084
And so while the department will be bringing forward a grading framework today, the

420
00:22:29,124 --> 00:22:32,464
concern kind of sits underneath that framework altogether in terms of the

421
00:22:32,504 --> 00:22:32,914
measurement,

422
00:22:33,724 --> 00:22:37,664
and how will those pieces come together in terms of the algorithm to

423
00:22:37,703 --> 00:22:38,524
calculate the score.

424
00:22:40,164 --> 00:22:42,294
And so when we see incomplete scoring metrics,

425
00:22:43,264 --> 00:22:47,244
it really has come across, from the educator side, as really

426
00:22:47,284 --> 00:22:51,064
just a big question mark to where the rules, if you will,

427
00:22:51,804 --> 00:22:55,534
are a little bit unknown as to how we'll be approaching these measures and how they

428
00:22:55,544 --> 00:22:56,584
will be aggregating together.

429
00:22:57,784 --> 00:23:01,664
And what we're hearing in the DESE sessions here within the

430
00:23:01,704 --> 00:23:02,184
last month,

431
00:23:03,124 --> 00:23:07,104
those themes do go along with feedback we've been receiving across the course of

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00:23:07,144 --> 00:23:10,084
the year. So since winter of

433
00:23:10,224 --> 00:23:14,194
2026, a series of webinars have been held with school administrators around the

434
00:23:14,284 --> 00:23:18,184
state to share information and provide updates on the status

435
00:23:18,204 --> 00:23:19,244
of A to F proposals.

436
00:23:20,144 --> 00:23:22,204
And so if we think about that in February,

437
00:23:23,124 --> 00:23:26,704
that was after the executive order came out, and also there was proposed

438
00:23:26,744 --> 00:23:30,584
legislation. So there were a couple of different avenues that A to F was being

439
00:23:30,624 --> 00:23:34,084
looked at in the state. So provided updates

440
00:23:34,184 --> 00:23:36,514
and able to take questions and

441
00:23:37,364 --> 00:23:39,964
have discussions with leaders across the state.

442
00:23:40,004 --> 00:23:43,234
We then provided another session in March of 2026

443
00:23:44,104 --> 00:23:47,274
as an update to where legislation stood, any new changes we knew,

444
00:23:47,744 --> 00:23:49,214
communications from the department,

445
00:23:50,024 --> 00:23:51,604
any additional thoughts on the executive order.

446
00:23:52,024 --> 00:23:55,804
But it really wasn't until July where we had the

447
00:23:55,824 --> 00:23:59,224
substantive framework that you all have in front of you for people to be able to

448
00:23:59,264 --> 00:24:01,314
respond to. So we did another session in July,

449
00:24:02,344 --> 00:24:06,044
and you can see well over 245 school administrators across the state on that

450
00:24:06,084 --> 00:24:10,044
session, to just provide an overview of what was in the framework and

451
00:24:10,104 --> 00:24:14,044
how that related to concerns that had previously been identified and to see if

452
00:24:14,064 --> 00:24:15,434
there were any new ones in that.

453
00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:20,170
Part. And if we think about the concerns that had come through,

454
00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:24,430
what we found is that the concerns that initially surfaced from the

455
00:24:24,460 --> 00:24:27,660
February webinars, what I would say were coming from

456
00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:31,980
questioning how would the executive order be approached and also the

457
00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:35,600
proposed legislation. Those themes that you see there on the left,

458
00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:39,720
they persisted into July as well.

459
00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:44,230
But the generated after July column there on the right was just a

460
00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:48,300
little bit more specificity to what we were seeing and hearing from

461
00:24:48,339 --> 00:24:52,160
administrators around the state as to where their

462
00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:56,050
heads were at, questions they were having as it dealt with the proposals as

463
00:24:56,080 --> 00:24:56,880
they sat in front of us.

464
00:24:57,960 --> 00:25:01,920
So, in that July session, asked for feedback, asked

465
00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:05,680
them to give us some information on what their levels of concerns were.

466
00:25:05,780 --> 00:25:06,860
We approached that in three ways.

467
00:25:07,780 --> 00:25:11,440
So we provided each theme and asked them to give us a rating of their level of

468
00:25:11,500 --> 00:25:14,060
concern, one to seven, Likert scale approach.

469
00:25:14,260 --> 00:25:17,480
We then asked them to rank them, sort them out, and tell us what's your highest

470
00:25:18,120 --> 00:25:22,000
concern to your lowest. And then we did a constant sum total where they had

471
00:25:22,020 --> 00:25:25,660
100 points possible, and they could allocate the points to their level of concern.

472
00:25:25,720 --> 00:25:29,470
So if they were completely, and their only concern was one of those themes, they

473
00:25:29,500 --> 00:25:33,410
could allocate 100 points to it, or they could divvy them out however they wanted.

474
00:25:34,180 --> 00:25:36,720
And we won't go into all the measures across all those, but it will give you the

475
00:25:36,780 --> 00:25:40,360
aggregation of how those concerns ranked out

476
00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:43,550
against the different concern measures that we put in place.

477
00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:46,660
And, there's a lot of details behind any of these.

478
00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:48,320
I think you will hear us cover

479
00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:53,900
most aspects of these themes coming forward in our request and

480
00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:57,470
recommendations to you all. But in general, the highest level of

481
00:25:57,500 --> 00:26:01,470
concern was a provision within the executive order that talks about

482
00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:05,400
urging the State Board of Education to essentially take a look at the

483
00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:09,260
distribution of grades, and if it exceeds 65%

484
00:26:09,380 --> 00:26:11,660
or more of schools or districts receiving an ARB,

485
00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:16,520
to then reset to make sure that 65% are no longer

486
00:26:16,620 --> 00:26:20,380
at that standard. That came in as the number one, followed closely then

487
00:26:20,460 --> 00:26:24,339
by a feeling of an arbitrary publication date to produce significant

488
00:26:24,440 --> 00:26:28,360
consequences. And you have to remember, this was in July before

489
00:26:28,370 --> 00:26:32,230
the department had started engaging in feedback and listening

490
00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:35,320
around the state. But the idea that we were hearing then at that time was, okay,

491
00:26:35,380 --> 00:26:39,160
assessment channel windows changing, new literacy measures coming in, core data

492
00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:43,120
changes are happening, and that's that idea of the producing significant

493
00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:43,900
consequences.

494
00:26:45,540 --> 00:26:49,080
Good morning. My name is Cary Sciacca, and I'm superintendent of schools in Joplin.

495
00:26:49,110 --> 00:26:50,680
It's a pleasure to be here with you today.

496
00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:54,680
I have 34 years of public education experience, and all 34 of

497
00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:57,580
them have dealt significantly with accreditation.

498
00:26:57,660 --> 00:26:57,820
So,

499
00:26:59,120 --> 00:27:02,900
what we want to talk about this morning is very important to us across the

500
00:27:02,940 --> 00:27:06,650
district. We have a lot of people in this room today that are very vested and

501
00:27:06,740 --> 00:27:07,580
interested in this.

502
00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:11,920
And the recommendations to strengthen the proposal start first with the

503
00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:15,760
pilot. And you can see that Adam discussed

504
00:27:15,780 --> 00:27:16,460
those earlier.

505
00:27:17,320 --> 00:27:21,100
Items one and item four are of particular interest because they've not been covered

506
00:27:21,160 --> 00:27:24,970
yet, and we have some coverage already with DESE making some movement in

507
00:27:25,100 --> 00:27:28,540
items two and three. Our recommendation number

508
00:27:28,700 --> 00:27:32,120
one is to pilot the initial release time.

509
00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:36,180
And the proposal called for a public release in '25, '26,

510
00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:40,220
with A through F grades in the spring of '27, as well as

511
00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:43,920
using '24, '25 data for a fall release right now.

512
00:27:44,900 --> 00:27:45,740
This has been

513
00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:49,400
pretty much a very difficult task for DESE.

514
00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:53,420
This executive order has put them under strain, in my belief, in terms

515
00:27:53,480 --> 00:27:55,960
of getting this done and getting it accurate and correctly.

516
00:27:56,450 --> 00:27:59,900
And we want to make sure that there's not a premature release, and that all of a

517
00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:03,300
sudden, schools and districts are labeled with

518
00:28:03,360 --> 00:28:07,080
something that maybe does not line up with what we all

519
00:28:07,120 --> 00:28:10,000
consider accurate for our districts.

520
00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:13,980
And to publicly assign grades before schools have an opportunity to understand

521
00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:16,040
the metrics is problematic in our view.

522
00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:20,480
So our first recommendation would be rather than public releasing grades

523
00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,600
in the fall of '26, conduct a statewide

524
00:28:24,620 --> 00:28:27,760
pilot and provide districts with secure draft reports that are

525
00:28:27,820 --> 00:28:31,640
valuable to validate calculations and to make sure that everybody

526
00:28:31,700 --> 00:28:35,260
understands how these are done and it's communicated well.

527
00:28:36,120 --> 00:28:38,680
And why is that pilot necessary? Excuse me.

528
00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:42,600
One, protecting public trust. Two,

529
00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:45,080
preventing the wealth correlation.

530
00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:49,110
We're very concerned about how poverty is going to be viewed in this A through

531
00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:52,570
F framework. And we want to make sure that schools

532
00:28:52,660 --> 00:28:56,620
all over the state, and there's plenty of school districts with high poverty rates,

533
00:28:56,960 --> 00:28:58,620
that that's taken into consideration.

534
00:28:59,380 --> 00:29:03,330
And the other thing, excuse me, is the introduction of lexiles into

535
00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:06,820
the metrics as well. There's some unknowns with that in capping

536
00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:10,920
lexiles and students who score higher

537
00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:14,640
on different tests and where they're at with lexiles.

538
00:29:14,660 --> 00:29:16,780
There's a little bit of confusion with that.

539
00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:18,960
And then lack of educator input.

540
00:29:19,820 --> 00:29:23,660
We believe that we have more to give, more to offer you to

541
00:29:23,720 --> 00:29:27,340
help the department, as well as the partnership that Adam was talking about,

542
00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:31,340
and that there's a lot more that we can talk about rather than having a

543
00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:35,040
five-and-a-half-month insertion of the program.

544
00:29:35,820 --> 00:29:37,340
So a related piece to that then-

545
00:29:37,420 --> 00:29:37,430
Mm

546
00:29:37,430 --> 00:29:39,760
... as an example, would be the weights.

547
00:29:40,140 --> 00:29:44,000
So what you see presented in the gray bar here is the proposed

548
00:29:44,100 --> 00:29:46,280
weights in the framework

549
00:29:47,140 --> 00:29:50,900
that the department's bringing forward in terms

550
00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:54,900
of how much of that score is coming from status, value-added growth, and growth to

551
00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:55,640
proficiency.

552
00:29:56,860 --> 00:30:00,000
You can see that a change in weights can change

553
00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:03,660
what the result that's brought forward is.

554
00:30:04,860 --> 00:30:08,810
And so from an idea of questions on the table, pieces in front of

555
00:30:08,840 --> 00:30:10,860
us, this very well could be in place

556
00:30:11,940 --> 00:30:12,370
as to

557
00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:16,890
the weights that are being used and are they returning the results we're expecting

558
00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:20,790
to see, just as a sample as to one of

559
00:30:20,820 --> 00:30:23,880
those methodological concerns. Additionally,

560
00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:28,890
Dr. Sciacca just mentioned it, but thinking about the incomplete methodology and

561
00:30:28,980 --> 00:30:29,300
rules

562
00:30:30,164 --> 00:30:34,104
I want to give, attribute this to school districts across southern

563
00:30:34,144 --> 00:30:38,073
Missouri. They have been working towards collecting just kind of their running,

564
00:30:38,124 --> 00:30:40,704
ongoing thoughts of concerns, questions, and issues.

565
00:30:41,724 --> 00:30:44,964
And so shared that information with us, and we've summarized it out here.

566
00:30:45,324 --> 00:30:48,924
Just to get a sense of kind of what we feel like, what the field feels like

567
00:30:49,404 --> 00:30:53,384
is unknown to this point, if we really are just a couple weeks

568
00:30:53,444 --> 00:30:56,564
away from seeing a released set of data.

569
00:30:58,284 --> 00:31:00,064
So what might that pilot process look like?

570
00:31:00,944 --> 00:31:04,904
So proposal as you see it here, we were really kind of looking at it

571
00:31:04,924 --> 00:31:06,744
between now and the spring 2027.

572
00:31:07,584 --> 00:31:11,484
And thinking if we could work towards an educator work group,

573
00:31:11,564 --> 00:31:15,224
have a dedicated work group, to provide feedback, guidance, input

574
00:31:15,544 --> 00:31:17,604
on the measurements needed to satisfy the objectives

575
00:31:18,504 --> 00:31:22,124
in those outcome areas identified in the executive order, run simulations

576
00:31:22,224 --> 00:31:26,184
statewide, provide districts with a sense of what's in those models,

577
00:31:26,264 --> 00:31:28,824
how they are unfolding,

578
00:31:29,704 --> 00:31:32,124
what we're seeing in a statewide or a regional perspective.

579
00:31:32,944 --> 00:31:36,864
We do think it would be valuable to complete one full cycle in a model

580
00:31:36,944 --> 00:31:40,624
like that. And if reports are released, that they be secure

581
00:31:41,044 --> 00:31:44,844
and labeled draft, as we know that some measures will not be available and

582
00:31:44,884 --> 00:31:46,424
some are still under development.

583
00:31:48,124 --> 00:31:49,324
So when we think about this,

584
00:31:50,364 --> 00:31:53,844
and it's kind of this idea of saying, well,

585
00:31:54,584 --> 00:31:57,044
with a pilot, is that really just to

586
00:31:59,024 --> 00:32:02,224
run the clock, so to speak? And we don't think so.

587
00:32:02,444 --> 00:32:06,024
We think that piloting is not about avoiding the

588
00:32:06,064 --> 00:32:09,754
accountability, but it's essentially around the integrity to what we're

589
00:32:09,764 --> 00:32:13,334
trying to launch. That we feel like if we do launch an untested model

590
00:32:14,044 --> 00:32:17,884
that issues mathematically flawed grades, we're going to destroy

591
00:32:17,924 --> 00:32:18,304
trust

592
00:32:19,684 --> 00:32:23,414
across the state. And looking to other states, they have run soft launches,

593
00:32:23,844 --> 00:32:26,614
specifically to catch and fix these types of issues.

594
00:32:27,764 --> 00:32:31,604
And I will jump ahead because when we think about the data side of this, even if we

595
00:32:31,624 --> 00:32:32,984
were running '24, '25,

596
00:32:34,064 --> 00:32:35,484
that data is locked down, so to speak.

597
00:32:36,344 --> 00:32:38,324
We've had that data and that's established.

598
00:32:39,044 --> 00:32:42,664
So there is no problems with the data, so to speak, but what we don't know is how

599
00:32:42,744 --> 00:32:46,444
all the measurements go together and the implications of that is where the

600
00:32:46,504 --> 00:32:48,184
concern lies in there.

601
00:32:49,404 --> 00:32:50,124
Other claims,

602
00:32:51,624 --> 00:32:51,964
if you were

603
00:32:53,344 --> 00:32:54,924
of concern that a pilot might

604
00:32:56,704 --> 00:33:00,124
have some negative consequences such as

605
00:33:00,764 --> 00:33:04,664
not promoting transparency, well, we feel like that if

606
00:33:04,704 --> 00:33:08,594
the measurement and the call is wrong, that that is worse than a delay, that

607
00:33:08,784 --> 00:33:12,024
when it comes out, it needs to be right, and an untested formula would mislead

608
00:33:12,504 --> 00:33:14,644
parents and penalize vulnerable schools.

609
00:33:15,724 --> 00:33:18,664
Another one to point out is the third one of students and parents cannot wait out a

610
00:33:18,704 --> 00:33:19,044
pilot.

611
00:33:19,904 --> 00:33:22,404
We certainly recognize that parents getting the information,

612
00:33:23,264 --> 00:33:26,804
and subsequently their kids, is critical, but that a premature failure

613
00:33:26,864 --> 00:33:30,464
label is going to have some damage

614
00:33:30,524 --> 00:33:34,424
associated with it if it is in fact not right, and we just simply don't know

615
00:33:34,464 --> 00:33:35,764
to this point to say yes or no.

616
00:33:37,404 --> 00:33:41,324
Another connection to pilot is understanding the role of demographics

617
00:33:42,024 --> 00:33:45,904
and thinking about what a potential objection could be there,

618
00:33:46,244 --> 00:33:49,424
in terms of a concern that might that be lowering the bar.

619
00:33:49,444 --> 00:33:52,224
We do not believe that. We don't see it as lowering the bar.

620
00:33:52,264 --> 00:33:56,244
We see it as demanding a higher standard for our data, not the lower bar for

621
00:33:56,264 --> 00:34:00,073
the students. And when we look at that, we look at how other states have

622
00:34:00,104 --> 00:34:00,664
approached that.

623
00:34:01,594 --> 00:34:05,364
And so just kind of summarize that out, and these are states with A to F

624
00:34:05,424 --> 00:34:07,644
grading systems. They have not

625
00:34:08,705 --> 00:34:11,765
gone about lowering the academic standards or the expectation, but they are

626
00:34:11,824 --> 00:34:15,804
accounting for those demographic differences by weighting student growth, subgroup

627
00:34:15,824 --> 00:34:19,484
performance to reward schools that are accelerating the progress of

628
00:34:19,524 --> 00:34:21,564
historically underperforming groups.

629
00:34:23,044 --> 00:34:25,884
Okay. Let's talk items two through four.

630
00:34:26,165 --> 00:34:30,104
Recommendation number two, we would propose to delay the inclusion

631
00:34:30,124 --> 00:34:34,064
of the literacy measure until the '26, '27 accountability cycle

632
00:34:34,124 --> 00:34:34,725
is in play.

633
00:34:36,024 --> 00:34:39,205
We're of the understanding that DESE plans to not include the literacy measure

634
00:34:39,324 --> 00:34:43,174
reporting until '26, '27. We want to affirm that

635
00:34:43,245 --> 00:34:47,173
and confirm that this decision will go forward, and that there

636
00:34:47,384 --> 00:34:51,004
be more study on the literacy measure with the K

637
00:34:51,044 --> 00:34:54,524
through eight lexiles, and make sure that we get that

638
00:34:54,584 --> 00:34:57,344
information right and partner with DESE in that

639
00:34:57,424 --> 00:35:01,244
regard. In recommendation number three, align the assessment

640
00:35:01,324 --> 00:35:04,574
window with instructional time. This is very important, and

641
00:35:04,944 --> 00:35:08,484
feedback came from the field immediately on that item.

642
00:35:09,324 --> 00:35:10,424
We were going to be...

643
00:35:11,344 --> 00:35:15,054
Basically, a lot of school districts were going to miss 15 to 20

644
00:35:15,124 --> 00:35:19,024
days of instruction and keeping the windows consistent

645
00:35:19,084 --> 00:35:22,944
with, because what we have been doing with MSIP6 and making sure we have good data

646
00:35:22,954 --> 00:35:26,884
and information for our kids, and we have enough time for teachers to teach.

647
00:35:27,704 --> 00:35:31,134
We would like to see that affirmed so that that goes forward so that

648
00:35:31,404 --> 00:35:33,924
mid-May is our end date when it comes to testing.

649
00:35:34,824 --> 00:35:38,624
And then recommendation four, preserve adequate time for core

650
00:35:38,924 --> 00:35:41,664
data validation. Very important.

651
00:35:42,044 --> 00:35:44,504
We think that this needs to line up with MSIP6.

652
00:35:45,244 --> 00:35:49,024
It takes quite a while in the summer to make sure that our graduates are

653
00:35:49,124 --> 00:35:52,904
all who our graduates are, and make sure we have accurate data, and that's

654
00:35:52,944 --> 00:35:56,684
not to count all the testing and everything that we get back from DESE to

655
00:35:56,844 --> 00:36:00,724
ensure that our testing is correct and that the right kids are in the formula

656
00:36:01,104 --> 00:36:03,744
when it comes to being determined for MSIP6.

657
00:36:04,164 --> 00:36:08,144
So we think those ought to line up, and that core data validation is very

658
00:36:08,164 --> 00:36:08,724
important.

659
00:36:10,344 --> 00:36:13,674
An additional concern when it comes to the distinction between accreditation and

660
00:36:13,744 --> 00:36:14,544
accountability.

661
00:36:15,444 --> 00:36:19,394
I want to be very clear. We have an MSIP accreditation process, and

662
00:36:19,444 --> 00:36:22,224
this is an additional accountability report.

663
00:36:23,204 --> 00:36:26,684
We have some elements of continuous improvement that has been

664
00:36:26,744 --> 00:36:30,568
recently embedded into MSIP6 accreditation But

665
00:36:30,688 --> 00:36:34,397
we had a conversation the other day, and we think we need to be very clear from the

666
00:36:34,488 --> 00:36:37,828
state board, DESE, and our school districts that A through F

667
00:36:37,868 --> 00:36:41,798
accountability, whatever that is for your district, is just part of the

668
00:36:41,888 --> 00:36:45,628
story. It is not the story. And we're very concerned that

669
00:36:45,868 --> 00:36:49,528
if this is not done correctly and labels get out there that aren't

670
00:36:49,568 --> 00:36:53,548
accurate, that all of a sudden they will become the de facto quality

671
00:36:53,608 --> 00:36:56,108
school designation in each community.

672
00:36:56,408 --> 00:37:00,058
And we think that could injure communities, injure school districts,

673
00:37:00,608 --> 00:37:03,368
and I don't think it's good for the chamber of commerce all the way around the

674
00:37:03,428 --> 00:37:05,528
state for those things to be out there.

675
00:37:05,568 --> 00:37:05,688
So

676
00:37:06,728 --> 00:37:10,708
yeah, when we think just to get into the specifics on it,

677
00:37:11,788 --> 00:37:15,648
we're viewing it just to project it ahead and saying, what kind of communication

678
00:37:15,708 --> 00:37:19,008
challenge does this present? What does the A to F represent?

679
00:37:19,028 --> 00:37:22,748
What does MSIP represent? What do they represent in conjunction?

680
00:37:23,068 --> 00:37:24,578
What do they represent independently?

681
00:37:25,648 --> 00:37:29,558
And so, we found this as a helpful way to think about what's in A to

682
00:37:29,728 --> 00:37:29,908
F,

683
00:37:30,988 --> 00:37:34,808
what's shared with MSIP 6 annual performance report, what sits

684
00:37:34,907 --> 00:37:38,578
alone within A to F that does not sit within MSIP 6 annual

685
00:37:38,648 --> 00:37:40,908
performance report. To Dr. Sequetta's comments of

686
00:37:42,008 --> 00:37:45,948
helping the community and public at large understand what the results mean

687
00:37:46,408 --> 00:37:50,308
and how they come together, and we view that as a significant communication

688
00:37:50,328 --> 00:37:53,918
challenge going forward that we just essentially need to get out,

689
00:37:55,188 --> 00:37:58,248
and felt it important to present and put in front of you today.

690
00:37:58,268 --> 00:37:58,968
So while it's not in the

691
00:38:00,508 --> 00:38:03,948
initial recommendations, it is a significant one.

692
00:38:04,828 --> 00:38:08,508
The final one to wrap up with is the 65% normative curve

693
00:38:09,348 --> 00:38:10,688
component in the executive order.

694
00:38:10,788 --> 00:38:13,408
So while that's not in the recommendations because it doesn't really have bearing

695
00:38:13,828 --> 00:38:15,808
at the moment, because we don't even have grades out,

696
00:38:16,688 --> 00:38:20,308
we did feel it important to surface and make a few points to that end.

697
00:38:20,628 --> 00:38:23,548
So, the language you see there on the left is what is in the executive order.

698
00:38:24,108 --> 00:38:27,888
So essentially, the executive order is urging the state board to adopt

699
00:38:27,988 --> 00:38:31,768
rules that the grading scale shall automatically increase in rigor, such

700
00:38:31,868 --> 00:38:35,648
that if we get to 65% of schools or districts at an A or

701
00:38:35,688 --> 00:38:39,488
B, that those thresholds to earn A, B, C, or D increase

702
00:38:39,548 --> 00:38:41,808
by five percentage points in the subsequent year

703
00:38:43,428 --> 00:38:45,648
in the name of increasing rigor.

704
00:38:46,468 --> 00:38:49,738
So, when we look at this, and we look at this on the measurement side of things,

705
00:38:50,448 --> 00:38:53,988
it's kind of a traditional criterion versus a

706
00:38:54,008 --> 00:38:57,978
norm-referenced approach. And that raising these thresholds when

707
00:38:58,168 --> 00:39:01,968
65% of the schools earn an A or B is going to transform that framework from a

708
00:39:02,008 --> 00:39:05,928
criterion-referenced or an absolute standard approach to

709
00:39:06,008 --> 00:39:08,968
a relative or a norm-referenced type of competition.

710
00:39:09,088 --> 00:39:12,748
You can see what the implication of that is in terms of the goals, the questions,

711
00:39:12,828 --> 00:39:16,128
the scores, the outcomes. But a few examples might be helpful as well.

712
00:39:16,848 --> 00:39:20,548
So you can consider a normative approach compared to a criterion approach in

713
00:39:20,788 --> 00:39:23,348
these examples. We won't go through all of them, but give you a couple examples.

714
00:39:23,408 --> 00:39:24,988
Example one, we have an Algebra 1 course.

715
00:39:25,748 --> 00:39:27,468
I know we have a math teacher with us.

716
00:39:27,968 --> 00:39:28,808
In a normative model,

717
00:39:30,608 --> 00:39:34,188
a teacher decides and kind of establishes at the beginning of the course

718
00:39:34,928 --> 00:39:38,788
that only the top 65% of students can earn an A

719
00:39:38,808 --> 00:39:41,568
or B, as opposed to a criterion type of approach.

720
00:39:41,968 --> 00:39:45,828
Any student who demonstrates mastery of the course content can earn the

721
00:39:45,868 --> 00:39:48,628
associated grade. How about a driver's license?

722
00:39:48,768 --> 00:39:51,068
A driver's license is a criterion-based approach in the state.

723
00:39:51,128 --> 00:39:54,038
If you pass the criteria to earn a driver's license, you are deemed

724
00:39:56,148 --> 00:39:57,968
worthy to drive. You're eligible to drive.

725
00:39:58,298 --> 00:40:01,788
As opposed to a normative approach, which say at the end of the month, we look at

726
00:40:01,828 --> 00:40:05,248
the scores of all those who took a driver's test, we sort them out and say the top

727
00:40:05,428 --> 00:40:07,188
65% of all scorers in the state

728
00:40:08,048 --> 00:40:10,128
can be drivers and those that can't.

729
00:40:10,888 --> 00:40:14,428
Another example, we tried to go to a department or work outside of

730
00:40:14,468 --> 00:40:16,488
education. Thought about public safety,

731
00:40:17,448 --> 00:40:20,948
highway patrol as an example. What would an absolute criterion-based

732
00:40:21,008 --> 00:40:24,908
approach versus a normative or a relative approach do?

733
00:40:25,028 --> 00:40:25,428
And so,

734
00:40:26,328 --> 00:40:29,388
example we came up here was dealing with emergency response times.

735
00:40:29,768 --> 00:40:33,448
So in an absolute standard, the goal might be 90% of priority calls

736
00:40:33,488 --> 00:40:37,328
are dealt with and responded to within eight minutes, as opposed

737
00:40:37,468 --> 00:40:40,268
to a peer ranking and normative type of approach,

738
00:40:41,128 --> 00:40:43,568
looking at the response time of all,

739
00:40:44,428 --> 00:40:48,388
and they may well have been all below that expectation in the

740
00:40:48,448 --> 00:40:52,257
absolute standard, but ranking out and kind of sorting where that performance comes

741
00:40:52,308 --> 00:40:56,088
in. So why is it an issue? Well, the concerns with raising the

742
00:40:56,108 --> 00:41:00,068
thresholds, there's a number, and so we won't go into all the details,

743
00:41:00,088 --> 00:41:02,688
but it is available there. The one I would like to point out, though,

744
00:41:04,068 --> 00:41:07,328
that is of concern is in the bottom right of disincentivizing

745
00:41:07,388 --> 00:41:10,968
collaboration. So we are concerned that

746
00:41:11,868 --> 00:41:15,648
if accountability approaches as a zero-sum game, and Pattonville

747
00:41:15,748 --> 00:41:19,608
scores and grade received may be somewhat

748
00:41:19,628 --> 00:41:23,428
related to where Iran or Joplin comes in, we feel like that

749
00:41:23,488 --> 00:41:27,048
could become a disincentive to collaborate and to share.

750
00:41:27,738 --> 00:41:31,128
Where high-performing districts sharing strategies could risk tipping

751
00:41:31,548 --> 00:41:35,528
averages over the mark and triggering penalties that can lower their

752
00:41:35,568 --> 00:41:39,348
own grades. So that's what we mean by disincentivizing collaboration.

753
00:41:40,528 --> 00:41:44,368
But we recognize that it is also proposed as a way to

754
00:41:44,408 --> 00:41:47,628
increase rigor and to increase the expectation.

755
00:41:48,208 --> 00:41:51,858
So some of the claims and a response from our perspective,

756
00:41:52,488 --> 00:41:53,238
thinking those through.

757
00:41:54,608 --> 00:41:58,148
First claim, if we remove that cap, then we'll lead to unchecked grade

758
00:41:58,188 --> 00:42:01,568
inflation. Everybody will be scoring high.

759
00:42:01,628 --> 00:42:04,868
Our thoughts towards that is that if we do see a large majority of schools meeting

760
00:42:04,908 --> 00:42:08,558
the standards in this absolute standard idea of whatever they are,

761
00:42:09,228 --> 00:42:13,128
and rewarding them all with an A would reflect objective statewide success that we

762
00:42:13,248 --> 00:42:15,868
have reached the bar, if that's where the standard sits.

763
00:42:17,348 --> 00:42:20,368
Second one, cap will force continuous improvement and push schools.

764
00:42:20,788 --> 00:42:24,768
Response for us is that the systemic academic improvement should be

765
00:42:24,828 --> 00:42:27,068
driven by formally raising standards, rigor,

766
00:42:27,968 --> 00:42:31,688
what we're wanting and expecting, not by just an automatic math

767
00:42:31,728 --> 00:42:35,228
calculation of saying, "Well, we've got too many there, so bump

768
00:42:35,588 --> 00:42:36,488
that expectation."

769
00:42:37,460 --> 00:42:38,740
You're down to one minute

770
00:42:39,160 --> 00:42:40,240
Okay. We're just about there.

771
00:42:40,780 --> 00:42:40,860
Yeah.

772
00:42:41,200 --> 00:42:42,540
Yeah. Mark, you want to bring it home?

773
00:42:43,480 --> 00:42:44,260
All right. I'm going to

774
00:42:45,200 --> 00:42:47,080
go forward. We've done that.

775
00:42:47,900 --> 00:42:51,200
I'm just going to go to my closing remarks, and I'm going to pose a question to the

776
00:42:51,240 --> 00:42:55,200
Board of Education and DESE. What is the goal for Missouri

777
00:42:55,300 --> 00:42:59,120
students? Is the goal to score proficient or advanced,

778
00:42:59,680 --> 00:43:03,620
or is the goal should align more with our mission and vision statements across the

779
00:43:03,660 --> 00:43:07,500
school districts of, are they workforce ready? Are they college ready?

780
00:43:07,510 --> 00:43:10,160
Do they have collaboration skills? Are they cooperative?

781
00:43:10,240 --> 00:43:13,380
All of those things that make you successful in life.

782
00:43:13,460 --> 00:43:14,610
I've raised four boys.

783
00:43:15,540 --> 00:43:17,560
During the course of their education,

784
00:43:18,560 --> 00:43:22,509
I've seen advanced scores, I've seen proficient scores, I've

785
00:43:22,520 --> 00:43:25,080
seen basic and below basic out of my four boys.

786
00:43:26,300 --> 00:43:28,100
That informed me, as a parent, of where they were.

787
00:43:28,360 --> 00:43:29,860
It was not a reflection of the school.

788
00:43:31,360 --> 00:43:33,960
It was just where they were, and it was okay.

789
00:43:34,120 --> 00:43:37,320
I didn't bring in my son when he scored a below basic and said, "Hey, you're an F.

790
00:43:38,580 --> 00:43:42,180
You're not worthy of it." So

791
00:43:42,920 --> 00:43:43,220
my

792
00:43:44,060 --> 00:43:45,180
ask of you guys

793
00:43:46,160 --> 00:43:49,180
is that when you're deciding right now on the framework,

794
00:43:50,320 --> 00:43:50,560
that

795
00:43:51,360 --> 00:43:55,320
you take into consideration what this might do, the damage it might do

796
00:43:55,940 --> 00:43:58,960
to our schools, our school buildings, our districts.

797
00:43:59,460 --> 00:44:00,940
There are a lot of variables in this.

798
00:44:02,240 --> 00:44:04,860
Now is not the right time. We need to do more vetting on this.

799
00:44:05,220 --> 00:44:09,140
We're here to help you. Any of the four of us will take time to

800
00:44:09,180 --> 00:44:12,980
sit on any committee, any group.

801
00:44:12,990 --> 00:44:13,260
All right. Thank you.

802
00:44:13,340 --> 00:44:15,560
The thing that matters are the educators behind me.

803
00:44:16,400 --> 00:44:20,260
Okay. Thank you for doing that, and I appreciate your comments, and

804
00:44:20,340 --> 00:44:22,660
certainly we'll take them under advisement.

805
00:44:24,220 --> 00:44:27,980
In knowing that this conversation was going to take place, I did

806
00:44:28,000 --> 00:44:29,580
write down my comments,

807
00:44:30,640 --> 00:44:31,280
in an effort--

808
00:44:32,240 --> 00:44:34,140
and I think it's within five minutes,

809
00:44:35,340 --> 00:44:39,180
but from my perspective, and I speak to you as a member

810
00:44:39,280 --> 00:44:42,880
of the board and not president or anything else, but

811
00:44:43,260 --> 00:44:46,600
in my capacity of being on this school board-

812
00:44:47,880 --> 00:44:49,440
Hey, Brooke. Sorry to interrupt.

813
00:44:49,480 --> 00:44:49,880
Go ahead.

814
00:44:49,940 --> 00:44:53,540
We have the A through F grading framework on the action item

815
00:44:53,620 --> 00:44:54,360
next. I don't know if-

816
00:44:54,460 --> 00:44:55,580
Okay. Do you want to do that then?

817
00:44:55,649 --> 00:44:57,560
... we should wait until we get into that or-

818
00:44:57,940 --> 00:45:01,640
I'm fine. Are there any questions of these gentlemen

819
00:45:02,960 --> 00:45:03,560
that you have?

820
00:45:05,720 --> 00:45:06,400
I have a question.

821
00:45:07,480 --> 00:45:07,940
Mr. Otto.

822
00:45:08,820 --> 00:45:12,500
Are you able to provide this information to us?

823
00:45:12,600 --> 00:45:13,580
This is the first time.

824
00:45:14,780 --> 00:45:18,380
I didn't see it. I'm trying to look for it.

825
00:45:19,360 --> 00:45:23,280
Apologies. This is a lot of good information, and this is my first time seeing it.

826
00:45:27,620 --> 00:45:31,460
While she is showing you that, we sent a lot of documents

827
00:45:31,540 --> 00:45:33,820
to you last week you should have received.

828
00:45:33,860 --> 00:45:34,080
They were

829
00:45:34,980 --> 00:45:36,080
labeled 1A through

830
00:45:37,020 --> 00:45:37,110
6A-

831
00:45:37,140 --> 00:45:37,270
Mm-hmm

832
00:45:37,270 --> 00:45:40,940
... or 6B. Lots of information, and hopefully, you got

833
00:45:41,000 --> 00:45:42,260
this at a time also.

834
00:45:44,500 --> 00:45:45,100
Mrs. Casey?

835
00:45:45,980 --> 00:45:46,220
Great.

836
00:45:47,400 --> 00:45:51,160
Thank you. And I would like to echo what was started to be said.

837
00:45:51,240 --> 00:45:55,160
Thank you very much for not just what you've presented here today, and

838
00:45:55,240 --> 00:45:57,660
I do find it very well done, very informative.

839
00:45:58,120 --> 00:46:01,400
But I want to thank you for the time that you've given us to date.

840
00:46:01,780 --> 00:46:05,240
I especially appreciated that you acknowledged that the department has been

841
00:46:05,300 --> 00:46:06,720
reaching out

842
00:46:09,000 --> 00:46:12,410
since February, since the signing of the executive order in January,

843
00:46:12,520 --> 00:46:16,340
where there have been various formats, various

844
00:46:16,420 --> 00:46:20,280
audiences, various approaches to gaining feedback.

845
00:46:21,920 --> 00:46:25,850
It did take time to put the framework together, and

846
00:46:25,900 --> 00:46:29,400
part of that was because it was being worked through with a lot of data

847
00:46:29,420 --> 00:46:30,560
analysis, et cetera.

848
00:46:31,620 --> 00:46:35,100
But we're going to hear more about that and all those details from the

849
00:46:35,120 --> 00:46:39,020
department. What I really just wanted to say is that over the past

850
00:46:40,080 --> 00:46:43,660
several weeks, I've listened and heard from many, many

851
00:46:43,760 --> 00:46:47,580
people, and have superintendents and other

852
00:46:47,680 --> 00:46:51,340
participants in the education community, and I've really appreciated the

853
00:46:51,400 --> 00:46:52,680
feedback that you've given us.

854
00:46:53,480 --> 00:46:57,459
And I want to especially comment that you yourselves, I

855
00:46:57,520 --> 00:47:01,020
met with, and the feedback you provided has helped already to

856
00:47:01,080 --> 00:47:05,000
inform, I think the presentation that you're going to see

857
00:47:05,060 --> 00:47:08,180
next. So, it's more of an

858
00:47:08,220 --> 00:47:12,160
appreciation and an acknowledgement that we have been

859
00:47:12,200 --> 00:47:15,920
listening, and your participation as a partner

860
00:47:15,980 --> 00:47:19,140
has been there over these last months, and I thank you for that.

861
00:47:19,920 --> 00:47:20,240
Thank you.

862
00:47:20,420 --> 00:47:20,800
Thank you.

863
00:47:21,060 --> 00:47:21,320
Thank you.

864
00:47:22,820 --> 00:47:23,560
I have one question.

865
00:47:25,280 --> 00:47:27,000
Gentlemen, thank you for this presentation.

866
00:47:28,480 --> 00:47:32,340
The four primary recommendations that you brought

867
00:47:32,440 --> 00:47:36,400
forward, piloting the CARDs, delaying inclusion of literacy, keeping testing

868
00:47:36,440 --> 00:47:37,580
window where it is,

869
00:47:38,580 --> 00:47:41,240
preserving time for data validation, those are

870
00:47:42,240 --> 00:47:44,080
mechanical in nature. Those are

871
00:47:45,200 --> 00:47:47,560
requests that can be addressed, can be solved.

872
00:47:48,260 --> 00:47:50,800
There's also the philosophical side of things.

873
00:47:50,880 --> 00:47:51,500
And,

874
00:47:52,660 --> 00:47:56,020
I guess if these four things are agreed to, would you

875
00:47:56,060 --> 00:47:57,620
philosophically be behind

876
00:47:58,480 --> 00:48:00,040
the A through F grading framework?

877
00:48:02,000 --> 00:48:04,100
I'm going to answer, and I'm going to say that,

878
00:48:05,500 --> 00:48:09,250
I think the A through F framework and MSIP 6 should be released at the same

879
00:48:09,250 --> 00:48:11,600
time, and I think it should be communicated well.

880
00:48:12,000 --> 00:48:15,160
We're under an executive order, and this did not go through the legislature, at

881
00:48:15,180 --> 00:48:19,100
least it wasn't passed last year. So under these circumstances, I

882
00:48:19,120 --> 00:48:22,580
think we need to make sure that we communicate well and that people need to

883
00:48:22,620 --> 00:48:26,480
understand what both of these measurements do, so

884
00:48:26,560 --> 00:48:29,770
that there is an injury regardless of what scores a school gets.

885
00:48:29,820 --> 00:48:33,150
Because one year a school could be an A, the next year they could be a B, the next

886
00:48:33,200 --> 00:48:35,940
year they could be a C, and it could cause confusion.

887
00:48:36,040 --> 00:48:39,840
So I think more communication, more understanding to what it is and what

888
00:48:39,860 --> 00:48:43,560
it's not compared to MSIP 6, and I think we should continue to look at

889
00:48:43,660 --> 00:48:47,580
MSIP 6 down the road and build more continuous improvement with more

890
00:48:47,700 --> 00:48:51,260
peer evaluations, more things for schools to collaborate on,

891
00:48:51,680 --> 00:48:52,380
bring more

892
00:48:53,280 --> 00:48:56,660
innovation back into that as we go into MSIP 7.

893
00:48:58,230 --> 00:49:01,219
Okay. Thank you for that. Any other further questions, gentlemen?

894
00:49:03,770 --> 00:49:06,090
Hearing none, thank you very much for your presentation.

895
00:49:06,370 --> 00:49:06,689
Thank you.

896
00:49:10,030 --> 00:49:10,490
Thank you all.

897
00:49:16,490 --> 00:49:19,570
So we'll continue on with our discussion of A through F at this time.

898
00:49:20,110 --> 00:49:20,950
Do we need a motion to-

899
00:49:21,590 --> 00:49:21,770
Yes

900
00:49:21,810 --> 00:49:25,590
... I move that we consider the A through F school grading

901
00:49:25,670 --> 00:49:26,090
framework.

902
00:49:26,430 --> 00:49:26,930
I second.

903
00:49:28,030 --> 00:49:30,830
We have a motion and a second. Vince, you have your hand up.

904
00:49:31,230 --> 00:49:34,420
I thought we were going to hear a presentation on A through F.

905
00:49:35,690 --> 00:49:37,430
Yeah, a little premature on the motion, I think.

906
00:49:41,499 --> 00:49:41,499
Yeah.

907
00:49:41,510 --> 00:49:42,170
Or discussion.

908
00:49:42,670 --> 00:49:42,950
Yeah.

909
00:49:42,990 --> 00:49:46,690
The motion's on the floor and that, so now we can have the

910
00:49:46,730 --> 00:49:48,250
discussion and presentation-

911
00:49:48,300 --> 00:49:48,300
Okay

912
00:49:48,300 --> 00:49:49,290
... until we call for question.

913
00:49:50,850 --> 00:49:52,810
Or if we want to withdraw the motion, either way.

914
00:49:54,430 --> 00:49:54,720
We can leave it.

915
00:49:54,730 --> 00:49:57,550
Probably withdraw, technically, too.

916
00:49:59,450 --> 00:49:59,730
Okay.

917
00:50:00,110 --> 00:50:00,970
Motion withdrawn.

918
00:50:02,050 --> 00:50:04,070
Okay. Who did the second on that?

919
00:50:05,930 --> 00:50:06,270
Jordan.

920
00:50:06,350 --> 00:50:06,710
Pardon?

921
00:50:06,750 --> 00:50:07,490
I did the original second.

922
00:50:07,750 --> 00:50:09,230
Okay, you want to withdraw your second?

923
00:50:09,670 --> 00:50:09,910
Yes.

924
00:50:10,190 --> 00:50:10,590
Very good.

925
00:50:11,530 --> 00:50:11,910
Go ahead.

926
00:50:12,590 --> 00:50:12,810
Okay.

927
00:50:14,050 --> 00:50:17,840
Thank you. Again, Lisa Sereno, Deputy Commissioner of

928
00:50:17,890 --> 00:50:19,470
Learning Services here.

929
00:50:20,270 --> 00:50:21,770
First, I would like to

930
00:50:22,810 --> 00:50:26,610
thank Doctors Friga and Goodman,

931
00:50:26,890 --> 00:50:30,450
and Sachetta and Drake for their presentation.

932
00:50:33,350 --> 00:50:36,750
What I'm here today to do is to ask for your

933
00:50:36,790 --> 00:50:40,570
approval on the A through F school grading framework.

934
00:50:41,750 --> 00:50:45,610
This will allow the department to move forward to the next phase

935
00:50:45,670 --> 00:50:49,020
of implementation of the grade cards for Missouri public schools,

936
00:50:49,430 --> 00:50:52,970
public school districts, and public charter schools, as called

937
00:50:53,050 --> 00:50:56,570
for in the Governor's Executive Order 2601.

938
00:50:57,470 --> 00:51:01,270
We're asking you, just as a preview, to approve the framework that

939
00:51:01,350 --> 00:51:04,170
you reviewed at our August 18th board meeting.

940
00:51:04,690 --> 00:51:08,209
We're going to see that framework in a few moments, but first, I'm going to review

941
00:51:08,219 --> 00:51:11,360
some background and context for you, share some

942
00:51:11,390 --> 00:51:13,990
implementation decisions since last month's

943
00:51:14,050 --> 00:51:17,760
conversation, and preview what happens after the

944
00:51:17,790 --> 00:51:19,170
framework is approved.

945
00:51:20,750 --> 00:51:24,710
I want to start with stakeholder feedback, and that group

946
00:51:24,770 --> 00:51:28,570
of school leaders that you just heard from, sharing their feedback

947
00:51:28,650 --> 00:51:32,530
for your consideration, I would say they did an excellent job

948
00:51:32,590 --> 00:51:33,730
of summarizing

949
00:51:34,770 --> 00:51:38,530
the high-level concerns. And, I do want to

950
00:51:38,540 --> 00:51:41,230
acknowledge their collaboration and their

951
00:51:41,270 --> 00:51:45,020
participation in almost

952
00:51:45,090 --> 00:51:48,570
every single opportunity that we have

953
00:51:48,610 --> 00:51:52,410
provided to share information and to capture the

954
00:51:52,490 --> 00:51:53,090
feedback.

955
00:51:54,290 --> 00:51:58,150
Folks from those districts and many of their peers have

956
00:51:58,290 --> 00:51:58,910
joined us.

957
00:52:00,570 --> 00:52:04,360
So, since the signing of the executive order, DESE shared

958
00:52:04,430 --> 00:52:08,210
information about the framework on more than 35

959
00:52:08,250 --> 00:52:09,410
different occasions.

960
00:52:10,330 --> 00:52:13,830
We've hosted or spoken to our

961
00:52:13,910 --> 00:52:17,130
estimates of nearly 1,500 stakeholders.

962
00:52:17,710 --> 00:52:21,430
These things occurred at meetings that we may have held,

963
00:52:21,530 --> 00:52:25,430
like the Commissioner's Advisory Council meetings, the Missouri

964
00:52:25,530 --> 00:52:28,230
School Improvement Advisory Committee,

965
00:52:29,390 --> 00:52:33,210
at conferences like DESE's Annual Cooperative Conference for

966
00:52:33,290 --> 00:52:34,590
School Administrators,

967
00:52:35,830 --> 00:52:38,850
to the Show-Me Curriculum Administrators summer meeting.

968
00:52:39,610 --> 00:52:43,550
And most recently, since the last board meeting, we've conducted two

969
00:52:43,690 --> 00:52:46,410
in-person and three virtual sessions,

970
00:52:48,270 --> 00:52:52,210
through August and the first part of this month, really specifically

971
00:52:52,290 --> 00:52:56,210
to capture feedback in advance of this conversation today,

972
00:52:56,390 --> 00:52:58,360
when it is most fresh in mind.

973
00:53:00,070 --> 00:53:03,990
We pulled together all the feedback, the suggestions, the comments

974
00:53:04,230 --> 00:53:08,110
from these sessions and combined it with the messages,

975
00:53:08,170 --> 00:53:10,190
the notes, the emails on the topic.

976
00:53:11,070 --> 00:53:14,670
And you all have received outreach from a number of

977
00:53:14,730 --> 00:53:15,610
stakeholders,

978
00:53:16,650 --> 00:53:20,530
formally via email and informally through conversations.

979
00:53:21,910 --> 00:53:25,870
So we were able to sort the feedback into

980
00:53:25,930 --> 00:53:29,670
five general categories, and I want to talk just a little bit

981
00:53:29,830 --> 00:53:31,810
about those broad categories.

982
00:53:34,290 --> 00:53:37,330
How does this work? Specifically, the calculation details.

983
00:53:37,430 --> 00:53:39,320
This was the one that was most mentioned.

984
00:53:39,730 --> 00:53:43,050
It was brought up by the group of leaders that you just heard

985
00:53:43,090 --> 00:53:46,830
from, and it's certainly a valid concern.

986
00:53:47,450 --> 00:53:49,350
How will the grades be calculated?

987
00:53:49,380 --> 00:53:52,930
That's a general question, to something very specific.

988
00:53:52,950 --> 00:53:56,910
Will students in the district less than a full academic year be included in the

989
00:53:56,950 --> 00:54:00,080
calculations? Now, we've shared the

990
00:54:00,110 --> 00:54:03,310
basis for scoring certain grade card

991
00:54:03,470 --> 00:54:06,830
elements. There are five different elements that are required to be

992
00:54:06,890 --> 00:54:09,150
included, and the basis for

993
00:54:10,350 --> 00:54:11,150
four of them

994
00:54:14,310 --> 00:54:17,970
is provided in the

995
00:54:18,090 --> 00:54:20,130
scoring for the annual performance report.

996
00:54:20,670 --> 00:54:24,410
So, we can look at that MSIP 6 comprehensive guide to

997
00:54:24,530 --> 00:54:26,330
see where that scoring comes from.

998
00:54:28,170 --> 00:54:31,720
However, to date, we haven't shared detailed information

999
00:54:31,750 --> 00:54:35,090
about the fifth calculation, which is growth to

1000
00:54:35,170 --> 00:54:38,490
proficiency. I'm going to talk to you about that in a few moments.

1001
00:54:39,710 --> 00:54:43,690
Nor have we been able to share exactly

1002
00:54:43,730 --> 00:54:47,690
how all of these numbers will come together

1003
00:54:47,790 --> 00:54:49,090
in a calculation

1004
00:54:51,730 --> 00:54:55,550
So, the availability of detailed information,

1005
00:54:56,570 --> 00:54:58,650
so that stakeholders could

1006
00:54:59,710 --> 00:55:03,670
run their own simulations and understand how their data would come

1007
00:55:03,710 --> 00:55:07,210
together was a primary concern. And

1008
00:55:07,310 --> 00:55:11,210
also, as you heard from the group who just spoke,

1009
00:55:12,010 --> 00:55:15,610
that continuous improvement adjustment in the grading

1010
00:55:15,710 --> 00:55:19,590
scale that's described in the executive order was a

1011
00:55:19,630 --> 00:55:20,770
primary concern.

1012
00:55:21,650 --> 00:55:25,430
Now, I can say that most of the wide-ranging questions will be

1013
00:55:25,510 --> 00:55:29,490
answered when the technical guide for scoring is available, and that

1014
00:55:29,610 --> 00:55:32,490
can happen after you all approve the framework.

1015
00:55:32,890 --> 00:55:35,970
So the framework is a first step in us

1016
00:55:36,790 --> 00:55:39,650
being able to produce those detailed information.

1017
00:55:40,910 --> 00:55:42,270
You also heard about the timing-

1018
00:55:42,750 --> 00:55:45,750
So Lisa, I'm going to cut you off here real soon.

1019
00:55:45,870 --> 00:55:46,250
Yes, sir.

1020
00:55:46,810 --> 00:55:50,690
Yeah. Because we do have a 9:30 stop, and I also would like to

1021
00:55:50,730 --> 00:55:52,290
hear from Dr. Pruce as well.

1022
00:55:52,330 --> 00:55:52,860
It starts at

1023
00:55:53,750 --> 00:55:53,800
9:30.

1024
00:55:53,890 --> 00:55:54,890
Okay.

1025
00:55:55,870 --> 00:55:59,230
I will want comments from Dr. Pruce, is what I'm saying.

1026
00:55:59,290 --> 00:56:01,730
Certainly. I will

1027
00:56:02,970 --> 00:56:04,370
keep a watch on the time.

1028
00:56:06,810 --> 00:56:08,850
And of course, timing of the public release,

1029
00:56:10,890 --> 00:56:13,130
that was the next most mentioned topic.

1030
00:56:13,370 --> 00:56:17,050
I won't go into detail there. I think the group that you just heard

1031
00:56:17,130 --> 00:56:17,390
from

1032
00:56:18,410 --> 00:56:19,850
spoke about that quite a bit.

1033
00:56:21,550 --> 00:56:25,030
The ability, the process for

1034
00:56:25,210 --> 00:56:28,770
communicating, for messaging, for

1035
00:56:29,850 --> 00:56:33,190
district and school leader and

1036
00:56:33,390 --> 00:56:36,970
educator involvement in reviewing

1037
00:56:37,430 --> 00:56:40,550
the calculations, helping us determine

1038
00:56:41,550 --> 00:56:45,530
are they functioning appropriately, getting their feedback

1039
00:56:45,630 --> 00:56:48,930
in on the actual detail of the data.

1040
00:56:50,710 --> 00:56:54,410
Messaging around the grade cards, their relationship to existing

1041
00:56:54,450 --> 00:56:58,130
reports and accountability calculations, support

1042
00:56:58,170 --> 00:57:01,790
for local communication about the meaning of the

1043
00:57:01,810 --> 00:57:05,799
grades, and concerns that the grades will provide only

1044
00:57:05,850 --> 00:57:09,790
part of the story of what is happening in schools and districts were

1045
00:57:09,830 --> 00:57:13,290
the themes that came out here. And I will tell you that the

1046
00:57:13,330 --> 00:57:16,510
department is engaging with experts in strategic

1047
00:57:16,610 --> 00:57:20,510
communication, to help with those messaging pieces,

1048
00:57:20,940 --> 00:57:23,130
and that our plan moving forward,

1049
00:57:23,970 --> 00:57:27,750
once we have approval of the framework, is to produce that detailed

1050
00:57:27,850 --> 00:57:28,270
guide,

1051
00:57:29,210 --> 00:57:32,890
and work with stakeholders to ensure that the framework is

1052
00:57:32,990 --> 00:57:34,530
functioning as we intend it.

1053
00:57:35,550 --> 00:57:39,230
And of course, there were concerns and questions about the new elements

1054
00:57:39,370 --> 00:57:41,670
that are required in the grade cards.

1055
00:57:42,110 --> 00:57:45,830
There are five things that are required in the grade

1056
00:57:45,910 --> 00:57:49,660
cards altogether. There's academic achievement level,

1057
00:57:50,370 --> 00:57:51,690
value-added growth,

1058
00:57:52,530 --> 00:57:53,940
growth to proficiency,

1059
00:57:54,770 --> 00:57:58,710
success ready graduate measure, and a four-year graduation rate.

1060
00:57:59,290 --> 00:58:02,810
And of those, that third item, the growth to

1061
00:58:02,850 --> 00:58:06,810
proficiency, is new. Also included

1062
00:58:06,870 --> 00:58:09,950
in the academic achievement piece is a literacy measure.

1063
00:58:10,440 --> 00:58:14,430
And although we have captured literacy data, prior

1064
00:58:14,510 --> 00:58:15,000
to now,

1065
00:58:16,070 --> 00:58:19,430
we haven't captured complete statewide data, nor have we

1066
00:58:19,490 --> 00:58:20,350
reported it,

1067
00:58:21,150 --> 00:58:24,170
or used it in this type of combined report.

1068
00:58:24,490 --> 00:58:28,230
So, lots of questions. And you heard some specifics earlier

1069
00:58:28,290 --> 00:58:29,170
about that.

1070
00:58:31,090 --> 00:58:33,050
There were questions about authority.

1071
00:58:34,310 --> 00:58:38,220
This category really included questions about

1072
00:58:38,270 --> 00:58:42,110
our authority to create the calculations, to publish the grades,

1073
00:58:42,530 --> 00:58:46,030
whether administrative rulemaking is required by the

1074
00:58:46,130 --> 00:58:47,210
executive order,

1075
00:58:48,170 --> 00:58:51,170
and whether it's necessary to produce the grade cards.

1076
00:58:53,270 --> 00:58:53,730
And

1077
00:58:54,610 --> 00:58:57,950
our legal review of the executive order

1078
00:58:59,110 --> 00:59:02,550
indicates that while we could initiate

1079
00:59:02,590 --> 00:59:06,430
rulemaking, it's not actually necessary for

1080
00:59:06,470 --> 00:59:09,190
purposes of producing the grade cards.

1081
00:59:10,410 --> 00:59:14,290
And then finally, a catch-all category that

1082
00:59:14,370 --> 00:59:17,110
included some notable topics like

1083
00:59:17,950 --> 00:59:21,590
communicating changes to the implementation plan

1084
00:59:22,630 --> 00:59:26,330
from early this year to what we delivered to the

1085
00:59:26,370 --> 00:59:29,190
governor's office in June to now,

1086
00:59:30,290 --> 00:59:33,870
and making that very clear. Preserving instructional

1087
00:59:33,910 --> 00:59:37,630
time, you heard loudly about that, I believe.

1088
00:59:37,970 --> 00:59:41,710
Minimizing confusion, questions about private

1089
00:59:41,770 --> 00:59:44,530
school participation in the process for opt-in,

1090
00:59:45,650 --> 00:59:46,870
and then the

1091
00:59:48,890 --> 00:59:52,590
consideration of the impact of these

1092
00:59:52,630 --> 00:59:55,160
grades at the local level and what they mean.

1093
00:59:56,490 --> 00:59:59,980
So, although we'd previously communicated that

1094
01:00:00,030 --> 01:00:03,550
literacy would not be included in the grade cards prior to

1095
01:00:03,560 --> 01:00:07,460
'26, '27, and that there would be no changes

1096
01:00:07,490 --> 01:00:11,450
to the assessment windows this year, we still had several questions on those

1097
01:00:11,550 --> 01:00:12,450
topics, too.

1098
01:00:13,710 --> 01:00:13,850
So,

1099
01:00:15,550 --> 01:00:19,350
we believe, and I think everyone in this room believes, that it's

1100
01:00:19,390 --> 01:00:23,350
important to get this right, and that together

1101
01:00:23,410 --> 01:00:26,890
we are working on what's best for our children, our

1102
01:00:27,010 --> 01:00:27,530
students.

1103
01:00:28,850 --> 01:00:32,310
We may not always agree on the details of every single

1104
01:00:32,390 --> 01:00:32,930
report,

1105
01:00:33,990 --> 01:00:37,430
but I think if we come together in that spirit of what's best for

1106
01:00:37,790 --> 01:00:38,230
children,

1107
01:00:39,110 --> 01:00:42,570
we can get it right. The majority of those

1108
01:00:42,690 --> 01:00:46,230
details are falling within the implementation,

1109
01:00:46,550 --> 01:00:50,370
not the framework. So I've kind of put a graphic together here

1110
01:00:50,380 --> 01:00:54,160
about what's included in the implementation

1111
01:00:54,230 --> 01:00:57,870
decisions. And in fact, some of the key concerns that

1112
01:00:57,970 --> 01:01:01,510
stakeholders have raised, that the department has, that you, the board,

1113
01:01:01,630 --> 01:01:04,690
have about how we will roll this out,

1114
01:01:05,510 --> 01:01:09,270
are waiting on approval of the framework to proceed

1115
01:01:10,320 --> 01:01:10,620
So,

1116
01:01:11,900 --> 01:01:13,840
what all is involved in implementation?

1117
01:01:14,820 --> 01:01:17,120
You see a reflection of the activities.

1118
01:01:17,280 --> 01:01:20,880
Some are already underway. They'll happen concurrently, some

1119
01:01:20,920 --> 01:01:23,860
sequentially. They fall outside the framework.

1120
01:01:24,280 --> 01:01:28,160
Most of them need approval of that framework to begin before we

1121
01:01:28,200 --> 01:01:29,860
can complete and proceed.

1122
01:01:31,770 --> 01:01:35,540
The weighting and grading scale are needed, that's the

1123
01:01:35,560 --> 01:01:38,920
framework, in order to construct the technical guide and the scoring

1124
01:01:39,000 --> 01:01:42,900
references, so we can share them with the field and create the final data

1125
01:01:43,000 --> 01:01:46,790
models. It's also necessary for the technical programming and

1126
01:01:46,860 --> 01:01:50,660
data that our contractors and our partners are working on for

1127
01:01:50,760 --> 01:01:54,740
us. And together, these are going to help inform the conversations with

1128
01:01:54,820 --> 01:01:58,800
stakeholders over the actual calculations and provide a basis

1129
01:01:58,860 --> 01:02:02,400
for messaging resources. And the

1130
01:02:02,440 --> 01:02:06,390
implementation, of course, also includes those decisions about how

1131
01:02:06,440 --> 01:02:09,440
and when to publish the data.

1132
01:02:12,360 --> 01:02:16,180
So last month, we brought you some decision points

1133
01:02:16,260 --> 01:02:17,960
for your discussion.

1134
01:02:19,340 --> 01:02:22,630
Only one was about the framework. The other two were really

1135
01:02:22,660 --> 01:02:26,580
implementation decisions. And here's an outline

1136
01:02:26,640 --> 01:02:30,530
of an update on those and a couple of other implementation decision points.

1137
01:02:32,660 --> 01:02:36,550
We want to share where we are with these items right now, and that

1138
01:02:36,580 --> 01:02:39,760
these decisions were informed by your

1139
01:02:39,800 --> 01:02:43,780
concerns expressed to us last month,

1140
01:02:44,780 --> 01:02:48,750
by stakeholder input, analysis, consultation with technical advisors,

1141
01:02:49,200 --> 01:02:52,860
and discussion with the governor's office about their

1142
01:02:52,900 --> 01:02:56,800
priorities and intent. So, should all

1143
01:02:56,840 --> 01:03:00,440
schools receive a grade card? We talked about this

1144
01:03:00,600 --> 01:03:03,600
last time. It's important for us to consider

1145
01:03:03,660 --> 01:03:07,400
whether there's enough data to produce a

1146
01:03:07,500 --> 01:03:11,320
meaningful grade assignment, and that really speaks to the

1147
01:03:11,360 --> 01:03:14,860
validity of the report. So, grades won't be

1148
01:03:14,900 --> 01:03:18,700
produced for schools that don't meet minimum data thresholds.

1149
01:03:19,680 --> 01:03:23,369
And we expect a very small number of schools to fall into

1150
01:03:23,420 --> 01:03:24,350
this category.

1151
01:03:25,880 --> 01:03:29,070
Should growth to proficiency include already proficient schools?

1152
01:03:29,640 --> 01:03:33,140
So, our measure will include student scores across all

1153
01:03:33,220 --> 01:03:36,810
performance levels. It uses a value table or

1154
01:03:36,920 --> 01:03:40,460
value ladder approach that recognizes

1155
01:03:40,560 --> 01:03:44,320
movement within and out of the lowest levels, below

1156
01:03:44,360 --> 01:03:47,960
basic and basic, and it acknowledges larger

1157
01:03:48,000 --> 01:03:51,400
gains in performance. It

1158
01:03:51,460 --> 01:03:55,260
recognizes sustained proficiency and also

1159
01:03:55,300 --> 01:03:58,440
encourages progression to advanced, and it

1160
01:03:58,500 --> 01:04:02,060
rewards explicit attention to students who

1161
01:04:02,120 --> 01:04:04,220
begin the farthest behind.

1162
01:04:06,680 --> 01:04:10,380
Should the framework adjust for demographic characteristics? Okay.

1163
01:04:10,420 --> 01:04:14,230
The framework itself does not include such an adjustment,

1164
01:04:14,720 --> 01:04:18,260
and we discussed this last time. But it is important to

1165
01:04:18,340 --> 01:04:21,980
understand that the value-added growth and the growth to

1166
01:04:22,000 --> 01:04:25,980
proficiency measures capture improvement along

1167
01:04:26,020 --> 01:04:29,600
the proficiency scale, no matter where the students begin

1168
01:04:29,700 --> 01:04:32,580
or what their demographic characteristics.

1169
01:04:34,160 --> 01:04:36,440
What their economic status is, for example.

1170
01:04:37,460 --> 01:04:41,160
We know that together with academic achievement, these

1171
01:04:41,420 --> 01:04:45,360
growth and improvement measures, which the executive order asked us

1172
01:04:45,380 --> 01:04:46,260
to emphasize.

1173
01:04:47,660 --> 01:04:50,800
These provide a more complete picture of student performance.

1174
01:04:50,980 --> 01:04:52,940
One alone is not enough.

1175
01:04:53,940 --> 01:04:57,620
It helps give us an understanding of schools' contributions to student

1176
01:04:57,700 --> 01:05:01,540
learning and a clear picture of whether students are gaining

1177
01:05:01,610 --> 01:05:03,720
the knowledge and the skills that they need.

1178
01:05:05,240 --> 01:05:07,360
Okay. When will literacy be included?

1179
01:05:09,120 --> 01:05:12,740
Literacy will not show up in the grade cards until the '26,

1180
01:05:12,770 --> 01:05:14,980
'27 grade cards are produced.

1181
01:05:16,000 --> 01:05:18,160
And will the statewide test windows change?

1182
01:05:18,840 --> 01:05:22,380
Well, as I said earlier, the point of our work is to do what's best for

1183
01:05:22,440 --> 01:05:26,280
students, and we all agree that preserving instructional time

1184
01:05:26,380 --> 01:05:30,280
is in their best interest. So, the statewide assessment windows

1185
01:05:30,580 --> 01:05:32,920
will not be shortened.

1186
01:05:35,980 --> 01:05:36,340
Okay.

1187
01:05:38,060 --> 01:05:42,050
So, implementation begins after approval of

1188
01:05:42,080 --> 01:05:46,060
the framework. The framework, which we're going to go through

1189
01:05:46,140 --> 01:05:49,480
what that is, is the grading structures.

1190
01:05:49,780 --> 01:05:53,000
And so, it's high-level weighting and the grading scale.

1191
01:05:53,260 --> 01:05:54,300
That's the framework.

1192
01:05:56,060 --> 01:05:59,740
But approval of that allows us to go to the

1193
01:05:59,800 --> 01:06:03,700
next step. So, we can create the final technical guide, provide

1194
01:06:03,720 --> 01:06:07,660
detailed calculations for review, then that would allow our

1195
01:06:07,720 --> 01:06:11,500
partners and vendors to produce the data that we can provide

1196
01:06:11,880 --> 01:06:15,760
to schools and districts. We can continue those

1197
01:06:15,800 --> 01:06:19,720
stakeholder discussions that inform whether the calculations

1198
01:06:19,800 --> 01:06:23,700
function the way we intended them to, whether we've

1199
01:06:23,720 --> 01:06:27,580
made a mistake. Sometimes that happens, and we need to correct a mistake

1200
01:06:27,660 --> 01:06:28,780
if we make a mistake.

1201
01:06:30,240 --> 01:06:33,540
So, that will help us find where adjustments may be necessary.

1202
01:06:33,880 --> 01:06:36,450
During that period, we will also

1203
01:06:37,100 --> 01:06:41,080
continue refining and completing communication support

1204
01:06:41,100 --> 01:06:43,980
resources and collaborative messaging.

1205
01:06:44,400 --> 01:06:48,200
Ideally, we speak with one voice on the meaning of these

1206
01:06:49,220 --> 01:06:52,800
grade cards, the board, the department, and the field.

1207
01:06:54,520 --> 01:06:58,500
And engaging parents and families on the usability

1208
01:06:58,640 --> 01:07:02,310
and design features, preparing and reviewing the

1209
01:07:02,400 --> 01:07:06,380
data before we publish it, and then ultimately publishing those

1210
01:07:06,400 --> 01:07:07,199
grade cards.

1211
01:07:08,680 --> 01:07:12,000
This rollout allows us to provide the preliminary

1212
01:07:12,060 --> 01:07:15,952
information Explain the calculations, the underlying measures,

1213
01:07:17,052 --> 01:07:20,892
create opportunities for folks to ask questions, and help

1214
01:07:20,912 --> 01:07:23,712
build understanding and trust in the system.

1215
01:07:30,012 --> 01:07:33,412
So literally, what does this look like in timing?

1216
01:07:34,672 --> 01:07:38,272
We're looking at the coming weeks, being able to produce a

1217
01:07:38,332 --> 01:07:39,302
technical guide,

1218
01:07:40,412 --> 01:07:44,162
and zero in on providing preliminary

1219
01:07:44,212 --> 01:07:46,712
data to schools and districts.

1220
01:07:47,852 --> 01:07:48,732
And at present,

1221
01:07:49,692 --> 01:07:51,272
we are

1222
01:07:52,072 --> 01:07:55,512
targeting a public look at the

1223
01:07:55,522 --> 01:07:59,462
'24/'25 grade cards after that stakeholder

1224
01:07:59,532 --> 01:08:02,272
engagement, discussion, and refinement

1225
01:08:02,312 --> 01:08:03,652
period.

1226
01:08:05,212 --> 01:08:06,052
Okay.

1227
01:08:06,092 --> 01:08:06,972
We have a question here.

1228
01:08:07,912 --> 01:08:11,012
Yeah. Can you go back to that slide?

1229
01:08:12,052 --> 01:08:14,872
What is the timeline for this? There's no dates on here.

1230
01:08:15,312 --> 01:08:18,992
Right. There's no dates, where we have some general

1231
01:08:20,112 --> 01:08:23,892
information from our partners and vendors that are leading

1232
01:08:23,952 --> 01:08:27,612
us to believe the earliest we can do that grade card release would be

1233
01:08:27,972 --> 01:08:31,952
the public release, so all the way up to the right, would be the middle of

1234
01:08:32,012 --> 01:08:32,652
November.

1235
01:08:35,672 --> 01:08:35,932
Okay.

1236
01:08:36,182 --> 01:08:36,913
At the earliest.

1237
01:08:37,972 --> 01:08:41,672
Now, that would include a multi-week period of

1238
01:08:41,732 --> 01:08:45,172
time to have the data in the

1239
01:08:45,253 --> 01:08:48,932
hands of schools and districts, their local data,

1240
01:08:49,432 --> 01:08:52,922
and also, at the same time, for them to have

1241
01:08:52,952 --> 01:08:56,492
information about the detailed calculations that are

1242
01:08:56,532 --> 01:08:58,532
involved in creating these grades.

1243
01:08:59,032 --> 01:09:01,192
And again, this would be the earliest.

1244
01:09:01,713 --> 01:09:01,873
Yes.

1245
01:09:01,892 --> 01:09:04,333
This is Casey. Okay, I'm sorry. Follow up. Yeah.

1246
01:09:04,392 --> 01:09:04,532
That

1247
01:09:06,192 --> 01:09:10,012
timeline doesn't match what was in the materials that we've been looking at in

1248
01:09:10,052 --> 01:09:10,352
this

1249
01:09:11,793 --> 01:09:14,432
framework. I think it's page seven of

1250
01:09:15,972 --> 01:09:16,413
our

1251
01:09:17,873 --> 01:09:21,672
A through F framework presentation that was presented on June 30th.

1252
01:09:22,632 --> 01:09:24,032
The response to the governor?

1253
01:09:24,172 --> 01:09:25,012
Yes.

1254
01:09:25,043 --> 01:09:28,972
Yes. You are

1255
01:09:29,032 --> 01:09:29,452
correct.

1256
01:09:30,472 --> 01:09:34,192
That's why I think, is that where the confusion is about the release?

1257
01:09:34,312 --> 01:09:37,873
Because that timeline, that's way sooner than what this says.

1258
01:09:38,312 --> 01:09:38,612
So,

1259
01:09:39,413 --> 01:09:42,793
initially we were planning a release in the

1260
01:09:42,913 --> 01:09:45,352
spring of 2027 using

1261
01:09:45,361 --> 01:09:49,213
'25/'26 data. We

1262
01:09:49,253 --> 01:09:52,772
had heard concerns that it would be important to

1263
01:09:52,793 --> 01:09:56,612
provide some sort of public preview, public look at

1264
01:09:56,652 --> 01:10:00,572
the grade card data this fall, so that would be

1265
01:10:00,652 --> 01:10:04,512
a look back at '24/'25 data. That is what we

1266
01:10:04,552 --> 01:10:06,372
could produce this fall.

1267
01:10:06,812 --> 01:10:10,592
Who brought those concerns up? Because it sounds like we're getting the opposite-

1268
01:10:10,641 --> 01:10:10,712
Yeah, no

1269
01:10:10,852 --> 01:10:11,361
... reaction here.

1270
01:10:11,372 --> 01:10:11,991
Hang on a second.

1271
01:10:13,132 --> 01:10:15,032
Do you have a response to his question?

1272
01:10:16,092 --> 01:10:16,872
Kind of, yeah.

1273
01:10:17,772 --> 01:10:20,072
No, I think what you're getting at, but I think

1274
01:10:21,212 --> 01:10:24,912
it would be beneficial if we went through the framework and

1275
01:10:25,372 --> 01:10:27,902
made sure we all had clarity and understanding on

1276
01:10:29,792 --> 01:10:33,732
the A to F framework and then the overall plan, and then we can come back and talk

1277
01:10:33,812 --> 01:10:36,861
about how does all that timing work, but making sure

1278
01:10:37,652 --> 01:10:41,572
we're discussing the timing after we're confident

1279
01:10:41,712 --> 01:10:43,012
about the details.

1280
01:10:44,512 --> 01:10:45,492
That's fine. Yeah.

1281
01:10:48,612 --> 01:10:51,332
Okay. So, we'll move forward and-

1282
01:10:51,832 --> 01:10:53,192
But come back to this one

1283
01:10:53,332 --> 01:10:55,572
... and we can come back to the timing, and yes,

1284
01:10:57,312 --> 01:11:00,372
Vice President Otto, you are correct in that this would

1285
01:11:00,432 --> 01:11:04,292
be looking at '24/'25 data in a

1286
01:11:04,332 --> 01:11:05,232
public view,

1287
01:11:06,232 --> 01:11:09,452
would be a new addition to that plan.

1288
01:11:12,292 --> 01:11:15,802
Okay. So, we're going to go through this rather

1289
01:11:15,912 --> 01:11:19,852
quickly. Please stop me if you would like more detail.

1290
01:11:20,372 --> 01:11:21,752
We've seen this before.

1291
01:11:23,092 --> 01:11:26,832
So, the framework consists of four pieces.

1292
01:11:27,232 --> 01:11:30,092
This is the K through eight school structure.

1293
01:11:32,312 --> 01:11:35,652
This would apply to in the neighborhood of

1294
01:11:35,732 --> 01:11:39,712
1,600 schools in Missouri that serve

1295
01:11:39,792 --> 01:11:43,042
students in grades kindergarten through eight.

1296
01:11:43,692 --> 01:11:47,292
So, a variety of different grade configurations.

1297
01:11:47,672 --> 01:11:51,492
There are about five dozen different grade configurations in this

1298
01:11:51,572 --> 01:11:52,312
category.

1299
01:11:53,712 --> 01:11:54,062
And

1300
01:11:55,272 --> 01:11:58,192
the executive order requires these three

1301
01:11:59,472 --> 01:12:03,132
categories in the grade card, the academic achievement, the

1302
01:12:03,212 --> 01:12:05,912
value-added growth, and the growth to proficiency.

1303
01:12:12,012 --> 01:12:15,712
The second piece of the framework is the structure for high

1304
01:12:15,832 --> 01:12:19,812
schools, and here we're looking at about 500 schools.

1305
01:12:19,952 --> 01:12:23,932
The number of schools is going to vary from year to year just because

1306
01:12:24,052 --> 01:12:24,532
districts,

1307
01:12:25,852 --> 01:12:29,262
they have construction projects, they do changes, they may change grade

1308
01:12:29,332 --> 01:12:30,412
configurations,

1309
01:12:31,692 --> 01:12:34,812
expand and contract the number of schools.

1310
01:12:34,912 --> 01:12:38,552
And here we see all these items are in blue,

1311
01:12:38,772 --> 01:12:42,132
so as I mentioned before, each of these four

1312
01:12:42,252 --> 01:12:45,772
elements are data elements that we already

1313
01:12:46,212 --> 01:12:50,152
collect, report, and use in other

1314
01:12:50,272 --> 01:12:50,692
ways.

1315
01:12:52,712 --> 01:12:56,672
And then, here's a look at how this would all roll

1316
01:12:56,912 --> 01:12:59,372
up into the district grades.

1317
01:13:00,272 --> 01:13:03,912
And again, here's how that distribution would fall out on the

1318
01:13:03,972 --> 01:13:07,312
right-hand side for school districts that have

1319
01:13:07,452 --> 01:13:10,252
students in all grades.

1320
01:13:12,032 --> 01:13:15,472
And we know that not every district is the same

1321
01:13:16,772 --> 01:13:18,512
And we're talking about 500

1322
01:13:19,692 --> 01:13:20,652
district and

1323
01:13:21,492 --> 01:13:22,672
charter LEA,

1324
01:13:23,492 --> 01:13:26,412
public charter LEA. So we're talking about

1325
01:13:26,672 --> 01:13:30,532
552 approximately of those that we would

1326
01:13:30,592 --> 01:13:31,472
see grades for.

1327
01:13:33,412 --> 01:13:37,012
And then the final piece of the framework

1328
01:13:37,612 --> 01:13:41,232
is the grading scale. And you've seen this before.

1329
01:13:41,272 --> 01:13:45,112
This has not changed since we discussed this at the

1330
01:13:45,192 --> 01:13:47,452
August 18th meeting.

1331
01:13:49,271 --> 01:13:53,112
So here, taken all together, those four pieces

1332
01:13:53,192 --> 01:13:57,112
are the framework that we are asking you to approve so that we can

1333
01:13:57,152 --> 01:13:57,832
proceed

1334
01:13:58,912 --> 01:14:02,112
with the detailed development and the next steps of the

1335
01:14:02,172 --> 01:14:05,932
implementation. And I'm certainly

1336
01:14:06,052 --> 01:14:09,892
happy to answer any questions that you may have.

1337
01:14:12,072 --> 01:14:14,172
Dr. Pries, would you like to add anything

1338
01:14:14,992 --> 01:14:15,552
at this point?

1339
01:14:16,892 --> 01:14:20,792
I don't think I have anything too specific to add unless you had questions.

1340
01:14:20,872 --> 01:14:22,272
Just to reiterate both what

1341
01:14:23,132 --> 01:14:26,992
Deputy Commissioner Serino is saying and our colleagues that came before

1342
01:14:27,052 --> 01:14:30,792
her, I think a lot of people have been putting a lot of time and effort

1343
01:14:30,832 --> 01:14:34,512
into this, and we just are really trying hard to do it right.

1344
01:14:36,192 --> 01:14:40,112
So that's all I have to add, I

1345
01:14:40,172 --> 01:14:40,492
guess.

1346
01:14:40,992 --> 01:14:41,312
Thank you.

1347
01:14:42,852 --> 01:14:45,112
So could I ask, do you believe in it, the process?

1348
01:14:45,192 --> 01:14:46,602
You're

1349
01:14:47,832 --> 01:14:51,262
the Commissioner of Education right now, and so my question is...

1350
01:14:52,312 --> 01:14:56,182
I believe that this is a charge that we have been given, and we can

1351
01:14:56,212 --> 01:14:59,312
make something good out of it. We can find a way to use it.

1352
01:14:59,352 --> 01:15:03,072
We've talked a lot about how we can use this to improve our school

1353
01:15:03,112 --> 01:15:07,092
improvement work, how we can really use it to

1354
01:15:07,152 --> 01:15:10,972
highlight schools that are doing well and support the ones that aren't doing as

1355
01:15:11,012 --> 01:15:14,992
well. One of the big things that I think has come out of this conversation

1356
01:15:15,032 --> 01:15:18,132
is the importance around the messaging, and that was one of the things that I first

1357
01:15:18,152 --> 01:15:19,402
picked up on is that

1358
01:15:20,992 --> 01:15:24,851
we are layering this on top of the MSIP APR and the ESSA

1359
01:15:24,972 --> 01:15:28,432
identification. So, parents and

1360
01:15:29,672 --> 01:15:33,632
the public are seeing lots of different ways that we are putting

1361
01:15:33,672 --> 01:15:37,632
out information about schools, and we want that to be as consistent as we can

1362
01:15:37,732 --> 01:15:40,372
be even though they are doing different things.

1363
01:15:40,402 --> 01:15:44,201
And that's why I think we were talking earlier about the

1364
01:15:44,232 --> 01:15:47,492
pieces that also show up in the APR, the

1365
01:15:47,552 --> 01:15:50,102
achievement and the value-added growth.

1366
01:15:50,512 --> 01:15:54,412
We have tried as much as possible to keep that consistent with the way that those

1367
01:15:54,432 --> 01:15:58,032
things are scored in the annual performance report, so

1368
01:15:58,112 --> 01:16:01,672
that schools don't see their scores in the APR

1369
01:16:02,872 --> 01:16:06,652
earn them this rating, and then those exact same scores in a

1370
01:16:06,672 --> 01:16:09,912
different format earn them something else. So we've tried really hard.

1371
01:16:09,972 --> 01:16:13,742
That's why you see, you wonder 38% is kind of an odd number,

1372
01:16:13,752 --> 01:16:17,122
but it has to do with the way that those things are scored in the annual

1373
01:16:17,132 --> 01:16:21,032
performance report. So I think I feel good about where

1374
01:16:21,072 --> 01:16:22,592
the framework is right now.

1375
01:16:24,412 --> 01:16:28,352
If I'm being candid, I

1376
01:16:28,392 --> 01:16:31,292
think there are some things that we would still like to work through

1377
01:16:32,112 --> 01:16:35,832
with our colleagues, and nobody has been taking this lightly

1378
01:16:36,072 --> 01:16:36,432
or

1379
01:16:37,992 --> 01:16:40,132
messing around with it or anything like that.

1380
01:16:40,172 --> 01:16:43,612
These people have been working as frantically as possible

1381
01:16:43,752 --> 01:16:47,532
ever since I have come on board, and I know they were for months ahead of that.

1382
01:16:48,052 --> 01:16:52,012
So probably to the neglect of some other things that we would normally be

1383
01:16:52,052 --> 01:16:52,852
doing. But

1384
01:16:53,692 --> 01:16:57,672
again, we will work as hard as we can, as fast as

1385
01:16:57,712 --> 01:17:01,632
we can, but we want to feel like we are putting out something that is good and

1386
01:17:01,692 --> 01:17:02,282
meaningful.

1387
01:17:03,212 --> 01:17:06,972
Certainly. Now, when the gentleman sat before us here, they were

1388
01:17:07,042 --> 01:17:09,892
saying that they wish to work with us on this endeavor.

1389
01:17:10,012 --> 01:17:12,032
And do you believe that's what has occurred?

1390
01:17:12,972 --> 01:17:13,352
Yes.

1391
01:17:13,552 --> 01:17:15,492
I was going to say, I've actually talked to all of them, I think-

1392
01:17:15,532 --> 01:17:15,792
Okay

1393
01:17:15,872 --> 01:17:19,312
... pretty recently, and several other folks in the field too, so.

1394
01:17:19,612 --> 01:17:19,812
Okay.

1395
01:17:20,672 --> 01:17:22,252
Very good. Mrs. Casey.

1396
01:17:22,632 --> 01:17:23,712
Great. Thank you, President

1397
01:17:24,832 --> 01:17:28,772
Miller. So thank you, Lisa, for providing all this detail.

1398
01:17:28,832 --> 01:17:31,192
If you'd go back to just the last slide, I think,

1399
01:17:32,912 --> 01:17:36,772
in general. So just to recap for clarity for

1400
01:17:36,782 --> 01:17:37,252
myself,

1401
01:17:39,382 --> 01:17:41,992
the first concern that was raised

1402
01:17:42,032 --> 01:17:45,952
in general through many

1403
01:17:45,972 --> 01:17:48,432
mechanisms as well as the last presentation,

1404
01:17:49,252 --> 01:17:53,172
was that concern about, call it the calculations, the

1405
01:17:53,272 --> 01:17:57,052
technical details. You raised it, it was one of your most common

1406
01:17:57,532 --> 01:17:58,592
points of feedback.

1407
01:17:59,952 --> 01:18:01,432
And what you're saying is,

1408
01:18:03,392 --> 01:18:06,712
based on all the feedback you've already received, the work that's been done by the

1409
01:18:06,752 --> 01:18:10,632
department, this is now part of, but more

1410
01:18:10,872 --> 01:18:13,132
a significant part of the technical details.

1411
01:18:14,212 --> 01:18:17,842
And that running now the data with this

1412
01:18:17,872 --> 01:18:20,952
decision made, should we decide on this and approve it today,

1413
01:18:22,632 --> 01:18:24,852
that you'll be able to produce the technical guide

1414
01:18:25,672 --> 01:18:29,552
and produce the pilot data, or I'd call it

1415
01:18:29,592 --> 01:18:32,092
the embargo data, because I think it is important.

1416
01:18:33,092 --> 01:18:36,872
That is the request and has been the plan of the department all along,

1417
01:18:36,952 --> 01:18:39,852
even part of the executive order that we would produce embargo

1418
01:18:39,892 --> 01:18:42,972
data. So that data would

1419
01:18:43,032 --> 01:18:46,762
be presented at a certain point, we'll go back to the timeline,

1420
01:18:47,292 --> 01:18:48,522
to the districts

1421
01:18:49,412 --> 01:18:53,362
for all of the additional feedback sessions, for the work that

1422
01:18:53,372 --> 01:18:56,702
each district would be able to do with it, running their own models,

1423
01:18:57,152 --> 01:18:58,592
delving into the data. I think,

1424
01:18:59,512 --> 01:19:03,372
Matt, you mentioned that the data's already been

1425
01:19:04,192 --> 01:19:08,052
reviewed. It's old data, so we're not expecting to find inaccuracies,

1426
01:19:08,152 --> 01:19:12,112
but at the same time, all of that due diligence work will be able

1427
01:19:12,252 --> 01:19:16,212
to be done by the districts in collaboration

1428
01:19:16,272 --> 01:19:17,132
with the department.

1429
01:19:18,224 --> 01:19:20,124
And that is the plan?

1430
01:19:20,204 --> 01:19:20,824
That is correct.

1431
01:19:20,904 --> 01:19:24,074
Okay. During that time, back to this, if,

1432
01:19:24,844 --> 01:19:28,304
for whatever reason, the great work of Matt and

1433
01:19:28,404 --> 01:19:31,564
others that are well-versed in data analysis

1434
01:19:32,284 --> 01:19:34,544
suggests a change to this,

1435
01:19:35,804 --> 01:19:37,484
by us approving it today,

1436
01:19:39,244 --> 01:19:41,944
it does not mean that it's cast in stone.

1437
01:19:42,024 --> 01:19:44,394
It allows you to move forward, but if there's

1438
01:19:45,244 --> 01:19:48,424
proper justification and reason,

1439
01:19:49,184 --> 01:19:53,164
you would come back to us and we would make an adjustment if it

1440
01:19:53,204 --> 01:19:56,564
was identified that one was needed or recommended, and we'd be able to

1441
01:19:56,604 --> 01:19:57,564
reconsider that.

1442
01:19:58,884 --> 01:20:02,244
Yes. If the department determined

1443
01:20:02,304 --> 01:20:06,144
through this process that these relative weightings

1444
01:20:06,184 --> 01:20:08,804
were for some reason

1445
01:20:09,464 --> 01:20:11,644
creating an inaccurate picture-

1446
01:20:11,764 --> 01:20:11,794
Mm-hmm

1447
01:20:11,824 --> 01:20:14,024
... or for some other reason did not work,

1448
01:20:15,144 --> 01:20:18,104
then we would come back to you with a request to

1449
01:20:19,584 --> 01:20:20,804
modify the framework.

1450
01:20:20,884 --> 01:20:23,284
And I'm not assuming that that will happen.

1451
01:20:23,364 --> 01:20:26,984
I think you've done your work as best you could, as the

1452
01:20:27,024 --> 01:20:30,044
commissioner mentioned, with the feedback to

1453
01:20:32,364 --> 01:20:35,924
present what you believe now is the best

1454
01:20:36,424 --> 01:20:37,304
recommendation.

1455
01:20:39,304 --> 01:20:42,964
One of the concerns that has been raised along the way has

1456
01:20:43,004 --> 01:20:46,744
been poverty, and I think you do address that in

1457
01:20:46,784 --> 01:20:49,154
general, but could you speak to how

1458
01:20:51,804 --> 01:20:52,434
poverty,

1459
01:20:53,414 --> 01:20:54,824
there's no explicit

1460
01:20:55,764 --> 01:20:59,354
measure or weight given to students of poverty,

1461
01:20:59,884 --> 01:21:02,444
but there is a recognition. In fact,

1462
01:21:03,264 --> 01:21:06,974
if schools, districts are, as the

1463
01:21:07,004 --> 01:21:10,464
leaders that they are, doing the job that they've been striving to do,

1464
01:21:10,984 --> 01:21:14,624
those schools with greater numbers of children with

1465
01:21:14,704 --> 01:21:17,824
poverty will excel under this model of

1466
01:21:17,844 --> 01:21:21,704
recognition for the fact that that's where the significant amount

1467
01:21:21,824 --> 01:21:25,744
of growth to proficiency will be. Am I following that correctly?

1468
01:21:25,784 --> 01:21:28,844
So, it will follow the numbers, right?

1469
01:21:29,424 --> 01:21:30,084
What I

1470
01:21:31,784 --> 01:21:35,584
will say, the value-added growth is an

1471
01:21:35,644 --> 01:21:39,624
important... It's well-vetted, well-researched,

1472
01:21:40,244 --> 01:21:43,604
peer-reviewed, nationally and internationally recognized

1473
01:21:45,004 --> 01:21:48,744
as a valid model for measuring

1474
01:21:48,754 --> 01:21:49,764
student growth

1475
01:21:50,644 --> 01:21:54,224
at the individual student level, no matter where the

1476
01:21:54,284 --> 01:21:58,124
student starts. And when you actually then run those

1477
01:21:58,144 --> 01:21:58,874
measures,

1478
01:22:00,724 --> 01:22:04,664
you see that there no longer then is a relationship between

1479
01:22:04,724 --> 01:22:08,204
the measure and poverty. Right? So that

1480
01:22:08,304 --> 01:22:12,164
students anywhere along that continuum, the

1481
01:22:12,224 --> 01:22:15,634
socioeconomic continuum, can show growth,

1482
01:22:16,284 --> 01:22:18,704
meet or exceed their growth expectations.

1483
01:22:19,664 --> 01:22:23,464
We've worked with the same set of researchers to

1484
01:22:23,544 --> 01:22:24,393
help vet

1485
01:22:25,484 --> 01:22:29,024
a number, to look at a number of different

1486
01:22:29,084 --> 01:22:31,914
methodologies for growth to proficiency.

1487
01:22:33,284 --> 01:22:37,053
And we have come to a model that

1488
01:22:37,144 --> 01:22:40,664
also allows us to show improvement toward

1489
01:22:40,764 --> 01:22:44,624
proficiency for all students. And in the way

1490
01:22:44,724 --> 01:22:46,104
that we are scoring it,

1491
01:22:47,284 --> 01:22:51,144
we're providing extra recognition

1492
01:22:51,524 --> 01:22:55,084
for students who move the most, and

1493
01:22:55,224 --> 01:22:58,264
also extra recognition or

1494
01:22:58,324 --> 01:23:01,744
attention for improvement of those students at the

1495
01:23:01,784 --> 01:23:03,344
very lowest

1496
01:23:04,144 --> 01:23:05,664
end of the range. Again,

1497
01:23:06,484 --> 01:23:09,784
independent of demographic information.

1498
01:23:11,964 --> 01:23:14,064
So, I'll just wrap up on this one point.

1499
01:23:14,144 --> 01:23:17,644
So to go back, the first concern was that there be a pilot.

1500
01:23:17,934 --> 01:23:21,414
Yes, there will be. We'll go back and talk about the specific dates

1501
01:23:21,464 --> 01:23:25,304
and go over that, but there will be an embargoed period

1502
01:23:25,344 --> 01:23:28,324
in which all of the districts will have the data

1503
01:23:28,464 --> 01:23:31,784
internally to work within their teams and in

1504
01:23:31,884 --> 01:23:35,604
collaboration with DESE, which will build on the feedback that we've been getting

1505
01:23:35,624 --> 01:23:37,324
for months along this

1506
01:23:38,464 --> 01:23:39,164
timeline here.

1507
01:23:40,024 --> 01:23:41,444
You've addressed that literacy,

1508
01:23:42,524 --> 01:23:42,684
as

1509
01:23:43,544 --> 01:23:47,004
was recommended, will not be included until '26, '27.

1510
01:23:48,924 --> 01:23:52,784
Alignment with the instructional time, the assessment alignment has

1511
01:23:52,824 --> 01:23:56,504
been addressed, and that is confirmed, because I think that was the question.

1512
01:23:56,864 --> 01:23:58,924
You wanted assurance that it was confirmed.

1513
01:23:59,564 --> 01:24:03,084
And then the time for data validation, which ties back to the

1514
01:24:03,124 --> 01:24:07,004
embargoed period, will be there, albeit we need to talk about what that length of

1515
01:24:07,044 --> 01:24:10,824
time is. But we have addressed the four concerns that were

1516
01:24:10,864 --> 01:24:11,264
raised.

1517
01:24:12,024 --> 01:24:12,504
I believe so.

1518
01:24:13,384 --> 01:24:15,104
Okay. Wanted to clarify. Thank you.

1519
01:24:15,664 --> 01:24:16,124
I have something.

1520
01:24:16,184 --> 01:24:16,304
Barry.

1521
01:24:17,364 --> 01:24:20,324
Yes, and thank you, Lisa, and gentlemen as well.

1522
01:24:21,984 --> 01:24:24,144
It sounds like there's

1523
01:24:26,384 --> 01:24:29,964
the ability for everyone to work

1524
01:24:30,024 --> 01:24:32,184
together, seemingly with

1525
01:24:33,644 --> 01:24:37,004
accountability not being something that anyone is running from.

1526
01:24:37,504 --> 01:24:38,504
It sounds like

1527
01:24:41,604 --> 01:24:45,204
most folks are just asking for the opportunity to have it

1528
01:24:45,244 --> 01:24:49,164
extremely clarified and be able to

1529
01:24:49,244 --> 01:24:52,084
evaluate what's happening within their own ecosystem-

1530
01:24:52,144 --> 01:24:52,474
Mm-hmm

1531
01:24:52,474 --> 01:24:56,404
... and be given the opportunity to address what they

1532
01:24:56,424 --> 01:24:57,144
need to address

1533
01:24:59,404 --> 01:25:00,504
in order to

1534
01:25:01,484 --> 01:25:04,424
ultimately and positively help the outcome of the children.

1535
01:25:06,064 --> 01:25:09,584
When I look at us voting on the framework,

1536
01:25:10,144 --> 01:25:12,604
it seems like, and please correct me if I'm wrong,

1537
01:25:13,464 --> 01:25:16,064
but in order to go on to ask

1538
01:25:17,764 --> 01:25:21,724
the questions that may help design, we

1539
01:25:21,804 --> 01:25:24,344
need to have a framework in place.

1540
01:25:25,204 --> 01:25:25,224
I-

1541
01:25:26,104 --> 01:25:29,464
Why wouldn't we be able to have a pilot in

1542
01:25:29,504 --> 01:25:33,484
place first to avoid the

1543
01:25:33,544 --> 01:25:36,444
unintended consequences that we don't know?

1544
01:25:37,824 --> 01:25:41,684
It seems like we're handling an

1545
01:25:41,983 --> 01:25:43,844
extremely sensitive

1546
01:25:44,844 --> 01:25:47,744
situation here, and I think that

1547
01:25:49,224 --> 01:25:52,334
we should look at the whole picture

1548
01:25:53,724 --> 01:25:57,444
and have complete clarity, understand what it's going to look like

1549
01:25:58,043 --> 01:25:59,564
in schools, without. I

1550
01:26:00,564 --> 01:26:02,544
guess,

1551
01:26:03,344 --> 01:26:05,544
why wouldn't we be able to do that?

1552
01:26:07,924 --> 01:26:08,104
But

1553
01:26:09,064 --> 01:26:11,654
isn't that doing that now, what you're-

1554
01:26:11,684 --> 01:26:11,824
So-

1555
01:26:11,873 --> 01:26:12,364
... recommending?

1556
01:26:12,904 --> 01:26:13,264
You're

1557
01:26:15,684 --> 01:26:19,564
talking about doing that work prior to us asking

1558
01:26:19,624 --> 01:26:21,164
you to approve the framework.

1559
01:26:21,224 --> 01:26:21,554
Correct.

1560
01:26:22,424 --> 01:26:22,684
Yeah.

1561
01:26:22,784 --> 01:26:24,804
As Carrie stated, essentially, if there's an

1562
01:26:25,804 --> 01:26:26,693
instance in which

1563
01:26:28,144 --> 01:26:30,054
there are questions raised around the framework and

1564
01:26:30,104 --> 01:26:33,624
it's brought back to the board to

1565
01:26:34,084 --> 01:26:34,564
vote,

1566
01:26:37,224 --> 01:26:40,944
the likelihood of that happening are probably extremely

1567
01:26:41,064 --> 01:26:41,464
slim.

1568
01:26:41,884 --> 01:26:42,224
Yeah.

1569
01:26:42,304 --> 01:26:46,124
And so to avoid that, why wouldn't we just roll

1570
01:26:46,224 --> 01:26:47,184
out something

1571
01:26:48,124 --> 01:26:51,984
that is spot on with how it's going

1572
01:26:52,044 --> 01:26:56,004
to look, and identify everything so we

1573
01:26:56,044 --> 01:26:57,384
can get in front of

1574
01:26:58,424 --> 01:26:59,484
things that are incorrect,

1575
01:27:00,484 --> 01:27:03,764
the whole range of what we're look-

1576
01:27:03,884 --> 01:27:04,504
PR,

1577
01:27:05,544 --> 01:27:09,424
students being affected, parents, we know that in-house, and then

1578
01:27:09,564 --> 01:27:13,464
be given the opportunity to, "Here's what we need to adjust.

1579
01:27:14,804 --> 01:27:18,744
We understand what we're bringing to the table, what we're not," and then

1580
01:27:18,784 --> 01:27:21,924
moving forward with a vote to implement that?

1581
01:27:23,384 --> 01:27:23,564
So

1582
01:27:24,924 --> 01:27:28,744
Dr. Pries will be next, Mr. Otto will follow her, and

1583
01:27:28,784 --> 01:27:31,384
then Vincent Schmo will follow John Otto.

1584
01:27:32,344 --> 01:27:32,704
So I

1585
01:27:33,584 --> 01:27:36,664
think we're talking about the same thing, it just depends on how you want to

1586
01:27:36,704 --> 01:27:39,874
approach it. So Elisa is saying,

1587
01:27:40,604 --> 01:27:44,074
approve this framework so we know what we're running calculations based

1588
01:27:44,164 --> 01:27:46,634
on. Right? And so we would do it based on that.

1589
01:27:46,664 --> 01:27:50,464
And then if we determine that this isn't quite right and we need to recommend

1590
01:27:50,524 --> 01:27:52,564
adjustments, we could always come back and do that.

1591
01:27:53,744 --> 01:27:57,644
If you didn't approve the framework at this point, I think what would be fair

1592
01:27:57,654 --> 01:28:01,644
to say that we would do is run our simulations based

1593
01:28:01,704 --> 01:28:05,594
on this, and then as we're doing that, if we decide that

1594
01:28:05,604 --> 01:28:07,244
there need to be adjustments, we would come back to it.

1595
01:28:07,304 --> 01:28:10,304
But we need to know, at the very least, if

1596
01:28:10,544 --> 01:28:14,304
you're talking about postponing an

1597
01:28:14,364 --> 01:28:17,784
approval of the framework, that you understand that this is what we would start

1598
01:28:17,864 --> 01:28:20,484
with, if that makes sense.

1599
01:28:21,744 --> 01:28:22,084
Is that fair?

1600
01:28:22,564 --> 01:28:22,844
Yes.

1601
01:28:22,884 --> 01:28:22,894
Okay.

1602
01:28:22,904 --> 01:28:26,684
And I would also say the reason that we haven't taken

1603
01:28:26,744 --> 01:28:27,684
that approach

1604
01:28:28,704 --> 01:28:32,524
is that then it feels much

1605
01:28:32,564 --> 01:28:36,494
more like speculation then at least we have a basis, right,

1606
01:28:36,494 --> 01:28:37,894
that we're starting from.

1607
01:28:39,304 --> 01:28:42,744
And we're asking you at the policy level to look at the

1608
01:28:42,764 --> 01:28:46,223
relative weightings between and among those

1609
01:28:46,564 --> 01:28:47,424
categories,

1610
01:28:49,024 --> 01:28:50,884
and then approve the grading scale.

1611
01:28:51,574 --> 01:28:55,244
The implementation decisions, lots of the work, the

1612
01:28:55,344 --> 01:28:58,684
detailed calculation work, those are implementation decisions,

1613
01:28:59,744 --> 01:29:03,574
certainly we would share those

1614
01:29:03,584 --> 01:29:07,524
details with you, but not things included in the policy decision that we're

1615
01:29:07,584 --> 01:29:11,404
asking you to make. That's just the rationale for why.

1616
01:29:11,604 --> 01:29:12,044
Okay.

1617
01:29:12,184 --> 01:29:15,564
Again, the process would be very

1618
01:29:15,724 --> 01:29:16,244
similar.

1619
01:29:16,824 --> 01:29:20,344
So if I'm hearing this correctly, it sounds like it's essentially a

1620
01:29:20,744 --> 01:29:23,364
breathing process that will be updated

1621
01:29:24,284 --> 01:29:27,894
as you're building out, and superintendents and schools will have

1622
01:29:27,944 --> 01:29:31,934
the opportunity to provide feedback and what's

1623
01:29:31,984 --> 01:29:35,954
working and what's not working, and then it still be sculpted uniquely around

1624
01:29:35,964 --> 01:29:37,144
that feedback. Is that correct?

1625
01:29:37,364 --> 01:29:37,664
Yes.

1626
01:29:38,904 --> 01:29:39,144
Okay.

1627
01:29:39,564 --> 01:29:39,854
Mr. Otto.

1628
01:29:39,904 --> 01:29:40,164
Thank you.

1629
01:29:40,864 --> 01:29:41,604
Yeah, that's all.

1630
01:29:42,864 --> 01:29:44,604
Just wanted to clarify or follow up on that.

1631
01:29:46,264 --> 01:29:50,164
From my understanding is that we are approving this as

1632
01:29:50,184 --> 01:29:53,944
presented today, and then we have the opportunity to

1633
01:29:54,004 --> 01:29:57,804
make modifications as the test data is coming through, which is why

1634
01:29:57,864 --> 01:29:59,984
I'm more concerned about the timeline and things like that.

1635
01:30:00,044 --> 01:30:00,184
But

1636
01:30:01,044 --> 01:30:02,084
I think at this point,

1637
01:30:02,924 --> 01:30:06,024
it's not set in stone. I think

1638
01:30:06,984 --> 01:30:10,404
Board Member Casey said that, and that's how I understood is that we'll have time

1639
01:30:10,464 --> 01:30:13,204
to, once we actually see what it looks like,

1640
01:30:13,944 --> 01:30:17,544
to make tweaks along the way. Hopefully not significant tweaks, but

1641
01:30:18,284 --> 01:30:22,144
little tweaks here and there to make sure that it's a valid tool for us

1642
01:30:22,184 --> 01:30:22,704
to use

1643
01:30:23,584 --> 01:30:25,364
going forward. That's how I understood it. Is that...

1644
01:30:29,524 --> 01:30:29,614
Yeah.

1645
01:30:29,884 --> 01:30:30,044
All right.

1646
01:30:31,124 --> 01:30:31,564
I agree.

1647
01:30:32,104 --> 01:30:33,084
There's consensus there.

1648
01:30:33,904 --> 01:30:37,404
I think we need to have the question on the floor because we're doing a lot of

1649
01:30:37,444 --> 01:30:38,164
conversation.

1650
01:30:39,284 --> 01:30:39,524
Yeah.

1651
01:30:39,824 --> 01:30:40,884
If you

1652
01:30:41,924 --> 01:30:43,024
would hold off just a sec.

1653
01:30:43,044 --> 01:30:43,484
Sure, yeah.

1654
01:30:44,484 --> 01:30:48,064
So the framework is separate from the implementation and the

1655
01:30:48,104 --> 01:30:48,624
timeline.

1656
01:30:49,464 --> 01:30:50,304
Yes, that is correct.

1657
01:30:50,404 --> 01:30:52,204
Okay. And of the four

1658
01:30:53,224 --> 01:30:57,084
things they discussed was the moving of the test date, and it was

1659
01:30:57,104 --> 01:31:00,984
assured for this test year. Can we build that in the framework that we don't

1660
01:31:01,064 --> 01:31:03,104
intend to move that period?

1661
01:31:03,304 --> 01:31:06,804
It's not part of the framework,

1662
01:31:08,024 --> 01:31:09,624
and I would

1663
01:31:10,504 --> 01:31:11,564
like to

1664
01:31:12,384 --> 01:31:16,304
be able to have some degree of flexibility around the test window

1665
01:31:16,404 --> 01:31:18,874
because circumstances do change from year to year.

1666
01:31:19,464 --> 01:31:23,304
So we have weather events that we might make adjustments to the test

1667
01:31:23,384 --> 01:31:26,844
window. There may be other factors in the testing that

1668
01:31:28,004 --> 01:31:31,444
our assessment section would need to have some discretion to make

1669
01:31:31,484 --> 01:31:32,024
changes.

1670
01:31:33,420 --> 01:31:37,340
But their concern of moving it forward, I think is a very valid

1671
01:31:37,400 --> 01:31:41,060
one, that losing educational time and everything else.

1672
01:31:41,240 --> 01:31:41,560
Agreed

1673
01:31:41,880 --> 01:31:44,180
And so, in concept, if we can...

1674
01:31:45,400 --> 01:31:49,150
Well, however that would be, that that is never our intention to move that

1675
01:31:49,280 --> 01:31:52,640
forward. I don't know if that goes in the framework or where that would go.

1676
01:31:53,520 --> 01:31:54,790
I think that's

1677
01:31:56,500 --> 01:31:59,680
outside of this project, because it has larger

1678
01:31:59,720 --> 01:32:03,560
implications, and our intention at the department would always

1679
01:32:03,620 --> 01:32:06,380
be to preserve that instructional time.

1680
01:32:06,680 --> 01:32:09,950
We had consultation with the governor's office, and really,

1681
01:32:09,980 --> 01:32:13,460
the challenge for us there, and the

1682
01:32:13,880 --> 01:32:17,669
reason why we looked at shortening those test windows,

1683
01:32:18,030 --> 01:32:21,980
was our concern about ultimately being able to hit a

1684
01:32:22,020 --> 01:32:25,720
September 15th date every year once we become

1685
01:32:25,800 --> 01:32:26,570
operational.

1686
01:32:27,840 --> 01:32:31,560
And in our conversations with the governor's office and feedback that we received

1687
01:32:31,580 --> 01:32:35,320
after we'd been into this, we'd heard from stakeholders, we'd heard from you

1688
01:32:35,360 --> 01:32:38,780
all, we shared with the governor's office, and they

1689
01:32:39,020 --> 01:32:42,820
clearly came back to us that instructional time is more important

1690
01:32:42,880 --> 01:32:46,730
than the deadline. We made a commitment to do

1691
01:32:46,760 --> 01:32:49,500
our best in that first operational year,

1692
01:32:50,980 --> 01:32:51,320
and

1693
01:32:53,060 --> 01:32:56,480
without changing the test window, and see where we land.

1694
01:32:57,880 --> 01:32:58,440
Mr. Shamal.

1695
01:32:59,460 --> 01:32:59,470
I

1696
01:33:01,260 --> 01:33:03,900
think we're debating the question, so I'll just go ahead and

1697
01:33:05,220 --> 01:33:06,719
explain why I'm going to vote no.

1698
01:33:08,080 --> 01:33:12,020
A, I've had enough conversations with folks, A to F

1699
01:33:12,060 --> 01:33:14,719
is going to get approved. I understand that.

1700
01:33:17,080 --> 01:33:18,920
And I'm not sure I'm opposed to it, but

1701
01:33:19,000 --> 01:33:22,860
all of us

1702
01:33:22,870 --> 01:33:26,740
want to impact the classroom. We want to

1703
01:33:26,800 --> 01:33:30,360
improve the quality of the teacher and the experience in the

1704
01:33:30,400 --> 01:33:31,000
classroom.

1705
01:33:32,080 --> 01:33:35,560
And for us as a board to do that, we've got to work through the

1706
01:33:35,580 --> 01:33:36,160
districts.

1707
01:33:37,100 --> 01:33:40,960
They've got to be our partners in anything we put together.

1708
01:33:42,100 --> 01:33:42,500
And

1709
01:33:43,340 --> 01:33:47,100
I won't drag this out. Our partners are here

1710
01:33:47,220 --> 01:33:49,400
asking us to slow down and listen,

1711
01:33:50,420 --> 01:33:51,380
and I think we should.

1712
01:33:57,980 --> 01:33:58,640
Mrs. Paisley.

1713
01:34:03,760 --> 01:34:07,400
I would like to add to what Board Member Shamal said, in

1714
01:34:07,460 --> 01:34:11,400
that, that is the request, that is the plan on

1715
01:34:11,440 --> 01:34:15,400
the table. In order to give you what you are asking

1716
01:34:15,480 --> 01:34:15,730
for,

1717
01:34:16,640 --> 01:34:18,900
we need to approve this framework.

1718
01:34:20,180 --> 01:34:23,540
In order to give you the time, the slowdown,

1719
01:34:24,380 --> 01:34:28,120
to work together as partners, we need to give you this

1720
01:34:28,200 --> 01:34:31,600
framework. Giving you this framework is helping you.

1721
01:34:32,180 --> 01:34:35,940
It is not rushing this. It is going to allow us to

1722
01:34:35,980 --> 01:34:39,900
bring back to the table any

1723
01:34:39,940 --> 01:34:43,480
concerns that have not yet been discussed, worked into the

1724
01:34:43,520 --> 01:34:45,900
data, evaluated, et cetera.

1725
01:34:47,640 --> 01:34:49,800
If we do not approve the framework,

1726
01:34:51,540 --> 01:34:55,100
as our commissioner said, you'll get the data based on this

1727
01:34:55,160 --> 01:34:55,610
framework,

1728
01:34:57,440 --> 01:35:01,420
and we'll be in the same spot 60 or 90 days or a year

1729
01:35:01,460 --> 01:35:01,860
from now.

1730
01:35:03,420 --> 01:35:07,200
So our approval is allowing this to move forward in

1731
01:35:07,320 --> 01:35:07,480
a

1732
01:35:08,440 --> 01:35:09,140
orderly,

1733
01:35:10,880 --> 01:35:13,880
I think as you said, confirmed manner.

1734
01:35:14,000 --> 01:35:17,960
Not with speculation that, "Oh, well, it's still going to change." It

1735
01:35:18,020 --> 01:35:21,660
may change, but it will only change based on your feedback.

1736
01:35:23,020 --> 01:35:26,000
We need your feedback, and this is the best way to get your feedback.

1737
01:35:26,040 --> 01:35:29,880
It's the best way for us to be your partner, as I believe we've been a

1738
01:35:29,920 --> 01:35:32,200
partner throughout this.

1739
01:35:33,120 --> 01:35:35,840
Our problem is it's new, it's change.

1740
01:35:36,720 --> 01:35:37,840
No one likes change.

1741
01:35:38,800 --> 01:35:39,460
No one likes

1742
01:35:40,800 --> 01:35:44,760
change when there are unknowns, and we're trying to answer

1743
01:35:44,840 --> 01:35:48,640
all those unknowns, because those unknowns bring a lot of fear and a lot of

1744
01:35:48,720 --> 01:35:52,260
speculation. And if we don't

1745
01:35:54,499 --> 01:35:58,260
move forward by approving this framework, those speculations,

1746
01:35:58,300 --> 01:36:02,130
those fears, those unknowns will still remain, because you'll wonder if

1747
01:36:02,140 --> 01:36:03,220
we're still going to change it.

1748
01:36:05,620 --> 01:36:09,560
So please be our partner with us on this, as we're trying to be a partner with

1749
01:36:09,680 --> 01:36:09,840
you,

1750
01:36:11,600 --> 01:36:12,620
and take the time,

1751
01:36:14,000 --> 01:36:16,700
after we evaluate the timeline, that

1752
01:36:16,840 --> 01:36:20,360
what we believe, collectively, is the best

1753
01:36:20,400 --> 01:36:23,960
timeline, to ensure that that partnership is

1754
01:36:24,020 --> 01:36:27,770
there. To ensure that you have the time to do what you need to do,

1755
01:36:28,820 --> 01:36:32,580
so that we can move forward with something that is truly going to benefit the

1756
01:36:32,640 --> 01:36:35,700
children of Missouri, because this is about the kids.

1757
01:36:36,120 --> 01:36:39,900
I think someone, in the last presentation, made a

1758
01:36:40,000 --> 01:36:40,750
statement that,

1759
01:36:42,850 --> 01:36:46,140
"What's our goal? Proficient and advanced?

1760
01:36:47,120 --> 01:36:49,550
Or is it workforce development and

1761
01:36:50,500 --> 01:36:53,960
career ready skills, life skills, et cetera?" It's both.

1762
01:36:55,480 --> 01:36:58,340
But our job is to

1763
01:36:58,420 --> 01:37:00,360
educate our children

1764
01:37:01,380 --> 01:37:02,760
so that they can read,

1765
01:37:04,140 --> 01:37:05,340
they can do math,

1766
01:37:07,620 --> 01:37:08,840
they can think critically,

1767
01:37:10,100 --> 01:37:13,220
they can have life skills. You cannot separate those.

1768
01:37:16,180 --> 01:37:19,200
And I would say that my first

1769
01:37:19,240 --> 01:37:21,009
responsibility to be a partner

1770
01:37:22,600 --> 01:37:24,400
is to help the children of Missouri.

1771
01:37:25,660 --> 01:37:28,720
And if I can help them

1772
01:37:29,420 --> 01:37:30,920
by putting

1773
01:37:32,700 --> 01:37:36,600
awareness to Out of APR, I totally respect

1774
01:37:36,620 --> 01:37:40,160
and I appreciate what the department has done to keep parity, if you will,

1775
01:37:40,200 --> 01:37:43,730
between the APR process and the

1776
01:37:44,860 --> 01:37:47,080
A to F grade. We don't want mixed messaging.

1777
01:37:47,160 --> 01:37:50,420
We don't want you to think you've got to work harder on this and this,

1778
01:37:53,320 --> 01:37:57,260
reporting versus harder on that, a different priority and

1779
01:37:57,280 --> 01:38:00,240
another sense of reporting. But APR reporting,

1780
01:38:01,700 --> 01:38:05,380
you would say yes, so it already includes your evaluation of your academic

1781
01:38:05,440 --> 01:38:09,200
outcomes. So why not share that more clearly with your parents,

1782
01:38:09,640 --> 01:38:13,520
and with your teachers, and with your administrators so that

1783
01:38:13,600 --> 01:38:17,460
you indeed can know that you're focusing right where it needs to

1784
01:38:17,480 --> 01:38:21,200
be focused? Because that is our first responsibility, educating the

1785
01:38:21,240 --> 01:38:22,220
children.

1786
01:38:24,120 --> 01:38:24,320
Okay.

1787
01:38:25,350 --> 01:38:26,020
Any other--

1788
01:38:27,000 --> 01:38:30,340
Two coming. Mike, I'll call on you first and then we'll come...

1789
01:38:30,800 --> 01:38:32,840
Just a clarification for my purposes, I suppose.

1790
01:38:33,680 --> 01:38:37,620
At this juncture, the board could vote, "No, we don't believe

1791
01:38:37,680 --> 01:38:40,300
A through F grade cards should be produced," period.

1792
01:38:40,400 --> 01:38:40,480
No.

1793
01:38:41,840 --> 01:38:42,020
No.

1794
01:38:43,880 --> 01:38:47,600
That's what I'm asking. With the approval of the framework, inherent in that is-

1795
01:38:47,720 --> 01:38:47,820
Yeah

1796
01:38:47,830 --> 01:38:51,800
... there also approval of A through F grade cards

1797
01:38:51,880 --> 01:38:55,140
overall? Or is it-- Because my read of it is,

1798
01:38:56,040 --> 01:38:59,620
by approving the framework, we're also saying, "Yes, philosophically A through F

1799
01:38:59,680 --> 01:39:02,060
grade cards will be produced." The train's leaving the station.

1800
01:39:02,600 --> 01:39:05,150
Well, it is an executive order by the governor, which we are approving.

1801
01:39:05,150 --> 01:39:06,000
And a board-approved-

1802
01:39:06,420 --> 01:39:06,620
Mm-hmm

1803
01:39:06,720 --> 01:39:07,880
... motion back in December.

1804
01:39:08,160 --> 01:39:09,120
Yes. Two-

1805
01:39:09,320 --> 01:39:10,480
Okay. That-

1806
01:39:10,600 --> 01:39:11,060
History that-

1807
01:39:11,160 --> 01:39:14,280
That was my question. So not on the table is will this be done?

1808
01:39:14,460 --> 01:39:17,820
On the table is this framework and the process moving forward.

1809
01:39:17,900 --> 01:39:18,220
Correct.

1810
01:39:18,460 --> 01:39:19,180
Okay. Thank you.

1811
01:39:20,640 --> 01:39:24,420
Dr. Reese. So approving the framework, does the board retain the right

1812
01:39:24,620 --> 01:39:28,480
on any timeframe on implementation that you would come before

1813
01:39:28,540 --> 01:39:30,460
us before anything would release? Could we do that?

1814
01:39:32,560 --> 01:39:35,900
Well, I think you could do whatever you would like to do.

1815
01:39:35,980 --> 01:39:39,840
So is your question, should you approve the framework, could you

1816
01:39:39,960 --> 01:39:43,820
also put conditions on things that would have to

1817
01:39:43,860 --> 01:39:47,320
occur before there would be any release of data? Is that your question?

1818
01:39:48,160 --> 01:39:52,129
Yes. So basically, any implementation dates would come back

1819
01:39:52,140 --> 01:39:54,480
to the board, either in a special meeting,

1820
01:39:55,500 --> 01:39:58,400
or at a regular meeting before anything moved forward.

1821
01:39:58,460 --> 01:40:02,230
Say, "Hey, we ran this, and here's what we've

1822
01:40:02,260 --> 01:40:06,180
seen. We didn't see a problem. Here's the timeframe we're thinking about."

1823
01:40:06,220 --> 01:40:07,710
And we say, "Yay or nay," or-

1824
01:40:07,860 --> 01:40:08,460
Mm-hmm

1825
01:40:08,470 --> 01:40:08,470
...

1826
01:40:10,500 --> 01:40:13,140
could that be part of adopting the framework?

1827
01:40:13,200 --> 01:40:17,120
Yeah, I would say, that's an easier way, is just can we just

1828
01:40:18,220 --> 01:40:21,440
stick to the timeframe that was presented before, which is

1829
01:40:23,540 --> 01:40:25,540
next spring is when everything is released.

1830
01:40:26,540 --> 01:40:28,860
March 31st, 2027 is what this says.

1831
01:40:28,960 --> 01:40:29,080
So-

1832
01:40:29,180 --> 01:40:31,330
When was that? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that

1833
01:40:31,330 --> 01:40:35,320
That's, I think what we were looking at with the 25/26 data, and that's when we

1834
01:40:35,360 --> 01:40:39,320
were having to work with the Office of Administration IT department, and they

1835
01:40:39,340 --> 01:40:43,120
were saying, "With 25/26, that's as early as we could get you

1836
01:40:43,200 --> 01:40:44,220
that information."

1837
01:40:44,260 --> 01:40:44,560
I guess-

1838
01:40:44,600 --> 01:40:47,140
So the 25/26 is still sort of up in the air.

1839
01:40:47,240 --> 01:40:48,940
So what we're talking about is if we do

1840
01:40:49,800 --> 01:40:53,270
a draft or a pilot, and when we say those things, I think we mean the same thing as

1841
01:40:53,280 --> 01:40:56,860
the field when they say pilot, and we talk about a draft, is using the

1842
01:40:57,000 --> 01:41:00,620
24/25 to put it into this framework and use the

1843
01:41:00,660 --> 01:41:02,460
calculations and see what happens.

1844
01:41:02,520 --> 01:41:03,220
So

1845
01:41:04,020 --> 01:41:07,860
when we would have to make that public, I think

1846
01:41:07,920 --> 01:41:09,500
is the question that's on the table.

1847
01:41:09,520 --> 01:41:12,800
That's right, yeah. I guess what I'm saying is, thanks for the

1848
01:41:12,840 --> 01:41:16,800
clarification on which data would be used, but I think we could still

1849
01:41:16,880 --> 01:41:19,620
use that same timeframe, and that would allow us

1850
01:41:20,700 --> 01:41:23,140
time to pilot this and make tweaks and

1851
01:41:24,000 --> 01:41:27,690
as necessary that come across before anything is

1852
01:41:27,920 --> 01:41:31,500
released. Because we're approving the framework, but we haven't even seen

1853
01:41:31,540 --> 01:41:35,260
it yet. And so, that's all I'm saying is just-

1854
01:41:35,480 --> 01:41:36,629
It's a chicken and the egg question.

1855
01:41:36,660 --> 01:41:36,880
Right.

1856
01:41:37,040 --> 01:41:38,950
You know? We can't give you the impact data-

1857
01:41:38,950 --> 01:41:39,470
Let's play around with it-

1858
01:41:39,520 --> 01:41:39,620
... until we approve the framework

1859
01:41:39,640 --> 01:41:40,450
... and then release it-

1860
01:41:40,560 --> 01:41:40,629
Yeah

1861
01:41:41,280 --> 01:41:43,500
... next spring at some point. That's my recommendation.

1862
01:41:43,740 --> 01:41:46,610
Which, I have one more add on, and it seems like it's

1863
01:41:48,060 --> 01:41:51,960
somewhat of semantics, but it's a framework, but it's

1864
01:41:52,199 --> 01:41:53,420
a pilot as well.

1865
01:41:54,220 --> 01:41:57,680
Am I correct in saying that? That we're still

1866
01:41:57,760 --> 01:42:00,480
identifying and uncovering clarity,

1867
01:42:01,280 --> 01:42:04,260
what it looks like day to day, outcomes.

1868
01:42:04,740 --> 01:42:05,840
Is that what's happening?

1869
01:42:06,580 --> 01:42:10,200
Yes. That is accurate. The framework provides that

1870
01:42:10,900 --> 01:42:14,740
basis for us to move forward, answer all

1871
01:42:14,800 --> 01:42:18,600
of the weedy questions that have not yet been answered, and do the pilot.

1872
01:42:18,840 --> 01:42:19,100
Yes.

1873
01:42:21,760 --> 01:42:25,640
Mrs. Casey, and this time I am correct that we

1874
01:42:25,660 --> 01:42:27,519
are coming down to our time limit on this topic.

1875
01:42:27,560 --> 01:42:28,400
Okay, I'll be quick.

1876
01:42:30,220 --> 01:42:34,120
I'm not making this explicit motion, I'm putting a thought on the table

1877
01:42:34,220 --> 01:42:37,780
here that to the point around all of the concern around the

1878
01:42:37,880 --> 01:42:38,400
timeline,

1879
01:42:39,560 --> 01:42:43,040
framework being separate from rollout and implementation.

1880
01:42:44,180 --> 01:42:47,320
And we don't have necessarily a separate, more detailed

1881
01:42:47,520 --> 01:42:51,120
presentation yet to come on implementation, it's just the

1882
01:42:51,180 --> 01:42:54,930
references within this. So a thought is a recommendation

1883
01:42:54,980 --> 01:42:56,710
that, one, we address the framework,

1884
01:42:57,530 --> 01:43:01,520
totally separate. Here we are October. No, we are September, excuse me.

1885
01:43:02,300 --> 01:43:04,200
And we will be coming in October,

1886
01:43:05,440 --> 01:43:07,100
that there be

1887
01:43:08,140 --> 01:43:12,020
a lot of detail. You'll need to let us

1888
01:43:12,120 --> 01:43:14,400
know at least the first step of that.

1889
01:43:14,440 --> 01:43:17,600
If you could go back to the framework or to the timeline.

1890
01:43:20,140 --> 01:43:21,960
I think that first step

1891
01:43:23,040 --> 01:43:23,860
is here today.

1892
01:43:24,380 --> 01:43:24,480
Yes.

1893
01:43:24,580 --> 01:43:28,140
That second step is you completing your technical guide and

1894
01:43:28,300 --> 01:43:31,880
the data for review. Those three

1895
01:43:32,000 --> 01:43:35,640
things, once we approve one, number two and three can happen

1896
01:43:37,344 --> 01:43:37,584
Yes.

1897
01:43:37,724 --> 01:43:37,924
Yeah

1898
01:43:37,944 --> 01:43:38,464
Not tomorrow.

1899
01:43:39,004 --> 01:43:39,484
Exactly.

1900
01:43:39,544 --> 01:43:39,694
We will apply the-

1901
01:43:39,694 --> 01:43:41,263
But there's... And that would be my next question.

1902
01:43:41,324 --> 01:43:44,284
What kind of time, you don't have to answer it just yet, but what is the

1903
01:43:44,344 --> 01:43:48,324
expectation for you to get to the point where you will have the

1904
01:43:48,384 --> 01:43:51,584
guide and the data in a format ready to share with the

1905
01:43:52,884 --> 01:43:54,744
districts, with all the school leaders?

1906
01:43:54,964 --> 01:43:55,324
Then

1907
01:43:56,744 --> 01:44:00,664
you'd begin your stakeholder discussions based on that feedback,

1908
01:44:01,164 --> 01:44:04,924
which will likely begin at some point prior to our October

1909
01:44:04,964 --> 01:44:07,794
meeting. You can come back in the October meeting, and then we can

1910
01:44:07,844 --> 01:44:11,384
discuss the timeframe that's needed for more

1911
01:44:11,424 --> 01:44:14,344
piloting, for more feedback, for

1912
01:44:15,264 --> 01:44:18,574
any changes, and ultimately, a public release.

1913
01:44:19,184 --> 01:44:21,324
Because I think we need to, again,

1914
01:44:22,904 --> 01:44:26,664
be able to see what we're working with to make

1915
01:44:26,673 --> 01:44:27,944
those ultimate final

1916
01:44:28,844 --> 01:44:32,604
plan on the timing for the public release, which goes

1917
01:44:32,644 --> 01:44:36,584
back to some of the questions that John was raising, and isn't it better to be

1918
01:44:36,624 --> 01:44:40,154
the spring? Well, what is... Whether it's December, January, February,

1919
01:44:40,744 --> 01:44:44,644
all of that would become more clear for us

1920
01:44:44,684 --> 01:44:46,684
if we came back and talked about the timeline in

1921
01:44:46,864 --> 01:44:50,514
October. But today,

1922
01:44:51,084 --> 01:44:54,504
with the approval of the framework, you would at least be able to get the data in

1923
01:44:54,544 --> 01:44:55,124
the hands of the

1924
01:44:57,104 --> 01:44:57,464
schools.

1925
01:44:58,144 --> 01:45:01,644
Right. The approval of the framework is what we need for that technical

1926
01:45:01,744 --> 01:45:05,504
guide and to produce the first sets of data

1927
01:45:05,604 --> 01:45:09,364
for schools and districts. And we're definitely

1928
01:45:09,424 --> 01:45:12,824
open to your guidance on timing

1929
01:45:13,384 --> 01:45:14,984
implementation rollout.

1930
01:45:16,804 --> 01:45:20,704
But hard to give you the guidance until we see the results.

1931
01:45:20,864 --> 01:45:24,334
So the data is there produced, and we start to begin to get that

1932
01:45:24,364 --> 01:45:24,874
feedback,

1933
01:45:26,154 --> 01:45:28,744
that additional feedback to what we've already gotten.

1934
01:45:29,544 --> 01:45:33,424
That would be my recommendation on how we approach this.

1935
01:45:35,364 --> 01:45:37,544
Okay. Are you doing a motion?

1936
01:45:37,664 --> 01:45:38,644
Yes. So

1937
01:45:39,484 --> 01:45:40,334
unless there are further-

1938
01:45:40,384 --> 01:45:40,424
Yeah

1939
01:45:40,464 --> 01:45:41,304
... comments before.

1940
01:45:41,864 --> 01:45:42,874
Do you have a comment?

1941
01:45:43,004 --> 01:45:46,644
I can be very quick. I think all of this conversation we're having about the

1942
01:45:46,663 --> 01:45:50,544
'24, '25 data and how we're going to use it, the goal is that we

1943
01:45:50,584 --> 01:45:54,504
get to the point that the '26, '27 data, everything rolls

1944
01:45:54,564 --> 01:45:57,344
on time according to the executive order.

1945
01:45:57,724 --> 01:46:00,584
We have the coding done with our colleagues in OAIT.

1946
01:46:00,704 --> 01:46:04,654
We've worked through the '24, '25 data to figure out

1947
01:46:04,704 --> 01:46:08,004
the sweet spots for all of these calculations to land.

1948
01:46:08,124 --> 01:46:08,284
So,

1949
01:46:09,214 --> 01:46:13,184
that's our ultimate goal, is that '26, '27 will be the first rollout

1950
01:46:13,204 --> 01:46:16,164
that has all of the elements included. So it will have literacy in it.

1951
01:46:16,744 --> 01:46:20,664
But this is our opportunity to twist it

1952
01:46:20,724 --> 01:46:24,504
and look at it every possible way we can think of to make sure that we're doing it

1953
01:46:24,684 --> 01:46:28,244
right, so that '26, '27 can roll out without a hitch.

1954
01:46:28,684 --> 01:46:31,444
Okay. That sounds good. So the only question...

1955
01:46:31,564 --> 01:46:35,364
I have one question, and that is, do we have the internal

1956
01:46:35,584 --> 01:46:37,784
skill set among our staff

1957
01:46:38,704 --> 01:46:42,664
to be able to work with the superintendents and things, and come up, and work

1958
01:46:42,684 --> 01:46:43,064
together,

1959
01:46:44,004 --> 01:46:44,164
and

1960
01:46:45,384 --> 01:46:45,944
come up with a

1961
01:46:46,924 --> 01:46:50,264
suitable timeframe and things on getting this out there?

1962
01:46:50,824 --> 01:46:51,964
Yes, sir. Yes, we do.

1963
01:46:52,024 --> 01:46:52,184
Okay.

1964
01:46:52,224 --> 01:46:56,084
And not only do we have that moving forward, but we have a history of doing

1965
01:46:56,144 --> 01:46:56,304
so.

1966
01:46:56,824 --> 01:47:00,284
Okay. I'm very good with that.

1967
01:47:00,884 --> 01:47:04,144
I would like to say, as chairman, I think this is my

1968
01:47:04,204 --> 01:47:08,064
opportunity, that I did all this preparation, but I'll cut

1969
01:47:08,104 --> 01:47:11,324
it down, but I fully support this effort.

1970
01:47:12,244 --> 01:47:16,064
Last fall when we started looking at our MSIP numbers and everything

1971
01:47:16,144 --> 01:47:16,404
else,

1972
01:47:19,224 --> 01:47:23,114
for me, and I know I have limited wisdom, but there was

1973
01:47:23,144 --> 01:47:24,664
no understanding that I could have.

1974
01:47:25,364 --> 01:47:29,204
And we talk about vulnerable populations, low income, and things of that

1975
01:47:29,264 --> 01:47:30,804
nature, and I'm not certain

1976
01:47:31,744 --> 01:47:35,684
that they would have the ability to understand the performance of their schools

1977
01:47:35,724 --> 01:47:39,284
and such. And so that's certainly a concern I have.

1978
01:47:39,364 --> 01:47:43,264
I'm in favor of expediting this as fast

1979
01:47:43,324 --> 01:47:43,984
as we can.

1980
01:47:45,184 --> 01:47:47,364
I respect, Vince, your position,

1981
01:47:49,204 --> 01:47:53,074
but I think if we're going to put forth a motion, that we need to put it forth, and

1982
01:47:53,084 --> 01:47:54,694
we need to move on with this process.

1983
01:47:54,824 --> 01:47:55,604
I think Mike had a-

1984
01:47:56,024 --> 01:47:56,224
Mike.

1985
01:47:56,233 --> 01:47:57,344
I was going to make one final comment.

1986
01:47:57,404 --> 01:48:01,104
I recognize that this process is pursuant to an executive

1987
01:48:01,164 --> 01:48:01,764
order.

1988
01:48:01,774 --> 01:48:01,774
Sure.

1989
01:48:01,804 --> 01:48:03,024
I would love to see this

1990
01:48:04,144 --> 01:48:06,344
either parallel or maybe in the

1991
01:48:07,204 --> 01:48:10,604
near future go through the standard rulemaking process and go through the

1992
01:48:10,644 --> 01:48:14,244
legislature. It'd be nice to see if this could be codified into law as

1993
01:48:14,284 --> 01:48:18,024
opposed to an executive order, which could be undone by the next governor,

1994
01:48:18,104 --> 01:48:18,563
potentially.

1995
01:48:18,604 --> 01:48:18,764
Mm-hmm.

1996
01:48:18,964 --> 01:48:20,884
That's a wishlist comment, right?

1997
01:48:20,964 --> 01:48:21,994
I know that's not something that's-

1998
01:48:22,144 --> 01:48:22,373
Right over to-

1999
01:48:22,394 --> 01:48:23,444
... under our purview here.

2000
01:48:23,524 --> 01:48:23,674
Mm-hmm.

2001
01:48:23,744 --> 01:48:23,894
But

2002
01:48:24,964 --> 01:48:28,204
at the same time, I think that would lend even more

2003
01:48:28,244 --> 01:48:31,844
credibility to this movement of making sure all

2004
01:48:31,904 --> 01:48:35,584
parties have signed off on this. But just making that

2005
01:48:35,644 --> 01:48:35,904
comment.

2006
01:48:37,764 --> 01:48:38,564
Other comments?

2007
01:48:39,904 --> 01:48:40,184
Carrie?

2008
01:48:40,744 --> 01:48:41,924
I have no further comment.

2009
01:48:43,044 --> 01:48:44,124
I would like to make a motion.

2010
01:48:44,864 --> 01:48:45,164
Okay.

2011
01:48:46,104 --> 01:48:48,564
And I move that the State Board of

2012
01:48:48,624 --> 01:48:52,534
Education approve the A to F school and district

2013
01:48:52,564 --> 01:48:56,404
grading framework that is required by the executive

2014
01:48:56,444 --> 01:48:56,724
order

2015
01:48:58,404 --> 01:49:02,364
that will enable the next steps of completing the technical

2016
01:49:02,464 --> 01:49:06,424
guide and providing pilot data of the '24, '25

2017
01:49:07,404 --> 01:49:10,564
school year out to the districts for

2018
01:49:10,664 --> 01:49:12,464
feedback.

2019
01:49:13,984 --> 01:49:17,964
Further move or include that then the department

2020
01:49:18,064 --> 01:49:21,264
present a detailed implementation plan

2021
01:49:22,244 --> 01:49:26,184
in addition to feedback already received at that point in our October

2022
01:49:26,284 --> 01:49:26,784
board meeting.

2023
01:49:30,624 --> 01:49:31,724
Is there a second?

2024
01:49:31,784 --> 01:49:32,144
Second.

2025
01:49:32,884 --> 01:49:33,123
Okay.

2026
01:49:34,044 --> 01:49:35,784
I'll take John Otto's second on that.

2027
01:49:37,744 --> 01:49:40,084
Okay. Is there a discussion about that motion?

2028
01:49:41,064 --> 01:49:41,844
Mr. Matusik?

2029
01:49:41,964 --> 01:49:42,584
Yeah. Thank you.

2030
01:49:46,780 --> 01:49:50,000
I fully support the framework. I support the concept.

2031
01:49:52,440 --> 01:49:56,160
I did have a lot of questions. I think some of the information that Dessie shared

2032
01:49:56,180 --> 01:49:59,970
with us on Friday was helpful. I would've liked to have seen that months

2033
01:50:00,020 --> 01:50:00,400
ago.

2034
01:50:01,640 --> 01:50:04,880
To be candid, I don't know what the department did in the first half of this year

2035
01:50:04,940 --> 01:50:07,020
on A through F. Not saying nothing happened.

2036
01:50:08,400 --> 01:50:11,160
A little self-reflection. I didn't stay on top of it.

2037
01:50:11,260 --> 01:50:13,800
I don't think this board stayed on top of A through F.

2038
01:50:14,720 --> 01:50:17,320
I don't think it was a discussion item on our agendas enough.

2039
01:50:18,380 --> 01:50:20,660
The information was lacking. That's my opinion.

2040
01:50:21,320 --> 01:50:22,700
Tell me I'm wrong.

2041
01:50:24,000 --> 01:50:27,280
My biggest concern at this point, I think has already been addressed.

2042
01:50:28,260 --> 01:50:31,880
I had told Stacy and others last week, I want to see the

2043
01:50:31,940 --> 01:50:35,540
data. I want to see what the distributions look like

2044
01:50:35,580 --> 01:50:39,340
before we send anything to the school districts, right?

2045
01:50:40,640 --> 01:50:42,230
I want to see that. And I'm

2046
01:50:43,240 --> 01:50:46,480
going to vote to approve the framework to move forward with the next steps,

2047
01:50:47,480 --> 01:50:51,310
but my understanding of this is that

2048
01:50:51,360 --> 01:50:55,120
no data, no distribution will be sent to any districts until this

2049
01:50:55,160 --> 01:50:57,680
board has a chance to see it. Is that correct?

2050
01:51:00,480 --> 01:51:02,699
We can arrange for that, certainly.

2051
01:51:03,560 --> 01:51:06,760
Well, I will say my vote hinges on that point.

2052
01:51:06,960 --> 01:51:08,520
Do you want to amend the motion?

2053
01:51:09,040 --> 01:51:09,240
So...

2054
01:51:11,320 --> 01:51:14,500
I think with the question, I don't know that it needs to be in the motion, but the

2055
01:51:14,540 --> 01:51:18,500
question is there will be a review of the data at

2056
01:51:18,560 --> 01:51:19,460
the appropriate level.

2057
01:51:20,040 --> 01:51:23,860
We will have impact data by October. We had hoped to have it today.

2058
01:51:23,920 --> 01:51:27,200
Our colleagues that we are working with, they aren't there.

2059
01:51:28,000 --> 01:51:31,760
It's the last thing they're able to do is run it and tell us what the distribution

2060
01:51:31,800 --> 01:51:32,500
looks like. So,

2061
01:51:33,540 --> 01:51:37,000
that won't be a problem for October. I'm looking at Lisa for confirmation.

2062
01:51:37,040 --> 01:51:37,280
It won't be.

2063
01:51:37,400 --> 01:51:40,860
Yeah. That's not a problem. So if you want things to be contingent on that,

2064
01:51:41,700 --> 01:51:42,880
then yeah.

2065
01:51:42,940 --> 01:51:43,300
However-

2066
01:51:43,310 --> 01:51:43,770
Absolutely do that

2067
01:51:43,780 --> 01:51:47,240
... we're not waiting until the October board meeting.

2068
01:51:48,020 --> 01:51:51,840
Let me go back to my question that I stopped you from answering, forgetting

2069
01:51:51,880 --> 01:51:55,839
this discussion. How long is it expected that you need to complete

2070
01:51:55,849 --> 01:51:57,789
those first two to three steps, the

2071
01:51:58,600 --> 01:52:01,520
technical guide, and the preparation of the data?

2072
01:52:02,540 --> 01:52:05,580
We should have those complete prior to the October board meeting.

2073
01:52:05,620 --> 01:52:09,540
But will they be completed earlier?

2074
01:52:10,800 --> 01:52:14,440
Let me rephrase that. If they are completed earlier, and it is our

2075
01:52:14,460 --> 01:52:17,840
desire, to President Miller's point, this is

2076
01:52:17,880 --> 01:52:21,380
important to continue to move along, doing it right.

2077
01:52:21,880 --> 01:52:25,620
If they are ready earlier, we should have a special board

2078
01:52:25,660 --> 01:52:29,540
meeting to review it so that we're not waiting five, because our board

2079
01:52:29,580 --> 01:52:33,000
meeting is five weeks out, and if it will take

2080
01:52:33,480 --> 01:52:37,460
less than five weeks, ideally whatever that time

2081
01:52:37,540 --> 01:52:39,020
is, we need to review it.

2082
01:52:39,560 --> 01:52:43,260
We'll arrange to share the impact data as soon as it's available with the

2083
01:52:43,300 --> 01:52:43,580
board.

2084
01:52:43,680 --> 01:52:43,880
Yeah.

2085
01:52:43,920 --> 01:52:45,980
Thank you. And I don't think the motion needs to be amended.

2086
01:52:46,100 --> 01:52:49,150
I think as long as there's an understanding that the department will share that

2087
01:52:49,180 --> 01:52:53,129
data with us before any future decisions are made, that's

2088
01:52:53,520 --> 01:52:54,020
uncomfortable.

2089
01:52:54,860 --> 01:52:58,689
Okay. Mr. Schomil, and then we'll go to a vote unless there's further

2090
01:52:58,760 --> 01:53:01,940
questions. Mr. Brad Mari. Go ahead.

2091
01:53:02,120 --> 01:53:03,520
I actually had one more.

2092
01:53:04,520 --> 01:53:05,180
Hypothetically,

2093
01:53:06,040 --> 01:53:09,980
what happens to districts if they receive a C, D, or F?

2094
01:53:12,320 --> 01:53:16,260
Is that going to be worked out through the

2095
01:53:16,300 --> 01:53:20,120
pilot, or do we have an understanding of what that may or may

2096
01:53:20,160 --> 01:53:21,000
not look like today?

2097
01:53:22,020 --> 01:53:25,540
So, our intention is

2098
01:53:25,600 --> 01:53:28,780
to expand the work that we have in

2099
01:53:28,820 --> 01:53:32,080
progress on providing structured supports

2100
01:53:32,440 --> 01:53:36,320
for schools that are identified in various ways in need

2101
01:53:36,400 --> 01:53:40,110
of improvement. So, whether they are in that

2102
01:53:40,140 --> 01:53:44,000
provisional range or below on the APR, whether

2103
01:53:44,040 --> 01:53:47,750
they are identified for improvement as one of the lowest

2104
01:53:47,780 --> 01:53:51,400
performing schools under the federal Every Student Succeeds

2105
01:53:51,510 --> 01:53:54,280
Act, or whether they are scoring

2106
01:53:54,420 --> 01:53:58,320
in that D or F range on the grade

2107
01:53:58,380 --> 01:54:02,090
card. What we're looking at is the

2108
01:54:02,100 --> 01:54:05,840
ability to provide some structured

2109
01:54:05,900 --> 01:54:09,640
analysis of where those schools are

2110
01:54:09,720 --> 01:54:13,460
struggling and direct them to appropriate

2111
01:54:13,500 --> 01:54:15,240
resources and supports.

2112
01:54:17,060 --> 01:54:20,860
I would be also remiss if I did not mention that

2113
01:54:20,920 --> 01:54:24,640
then locally, schools and districts, in addition to their own

2114
01:54:24,700 --> 01:54:28,180
improvement efforts supporting what's going on in the

2115
01:54:28,240 --> 01:54:30,120
classroom with teaching and learning,

2116
01:54:32,000 --> 01:54:32,740
they also

2117
01:54:33,700 --> 01:54:37,460
would need to be thinking about how those grades mesh with

2118
01:54:37,580 --> 01:54:40,040
other measures and other reports.

2119
01:54:40,460 --> 01:54:43,830
And that's part of our strategic communication planning,

2120
01:54:44,620 --> 01:54:48,420
talking points about how the grade card information folds

2121
01:54:48,520 --> 01:54:52,370
in with other APR information, and

2122
01:54:52,460 --> 01:54:53,030
how it doesn't.

2123
01:54:54,660 --> 01:54:54,980
Thank you.

2124
01:54:55,740 --> 01:54:59,440
Mr. Schomil will be the last question, and then I'll call for the

2125
01:54:59,480 --> 01:55:00,160
question on the vote.

2126
01:55:01,120 --> 01:55:03,980
Just sitting here listening to this conversation,

2127
01:55:05,240 --> 01:55:05,630
and I

2128
01:55:07,060 --> 01:55:11,040
put myself kind of in the seat of somebody that runs a school district

2129
01:55:11,100 --> 01:55:11,620
someplace.

2130
01:55:14,200 --> 01:55:16,160
Fundamental questions have come up here,

2131
01:55:17,200 --> 01:55:19,880
catching staff in the presentation by surprise.

2132
01:55:20,820 --> 01:55:22,240
We don't know dates.

2133
01:55:23,200 --> 01:55:23,920
We don't know

2134
01:55:24,760 --> 01:55:25,400
schedules.

2135
01:55:26,460 --> 01:55:29,280
Fundamental questions about this process

2136
01:55:30,240 --> 01:55:34,220
have come up during this debate. This is not ready for prime time.

2137
01:55:35,400 --> 01:55:35,700
We could

2138
01:55:36,720 --> 01:55:38,400
pass this identical

2139
01:55:40,180 --> 01:55:40,860
language

2140
01:55:41,880 --> 01:55:45,760
60 or 90 days from now, and it would be entirely different,

2141
01:55:47,500 --> 01:55:50,320
because we would've taken 60 or 90 days

2142
01:55:50,380 --> 01:55:54,160
to talk with our partners and find out

2143
01:55:54,200 --> 01:55:55,240
what we're going to do here.

2144
01:55:56,630 --> 01:55:59,770
I don't think we should approve this. I don't think it's ready.

2145
01:56:00,550 --> 01:56:03,610
I don't think the program has been put together properly.

2146
01:56:04,530 --> 01:56:07,110
Certainly, the questions that came up here,

2147
01:56:07,290 --> 01:56:10,990
they're fundamental in

2148
01:56:11,050 --> 01:56:11,530
nature.

2149
01:56:12,390 --> 01:56:15,960
I think we should take some time. There is no reason

2150
01:56:16,090 --> 01:56:18,250
why the exact framework

2151
01:56:19,890 --> 01:56:23,150
outline that the president can't say to the

2152
01:56:23,650 --> 01:56:27,470
commissioner, "Go run the data." It doesn't have to be

2153
01:56:27,530 --> 01:56:30,630
adopted by the board for the staff to be able to run

2154
01:56:31,390 --> 01:56:32,050
scenarios.

2155
01:56:33,070 --> 01:56:37,430
We're

2156
01:56:37,470 --> 01:56:38,190
a new board.

2157
01:56:39,110 --> 01:56:42,900
We got a lot of opportunity here. I'm impressed with my

2158
01:56:42,950 --> 01:56:44,190
colleagues on this board,

2159
01:56:45,090 --> 01:56:48,810
and I think this is a great opportunity for us

2160
01:56:48,870 --> 01:56:52,860
to build a trusting relationship with the districts that we're going

2161
01:56:52,870 --> 01:56:53,830
to have to work with.

2162
01:56:55,290 --> 01:56:55,930
End of speech.

2163
01:56:57,240 --> 01:56:59,580
Any follow-up questions? Are there any follow-up questions?

2164
01:57:03,650 --> 01:57:07,610
Okay, so we do have a motion, and you want to repeat the motion

2165
01:57:07,630 --> 01:57:07,790
here?

2166
01:57:14,020 --> 01:57:15,580
Board member Casey moved

2167
01:57:16,850 --> 01:57:19,750
that the State Board of Education approves the A through F school and district

2168
01:57:19,790 --> 01:57:22,310
grading framework required by Executive Order

2169
01:57:22,470 --> 01:57:26,270
26-01, so that it will enable the department to

2170
01:57:26,290 --> 01:57:30,010
pilot a grade card using the

2171
01:57:30,020 --> 01:57:33,550
'24, '25 data to be shared with

2172
01:57:33,590 --> 01:57:35,050
districts for additional feedback.

2173
01:57:36,770 --> 01:57:38,310
Okay, and that was seconded by?

2174
01:57:38,950 --> 01:57:40,310
I thought there was a timeline.

2175
01:57:40,550 --> 01:57:43,810
And the second part of the motion included or the-

2176
01:57:43,890 --> 01:57:46,590
An implementation plan in our October meeting.

2177
01:57:46,670 --> 01:57:47,310
Yes, correct.

2178
01:57:49,270 --> 01:57:49,810
And who was the second?

2179
01:57:49,850 --> 01:57:51,710
And the data to be reviewed before the board.

2180
01:57:52,130 --> 01:57:53,370
Seconded by Mr. Otto.

2181
01:57:53,470 --> 01:57:53,670
Yes.

2182
01:57:53,790 --> 01:57:57,670
Okay. So I've asked for a roll call vote, and so

2183
01:57:57,710 --> 01:57:59,290
Mrs. Frankie, if you'd do that, please.

2184
01:58:00,570 --> 01:58:01,290
Mr. Bradbury?

2185
01:58:01,930 --> 01:58:02,150
Yes.

2186
01:58:03,570 --> 01:58:04,070
Ms. Casey?

2187
01:58:04,650 --> 01:58:05,030
Yes.

2188
01:58:05,590 --> 01:58:06,290
Mr. Matusik?

2189
01:58:06,469 --> 01:58:06,710
Yes.

2190
01:58:07,170 --> 01:58:07,690
Mr. Miller?

2191
01:58:08,070 --> 01:58:08,250
Yes.

2192
01:58:10,270 --> 01:58:10,910
Mr. Myers?

2193
01:58:11,210 --> 01:58:11,430
Yes.

2194
01:58:13,470 --> 01:58:13,970
Mr. Otto?

2195
01:58:14,330 --> 01:58:14,530
Yes.

2196
01:58:15,030 --> 01:58:15,650
Mr. Shamel?

2197
01:58:16,070 --> 01:58:16,290
No.

2198
01:58:16,790 --> 01:58:17,930
Dr. Scholl? Yes.

2199
01:58:20,390 --> 01:58:23,770
Okay, and with that, that motion carries. Okay.

2200
01:58:24,090 --> 01:58:28,060
So it is 10:30, and if you don't mind, is it okay if we take a little break here?

2201
01:58:29,430 --> 01:58:30,690
Restroom break and such. Thank you.

2202
01:58:30,730 --> 01:58:32,000
10 minutes.

2203
01:58:32,210 --> 01:58:32,950
They were here till-

2204
01:58:34,150 --> 01:58:38,030
Yeah, and all guests here today, if you would sign in so we would

2205
01:58:38,090 --> 01:58:41,750
have record of your participation and attendance. Thank you.

2206
02:16:51,820 --> 02:16:54,941
We'll get going here. Carey Casey's also coming this way,

2207
02:16:55,941 --> 02:16:57,240
and Robbie,

2208
02:16:58,100 --> 02:16:59,180
glad you could join us here.

2209
02:16:59,820 --> 02:16:59,980
Yeah.

2210
02:17:03,460 --> 02:17:03,480
Yeah.

2211
02:17:04,560 --> 02:17:06,060
Okay. So,

2212
02:17:07,441 --> 02:17:11,320
let me see here. Where are we at? Are we on item E?

2213
02:17:12,441 --> 02:17:12,701
Yes.

2214
02:17:12,920 --> 02:17:13,180
Yes.

2215
02:17:13,220 --> 02:17:14,080
Childcare subsidy.

2216
02:17:14,900 --> 02:17:17,260
Okay. Childcare subsidy, SCHLS.

2217
02:17:17,840 --> 02:17:18,020
Yes.

2218
02:17:18,060 --> 02:17:18,260
Okay.

2219
02:17:18,781 --> 02:17:20,100
Good morning, Jocelyn Schlos-

2220
02:17:20,309 --> 02:17:20,309
Thank you

2221
02:17:20,309 --> 02:17:22,361
... Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Childhood.

2222
02:17:22,420 --> 02:17:26,240
I have Christine Nguyen, our program administrator for childcare subsidy with

2223
02:17:26,300 --> 02:17:30,000
me. We are back in front of you for a second time talking about a

2224
02:17:30,020 --> 02:17:33,441
proposed amendment to one of our rules, because we got

2225
02:17:33,480 --> 02:17:37,420
some stakeholder feedback. So I'm going to let Christine speak to you

2226
02:17:37,480 --> 02:17:40,180
about the comments and the amendment before you.

2227
02:17:41,300 --> 02:17:44,441
Thank you, Jocelyn. Good morning, members of the board.

2228
02:17:45,720 --> 02:17:49,140
We are here today to finalize the order of

2229
02:17:49,160 --> 02:17:51,400
rulemaking for 5 CSR

2230
02:17:51,580 --> 02:17:55,080
25-200.060

2231
02:17:55,140 --> 02:17:58,670
regarding eligibility and authorization for childcare subsidy.

2232
02:17:59,880 --> 02:18:03,490
First introduced before you in May of this year, the rule has

2233
02:18:03,520 --> 02:18:07,220
successfully completed its 30-day public comment period.

2234
02:18:08,350 --> 02:18:12,080
The updates to the rule, including the incorporated by reference

2235
02:18:12,300 --> 02:18:15,880
Childcare Subsidy Eligibility Policy Manual, really

2236
02:18:15,900 --> 02:18:17,960
focus on three core priorities.

2237
02:18:18,941 --> 02:18:22,550
First is to exclude children who receive protective

2238
02:18:22,640 --> 02:18:25,701
services or adoption subsidy from the wait list.

2239
02:18:27,100 --> 02:18:30,180
Second being to clarify wait list requirements.

2240
02:18:30,441 --> 02:18:34,361
And again, just for reference, that wait list started on March 1st of this

2241
02:18:34,400 --> 02:18:34,541
year.

2242
02:18:35,580 --> 02:18:39,300
And lastly, to establish an excessive absence policy

2243
02:18:39,980 --> 02:18:43,900
that really allows the department to discontinue eligibility for

2244
02:18:43,960 --> 02:18:47,730
children who are not utilizing the benefit, in hopes that we can

2245
02:18:47,781 --> 02:18:50,550
free up slots for families that are waiting.

2246
02:18:54,781 --> 02:18:58,361
So the notice of the proposed amendment was published in the Missouri Register on

2247
02:18:58,400 --> 02:19:02,240
June 15th of 2026. The 30-day public

2248
02:19:02,320 --> 02:19:06,191
comment window was open from June 15th through July 15th.

2249
02:19:07,300 --> 02:19:11,240
During that timeframe, the department received 28 total public

2250
02:19:11,320 --> 02:19:14,560
comments from providers, advocates, and families.

2251
02:19:15,820 --> 02:19:19,420
A primary theme across several comments was concerned

2252
02:19:19,480 --> 02:19:23,191
regarding absence caps for sick children or when

2253
02:19:23,220 --> 02:19:27,191
families need to take a break or a vacation.

2254
02:19:27,201 --> 02:19:30,701
The department clarified in its response that excessive absence

2255
02:19:30,800 --> 02:19:34,660
standard really relies on timely communication from the parents

2256
02:19:34,740 --> 02:19:38,640
to the provider, rather than just arbitrarily terminating

2257
02:19:38,660 --> 02:19:39,720
a subsidy benefit.

2258
02:19:41,240 --> 02:19:44,800
Additionally, the department, just for your awareness, is preparing

2259
02:19:45,080 --> 02:19:48,860
training and guidance documents for families and providers

2260
02:19:48,980 --> 02:19:52,780
around the excessive absence policy so everyone knows

2261
02:19:52,840 --> 02:19:55,040
what to expect, what their role is,

2262
02:19:56,100 --> 02:19:59,320
before a subsidy benefit might be terminated.

2263
02:20:00,780 --> 02:20:04,460
Based on the comments we received, we are proposing to

2264
02:20:04,500 --> 02:20:08,180
modify one portion of the rule regarding wait list

2265
02:20:08,220 --> 02:20:11,570
requirements in the Incorporated by Reference Policy

2266
02:20:11,660 --> 02:20:15,140
Manual and in Section eight of the rule to

2267
02:20:15,200 --> 02:20:18,860
explicitly add children under legal guardianship

2268
02:20:18,960 --> 02:20:22,760
subsidy agreements with Children's Division to the list of populations

2269
02:20:22,800 --> 02:20:24,600
exempt from the subsidy wait list.

2270
02:20:25,190 --> 02:20:28,720
They are already in that broader definition of children receiving protective

2271
02:20:28,820 --> 02:20:30,720
services through the Children's Division

2272
02:20:32,664 --> 02:20:36,044
I will pause here to see if there are any questions.

2273
02:20:36,524 --> 02:20:37,864
How many children are on the wait list?

2274
02:20:38,724 --> 02:20:42,094
As of yesterday, there were around

2275
02:20:42,124 --> 02:20:44,004
10,700 children waiting.

2276
02:20:45,764 --> 02:20:47,784
And what has been the

2277
02:20:48,904 --> 02:20:50,504
average wait list over the past...

2278
02:20:50,844 --> 02:20:51,674
That's an increase-

2279
02:20:52,104 --> 02:20:52,264
Mm-hmm

2280
02:20:52,274 --> 02:20:52,754
... because of-

2281
02:20:52,854 --> 02:20:52,854
Yes

2282
02:20:52,854 --> 02:20:55,084
... the decrease in subsidy. What had the wait list been-

2283
02:20:56,584 --> 02:20:57,124
Um

2284
02:20:57,464 --> 02:20:58,003
... roughly, on average?

2285
02:20:58,564 --> 02:21:00,524
There wasn't a wait list before March 1st.

2286
02:21:00,644 --> 02:21:00,843
Right.

2287
02:21:01,024 --> 02:21:01,444
Okay.

2288
02:21:01,484 --> 02:21:01,644
Yeah.

2289
02:21:02,524 --> 02:21:06,224
That number is increasing, though, as new applications are added.

2290
02:21:07,144 --> 02:21:08,024
John, do you have a question?

2291
02:21:09,384 --> 02:21:12,924
Yes. So out of all the comments, you said the key theme was

2292
02:21:13,264 --> 02:21:14,744
excessive absence, and you-

2293
02:21:14,824 --> 02:21:16,724
Yeah, just some confusion around that

2294
02:21:17,124 --> 02:21:18,564
... did this amendment address that?

2295
02:21:20,144 --> 02:21:21,544
The amendment to-

2296
02:21:22,204 --> 02:21:22,914
That you're recommending

2297
02:21:22,944 --> 02:21:25,784
... no. We're not making any changes to that policy.

2298
02:21:25,864 --> 02:21:29,684
The only change that we're requesting is to explicitly

2299
02:21:29,764 --> 02:21:32,834
add children receiving legal guardianship subsidy

2300
02:21:34,124 --> 02:21:37,064
and the children that are exempt from the wait list.

2301
02:21:37,934 --> 02:21:41,914
Through our trainings and our guidance documents, we hope to really clarify with

2302
02:21:41,944 --> 02:21:45,324
families and providers the excessive absence requirements.

2303
02:21:45,644 --> 02:21:48,964
We didn't make any change based on the comments because it was already in the

2304
02:21:49,024 --> 02:21:52,924
policy that it was, the key factor in there is communication.

2305
02:21:53,094 --> 02:21:53,264
Mm-hmm.

2306
02:21:53,584 --> 02:21:56,364
So they'll just make sure that they clarify that when we publish.

2307
02:21:56,884 --> 02:21:57,504
Got it. Thank you.

2308
02:21:59,564 --> 02:22:00,584
Mr. Mantis.

2309
02:22:00,644 --> 02:22:02,904
So, thank you, and thank you for your work on this.

2310
02:22:04,144 --> 02:22:05,964
So the update again in,

2311
02:22:08,464 --> 02:22:11,834
essentially if you receive a legal guardianship

2312
02:22:11,944 --> 02:22:12,464
subsidy,

2313
02:22:13,444 --> 02:22:17,084
you have priority on receiving the

2314
02:22:17,104 --> 02:22:18,164
childcare subsidy.

2315
02:22:18,204 --> 02:22:19,864
Right. They bypass the wait list.

2316
02:22:19,954 --> 02:22:19,954
Bypass the wait list.

2317
02:22:20,004 --> 02:22:23,594
Children in protective services, which includes children receiving adoption or

2318
02:22:23,684 --> 02:22:27,644
legal guardianship through Children's Division, bypass the wait list and are

2319
02:22:27,704 --> 02:22:28,984
served without delay.

2320
02:22:29,064 --> 02:22:29,464
Thank you.

2321
02:22:31,624 --> 02:22:32,204
So,

2322
02:22:33,684 --> 02:22:37,584
the 10,000 that are on the wait list, are they not participating

2323
02:22:37,804 --> 02:22:40,164
with daycare now, or do we know?

2324
02:22:40,744 --> 02:22:43,384
They could be in childcare, but they would be

2325
02:22:44,604 --> 02:22:45,324
paying privately.

2326
02:22:45,344 --> 02:22:45,804
Privately.

2327
02:22:46,124 --> 02:22:48,404
Not receiving subsidy at this point.

2328
02:22:49,704 --> 02:22:49,904
Yeah.

2329
02:22:50,724 --> 02:22:52,424
That's a pretty large number-

2330
02:22:53,104 --> 02:22:53,114
Mm

2331
02:22:53,124 --> 02:22:54,554
... the 10,000. And I know

2332
02:22:55,704 --> 02:22:59,284
subsidies for childcare only started, when?

2333
02:22:59,344 --> 02:23:00,504
Was it about five years ago?

2334
02:23:01,264 --> 02:23:02,444
Through this office, yes.

2335
02:23:02,524 --> 02:23:02,764
Yes.

2336
02:23:02,784 --> 02:23:03,364
But it-

2337
02:23:03,374 --> 02:23:03,374
Yeah

2338
02:23:03,374 --> 02:23:06,024
... was over in DSS prior to the Office of Childhood.

2339
02:23:06,044 --> 02:23:06,384
Prior to that? Okay.

2340
02:23:07,704 --> 02:23:10,304
I mean, 10,000 is a lot of children-

2341
02:23:10,644 --> 02:23:10,754
It is

2342
02:23:10,754 --> 02:23:14,204
... that aren't getting access to care and things that...

2343
02:23:15,384 --> 02:23:15,584
Yeah.

2344
02:23:16,424 --> 02:23:16,644
Thank you.

2345
02:23:18,364 --> 02:23:19,664
Any other questions at this time?

2346
02:23:20,344 --> 02:23:24,084
Can you explain to me the change in subsidy that you

2347
02:23:24,154 --> 02:23:26,984
referenced that caused the wait list to grow?

2348
02:23:28,924 --> 02:23:31,884
The change, it's really based on the budget, how much-

2349
02:23:32,204 --> 02:23:32,384
Okay

2350
02:23:32,424 --> 02:23:34,004
... children we can afford to serve.

2351
02:23:34,204 --> 02:23:38,044
And we don't have the COVID relief dollars anymore that we had for a

2352
02:23:38,064 --> 02:23:38,424
number of years.

2353
02:23:38,464 --> 02:23:38,704
Okay.

2354
02:23:38,884 --> 02:23:41,264
So we're getting back to a pre-pandemic budget.

2355
02:23:41,864 --> 02:23:43,484
Yeah. I just wanted to understand.

2356
02:23:43,504 --> 02:23:43,884
It's a-

2357
02:23:44,274 --> 02:23:44,274
Right

2358
02:23:44,274 --> 02:23:45,484
... it's a budgetary issue.

2359
02:23:45,664 --> 02:23:45,834
Yes.

2360
02:23:45,834 --> 02:23:46,264
Yeah. Okay.

2361
02:23:47,424 --> 02:23:50,284
Can I follow up there? Are we mandated on how much we pay?

2362
02:23:51,464 --> 02:23:54,864
Other words, could we cut it in half per child, and

2363
02:23:55,404 --> 02:23:57,884
we'd be able to see more

2364
02:23:58,964 --> 02:24:02,704
children, or include more children, and maybe their parents would be able to

2365
02:24:02,744 --> 02:24:05,904
subsidize the other half? You understand what my question is?

2366
02:24:06,344 --> 02:24:09,444
I'll let Christine answer because I don't know that I know the specifics well

2367
02:24:09,484 --> 02:24:13,244
enough. I think we have some leeway. I don't know that we could cut it in half.

2368
02:24:14,144 --> 02:24:17,044
Yes, I don't know that we could either, but we have-

2369
02:24:18,534 --> 02:24:22,444
... a market rate survey that is getting ready to happen that is

2370
02:24:22,504 --> 02:24:25,764
one factor that helps inform our rate setting for providers.

2371
02:24:25,864 --> 02:24:28,944
We also have income guidelines for families that we

2372
02:24:29,944 --> 02:24:32,264
do have some flexibilities with that we are exploring.

2373
02:24:32,704 --> 02:24:32,884
Yeah.

2374
02:24:32,924 --> 02:24:36,824
So income guidelines are based on our state median income and the federal

2375
02:24:36,864 --> 02:24:37,484
poverty levels-

2376
02:24:37,504 --> 02:24:37,514
Mm-hmm

2377
02:24:37,514 --> 02:24:38,044
... that are set.

2378
02:24:38,264 --> 02:24:38,544
Correct.

2379
02:24:39,284 --> 02:24:41,943
So those are things we are exploring in conjunction.

2380
02:24:42,624 --> 02:24:45,984
Some daycare is better than none daycare,

2381
02:24:46,624 --> 02:24:49,504
I guess is the way I feel about it. If there was some way that we could

2382
02:24:50,824 --> 02:24:54,584
provide access to more people in some kind of way,

2383
02:24:54,764 --> 02:24:56,104
it'd be something to consider. Thank you.

2384
02:24:59,584 --> 02:25:00,364
We need a motion.

2385
02:25:01,364 --> 02:25:02,634
Is there a motion required?

2386
02:25:03,244 --> 02:25:06,834
Yeah. At this time, I do ask the board to consider moving forward with revisions to

2387
02:25:07,044 --> 02:25:10,964
5 CSR 25-200.060 and authorize

2388
02:25:11,064 --> 02:25:14,384
publication of the Order of Rulemaking in the Missouri Register.

2389
02:25:15,084 --> 02:25:15,624
So moved.

2390
02:25:15,684 --> 02:25:15,984
Okay.

2391
02:25:16,084 --> 02:25:16,324
Second.

2392
02:25:17,244 --> 02:25:20,504
Seconded by Mr. Otto, moved by Mr.

2393
02:25:21,064 --> 02:25:21,364
Meyer.

2394
02:25:22,544 --> 02:25:23,284
Any questions?

2395
02:25:26,144 --> 02:25:29,904
Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion as presented, say

2396
02:25:29,964 --> 02:25:30,144
aye.

2397
02:25:30,504 --> 02:25:30,704
Aye.

2398
02:25:30,764 --> 02:25:31,024
Aye.

2399
02:25:31,404 --> 02:25:32,053
Any opposed?

2400
02:25:33,064 --> 02:25:34,384
Hearing none, motion passes.

2401
02:25:34,784 --> 02:25:35,124
Thank you.

2402
02:25:35,364 --> 02:25:35,724
You bet.

2403
02:25:50,944 --> 02:25:51,344
Welcome.

2404
02:25:52,384 --> 02:25:52,624
Hi.

2405
02:25:52,804 --> 02:25:53,544
It's good to have you.

2406
02:25:54,984 --> 02:25:55,904
Good to see you guys.

2407
02:25:56,044 --> 02:25:59,444
Yeah, especially you're smiling. Both of you are smiling, so you must be happy.

2408
02:26:00,704 --> 02:26:04,504
Good morning. I'm Jocelyn Strand, and I'm the assistant commissioner in the Office

2409
02:26:04,544 --> 02:26:08,224
of Quality Schools, and I'm joined today by Shanika Williams, who is the

2410
02:26:08,264 --> 02:26:11,874
director of the Charter Schools office, Mark Loderson, who is

2411
02:26:11,904 --> 02:26:15,764
the executive director of the Missouri Charter Public School Commission,

2412
02:26:16,444 --> 02:26:19,844
and Denetria Neal, who is the founder of the

2413
02:26:19,904 --> 02:26:22,024
application that is in front of you today.

2414
02:26:22,034 --> 02:26:23,864
And with that, I'll turn it over to Shanika.

2415
02:26:24,724 --> 02:26:25,243
All right.

2416
02:26:26,804 --> 02:26:29,634
So we bring to you today,

2417
02:26:30,484 --> 02:26:34,374
for consideration, the application for North County Innovation

2418
02:26:34,404 --> 02:26:36,844
School, or NCIS.

2419
02:26:38,792 --> 02:26:41,232
So let's first talk about authority to make sure

2420
02:26:42,092 --> 02:26:45,952
that we cover that. And the authority of oversight and approval

2421
02:26:46,052 --> 02:26:49,292
of charter schools is spread across multiple

2422
02:26:49,672 --> 02:26:53,092
entities, from the legislation who create the laws, and the State Board of

2423
02:26:53,172 --> 02:26:56,642
Education who enforce the law and the rules,

2424
02:26:57,252 --> 02:27:00,622
and the charter sponsor that is responsible for the oversight and

2425
02:27:00,672 --> 02:27:04,172
monitoring of the charter school, and the charter school's governing

2426
02:27:04,272 --> 02:27:04,692
board.

2427
02:27:08,232 --> 02:27:12,152
Today, we are going to focus on the State Board of Education's primary

2428
02:27:12,252 --> 02:27:15,272
role, which is related to sponsor activities.

2429
02:27:15,772 --> 02:27:19,272
The State Board of Education reviews and approves

2430
02:27:19,452 --> 02:27:22,812
sponsorship applications, enforces

2431
02:27:22,892 --> 02:27:26,052
regulation related to charter school sponsors,

2432
02:27:26,872 --> 02:27:30,532
evaluates sponsors every three years or more

2433
02:27:30,572 --> 02:27:34,512
frequently if necessary, and reviews renewal

2434
02:27:34,672 --> 02:27:37,812
applications and new charter school applications.

2435
02:27:41,992 --> 02:27:45,962
So DESE's responsibilities include sponsor evaluation every

2436
02:27:46,032 --> 02:27:49,752
three years. The State Board can evaluate at any

2437
02:27:49,872 --> 02:27:53,812
time for cause, publish annual reports, retain

2438
02:27:53,932 --> 02:27:56,772
fees for sponsor expenses, and

2439
02:27:57,292 --> 02:27:59,112
reviewal of approved--

2440
02:28:00,492 --> 02:28:00,872
I'm sorry,

2441
02:28:01,832 --> 02:28:05,632
review approved by the charter sponsor.

2442
02:28:05,872 --> 02:28:08,072
Review renewals

2443
02:28:09,212 --> 02:28:12,572
approved by the charter sponsor. Good gosh, try to say that.

2444
02:28:12,692 --> 02:28:13,132
And

2445
02:28:14,652 --> 02:28:17,952
again, the State Board can

2446
02:28:19,912 --> 02:28:23,792
evaluate the sponsor at any time for cause if necessary, outside of

2447
02:28:23,852 --> 02:28:24,732
those three years.

2448
02:28:25,632 --> 02:28:26,392
So today,

2449
02:28:27,512 --> 02:28:31,362
we're going to talk about the application for North County

2450
02:28:31,492 --> 02:28:32,652
Innovation Schools.

2451
02:28:34,212 --> 02:28:37,922
Part of the in-house procedure when we get an application is

2452
02:28:37,972 --> 02:28:38,512
to

2453
02:28:39,612 --> 02:28:43,232
put together a committee of different departments, whether it's

2454
02:28:43,292 --> 02:28:45,012
finance, SPED,

2455
02:28:46,092 --> 02:28:49,952
law, legal. All those departments come together and review the

2456
02:28:50,032 --> 02:28:53,152
application, and they provide comments back.

2457
02:28:53,212 --> 02:28:57,112
We get those comments, we put them together, and then we provide those comments

2458
02:28:57,152 --> 02:29:00,792
to the sponsor. Then we meet with the sponsor and talk to them about some of the

2459
02:29:00,872 --> 02:29:03,112
comments we've seen and ask them for any

2460
02:29:04,572 --> 02:29:08,092
questions they may have or any changes they may want to make.

2461
02:29:09,152 --> 02:29:11,712
All this is done within 60 days.

2462
02:29:15,192 --> 02:29:18,992
So North County Innovative School is going to be located in St.

2463
02:29:19,232 --> 02:29:22,112
Louis in the Riverview Garden School District.

2464
02:29:22,832 --> 02:29:26,752
The sponsor is the Missouri Charter Public School Commission, who

2465
02:29:26,792 --> 02:29:30,612
we have here today. The proposed opening day is for fall of

2466
02:29:30,672 --> 02:29:34,612
2027. The enrollment for the first year

2467
02:29:35,392 --> 02:29:39,032
is for 107 students, and the proposed

2468
02:29:39,112 --> 02:29:43,072
grades are from pre-K to second. The focus

2469
02:29:43,152 --> 02:29:44,952
of the school is on STREAM,

2470
02:29:45,592 --> 02:29:48,982
S-T-R-E-A-M, and

2471
02:29:49,032 --> 02:29:50,272
project-based learning.

2472
02:29:51,732 --> 02:29:54,872
So it's like STEAM, but includes reading.

2473
02:29:56,932 --> 02:29:59,772
The school currently does not have a facility.

2474
02:30:00,372 --> 02:30:03,072
They have plans that include three different

2475
02:30:03,152 --> 02:30:05,092
options.

2476
02:30:09,092 --> 02:30:12,852
A complete statutory review of the NCIS

2477
02:30:12,892 --> 02:30:16,812
application finds that all 17 requirements of

2478
02:30:16,852 --> 02:30:20,672
the statute are fully satisfied. The application

2479
02:30:20,692 --> 02:30:24,092
includes a clear mission and vision, detailed governance

2480
02:30:24,152 --> 02:30:28,112
statute structure and bylaws, a three-year

2481
02:30:28,212 --> 02:30:31,692
financial plan and audit provisions, comprehensive

2482
02:30:31,892 --> 02:30:34,312
personnel policies, and PD plan,

2483
02:30:35,132 --> 02:30:39,112
defined grades served, and full-term academic calendar,

2484
02:30:39,612 --> 02:30:42,792
complete academic performance standards and metrics,

2485
02:30:43,232 --> 02:30:46,872
detailed curriculum, financial accountability procedures,

2486
02:30:47,232 --> 02:30:51,152
pre-opening requirements, discipline and admission policies,

2487
02:30:51,552 --> 02:30:55,292
grievance procedures, sponsor intervention triggers,

2488
02:30:55,652 --> 02:30:59,352
and closure procedures, and special education services.

2489
02:31:00,011 --> 02:31:03,272
All those things were included in the application, and they have met their

2490
02:31:03,312 --> 02:31:04,812
statutory requirements.

2491
02:31:06,812 --> 02:31:10,712
The department recommends that the State Board of Education authorize

2492
02:31:11,132 --> 02:31:14,392
North County Innovative School to commence

2493
02:31:14,472 --> 02:31:18,212
operation according to the charter granted by the Missouri Charter

2494
02:31:18,332 --> 02:31:22,222
Public School Commission for five years, effective beginning

2495
02:31:22,672 --> 02:31:25,972
with the 2027-28 school year.

2496
02:31:27,532 --> 02:31:29,872
And before we move on

2497
02:31:32,312 --> 02:31:34,792
from the recommendation, I want to

2498
02:31:36,252 --> 02:31:36,812
allow

2499
02:31:38,112 --> 02:31:39,232
the commission to

2500
02:31:40,052 --> 02:31:41,972
show their presentation. There we go.

2501
02:31:43,912 --> 02:31:47,472
Thank you, Shaneka. Members of the board, good morning.

2502
02:31:48,112 --> 02:31:51,922
I want to thank, on behalf of my commission, you all for hearing

2503
02:31:51,992 --> 02:31:55,932
today's item. I also want to thank DESE staff for their

2504
02:31:55,942 --> 02:31:59,132
review and favorable recommendation on today's

2505
02:31:59,152 --> 02:31:59,982
presentation,

2506
02:32:00,872 --> 02:32:04,032
and their work to ensure that both the applicants submitted all required elements

2507
02:32:04,052 --> 02:32:07,852
of the application, and that the commission's review was complete and

2508
02:32:08,032 --> 02:32:11,332
thorough. We know that you all are busy, and we're grateful for your time.

2509
02:32:12,112 --> 02:32:14,912
I don't want to take up too much of it this morning, as I know you likely have

2510
02:32:14,952 --> 02:32:18,672
questions for us or the school, but I wanted to quickly

2511
02:32:18,692 --> 02:32:22,372
highlight several items about our process and application, if I may.

2512
02:32:23,152 --> 02:32:27,092
First, this application has undergone significant changes and feedback since

2513
02:32:27,112 --> 02:32:30,112
being originally submitted in late 2024.

2514
02:32:30,332 --> 02:32:33,752
Commission staff believes this is a testament to the applicant team's

2515
02:32:33,792 --> 02:32:37,722
perseverance, openness to feedback, and commitment to providing a high-quality

2516
02:32:37,832 --> 02:32:41,492
school. I often tell people that there is no such thing as a

2517
02:32:41,512 --> 02:32:44,852
perfect charter application, but there can be strong applications with great

2518
02:32:44,932 --> 02:32:48,692
governing boards behind them, and my staff and I think that is exactly what you

2519
02:32:48,712 --> 02:32:49,552
have before you today.

2520
02:32:50,516 --> 02:32:53,396
Second, the commission has a rigorous application review process.

2521
02:32:53,476 --> 02:32:57,096
We not only implement all required practices of a Missouri sponsor when

2522
02:32:57,116 --> 02:33:00,646
accepting new applications, such as a thorough review of the written application

2523
02:33:00,656 --> 02:33:04,326
and a capacity interview. This is evidenced in our most recent evaluation

2524
02:33:04,396 --> 02:33:07,886
by the DESE team in 2023. But we go on to take several

2525
02:33:07,936 --> 02:33:11,676
additional steps, including conducting a board interview, whereby

2526
02:33:11,736 --> 02:33:15,096
members of the commission interview members of the applicant team's board,

2527
02:33:15,796 --> 02:33:19,246
hold a public hearing, whereby members of the public are invited to attend and

2528
02:33:19,296 --> 02:33:21,746
offer their views and opinions on the application.

2529
02:33:21,776 --> 02:33:25,456
In this case, 16 members of the public spoke in favor of the applicant at a

2530
02:33:25,516 --> 02:33:29,296
hearing last month. And then, when we take those two practices

2531
02:33:29,316 --> 02:33:33,036
together, you are looking at strong alignment with national best practices across

2532
02:33:33,076 --> 02:33:36,976
the country for other sponsors, and we believe set the commission apart from other

2533
02:33:37,056 --> 02:33:40,476
sponsors as they speak to a multifaceted, comprehensive

2534
02:33:40,536 --> 02:33:43,436
approach that we take when considering new applications.

2535
02:33:44,596 --> 02:33:47,876
As a result of our review, staff and board interviews, as well as the public

2536
02:33:47,916 --> 02:33:51,656
hearing, the commission voted to approve this application

2537
02:33:51,716 --> 02:33:55,176
team at its August 17th meeting, and you'll see that highlighted on the slide

2538
02:33:55,216 --> 02:33:57,826
before you, and attached five conditions.

2539
02:33:58,956 --> 02:34:01,656
I'm happy to go through those conditions with you today.

2540
02:34:01,856 --> 02:34:05,396
I have copies of our recommendation memo that was provided to my commission as

2541
02:34:05,436 --> 02:34:07,806
well, if it's helpful. But the commission's

2542
02:34:08,476 --> 02:34:09,996
conditions

2543
02:34:11,116 --> 02:34:15,056
are meant to ensure that the school makes progress in critical areas that we

2544
02:34:15,136 --> 02:34:18,456
know must be in place for the school to open successfully.

2545
02:34:18,896 --> 02:34:22,856
Commission staff will monitor this over the fall and winter if the school is

2546
02:34:22,896 --> 02:34:26,716
formally authorized today, and the conditions tie to progress in the

2547
02:34:26,736 --> 02:34:30,716
following areas: facilities, leadership development, school

2548
02:34:30,776 --> 02:34:33,196
leader selection, enrollment, and fundraising.

2549
02:34:33,476 --> 02:34:35,756
If you want to go to the next slide, I think these are outlined.

2550
02:34:38,996 --> 02:34:39,456
There we go.

2551
02:34:42,276 --> 02:34:45,106
Should the school be approved today, and should the conditions be met to the

2552
02:34:45,176 --> 02:34:49,096
satisfaction of the commission, this school will have the green light to open

2553
02:34:49,106 --> 02:34:52,966
next August. And from there, commission staff will continue to monitor the school

2554
02:34:53,036 --> 02:34:56,216
like we do our other 19 schools that we already oversee in our

2555
02:34:56,256 --> 02:35:00,176
portfolio through the following mechanisms, which are outlined on

2556
02:35:00,556 --> 02:35:01,036
this slide.

2557
02:35:02,316 --> 02:35:05,796
Regular monitoring, site visits, school quality reviews,

2558
02:35:06,056 --> 02:35:09,356
annual reports, and engagement with the governing board of each school on an

2559
02:35:09,396 --> 02:35:13,276
ongoing basis. All of these approaches align to Missouri statute

2560
02:35:13,336 --> 02:35:15,136
as well as national best practices.

2561
02:35:15,696 --> 02:35:17,116
And you see that depicted here

2562
02:35:18,496 --> 02:35:21,156
in the slide before you, which kind of gives you a glimpse of the charter school

2563
02:35:21,196 --> 02:35:21,796
life cycle.

2564
02:35:23,076 --> 02:35:26,256
And obviously, I would be remiss if I did not point to our accountability

2565
02:35:26,356 --> 02:35:30,096
reporting. So we do a significant amount of work as a team in holding schools

2566
02:35:30,136 --> 02:35:31,836
accountable throughout that life cycle.

2567
02:35:32,236 --> 02:35:35,836
Performance standards are built into our contract and framework, and we

2568
02:35:35,876 --> 02:35:39,766
publish that data regularly, and this school will be no different if approved

2569
02:35:39,816 --> 02:35:43,716
today and moving forward. You can also find a copy of those reports on

2570
02:35:43,756 --> 02:35:44,996
our website if you're interested.

2571
02:35:45,776 --> 02:35:48,056
So with that, President Miller, I'd conclude my remarks.

2572
02:35:48,136 --> 02:35:51,546
I'm happy to take any questions that you or other members of the board have of

2573
02:35:51,616 --> 02:35:54,736
either the commission or the applicant. We appreciate your time this morning.

2574
02:35:57,036 --> 02:36:00,416
Okay. Are there any questions that we have at this time?

2575
02:36:03,636 --> 02:36:04,276
Mrs. Casey.

2576
02:36:05,436 --> 02:36:07,356
Thank you, President Miller, and thank you

2577
02:36:08,816 --> 02:36:11,016
both DESE team and the commission.

2578
02:36:11,216 --> 02:36:15,196
I appreciate it, and I assume this is the school leader

2579
02:36:15,276 --> 02:36:17,056
to be if this works out.

2580
02:36:17,276 --> 02:36:17,416
Yes.

2581
02:36:17,636 --> 02:36:18,316
Nice to meet you.

2582
02:36:18,446 --> 02:36:18,916
Nice to meet you.

2583
02:36:18,976 --> 02:36:19,836
Thank you for being here.

2584
02:36:23,096 --> 02:36:27,036
I'm especially interested in the area of governance and

2585
02:36:27,076 --> 02:36:30,776
the oversight that I know the commission does give to all the schools.

2586
02:36:30,856 --> 02:36:33,256
But in particular, with the opening of a new school,

2587
02:36:33,336 --> 02:36:37,196
there are so many very important

2588
02:36:37,316 --> 02:36:39,656
steps until you get that foundation built.

2589
02:36:39,736 --> 02:36:41,156
So I have a few different questions,

2590
02:36:42,176 --> 02:36:43,996
and they are in no particular order.

2591
02:36:44,016 --> 02:36:47,996
But the academic outcomes, the targets that you've set to

2592
02:36:48,056 --> 02:36:51,956
be in your accountability reporting, where

2593
02:36:51,996 --> 02:36:54,926
are you setting those targets? Or what are the targets?

2594
02:36:54,976 --> 02:36:56,536
And primarily in,

2595
02:36:59,516 --> 02:37:03,156
if you think back to this long last discussion that we just had, the

2596
02:37:03,196 --> 02:37:04,336
importance of

2597
02:37:05,196 --> 02:37:09,116
reading and math and the early grade academic outcomes.

2598
02:37:09,196 --> 02:37:10,736
And I might have missed it. Are you starting

2599
02:37:11,676 --> 02:37:13,976
with how many children in the enrollment?

2600
02:37:14,776 --> 02:37:17,736
107 in pre-K through second.

2601
02:37:18,116 --> 02:37:18,376
Okay.

2602
02:37:19,736 --> 02:37:23,656
Thank you for that question, Member Casey. Mark Moderson for the record.

2603
02:37:23,736 --> 02:37:27,706
So I would start, before I turn it over to Miss Neal to provide some

2604
02:37:27,716 --> 02:37:31,666
more context on these goals, but the commission firmly believes

2605
02:37:31,666 --> 02:37:34,756
that goals need to be rigorous and ambitious, but also

2606
02:37:34,816 --> 02:37:38,586
attainable. And I'll let her speak to the details on how

2607
02:37:38,896 --> 02:37:41,636
she developed these goals. I believe it's primarily based on

2608
02:37:42,036 --> 02:37:45,176
the performance of the school district, but also how they can

2609
02:37:46,136 --> 02:37:50,116
make sure students are successful should they leave, stay with the school

2610
02:37:50,176 --> 02:37:53,736
all the way through eighth grade. But I would say we were particularly impressed by

2611
02:37:53,776 --> 02:37:56,176
the fact that their goals are robust.

2612
02:37:56,456 --> 02:37:59,976
They cover all of the key core curricula areas,

2613
02:38:00,156 --> 02:38:03,676
ELA, math, and they also include additional items such as attendance,

2614
02:38:03,776 --> 02:38:07,556
behavior, and school culture. But I'll turn it over to Miss Neal to

2615
02:38:07,656 --> 02:38:11,536
speak to how they were developed and why she believes they're appropriate given the

2616
02:38:11,596 --> 02:38:13,336
school is proposing to launch in 12 months.

2617
02:38:14,336 --> 02:38:16,156
Thank you for that, Mark. Good morning to everyone.

2618
02:38:16,256 --> 02:38:19,376
Thank you to DESE's team and staff, as well as the board members.

2619
02:38:19,836 --> 02:38:23,776
I will be very brief. We looked at benchmarks, of course, through the Riverview

2620
02:38:23,856 --> 02:38:27,556
Gardens attendance area in terms of what their benchmarks

2621
02:38:27,596 --> 02:38:31,366
were in reading and math. But then also, we looked at other schools,

2622
02:38:31,456 --> 02:38:35,176
charter schools that had newly founded, and what their early scores

2623
02:38:35,256 --> 02:38:39,116
were in terms of reading and math. And then we also looked at a charter school that

2624
02:38:39,156 --> 02:38:43,086
was mature, and what their scores were in terms of reading and

2625
02:38:43,156 --> 02:38:46,976
math. And we put those together, and we looked at what is not

2626
02:38:47,056 --> 02:38:50,780
only ambitious and rigorous, but what is also realistic So

2627
02:38:50,800 --> 02:38:53,480
those early benchmarks, again, are realistic.

2628
02:38:53,840 --> 02:38:57,370
They are ambitious, but it comes from data that we've received from

2629
02:38:57,440 --> 02:39:01,120
around the actual region, as well as new and mature charter schools.

2630
02:39:01,480 --> 02:39:04,570
Can you tell me what a few of those benchmarks are?

2631
02:39:05,000 --> 02:39:08,910
Absolutely. So for us, in year three, for students that have been with us for

2632
02:39:09,080 --> 02:39:12,640
a full year or more, for us, for year three, that is 25%

2633
02:39:12,680 --> 02:39:15,810
proficiency. For year four, that is

2634
02:39:15,940 --> 02:39:19,660
45% proficiency, and then for year five, that

2635
02:39:19,760 --> 02:39:21,740
is 65% proficiency.

2636
02:39:24,480 --> 02:39:24,680
Okay.

2637
02:39:25,180 --> 02:39:26,160
Thank you. Just-

2638
02:39:26,200 --> 02:39:28,880
Another question. Mike? Mr...

2639
02:39:29,080 --> 02:39:29,900
Oh, Gary, do you-

2640
02:39:30,380 --> 02:39:30,900
No, go ahead.

2641
02:39:30,980 --> 02:39:34,589
Oh. I was just going to say thank you to Shanika and

2642
02:39:34,620 --> 02:39:38,560
Jocelyn. I sort of laugh, it's kind of like when Paul gets up here, there's a lot

2643
02:39:38,580 --> 02:39:42,440
of behind-the-scenes work, and then the board may not ask a lot of questions, but

2644
02:39:42,460 --> 02:39:44,299
we do appreciate the work that goes on.

2645
02:39:45,260 --> 02:39:47,780
To Mark, I had an opportunity to speak with you.

2646
02:39:47,840 --> 02:39:51,660
I think other board members did as well, and I found the information that you

2647
02:39:51,740 --> 02:39:55,640
provided to be extremely helpful, and even a model for

2648
02:39:55,720 --> 02:39:59,140
others that are approaching the board about an issue like this.

2649
02:39:59,280 --> 02:40:03,080
That's just my own opinion. I thought it was very helpful and

2650
02:40:03,840 --> 02:40:06,060
the way you explained it was great.

2651
02:40:06,140 --> 02:40:08,580
So and assuming this gets approved, good luck-

2652
02:40:09,220 --> 02:40:09,460
Thank you

2653
02:40:09,560 --> 02:40:10,160
... leading the school.

2654
02:40:12,160 --> 02:40:12,840
Mrs. Casey.

2655
02:40:13,120 --> 02:40:16,880
Just a final few clarifying questions or confirming questions.

2656
02:40:17,760 --> 02:40:19,880
This would go to you, Commissioner.

2657
02:40:20,000 --> 02:40:23,940
The governing board you referenced, has the board been

2658
02:40:24,000 --> 02:40:25,090
fully formed

2659
02:40:26,320 --> 02:40:27,000
for this school?

2660
02:40:27,400 --> 02:40:28,020
The school's board?

2661
02:40:28,240 --> 02:40:28,390
Mm-hmm.

2662
02:40:28,700 --> 02:40:32,000
Yes. Member Casey, thank you for that question. Mark Modersohn for the record.

2663
02:40:32,050 --> 02:40:33,800
So this is a board of 12.

2664
02:40:34,100 --> 02:40:34,560
Yes.

2665
02:40:34,640 --> 02:40:35,770
Very robust board,

2666
02:40:36,740 --> 02:40:39,780
and we were particularly impressed with not only are they fully formed, but they

2667
02:40:39,920 --> 02:40:43,820
have significant roots in the community, and I

2668
02:40:43,840 --> 02:40:47,800
think that's a true asset to really any charter school proposal, that it's

2669
02:40:47,840 --> 02:40:51,060
coming from and for the community that it's proposing to serve.

2670
02:40:51,880 --> 02:40:54,860
I would let Ms. Neal and/or members of the board, which are behind me,

2671
02:40:55,860 --> 02:40:59,280
speak to their backgrounds and qualifications if I could, if you have follow-up

2672
02:40:59,320 --> 02:41:03,020
questions. But certainly we were impressed by this board as it is

2673
02:41:03,060 --> 02:41:04,920
fully formed and we believe ready to go.

2674
02:41:05,560 --> 02:41:07,780
And what level of training will the board receive?

2675
02:41:08,640 --> 02:41:12,360
Thank you for that question. The board will receive a lot of

2676
02:41:12,380 --> 02:41:14,940
training and oversight from the commission.

2677
02:41:15,380 --> 02:41:19,320
We historically do provide lots of training on things

2678
02:41:19,360 --> 02:41:23,250
such as Sunshine Law, best practices on charter school governance

2679
02:41:23,250 --> 02:41:27,200
throughout that incubator year. By way of example,

2680
02:41:27,300 --> 02:41:31,220
just last week we finalized a Sunshine Law training for

2681
02:41:31,229 --> 02:41:33,540
all of the schools in our portfolio.

2682
02:41:33,940 --> 02:41:35,920
That's sort of a minimum bar threshold.

2683
02:41:36,000 --> 02:41:39,940
We know that governance goes beyond just following what's in the Sunshine Law,

2684
02:41:40,040 --> 02:41:43,770
but it's an example that immediately comes to mind that we'll be ensuring that not

2685
02:41:43,800 --> 02:41:47,350
only this board, but all of our governing boards receive, along with other best

2686
02:41:47,420 --> 02:41:49,640
practices and items along the way. Hopefully that helps.

2687
02:41:49,910 --> 02:41:53,460
And lastly, are you on track to meet your required funding?

2688
02:41:57,100 --> 02:42:00,520
Mark Modersohn for the record. So I appreciate that question.

2689
02:42:00,610 --> 02:42:04,280
I will let Ms. Neal speak to the work that's been happening over the

2690
02:42:04,340 --> 02:42:08,140
summer and between the commission's approval on

2691
02:42:08,260 --> 02:42:11,900
August 17th and today. But we know that this school

2692
02:42:12,080 --> 02:42:15,720
has proposed significant fundraising to occur

2693
02:42:15,880 --> 02:42:19,700
before it opens in August, and that is a big reason why we have actually

2694
02:42:19,760 --> 02:42:23,340
attached a condition to their approval, which

2695
02:42:23,380 --> 02:42:26,660
requires them to demonstrate that that funding has been

2696
02:42:26,720 --> 02:42:27,960
successfully

2697
02:42:28,940 --> 02:42:32,820
received or earned. And so the first checkpoint on that

2698
02:42:32,860 --> 02:42:36,729
condition from the commission is December 31st, 2026,

2699
02:42:36,800 --> 02:42:40,280
where they are required to demonstrate they have at least $50,000 raised.

2700
02:42:40,440 --> 02:42:44,410
I will let Ms. Neal speak to the efforts to date and any progress that's

2701
02:42:44,440 --> 02:42:45,660
been made in this interim period.

2702
02:42:46,580 --> 02:42:50,200
Awesome. Thank you. Denitria Neal for the record. Thank you for that question.

2703
02:42:50,280 --> 02:42:53,920
We have done some extensive background work in reference to

2704
02:42:53,980 --> 02:42:56,160
fundraising, applying for grants.

2705
02:42:56,380 --> 02:43:00,240
Grants do have cycles that you do have to wait for before you can apply or

2706
02:43:00,260 --> 02:43:01,920
before you are awarded or notified.

2707
02:43:02,260 --> 02:43:05,940
But we have explicitly been applying for grants as well as

2708
02:43:06,020 --> 02:43:09,979
actively doing fundraising. We have an event that is coming up actually in

2709
02:43:10,039 --> 02:43:13,790
November that we're looking to solidify, and ongoing things that we have done

2710
02:43:13,790 --> 02:43:17,510
throughout the year. I do want to say that we have not waited until this

2711
02:43:17,520 --> 02:43:20,260
juncture to begin that fundraising and those activities.

2712
02:43:20,580 --> 02:43:24,000
We have been actively working up until that date and will include to do so.

2713
02:43:24,480 --> 02:43:27,820
I will yield the floor, if I may, to our board treasurer, Mr.

2714
02:43:28,020 --> 02:43:29,020
Patrick Fox, at this time.

2715
02:43:30,500 --> 02:43:31,920
I'll speak loudly if that's okay.

2716
02:43:32,060 --> 02:43:33,080
Would you stand, please?

2717
02:43:33,160 --> 02:43:33,320
Sure.

2718
02:43:33,540 --> 02:43:36,660
Yeah. Or yeah. Take a seat at the table.

2719
02:43:39,160 --> 02:43:42,280
Hello. My name is Patrick Fox. I'm the board treasurer and I also serve on the

2720
02:43:42,340 --> 02:43:46,140
governance committee. I will say to Mark and his team, I appreciated

2721
02:43:46,200 --> 02:43:49,940
having these conditions in place to make sure that we have

2722
02:43:49,960 --> 02:43:52,540
the financial resources to make this happen.

2723
02:43:52,620 --> 02:43:56,480
They are fair, realistic, and I believe attainable by us.

2724
02:43:57,020 --> 02:44:00,640
The thing that always comes to mind when I say that it is kind of a chicken and egg

2725
02:44:00,700 --> 02:44:04,429
scenario. In order to really convince those major donors to

2726
02:44:04,840 --> 02:44:08,570
go ahead and support the work you are doing, you have to go through all the steps

2727
02:44:08,640 --> 02:44:10,780
to be able to actively participate.

2728
02:44:10,840 --> 02:44:14,650
So I think this being that final step, but also knowing that there's

2729
02:44:14,680 --> 02:44:17,490
really important financial safeguards in place really

2730
02:44:18,940 --> 02:44:19,610
speak to the work that

2731
02:44:20,940 --> 02:44:24,840
has been done, and we think it's very attainable given what we believe we can

2732
02:44:24,880 --> 02:44:26,460
do.

2733
02:44:27,140 --> 02:44:28,110
What are those safeguards?

2734
02:44:29,580 --> 02:44:33,320
Well, we have a quite large application in for a

2735
02:44:33,620 --> 02:44:36,780
grant for the CSP funds. That is one.

2736
02:44:38,540 --> 02:44:42,160
The other thing we are exploring, I have a background in nonprofit and government

2737
02:44:42,260 --> 02:44:45,520
finance, so I've served both for nonprofits and for

2738
02:44:45,960 --> 02:44:49,600
government and quasi-government entities in a finance role, and my

2739
02:44:49,620 --> 02:44:52,920
philosophy is always I'd rather be looking at it than looking for it when it comes

2740
02:44:52,980 --> 02:44:56,960
to finances. But what I will say is when you are starting up,

2741
02:44:57,040 --> 02:44:59,160
the problem you face is that many of the f-

2742
02:45:00,124 --> 02:45:03,904
Well-intentioned funding opportunities have a reimbursement model.

2743
02:45:04,724 --> 02:45:08,404
So in order to be successful in that, you have to either have fundraised for

2744
02:45:08,464 --> 02:45:12,024
general operating support from donors, or you have to

2745
02:45:12,064 --> 02:45:15,904
establish some realistic potential lines of credit to

2746
02:45:15,964 --> 02:45:17,703
tide you over for that short period of time.

2747
02:45:18,044 --> 02:45:21,764
So, that is a contingency plan that I have in place for

2748
02:45:21,824 --> 02:45:23,124
when we start, get

2749
02:45:24,344 --> 02:45:28,244
operating. Because I also know it takes time for funds to be remitted by the

2750
02:45:28,304 --> 02:45:32,124
state back to us, and that doesn't necessarily correspond to when we have to pay

2751
02:45:32,184 --> 02:45:35,944
our staff, which is any organization's largest

2752
02:45:35,984 --> 02:45:36,464
expense.

2753
02:45:37,464 --> 02:45:37,824
Thank you.

2754
02:45:40,324 --> 02:45:44,044
Ms. Neal, could I ask you, is this your first school?

2755
02:45:44,084 --> 02:45:45,924
Yes, it is the first founding school for myself.

2756
02:45:46,224 --> 02:45:50,024
Okay. So as you look into the future, how do

2757
02:45:50,504 --> 02:45:54,434
you measure success? How are you going to measure, say, like in the first year or

2758
02:45:54,464 --> 02:45:56,074
the second year-

2759
02:45:56,144 --> 02:45:56,234
Absolutely

2760
02:45:56,234 --> 02:45:57,184
... as a new leader?

2761
02:45:57,264 --> 02:46:00,934
Thank you for that question. And so because we are not testing in year one, because

2762
02:46:00,964 --> 02:46:04,484
we're only through second grade, we have those early indicators and early

2763
02:46:04,564 --> 02:46:06,464
benchmarks that we'll be looking at through i-Ready.

2764
02:46:06,864 --> 02:46:10,424
So we will still be looking at growth goals for our children around the

2765
02:46:10,464 --> 02:46:14,344
reading, around math, around behavior with Panorama,

2766
02:46:14,384 --> 02:46:16,084
discipline, things of that nature.

2767
02:46:16,124 --> 02:46:19,324
So as we then get to testing, of course, we're looking at those accountability

2768
02:46:19,404 --> 02:46:23,024
structures, we're looking at state alignment, we're looking at state proficiency.

2769
02:46:23,064 --> 02:46:26,804
But those are the things that we would use to track what we're doing to be

2770
02:46:26,904 --> 02:46:29,344
successful around our metrics and academics.

2771
02:46:29,604 --> 02:46:31,184
Okay. Thank you.

2772
02:46:31,604 --> 02:46:33,524
Leadership development was mentioned.

2773
02:46:33,584 --> 02:46:36,604
Just could you describe that, like we're looking at?

2774
02:46:37,564 --> 02:46:40,844
Mark Mottershead for the question. Thank you, Member Myers.

2775
02:46:41,024 --> 02:46:44,794
So, Denetria and her board have many wonderful qualities and

2776
02:46:44,944 --> 02:46:48,664
assets as a part of this application, but one of the shortcomings and opportunities

2777
02:46:48,704 --> 02:46:52,634
for growth that we have is that Denetria is not an experienced,

2778
02:46:52,684 --> 02:46:55,584
seasoned school leader. So the commission

2779
02:46:56,994 --> 02:47:00,884
last month believed that it was appropriate to attach a condition related to her

2780
02:47:00,964 --> 02:47:04,884
ongoing development. And in the spirit of charter school autonomy, that will be a

2781
02:47:04,984 --> 02:47:08,923
choice for the board of the school to make, and it's our job to hold

2782
02:47:08,983 --> 02:47:12,564
up the mirror and say, "Did you do it or did you not do it?" And tell us about the

2783
02:47:12,584 --> 02:47:15,124
credentials behind that coaching and development program.

2784
02:47:15,504 --> 02:47:15,704
So,

2785
02:47:17,084 --> 02:47:20,524
hopefully, Member Myers, that gets to the question, but we know that it takes a

2786
02:47:20,584 --> 02:47:24,264
quality board, it takes a quality leader, and it takes quality staff, and we want

2787
02:47:24,284 --> 02:47:25,304
to make sure all those are in place.

2788
02:47:25,334 --> 02:47:27,843
So that's the spirit that we're operating with.

2789
02:47:27,904 --> 02:47:28,804
Thank you.

2790
02:47:31,044 --> 02:47:32,184
Other questions you may have?

2791
02:47:35,604 --> 02:47:36,493
No questions, motion.

2792
02:47:36,493 --> 02:47:36,744
Okay.

2793
02:47:37,784 --> 02:47:38,224
Very good.

2794
02:47:39,384 --> 02:47:40,604
Thank you for your presentation.

2795
02:47:41,884 --> 02:47:42,624
Mrs. Casey.

2796
02:47:43,004 --> 02:47:46,384
I would like to make a motion to authorize the

2797
02:47:46,464 --> 02:47:49,084
NCIS or North County Innovative School,

2798
02:47:50,184 --> 02:47:54,074
to commence operations according to the charter granted by the Missouri Charter

2799
02:47:54,164 --> 02:47:57,664
Public School Commission for five years, effective

2800
02:47:57,804 --> 02:48:01,084
beginning with the year '27, '28 school year.

2801
02:48:01,984 --> 02:48:05,354
I would also like to ask that they come before us in one year

2802
02:48:06,764 --> 02:48:09,724
to give us an update on their successful opening.

2803
02:48:11,844 --> 02:48:12,084
Second.

2804
02:48:12,124 --> 02:48:13,384
You want that added to the motion?

2805
02:48:13,484 --> 02:48:13,864
Yes.

2806
02:48:13,924 --> 02:48:14,164
Okay.

2807
02:48:14,564 --> 02:48:14,864
Second.

2808
02:48:16,354 --> 02:48:20,164
We have a motion and a second. Are you okay with the

2809
02:48:20,444 --> 02:48:21,324
one-year return?

2810
02:48:21,944 --> 02:48:23,404
I assume you mean the school and the commission.

2811
02:48:23,704 --> 02:48:24,004
Yes.

2812
02:48:24,064 --> 02:48:24,844
Okay.

2813
02:48:25,104 --> 02:48:25,804
Yeah. Okay.

2814
02:48:27,644 --> 02:48:31,243
So we have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor say aye.

2815
02:48:32,004 --> 02:48:32,014
Aye.

2816
02:48:32,044 --> 02:48:32,424
Aye.

2817
02:48:32,504 --> 02:48:33,104
Aye.

2818
02:48:33,134 --> 02:48:33,884
Any opposed?

2819
02:48:35,204 --> 02:48:38,884
Hearing none, the motion carries, and we wish you the absolute best of luck, okay?

2820
02:48:39,264 --> 02:48:40,744
Thank you all so much. See you in a year.

2821
02:48:40,944 --> 02:48:41,284
Good luck.

2822
02:48:54,644 --> 02:48:56,944
Okay, Mr. Crews, I think it's your turn.

2823
02:48:59,064 --> 02:48:59,384
Thank you.

2824
02:49:03,504 --> 02:49:05,664
And your presentation today is on the budget.

2825
02:49:06,784 --> 02:49:07,084
Correct.

2826
02:49:07,304 --> 02:49:08,604
Yeah.

2827
02:49:11,284 --> 02:49:14,824
Good morning. Kyle Crews, Deputy Commissioner for Financial and Administrative

2828
02:49:14,844 --> 02:49:18,234
Services. I'm joined by Rebecca Jackson, our Chief Budget Officer,

2829
02:49:18,784 --> 02:49:21,784
and we are here today to present to the board for your consideration-

2830
02:49:22,804 --> 02:49:26,124
... the fiscal year 2028 budget request.

2831
02:49:31,264 --> 02:49:32,544
Can you hand me that?

2832
02:49:32,594 --> 02:49:32,594
Yep.

2833
02:49:32,604 --> 02:49:34,544
The contents of the presentation include

2834
02:49:35,724 --> 02:49:39,284
a list of recommended supplemental and new decision item

2835
02:49:39,344 --> 02:49:43,064
requests. We've grouped those into the requests that we consider

2836
02:49:43,164 --> 02:49:46,304
statutory, legislative, or judicially

2837
02:49:46,704 --> 02:49:50,484
mandated or required. There's a list of federal or other

2838
02:49:50,494 --> 02:49:50,864
dollar

2839
02:49:51,804 --> 02:49:55,774
supplementals and NDIs, and then there are a list of a few other

2840
02:49:55,824 --> 02:49:58,324
initiatives that don't fall under the first two categories.

2841
02:49:59,904 --> 02:50:03,444
As you recall, last month we brought to the board a comprehensive

2842
02:50:03,584 --> 02:50:07,464
list of potential supplemental and NDI

2843
02:50:07,524 --> 02:50:11,504
requests. And since that time we took feedback from the board, the

2844
02:50:11,544 --> 02:50:15,504
finance committee, and the commissioner, and what you have today is the budget

2845
02:50:15,544 --> 02:50:18,034
we are presenting for your consideration.

2846
02:50:18,944 --> 02:50:22,744
It has a significantly reduced list of

2847
02:50:22,784 --> 02:50:23,334
requests.

2848
02:50:24,264 --> 02:50:28,254
And to answer some board questions, we've included a list of requests that are not

2849
02:50:28,324 --> 02:50:31,504
recommended, not the full list of those that didn't make the cut.

2850
02:50:31,864 --> 02:50:35,604
But as you recall, last month I mentioned there being a narrow gate through

2851
02:50:35,664 --> 02:50:39,084
which our requests need to pass in order to make the final budget.

2852
02:50:39,824 --> 02:50:43,584
And so with the input of all those parties, we have

2853
02:50:44,724 --> 02:50:48,084
decided which requests don't really fit through the gate.

2854
02:50:48,544 --> 02:50:52,534
But just for your information, some that were high priority but did not get

2855
02:50:52,564 --> 02:50:55,444
through the gate are listed just so you see what they were.

2856
02:50:55,484 --> 02:50:58,163
They were important but did not fit the requirements.

2857
02:50:58,994 --> 02:51:02,964
We also have a list of the core fiscal year 2028 budget- ...

2858
02:51:02,994 --> 02:51:05,864
and an appendix with additional information throughout the presentation.

2859
02:51:07,784 --> 02:51:08,194
So if you'll

2860
02:51:09,914 --> 02:51:13,674
Like to proceed, we'll look at the recommended supplemental and new decision item

2861
02:51:13,714 --> 02:51:14,274
requests.

2862
02:51:15,574 --> 02:51:19,013
Last month, again, we gave you the comprehensive list of possible requests.

2863
02:51:19,774 --> 02:51:23,424
We worked through the list, and the process has now brought

2864
02:51:23,474 --> 02:51:26,564
you these requests recommended for approval.

2865
02:51:27,154 --> 02:51:30,774
And we can spend as much or as little time as you like on the requests,

2866
02:51:31,054 --> 02:51:33,734
since we have discussed them in some detail in the past

2867
02:51:33,774 --> 02:51:37,694
months. Under the statutory, legislative, and

2868
02:51:37,734 --> 02:51:39,194
judicial category,

2869
02:51:40,074 --> 02:51:43,094
we have the foundation formula new decision item request of

2870
02:51:43,114 --> 02:51:44,614
$388.6

2871
02:51:45,934 --> 02:51:46,313
million.

2872
02:51:47,954 --> 02:51:52,044
Transportation,

2873
02:51:52,834 --> 02:51:55,474
a new decision item of $64.2 million.

2874
02:51:56,054 --> 02:51:59,394
Early childhood special ed, there is a supplemental for

2875
02:51:59,454 --> 02:52:03,134
$56.7 million and an NDI for $65.6

2876
02:52:03,174 --> 02:52:06,794
million. High-needs special education, $15.1

2877
02:52:06,894 --> 02:52:09,654
supplemental, NDI of $30.5 million.

2878
02:52:10,274 --> 02:52:13,674
And then there is an item for the A through F school grade card, both a

2879
02:52:13,734 --> 02:52:17,364
supplemental of $518,000 and an

2880
02:52:17,514 --> 02:52:21,374
NDI of about $6.5 million, and the request is also

2881
02:52:21,414 --> 02:52:24,134
for two FTE to fully administer that program.

2882
02:52:26,194 --> 02:52:27,914
Any questions about this page at this time?

2883
02:52:30,494 --> 02:52:30,914
Okay.

2884
02:52:31,934 --> 02:52:33,854
Other statutory and legislative judicial.

2885
02:52:35,254 --> 02:52:39,214
There is money for the Interscholastic Oversight Commission, and that is

2886
02:52:39,314 --> 02:52:43,074
a DESE-operated board to essentially be

2887
02:52:43,154 --> 02:52:46,934
there to review decisions of the Missouri State High School

2888
02:52:46,954 --> 02:52:48,574
Activities Association if required.

2889
02:52:49,634 --> 02:52:52,714
That's new legislation. New legislation also brought us an

2890
02:52:52,794 --> 02:52:55,694
antisemitism prohibition and reporting requirement.

2891
02:52:56,514 --> 02:53:00,454
It brought us the expansion statewide of an elementary school

2892
02:53:00,714 --> 02:53:04,554
agricultural education program, and also there is a

2893
02:53:04,594 --> 02:53:08,404
legislation for a STEM career awareness activity.

2894
02:53:09,274 --> 02:53:10,334
Any questions on this slide?

2895
02:53:13,824 --> 02:53:17,674
The last statutory legislative judicial category item is

2896
02:53:17,993 --> 02:53:21,634
there's a requirement for a communications access

2897
02:53:21,674 --> 02:53:22,754
services program,

2898
02:53:23,614 --> 02:53:26,914
Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and it's partly to help

2899
02:53:26,954 --> 02:53:30,014
locate missing individuals who fall into these

2900
02:53:30,054 --> 02:53:32,594
categories. And again, that does come from statute.

2901
02:53:33,994 --> 02:53:37,903
We have a list of federal and other dollar

2902
02:53:38,694 --> 02:53:42,534
new decision items or supplemental requests, and if it's okay, I won't

2903
02:53:42,614 --> 02:53:45,354
spend too much time on these. They don't require general revenue.

2904
02:53:45,974 --> 02:53:48,334
They fall into federal dollars or other dollars.

2905
02:53:50,534 --> 02:53:53,994
Title I request for $20 million in supplemental authority.

2906
02:53:55,114 --> 02:53:56,034
School meals.

2907
02:53:58,014 --> 02:54:01,394
Project CLIMB, that is grade six through eight literacy.

2908
02:54:01,434 --> 02:54:02,914
Missouri Healthy Schools grant.

2909
02:54:04,314 --> 02:54:06,014
Childcare subsidy systems compliance.

2910
02:54:06,194 --> 02:54:09,004
21st Century Community Learning Centers after-school programming.

2911
02:54:10,434 --> 02:54:12,314
And then we also have an other initiative,

2912
02:54:13,614 --> 02:54:17,494
and this is the only one we brought to you today, and that is for essentially

2913
02:54:17,554 --> 02:54:20,794
additional dollars to continue our state's

2914
02:54:20,994 --> 02:54:22,324
literacy efforts.

2915
02:54:23,394 --> 02:54:27,354
A while back, about $25 million was put into a fund,

2916
02:54:27,454 --> 02:54:30,994
and that money has been used since that time to provide

2917
02:54:31,054 --> 02:54:35,004
reimbursement for schools for their own literacy efforts, whether it's stipends

2918
02:54:35,054 --> 02:54:35,774
for teachers,

2919
02:54:36,654 --> 02:54:40,594
paying for literacy coaches, or paying for high-quality instruction materials.

2920
02:54:41,044 --> 02:54:44,834
And that fund is now diminished to the point that

2921
02:54:44,954 --> 02:54:48,594
after the current year, there will be about $3 million left in the fund,

2922
02:54:49,254 --> 02:54:51,754
and it's been about a $10 million expenditure per year.

2923
02:54:52,394 --> 02:54:56,354
So it seemed appropriate that a request to allow us to continue our

2924
02:54:56,394 --> 02:55:00,034
literacy efforts at current levels was appropriate.

2925
02:55:01,014 --> 02:55:04,734
Here's a summary of recommended supplemental and new decision item

2926
02:55:04,794 --> 02:55:07,914
requests. Supplementals work out to about

2927
02:55:07,924 --> 02:55:11,134
$73.4 million in general revenue.

2928
02:55:11,364 --> 02:55:15,014
The new decision item requests work out to $566.9

2929
02:55:15,494 --> 02:55:19,314
million. And of course, the majority of the GR in new decision

2930
02:55:19,394 --> 02:55:23,054
items is foundation formula and transportation, as well

2931
02:55:23,114 --> 02:55:27,074
as early childhood special education and special

2932
02:55:27,114 --> 02:55:28,494
education high needs fund.

2933
02:55:30,154 --> 02:55:33,794
The ones that were considered and considered a high priority but didn't ultimately

2934
02:55:33,834 --> 02:55:34,574
make the list.

2935
02:55:36,574 --> 02:55:37,314
The State Board

2936
02:55:38,174 --> 02:55:39,914
Origin Struggling Schools grant.

2937
02:55:40,954 --> 02:55:44,194
There is a piece for Recovery High School tuition because DESE does have

2938
02:55:44,214 --> 02:55:45,534
responsibility for paying

2939
02:55:46,554 --> 02:55:49,254
tuition dollars that exceed what a

2940
02:55:50,174 --> 02:55:53,574
student's home district pays into the Recovery High School.

2941
02:55:53,634 --> 02:55:57,254
We believe there are some other avenues for funding to cover that.

2942
02:55:57,594 --> 02:56:01,474
Virtual schools remote testing. We have managed to

2943
02:56:01,574 --> 02:56:05,514
use some workarounds and cover the requirement to provide remote

2944
02:56:05,574 --> 02:56:06,064
testing.

2945
02:56:07,094 --> 02:56:11,034
We, of course, would like to maintain the data tool that's currently

2946
02:56:11,134 --> 02:56:14,714
on our DESE website right now, but it is a $1 million GR

2947
02:56:14,734 --> 02:56:17,574
request and didn't make it through the narrow gate.

2948
02:56:18,334 --> 02:56:22,294
There's a $3 million piece for critical data infrastructure, and that

2949
02:56:22,334 --> 02:56:25,644
involves DESE data storage, DESE data cleaning,

2950
02:56:26,194 --> 02:56:29,774
and being able to access data, and then, of course, the Imagination

2951
02:56:29,874 --> 02:56:31,694
Library, which I'm sure you've heard discussed.

2952
02:56:34,314 --> 02:56:37,294
If you like, I can go through the entirety of the fiscal year

2953
02:56:37,854 --> 02:56:41,774
'28 core budget, or we can pause at the moment and see if

2954
02:56:41,794 --> 02:56:44,234
there are any questions and if the board is ready to

2955
02:56:46,534 --> 02:56:50,174
take action regarding the budget, including the new decision

2956
02:56:50,234 --> 02:56:52,094
items and supplemental requests.

2957
02:56:56,394 --> 02:56:58,334
Let me call on Mr. Meyer first.

2958
02:56:58,364 --> 02:56:58,794
Please, sir.

2959
02:56:59,354 --> 02:57:00,574
New decision items-

2960
02:57:00,694 --> 02:57:00,954
Yes

2961
02:57:00,964 --> 02:57:04,614
... that weren't mandated by legislation

2962
02:57:04,674 --> 02:57:07,634
or not accompanied with some type of grant.

2963
02:57:07,734 --> 02:57:08,054
Right.

2964
02:57:08,114 --> 02:57:09,254
Is it just the one?

2965
02:57:09,374 --> 02:57:09,794
Just the one.

2966
02:57:14,254 --> 02:57:14,614
Thank you.

2967
02:57:15,494 --> 02:57:19,323
Thank you, Dr. Cruz and Rebecca, for all the

2968
02:57:19,394 --> 02:57:21,254
hard work I know you've been putting into this.

2969
02:57:21,974 --> 02:57:25,574
Could you go back to slide 15 right

2970
02:57:25,774 --> 02:57:25,974
here?

2971
02:57:26,414 --> 02:57:26,424
Yeah.

2972
02:57:26,424 --> 02:57:30,354
And just give us, at a very high level, the impact, for example, on

2973
02:57:30,374 --> 02:57:34,334
the recovery high school tuition. We have authorized recovery high schools.

2974
02:57:34,554 --> 02:57:34,834
We have.

2975
02:57:35,234 --> 02:57:37,234
We know that one will not be opening in St.

2976
02:57:37,454 --> 02:57:37,874
Louis-

2977
02:57:38,024 --> 02:57:38,274
Correct

2978
02:57:38,514 --> 02:57:42,224
... but will be, I think, down in the Cape and then over in Kansas

2979
02:57:42,314 --> 02:57:44,814
City. What is the impact of our not including this?

2980
02:57:45,574 --> 02:57:49,094
The potential impact of not including this may vary.

2981
02:57:49,334 --> 02:57:53,274
There are some other dollars available, potentially from other agencies, that can

2982
02:57:53,294 --> 02:57:57,234
help along this, covering the tuition, and it may

2983
02:57:57,294 --> 02:58:00,034
be that DESE does not receive a bill for the excess tuition.

2984
02:58:00,714 --> 02:58:04,374
Should DESE receive a bill for the excess tuition, we would need you to carry that

2985
02:58:04,494 --> 02:58:08,374
bill into the next fiscal year and have dollars there, or else

2986
02:58:08,494 --> 02:58:12,214
actually use, potentially, some formula dollars to cover

2987
02:58:12,274 --> 02:58:12,554
that.

2988
02:58:14,244 --> 02:58:17,194
At this time, the schools will still open that are-

2989
02:58:17,683 --> 02:58:17,683
Correct

2990
02:58:17,683 --> 02:58:18,654
... planning to open.

2991
02:58:18,774 --> 02:58:19,354
That is correct.

2992
02:58:19,774 --> 02:58:22,234
They may struggle to have their bills covered.

2993
02:58:22,654 --> 02:58:26,534
If there is tuition requirement in excess of what the home

2994
02:58:26,594 --> 02:58:27,674
district could provide,

2995
02:58:28,514 --> 02:58:32,194
and if the other dollars that we've been made aware of are not

2996
02:58:32,314 --> 02:58:36,234
available after all, then DESE would receive the bill, and

2997
02:58:36,254 --> 02:58:39,494
there'd be some discussion about do we go ahead and pay the bills from

2998
02:58:39,934 --> 02:58:43,494
potentially formula dollars or hold the bills until the next fiscal year.

2999
02:58:44,494 --> 02:58:48,054
Virtual remote testing, does this mean we will not be able to

3000
02:58:48,094 --> 02:58:49,514
do virtual remote?

3001
02:58:49,814 --> 02:58:53,614
No, it means we'll continue using the workarounds that we have in the last year or

3002
02:58:53,694 --> 02:58:57,374
two. The problem with those is there is less security, and there

3003
02:58:57,494 --> 02:59:01,444
is some loss of test items, because we can't guarantee that they've

3004
02:59:01,454 --> 02:59:05,034
been kept completely secure during the remote testing process.

3005
02:59:07,434 --> 02:59:08,934
And then the remaining items?

3006
02:59:09,714 --> 02:59:13,584
The remaining items, the Educational Support Center, ESC, data visualization

3007
02:59:13,674 --> 02:59:17,214
tool is a tool on our website currently that was developed by grant

3008
02:59:17,354 --> 02:59:21,304
funds. And it actually provides academic performance information

3009
02:59:21,314 --> 02:59:24,994
about all school districts in the state, and you're actually able, with this tool,

3010
02:59:25,133 --> 02:59:27,334
to go in and find

3011
02:59:28,154 --> 02:59:31,154
groupings of district as you would choose to select them.

3012
02:59:31,384 --> 02:59:35,354
Whether it's a geographic group in a district, and do some comparisons, or if

3013
02:59:35,374 --> 02:59:39,034
you're looking for districts that have like demographics, and do some

3014
02:59:39,094 --> 02:59:42,154
comparisons, or just drill in and see what your

3015
02:59:42,234 --> 02:59:45,774
home school district is doing as far as student

3016
02:59:45,794 --> 02:59:49,754
performance. It's a nice tool, a lot of graphing, a lot of

3017
02:59:49,854 --> 02:59:53,694
visualization possibilities, and it makes it pretty evident

3018
02:59:54,234 --> 02:59:58,014
which schools are performing very well and which schools have some

3019
02:59:58,054 --> 02:59:59,894
room for improvement. And

3020
03:00:01,414 --> 03:00:05,054
we'd like to keep it on the website, but again, it

3021
03:00:05,094 --> 03:00:09,014
didn't pass through the narrow gate of our budget instructions or

3022
03:00:09,054 --> 03:00:12,474
being statutorily or judicially mandated.

3023
03:00:13,314 --> 03:00:15,654
So, the bottom line is it would be removed.

3024
03:00:15,854 --> 03:00:16,374
Yes, I can't-

3025
03:00:16,454 --> 03:00:17,024
It would not be maintained

3026
03:00:17,024 --> 03:00:18,054
... I can't tell you the timeframe.

3027
03:00:18,494 --> 03:00:22,294
It could be we can maintain it simply with no updates, or it could actually be

3028
03:00:22,334 --> 03:00:24,254
required to come down as money runs out.

3029
03:00:27,934 --> 03:00:31,774
Critical data infrastructure. We began a project a couple of years

3030
03:00:31,834 --> 03:00:35,254
ago using COVID dollars to update our data

3031
03:00:35,334 --> 03:00:39,114
storage and our data cleaning. We have multiple

3032
03:00:39,234 --> 03:00:42,934
sets of the same data existing in various locations

3033
03:00:42,954 --> 03:00:46,774
around DESE, and sometimes the formatting

3034
03:00:46,874 --> 03:00:50,454
differs just slightly. For example, a school district

3035
03:00:50,554 --> 03:00:50,894
code

3036
03:00:51,954 --> 03:00:54,174
could be 036136,

3037
03:00:55,094 --> 03:00:57,034
and in various data sets, it may be

3038
03:00:57,314 --> 03:01:00,774
036-136, it may be 036

3039
03:01:01,034 --> 03:01:04,834
space 136. But those cause issues in data

3040
03:01:05,234 --> 03:01:09,174
utilization. So, that money would actually help clean

3041
03:01:09,214 --> 03:01:13,054
that data and also help condense our storage, so we don't have data

3042
03:01:13,074 --> 03:01:16,634
stored in multiple versions in multiple places on

3043
03:01:16,694 --> 03:01:17,574
multiple servers.

3044
03:01:19,554 --> 03:01:21,134
It would give us, essentially,

3045
03:01:22,334 --> 03:01:23,354
a source of truth,

3046
03:01:24,374 --> 03:01:27,394
a clean copy in one place to access.

3047
03:01:27,934 --> 03:01:31,454
Of course, Imagination Library is the program that

3048
03:01:32,354 --> 03:01:33,354
mails books to

3049
03:01:34,234 --> 03:01:35,954
children birth zero to five,

3050
03:01:36,874 --> 03:01:40,834
and the state started funding that, I believe, in 2022 or

3051
03:01:40,894 --> 03:01:44,814
'3. And at that time, when it began, about 16,000 or

3052
03:01:44,854 --> 03:01:48,684
18,000 students in the state were receiving books through local efforts

3053
03:01:48,754 --> 03:01:51,784
of the Imagination Library. And currently, I believe it's about

3054
03:01:52,354 --> 03:01:55,974
160,000 children have been receiving books due to the state funding.

3055
03:01:56,734 --> 03:02:00,634
And that statute, that legislation, actually had

3056
03:02:00,654 --> 03:02:04,354
a sunset, and so the contract actually expires December

3057
03:02:04,434 --> 03:02:07,854
31st. And currently, we don't have dollars in order

3058
03:02:07,974 --> 03:02:11,034
to renew the contract and continue the program.

3059
03:02:11,714 --> 03:02:15,154
So, what we've done so far is we have stopped accepting new

3060
03:02:15,174 --> 03:02:18,734
enrollments, and we're using the money until it runs out, which will be around the

3061
03:02:18,754 --> 03:02:22,334
end of December, and students will receive books until that time.

3062
03:02:22,394 --> 03:02:25,484
And then in the spring, the program will no longer operate at the state level.

3063
03:02:27,914 --> 03:02:28,354
Thank you.

3064
03:02:29,154 --> 03:02:30,904
Maybe this is for the commissioner.

3065
03:02:30,934 --> 03:02:34,714
The Struggling Schools grant, especially given our previous

3066
03:02:34,754 --> 03:02:35,374
discussion,

3067
03:02:36,174 --> 03:02:39,734
as we identify those schools needing supports for continuous

3068
03:02:39,794 --> 03:02:43,634
improvement, this was an important component of the budget

3069
03:02:43,734 --> 03:02:45,313
in order for us to do that.

3070
03:02:47,214 --> 03:02:48,774
If I could jump in for a moment.

3071
03:02:48,944 --> 03:02:48,944
Yeah.

3072
03:02:48,974 --> 03:02:51,854
If we go back to the A through

3073
03:02:52,254 --> 03:02:54,294
F grade card

3074
03:02:55,334 --> 03:02:59,314
request, there's actually a $3 million piece of the A through F

3075
03:02:59,374 --> 03:03:02,214
grade card that is intended to provide

3076
03:03:03,454 --> 03:03:07,094
the beginnings of support for schools that may be receiving Ds or

3077
03:03:07,214 --> 03:03:09,563
Fs, or are in other ways struggling.

3078
03:03:09,974 --> 03:03:13,734
So, there are dollars in there, although it's not as robust as the-

3079
03:03:16,050 --> 03:03:19,550
Struggling Schools Initiative that had been

3080
03:03:19,610 --> 03:03:20,789
considered at the board level.

3081
03:03:22,090 --> 03:03:23,150
I hope that answered your question.

3082
03:03:23,710 --> 03:03:24,309
Mr. Otto?

3083
03:03:25,510 --> 03:03:29,490
Yeah. Just back on that, the A through F budget, is that

3084
03:03:29,630 --> 03:03:30,930
something that once that

3085
03:03:32,290 --> 03:03:34,550
tool is developed and

3086
03:03:36,050 --> 03:03:38,210
implemented, is that something that this

3087
03:03:39,190 --> 03:03:43,080
data visualization tool, can we leverage that as

3088
03:03:43,150 --> 03:03:47,110
a way to incorporate what's already there with

3089
03:03:47,170 --> 03:03:47,850
this new data?

3090
03:03:48,670 --> 03:03:51,310
From the work I've done with the data visualization tool,

3091
03:03:52,410 --> 03:03:56,170
I think the two tools could essentially work hand-in-hand.

3092
03:03:56,890 --> 03:04:00,710
A school district that had a D or an F or

3093
03:04:00,770 --> 03:04:02,310
something like that on the grade card,

3094
03:04:03,490 --> 03:04:05,750
if you then went to the data visualization tool,

3095
03:04:06,570 --> 03:04:10,500
you could drill down and look at the demographics of that school, and

3096
03:04:10,510 --> 03:04:14,470
there's actually a version where it tells you, "This school is performing at a

3097
03:04:14,510 --> 03:04:18,490
higher or lower level than comparable schools in your area," or,

3098
03:04:18,519 --> 03:04:20,590
"This school has a higher or lower

3099
03:04:21,690 --> 03:04:25,370
population of fill in the blank," or, "This school is

3100
03:04:27,170 --> 03:04:30,690
performing at a high or low level in mathematics,

3101
03:04:31,110 --> 03:04:34,990
but the reading levels are not as robust." It does

3102
03:04:35,030 --> 03:04:38,590
have information like that. It's a very useful tool, and to me,

3103
03:04:39,550 --> 03:04:40,030
were I

3104
03:04:40,970 --> 03:04:44,570
operating a school district that was in the D, any

3105
03:04:44,690 --> 03:04:48,570
category, C, D, E or C, D, F, I would certainly want to use

3106
03:04:48,630 --> 03:04:51,790
that tool to help me identify and diagnose the

3107
03:04:51,950 --> 03:04:54,130
specifics of how we could improve.

3108
03:04:54,870 --> 03:04:56,830
It was a... I don't know if you know where I'm going with that.

3109
03:04:56,890 --> 03:04:59,830
Is there a way to roll some of the

3110
03:05:00,770 --> 03:05:04,690
maintenance or support for that tool into the A

3111
03:05:04,770 --> 03:05:08,750
through F budget? And I'm not saying add it to it, but just leverage

3112
03:05:08,790 --> 03:05:09,800
some of the funds that are in that-

3113
03:05:09,970 --> 03:05:10,850
Actually

3114
03:05:11,850 --> 03:05:15,530
specify some of the dollars that are in A through F school grade card to support

3115
03:05:15,540 --> 03:05:16,710
the data visualization tool?

3116
03:05:17,450 --> 03:05:17,810
Mm-hmm.

3117
03:05:17,850 --> 03:05:19,190
I think that's what it... Yeah.

3118
03:05:19,550 --> 03:05:20,030
We can do that.

3119
03:05:20,410 --> 03:05:23,490
Yeah, that should be doable. We would need to rewrite some of the

3120
03:05:23,500 --> 03:05:25,050
description in the

3121
03:05:25,870 --> 03:05:28,699
new decision item. The supplemental's mainly for the mechanics

3122
03:05:29,690 --> 03:05:32,770
part to get it going, but if we rewrote part of the new decision item, we

3123
03:05:33,610 --> 03:05:34,990
should be able to incorporate that.

3124
03:05:35,050 --> 03:05:36,030
Yeah, I guess that's what I'm saying.

3125
03:05:36,290 --> 03:05:39,810
I remember when we had a demo of that, and I thought that that was a useful tool,

3126
03:05:39,850 --> 03:05:43,550
so I don't want to see it necessarily go away, but if we could incorporate that

3127
03:05:43,610 --> 03:05:43,870
into-

3128
03:05:43,930 --> 03:05:44,770
Okay

3129
03:05:44,830 --> 03:05:48,390
... And it's not urgent, right? So we could just incorporate it as the A through F.

3130
03:05:48,890 --> 03:05:52,810
Yes. We will make a note of that, and unless there are any objections, we'll plan

3131
03:05:52,850 --> 03:05:55,130
to make that change in the NDI.

3132
03:05:57,770 --> 03:05:58,009
Okay.

3133
03:05:59,450 --> 03:06:00,910
Any other questions on the budget?

3134
03:06:06,710 --> 03:06:10,400
Any motions or anything with the budget? Do you need a motion to approve?

3135
03:06:10,450 --> 03:06:14,390
I would ask for a motion from the board to approve the budget as presented and with

3136
03:06:14,410 --> 03:06:17,210
the modification that Mr. Otto specified.

3137
03:06:19,410 --> 03:06:19,650
Okay.

3138
03:06:19,770 --> 03:06:20,270
I'll motion.

3139
03:06:20,950 --> 03:06:22,039
Does somebody want to make that motion?

3140
03:06:22,039 --> 03:06:22,170
I make that motion.

3141
03:06:22,570 --> 03:06:25,750
Mrs. Casey. We need a second for

3142
03:06:27,010 --> 03:06:27,030
it.

3143
03:06:27,070 --> 03:06:27,510
Second.

3144
03:06:28,310 --> 03:06:28,930
Mr. Schmel.

3145
03:06:30,150 --> 03:06:31,450
I had a question if we're in-

3146
03:06:32,250 --> 03:06:32,430
Okay

3147
03:06:32,470 --> 03:06:33,170
... discussion now.

3148
03:06:35,110 --> 03:06:35,830
So

3149
03:06:36,930 --> 03:06:39,610
I guess I don't see a... It's kind of hard to...

3150
03:06:40,550 --> 03:06:44,210
You have a lot of detail here, but what's the ultimate number we're

3151
03:06:44,250 --> 03:06:46,690
approving, and then what is that compared to last year?

3152
03:06:46,810 --> 03:06:50,290
I think it's in one of these slides, but if you have it.

3153
03:06:51,270 --> 03:06:51,710
Is that it?

3154
03:06:52,030 --> 03:06:55,490
As far as the supplemental and new decision items, this is the

3155
03:06:55,550 --> 03:06:59,210
total of the supplementals and new decision items that would be in

3156
03:06:59,250 --> 03:07:02,270
addition to the core budget. And so what you're looking at,

3157
03:07:03,390 --> 03:07:05,450
I would need to add those numbers up. I forgot.

3158
03:07:05,490 --> 03:07:07,190
Apparently, I failed to fill out the total line.

3159
03:07:08,410 --> 03:07:08,770
So-

3160
03:07:09,650 --> 03:07:10,630
I didn't catch that either

3161
03:07:10,640 --> 03:07:11,960
... Sorry. I apologize for the error there.

3162
03:07:11,960 --> 03:07:15,790
That's about 630 million from the general revenue and about 100

3163
03:07:15,830 --> 03:07:17,270
million from federal funds?

3164
03:07:17,690 --> 03:07:17,990
Yes.

3165
03:07:18,370 --> 03:07:22,250
And then how does that compare to what we did last

3166
03:07:22,310 --> 03:07:22,550
year?

3167
03:07:23,490 --> 03:07:27,310
Okay. As far as new decision items and other pieces

3168
03:07:27,630 --> 03:07:28,520
compared to last year?

3169
03:07:29,310 --> 03:07:29,550
Yes.

3170
03:07:30,310 --> 03:07:30,490
I don't know.

3171
03:07:30,550 --> 03:07:34,050
I really just want to get to the, I think what most of us want is what

3172
03:07:35,449 --> 03:07:39,350
was our budget that we approved last year, and what's the

3173
03:07:39,390 --> 03:07:40,170
difference this year?

3174
03:07:40,430 --> 03:07:40,770
I see.

3175
03:07:41,880 --> 03:07:44,469
You want that?

3176
03:07:48,290 --> 03:07:49,970
You can go to this one.

3177
03:07:52,070 --> 03:07:54,380
There's a slide in here on 27. Is that-

3178
03:07:55,050 --> 03:07:55,210
Yeah.

3179
03:07:55,880 --> 03:07:55,880
Yeah.

3180
03:07:55,910 --> 03:07:57,450
That it? I don't know if that's what that-

3181
03:07:57,510 --> 03:07:58,430
Go on a few more down.

3182
03:08:00,150 --> 03:08:01,890
Back a couple.

3183
03:08:02,870 --> 03:08:04,370
Sorry, wrong way. Nope.

3184
03:08:06,830 --> 03:08:07,670
It's 27.

3185
03:08:08,970 --> 03:08:09,850
I think you're going the wrong way.

3186
03:08:19,130 --> 03:08:19,530
There we go.

3187
03:08:19,910 --> 03:08:20,850
Okay. So

3188
03:08:21,870 --> 03:08:25,150
the final fiscal year '27 budget

3189
03:08:25,790 --> 03:08:28,930
after vetoes was right at

3190
03:08:28,950 --> 03:08:30,910
$8.5 billion.

3191
03:08:32,350 --> 03:08:36,230
There were $160.4 million in one-time funds.

3192
03:08:37,470 --> 03:08:41,040
So the fiscal year 2028 core budget, the beginning

3193
03:08:41,130 --> 03:08:43,870
place was $8.37 billion.

3194
03:08:45,070 --> 03:08:48,800
And to that, you would add the request for about

3195
03:08:49,110 --> 03:08:52,920
600 and some million in general revenue and

3196
03:08:52,970 --> 03:08:54,150
about 100 for the

3197
03:08:55,370 --> 03:08:56,430
federal, and then the other.

3198
03:08:57,350 --> 03:08:58,070
So it would come in-

3199
03:08:59,290 --> 03:08:59,770
Over nine

3200
03:09:00,670 --> 03:09:01,550
With an understanding.

3201
03:09:01,790 --> 03:09:02,770
It could be right over nine.

3202
03:09:03,590 --> 03:09:03,650
Nine

3203
03:09:04,970 --> 03:09:04,980
million

3204
03:09:04,980 --> 03:09:07,010
... Right around $9 billion total request.

3205
03:09:08,470 --> 03:09:10,990
And again, the majority of the new dollars

3206
03:09:11,870 --> 03:09:15,190
can be attributed to the Foundation Formula request, which is

3207
03:09:16,010 --> 03:09:19,250
388 million, transportation, 64 million,

3208
03:09:20,010 --> 03:09:23,650
and then the high-need special ed and early childhood special ed

3209
03:09:24,402 --> 03:09:26,862
Yeah, it looks like it's about 500 million of that-

3210
03:09:27,342 --> 03:09:27,502
Yeah

3211
03:09:28,182 --> 03:09:29,462
... is for those three things.

3212
03:09:29,582 --> 03:09:32,822
Correct. And I would ask you to recall that

3213
03:09:33,542 --> 03:09:37,102
in the fiscal year '27 budget, we had actually requested

3214
03:09:37,202 --> 03:09:41,092
190 million in additional formula dollars, and those

3215
03:09:41,122 --> 03:09:44,742
were not approved. So had that been

3216
03:09:44,762 --> 03:09:48,602
approved, the fiscal year '27 number would be just under $200 million

3217
03:09:48,962 --> 03:09:49,222
higher.

3218
03:09:55,862 --> 03:09:56,722
That make sense to everybody?

3219
03:09:56,982 --> 03:09:57,202
Mm-hmm.

3220
03:09:57,622 --> 03:09:59,382
All right.

3221
03:10:00,662 --> 03:10:01,802
Are there any other questions?

3222
03:10:06,422 --> 03:10:10,242
Okay. We do have a motion on the floor, and it was made by Carrie.

3223
03:10:10,302 --> 03:10:10,802
Was it Carrie?

3224
03:10:11,282 --> 03:10:11,422
Yeah.

3225
03:10:11,522 --> 03:10:15,462
And seconded by Jens. Okay. All those in favor of

3226
03:10:15,502 --> 03:10:16,412
the motion as presented-

3227
03:10:16,432 --> 03:10:17,502
Can we get a roll call on this?

3228
03:10:17,802 --> 03:10:18,322
Yeah, we can.

3229
03:10:20,382 --> 03:10:21,092
Mr. Bradberry?

3230
03:10:22,302 --> 03:10:22,562
Yes.

3231
03:10:23,722 --> 03:10:24,542
Ms. Casey?

3232
03:10:24,642 --> 03:10:25,002
Yes.

3233
03:10:26,002 --> 03:10:26,722
Mr. Matusik?

3234
03:10:26,882 --> 03:10:27,082
No.

3235
03:10:30,502 --> 03:10:30,962
Mr. Miller?

3236
03:10:31,362 --> 03:10:31,682
I, no.

3237
03:10:34,262 --> 03:10:34,922
Mr. Myers?

3238
03:10:35,222 --> 03:10:35,342
No.

3239
03:10:37,222 --> 03:10:37,742
Mr. Otto?

3240
03:10:38,262 --> 03:10:38,542
Yes.

3241
03:10:40,142 --> 03:10:40,702
Mr. Shamal?

3242
03:10:41,102 --> 03:10:41,362
Yes.

3243
03:10:42,202 --> 03:10:42,822
Dr. Scholl?

3244
03:10:43,282 --> 03:10:43,422
No.

3245
03:10:46,982 --> 03:10:50,082
So, the summary of that vote count is...

3246
03:10:50,522 --> 03:10:51,882
Four yes, four no.

3247
03:10:53,082 --> 03:10:53,902
Does not pass.

3248
03:10:54,342 --> 03:10:54,601
Great.

3249
03:10:56,202 --> 03:10:57,042
Can I make a comment?

3250
03:10:57,502 --> 03:10:57,662
Yes.

3251
03:10:58,182 --> 03:10:59,942
We do need to pass a budget. Now-

3252
03:11:00,802 --> 03:11:00,942
No

3253
03:11:01,302 --> 03:11:04,062
... no. There is a budget submission required October 1st.

3254
03:11:04,722 --> 03:11:08,242
So, my question is, what changes would be

3255
03:11:08,302 --> 03:11:09,062
recommended

3256
03:11:09,982 --> 03:11:11,082
that we could consider?

3257
03:11:20,762 --> 03:11:23,582
I think I've said my piece about the budget to everyone on the board.

3258
03:11:23,782 --> 03:11:27,162
My position should not be a mystery to anyone.

3259
03:11:29,522 --> 03:11:31,822
If you'd just formally state it is all I'm asking-

3260
03:11:32,022 --> 03:11:32,322
Yeah, I-

3261
03:11:32,452 --> 03:11:32,762
... so we can-

3262
03:11:33,262 --> 03:11:33,871
I don't think this is-

3263
03:11:33,882 --> 03:11:34,091
... the right discussion

3264
03:11:34,091 --> 03:11:37,422
... a serious budget. I think we're asking for money that doesn't exist.

3265
03:11:38,582 --> 03:11:42,442
There's a dozen reasons why

3266
03:11:42,502 --> 03:11:44,962
I think it doesn't make sense to approve this budget.

3267
03:11:45,762 --> 03:11:49,482
All things that I've

3268
03:11:49,522 --> 03:11:50,922
stated in previous meetings.

3269
03:11:51,942 --> 03:11:54,222
I think my preference, that's just me,

3270
03:11:55,782 --> 03:11:57,782
if I was waving my magic wand,

3271
03:11:58,622 --> 03:12:02,302
I would just request a flat budget, right? What did we just get approved for?

3272
03:12:03,302 --> 03:12:06,742
I think that makes the most sense. I think it's realistic that we'll get it.

3273
03:12:08,102 --> 03:12:11,202
And I think our budget process next year could look quite a bit different.

3274
03:12:11,282 --> 03:12:12,902
We'll have a strategic plan in place.

3275
03:12:13,582 --> 03:12:16,282
If I'm going to ask the legislature

3276
03:12:17,082 --> 03:12:20,842
for six or $700 million more, I want to go in and

3277
03:12:20,922 --> 03:12:24,462
tell them, "Hey, here's what you can expect to get for that." Right?

3278
03:12:25,422 --> 03:12:28,602
We're expecting your improvements of X or whatever.

3279
03:12:29,112 --> 03:12:30,442
Mm-hmm.

3280
03:12:30,462 --> 03:12:32,562
We're asking for money that actually does exist.

3281
03:12:33,682 --> 03:12:37,602
So yeah, I'm a firm no on the budget request

3282
03:12:37,642 --> 03:12:40,382
as it sits. I think there's a better way to do it.

3283
03:12:40,642 --> 03:12:40,732
Mm-hmm.

3284
03:12:40,982 --> 03:12:41,642
I think it...

3285
03:12:43,482 --> 03:12:43,622
So,

3286
03:12:44,462 --> 03:12:45,002
I'll pause.

3287
03:12:46,212 --> 03:12:46,512
Mr. Shamal?

3288
03:12:47,742 --> 03:12:51,502
Mike, I think the question, we talked about this a bit last month, I think the

3289
03:12:51,562 --> 03:12:52,702
question gets down to,

3290
03:12:53,882 --> 03:12:55,662
do we ask for money that

3291
03:12:56,942 --> 03:12:59,462
we know we're not going to get? And,

3292
03:13:02,222 --> 03:13:06,102
I said last month that I think

3293
03:13:06,142 --> 03:13:06,702
we have

3294
03:13:07,502 --> 03:13:10,122
an obligation to inform the legislature

3295
03:13:10,942 --> 03:13:12,362
as to

3296
03:13:14,202 --> 03:13:16,522
what the full funding would look like.

3297
03:13:17,002 --> 03:13:19,002
This came right out of the formula, right?

3298
03:13:19,042 --> 03:13:20,442
Correct.

3299
03:13:21,122 --> 03:13:21,842
And so,

3300
03:13:25,722 --> 03:13:27,822
I don't know what we send over, though.

3301
03:13:28,082 --> 03:13:31,982
Where do we take that money out

3302
03:13:32,002 --> 03:13:33,561
of? Do we have that plan?

3303
03:13:36,922 --> 03:13:38,062
If you're asking me,

3304
03:13:39,022 --> 03:13:42,582
I think the request that goes to the legislature and the governor is essentially

3305
03:13:42,591 --> 03:13:45,731
saying, "Hey, the board has asked or is

3306
03:13:45,781 --> 03:13:49,512
requesting a flat budget. And if you want other

3307
03:13:49,542 --> 03:13:51,702
information, here is that data." Right?

3308
03:13:51,822 --> 03:13:53,202
We can provide you with

3309
03:13:54,142 --> 03:13:54,522
what that

3310
03:13:55,642 --> 03:13:59,382
dollar amount would look like. But, the department and this board, we don't

3311
03:13:59,422 --> 03:14:00,322
appropriate any money.

3312
03:14:00,802 --> 03:14:01,102
Yeah.

3313
03:14:01,402 --> 03:14:05,322
We ask for it. And right now, I think we're asking for a lot of money without a

3314
03:14:05,362 --> 03:14:07,062
real justification for spending it.

3315
03:14:07,902 --> 03:14:11,742
I've said it before, I think this board, this department, has a

3316
03:14:11,762 --> 03:14:15,692
credibility problem. And I think sending over a nine plus billion dollar

3317
03:14:15,802 --> 03:14:18,882
budget to people who make these decisions doesn't

3318
03:14:18,942 --> 03:14:22,442
help our credibility problem, and won't help us in the

3319
03:14:22,482 --> 03:14:25,882
future when we do go to the legislature and the governor and ask for

3320
03:14:25,922 --> 03:14:29,272
money to support specific things,

3321
03:14:31,182 --> 03:14:35,012
decisions that this board will make on a strategic plan on other efforts.

3322
03:14:36,002 --> 03:14:39,722
If we can say, "Hey, we need extra money, but here's why." Right?

3323
03:14:39,731 --> 03:14:42,482
This is the strategic plan we just passed. Here's our focus.

3324
03:14:43,262 --> 03:14:46,712
We need money here for X, Y, or Z to accomplish this.

3325
03:14:47,582 --> 03:14:51,502
And I think we have a stronger case to make that argument

3326
03:14:52,402 --> 03:14:56,312
if we're not sending over yet another budget that nobody in those buildings is

3327
03:14:56,322 --> 03:14:57,182
taking seriously.

3328
03:14:59,362 --> 03:15:00,382
Okay. Any other comment?

3329
03:15:00,742 --> 03:15:04,362
So yeah, I was thinking possibly the core budget, the new decision

3330
03:15:04,442 --> 03:15:08,202
items, all except one are mandated by

3331
03:15:08,262 --> 03:15:10,202
legislature or accompanying grants.

3332
03:15:10,562 --> 03:15:12,682
I was going to ask for some clarification on Mr.

3333
03:15:12,702 --> 03:15:13,502
Matusik's point,

3334
03:15:14,382 --> 03:15:17,722
and I brought back this slide here. And Mr.

3335
03:15:17,872 --> 03:15:19,872
Matusik, is your objection

3336
03:15:20,922 --> 03:15:22,782
largely in the realm of general revenue?

3337
03:15:23,442 --> 03:15:25,902
Are you okay with the federal funds and other funds?

3338
03:15:27,062 --> 03:15:27,562
And

3339
03:15:28,770 --> 03:15:32,650
If it's mainly general revenue, then we're talking about formula and

3340
03:15:32,730 --> 03:15:36,490
transportation, and high-need special education, and early

3341
03:15:36,510 --> 03:15:40,470
childhood special education. And I'm just looking for clarification about

3342
03:15:40,590 --> 03:15:42,190
which direction you're looking to go with this.

3343
03:15:45,090 --> 03:15:47,910
Yeah. I think my big focus is general revenue.

3344
03:15:49,150 --> 03:15:52,230
The statute says that DESE has to

3345
03:15:52,290 --> 03:15:53,330
calculate

3346
03:15:54,370 --> 03:15:57,990
a number. It doesn't say we have to request that number.

3347
03:15:59,170 --> 03:16:03,080
Right? We can calculate what that number is

3348
03:16:03,590 --> 03:16:07,479
and provide that to the legislature, and if they want to fund it, they

3349
03:16:07,530 --> 03:16:08,090
can.

3350
03:16:09,450 --> 03:16:12,730
I don't know that the statute

3351
03:16:13,390 --> 03:16:17,230
implies that the board's budget request

3352
03:16:18,050 --> 03:16:21,150
has to mirror this number, right? If

3353
03:16:22,050 --> 03:16:24,950
all of this is all predetermined, then what are we even doing here?

3354
03:16:25,230 --> 03:16:26,870
Why are we even talking about the budget?

3355
03:16:27,430 --> 03:16:30,510
Throw it up there, and we'll approve it, right, if we have no ability to say

3356
03:16:30,530 --> 03:16:31,350
anything else.

3357
03:16:31,670 --> 03:16:34,270
Well, I think there's other things that we have the opportunity to say.

3358
03:16:34,370 --> 03:16:36,180
I think that's an inappropriate-

3359
03:16:36,990 --> 03:16:40,830
So the items you mentioned, all of those are in statute as far

3360
03:16:40,910 --> 03:16:43,370
as why they needed to be raised.

3361
03:16:44,350 --> 03:16:45,530
Looking at this list here,

3362
03:16:47,130 --> 03:16:49,830
and again, I've moved back to the general revenue concentration.

3363
03:16:50,090 --> 03:16:50,290
Sure.

3364
03:16:50,550 --> 03:16:52,670
Foundation formula is literally in statute.

3365
03:16:53,310 --> 03:16:55,870
Transportation, the formula's not in statute.

3366
03:16:55,990 --> 03:16:57,370
However, the

3367
03:16:58,630 --> 03:17:00,430
part about funding

3368
03:17:01,450 --> 03:17:05,070
75% of allowable costs is in statute.

3369
03:17:05,690 --> 03:17:08,890
Early childhood special education, high-need special education, those are both in

3370
03:17:08,970 --> 03:17:10,440
statute, and there have been court cases.

3371
03:17:11,090 --> 03:17:13,790
A through F school grade card is not.

3372
03:17:13,890 --> 03:17:17,740
It's tied to an executive order that got it through the gate onto this

3373
03:17:17,750 --> 03:17:18,130
list.

3374
03:17:20,190 --> 03:17:23,750
These items here are all new in statute

3375
03:17:23,830 --> 03:17:24,210
items.

3376
03:17:26,250 --> 03:17:27,670
Yes, and that's the list.

3377
03:17:28,650 --> 03:17:29,290
Mr. President?

3378
03:17:30,650 --> 03:17:32,390
Yes. Are you done with your comments?

3379
03:17:33,030 --> 03:17:33,650
I am. Thank you.

3380
03:17:34,810 --> 03:17:34,970
Okay.

3381
03:17:35,810 --> 03:17:38,950
I have great respect for this discussion. I think it's an important one to have.

3382
03:17:39,000 --> 03:17:42,570
I would disagree that we're just rubber stamping.

3383
03:17:43,150 --> 03:17:44,530
I think we have

3384
03:17:46,670 --> 03:17:50,550
our own responsibility in portions of this to do

3385
03:17:50,610 --> 03:17:54,550
the calculation. I think to the very point that we spoke

3386
03:17:54,630 --> 03:17:55,600
about much earlier,

3387
03:17:56,750 --> 03:18:00,720
Board Member Shamel speaking well about the importance of partnership with our

3388
03:18:00,770 --> 03:18:01,230
schools.

3389
03:18:02,030 --> 03:18:05,790
It is important that because it has been justified in the

3390
03:18:05,830 --> 03:18:09,410
past, not that we're getting all the right results, but the school funding

3391
03:18:09,450 --> 03:18:11,910
formula says this is what is required.

3392
03:18:12,490 --> 03:18:16,240
But we are working on that, in the future, to see a better formula.

3393
03:18:18,530 --> 03:18:21,790
For us to say that

3394
03:18:21,830 --> 03:18:25,510
we are the arbiters of how much a school should

3395
03:18:25,550 --> 03:18:29,390
get in money, that's not our job. That's the legislature's job.

3396
03:18:30,370 --> 03:18:33,870
Our responsibility is to deliver the

3397
03:18:33,910 --> 03:18:37,370
resources, to do our job in focusing on the needs of the

3398
03:18:37,390 --> 03:18:41,330
schools, and it's already been determined that the formula, the foundation

3399
03:18:41,450 --> 03:18:44,590
formula, is the definition of one of those needs.

3400
03:18:45,170 --> 03:18:48,930
So for us not to support it is not being in partnership with

3401
03:18:49,010 --> 03:18:49,180
our

3402
03:18:51,070 --> 03:18:52,950
districts and LEAs.

3403
03:18:54,050 --> 03:18:57,150
But that said, I respect the point about the money,

3404
03:18:57,630 --> 03:19:01,110
and I would disagree to a degree about the credibility,

3405
03:19:02,170 --> 03:19:05,810
but that's not the point here. I do think that we want to be good

3406
03:19:05,930 --> 03:19:07,010
stewards of the money.

3407
03:19:07,970 --> 03:19:11,770
For us to ask for something that isn't there, it

3408
03:19:11,910 --> 03:19:12,990
would seem foolish.

3409
03:19:14,110 --> 03:19:16,710
But for us to assume the responsibility

3410
03:19:16,830 --> 03:19:18,450
of

3411
03:19:19,410 --> 03:19:23,290
that our governor or our legislature doesn't think education

3412
03:19:23,370 --> 03:19:26,530
is as important and therefore we will lower the need.

3413
03:19:27,510 --> 03:19:31,450
It's our job to present the need, and we do represent that need.

3414
03:19:32,420 --> 03:19:36,350
They are the ones to determine how that works in

3415
03:19:36,410 --> 03:19:39,570
the scheme of all of the bigger priorities within the budget.

3416
03:19:40,230 --> 03:19:41,290
That is not our job.

3417
03:19:42,790 --> 03:19:43,050
But

3418
03:19:44,010 --> 03:19:47,569
I do believe, and these others are requested by

3419
03:19:47,650 --> 03:19:49,609
legislature, the majority of them.

3420
03:19:49,730 --> 03:19:51,710
Not to go through each one again.

3421
03:19:52,590 --> 03:19:54,260
Required. Required, not requested. Good point.

3422
03:19:55,150 --> 03:19:58,210
So, to go in at a flat budget

3423
03:19:59,870 --> 03:20:03,270
is also disregarding the ask that's been made of us.

3424
03:20:04,150 --> 03:20:08,090
So I think there's a way to address, we want to

3425
03:20:08,170 --> 03:20:11,090
be the good leaders, the good stewards, the thought leaders.

3426
03:20:11,170 --> 03:20:14,650
We want to recognize the revenue

3427
03:20:14,730 --> 03:20:16,450
condition in the state, et cetera.

3428
03:20:16,510 --> 03:20:19,910
So why don't we determine if it is a

3429
03:20:19,950 --> 03:20:23,870
foundation formula number in particular, that we have a

3430
03:20:23,910 --> 03:20:25,370
better way of communicating that?

3431
03:20:25,470 --> 03:20:29,370
We can say we recognize that the state money isn't there,

3432
03:20:30,310 --> 03:20:33,730
and so therefore, the budget request would be

3433
03:20:33,740 --> 03:20:36,420
$388,000 less,

3434
03:20:37,230 --> 03:20:40,930
but that this is the required amount per statute,

3435
03:20:41,090 --> 03:20:41,770
per formula.

3436
03:20:42,670 --> 03:20:46,470
Let's try and figure out a way that we can submit a budget that

3437
03:20:46,510 --> 03:20:49,810
reflects the needs of the department and of the state or of the

3438
03:20:52,030 --> 03:20:53,050
education community,

3439
03:20:53,870 --> 03:20:55,710
but also communicate our message.

3440
03:20:56,270 --> 03:20:56,790
Yeah. Well, I

3441
03:20:58,310 --> 03:21:02,270
realize there may be more than one statute that applies here, but the

3442
03:21:02,310 --> 03:21:06,210
statute reads, "The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

3443
03:21:06,290 --> 03:21:07,270
shall calculate..."

3444
03:21:07,590 --> 03:21:10,130
Right. Oh, I get it, Mike. I don't think we're not trying-

3445
03:21:10,230 --> 03:21:10,280
So-

3446
03:21:10,670 --> 03:21:14,570
We're trying to do our job here, and

3447
03:21:14,650 --> 03:21:18,630
that is to represent the needs of the children of Missouri, which

3448
03:21:18,710 --> 03:21:22,630
in this case is financial funding to the schools.

3449
03:21:24,190 --> 03:21:28,050
I'm not debating a statute. I'm saying we

3450
03:21:28,130 --> 03:21:30,550
have a responsibility to submit a budget

3451
03:21:31,458 --> 03:21:34,898
Based on a calculation, we can determine, and I'm asking,

3452
03:21:35,258 --> 03:21:38,498
let's then determine what a different amount is and find a different way to

3453
03:21:38,538 --> 03:21:42,298
communicate it. It's not a debate about the statute and

3454
03:21:42,358 --> 03:21:43,598
saying that we have to do that.

3455
03:21:45,338 --> 03:21:49,258
Yeah. I just got one comment and then one question.

3456
03:21:49,878 --> 03:21:50,098
So

3457
03:21:50,938 --> 03:21:54,658
just to follow up on kind of what we've been talking about here is that this is the

3458
03:21:54,698 --> 03:21:58,598
first time in, at least that I've known, in the history of this board,

3459
03:21:58,698 --> 03:22:01,098
that we've actually had a finance committee that

3460
03:22:01,918 --> 03:22:05,378
evaluated the budget, worked with DESE staff to

3461
03:22:07,458 --> 03:22:11,258
find out what exactly is required. We've spent a lot of time...

3462
03:22:11,338 --> 03:22:11,538
I know

3463
03:22:13,418 --> 03:22:17,258
Kyle and his team have spent a lot of time kind of poring over this,

3464
03:22:17,318 --> 03:22:21,238
and we were dissecting things that we--

3465
03:22:22,418 --> 03:22:24,158
He called it a narrow gate, right?

3466
03:22:24,238 --> 03:22:24,588
Mm-hmm.

3467
03:22:24,608 --> 03:22:26,758
That's a good analogy, I think. We were like, "Hey, what do we need?

3468
03:22:26,798 --> 03:22:30,698
What do we not need?" And the initial budget we didn't like, and so they

3469
03:22:30,738 --> 03:22:33,118
went back and pared it down a little bit.

3470
03:22:33,218 --> 03:22:36,418
And so I just want to make that point that this

3471
03:22:37,298 --> 03:22:40,778
is the first time this board has, at least that I know of, that has

3472
03:22:41,118 --> 03:22:43,978
done that other than, I think we used to just rubber stamp it.

3473
03:22:44,078 --> 03:22:47,758
But I think we're actually trying to figure out what we can do

3474
03:22:47,798 --> 03:22:48,098
to

3475
03:22:49,738 --> 03:22:52,998
reduce costs and fund things that are absolutely necessary.

3476
03:22:53,078 --> 03:22:56,418
But now my second thing is, if you could go to slide

3477
03:22:56,618 --> 03:23:00,438
17. You made a comment earlier, and I want to follow up on

3478
03:23:00,478 --> 03:23:00,738
that.

3479
03:23:02,158 --> 03:23:05,458
You said last year that we requested

3480
03:23:06,298 --> 03:23:09,178
a certain amount from Foundation Formula, and then some of it was

3481
03:23:10,078 --> 03:23:11,778
not all the way fully funded.

3482
03:23:12,158 --> 03:23:12,358
Sure.

3483
03:23:12,438 --> 03:23:13,858
Is that what this slide shows?

3484
03:23:14,198 --> 03:23:17,988
Yeah. I'll talk through that. First off, though, I want to make sure I

3485
03:23:17,998 --> 03:23:21,538
express my appreciation for your point about the finance committee.

3486
03:23:21,578 --> 03:23:24,698
That has been so helpful in understanding the board's

3487
03:23:25,638 --> 03:23:28,458
wishes in terms of budget. And

3488
03:23:29,858 --> 03:23:33,398
in full transparency, last month, we did bring you the entirety

3489
03:23:33,898 --> 03:23:37,878
of the list of potential supplementals and NDIS, and that

3490
03:23:37,898 --> 03:23:41,798
was an effort to make sure the board knew all of the items that

3491
03:23:42,338 --> 03:23:44,538
were placed on the table for consideration.

3492
03:23:44,967 --> 03:23:48,778
And I thought it was only fair to the board that you see the entire layout

3493
03:23:48,978 --> 03:23:52,678
of what gets brought forward. And that's why the last month was

3494
03:23:52,738 --> 03:23:56,638
significantly longer. And then the process since that time has been the,

3495
03:23:57,398 --> 03:24:01,158
again, to use the analogy, determining which ones made it through the narrow gate.

3496
03:24:01,778 --> 03:24:04,358
Now, to answer your question, Mr. Otto, about the formula.

3497
03:24:05,228 --> 03:24:09,078
In fiscal year 2026, the Foundation Formula

3498
03:24:09,558 --> 03:24:12,938
was funded at the level of $4.282 billion.

3499
03:24:13,758 --> 03:24:14,027
And

3500
03:24:15,278 --> 03:24:18,588
in '27, we asked for the

3501
03:24:18,658 --> 03:24:22,298
$4.282 billion plus another $190

3502
03:24:22,338 --> 03:24:24,898
million because that's what the formula calculated.

3503
03:24:25,618 --> 03:24:29,238
We didn't get the $190 million extra.

3504
03:24:29,858 --> 03:24:30,938
So for current year,

3505
03:24:31,898 --> 03:24:37,268
we've

3506
03:24:37,278 --> 03:24:40,338
been operating at the $4.282 billion level.

3507
03:24:41,098 --> 03:24:43,798
And so we operate at that level.

3508
03:24:44,878 --> 03:24:48,438
There was some one-time funds in the fiscal year '27

3509
03:24:48,538 --> 03:24:52,508
budget that we have to first replace to refill and

3510
03:24:52,538 --> 03:24:56,438
get back to the $4.282 billion. And then there

3511
03:24:56,458 --> 03:25:00,178
is an additional formula call. And so the one-time money coverage

3512
03:25:00,338 --> 03:25:04,098
plus the additional formula call is what brought us to the request for

3513
03:25:04,108 --> 03:25:07,278
$388 million in extra formula funds.

3514
03:25:07,878 --> 03:25:11,438
I'm not sure I explained that clearly, but fiscal year '26,

3515
03:25:12,018 --> 03:25:15,158
the formula called for and was appropriated at

3516
03:25:16,058 --> 03:25:19,738
$4,282,736,000.

3517
03:25:21,118 --> 03:25:22,478
For fiscal year '27,

3518
03:25:23,278 --> 03:25:25,738
the formula calculated the same

3519
03:25:25,758 --> 03:25:29,338
$4,282,736,000 plus

3520
03:25:30,078 --> 03:25:31,078
$190 million.

3521
03:25:31,938 --> 03:25:32,238
Okay?

3522
03:25:33,158 --> 03:25:35,218
And we didn't get the $190 million.

3523
03:25:35,458 --> 03:25:37,418
So current year appropriation is still

3524
03:25:37,918 --> 03:25:40,778
$4,282,736,000.

3525
03:25:41,978 --> 03:25:43,018
For the '28 budget,

3526
03:25:44,398 --> 03:25:47,138
what we have to do is first

3527
03:25:48,498 --> 03:25:52,018
realize that there were one-time funds put in for

3528
03:25:52,027 --> 03:25:55,118
'27. So there's basically

3529
03:25:55,138 --> 03:25:57,998
$4,282,736,000

3530
03:25:58,718 --> 03:25:59,278
minus

3531
03:26:00,118 --> 03:26:03,758
the one-time funds that we would have to ask to be replaced first

3532
03:26:04,458 --> 03:26:05,498
just to get back to

3533
03:26:05,518 --> 03:26:08,738
$4,282,736,000.

3534
03:26:09,738 --> 03:26:13,698
Once those one-time funds have been replaced, then there's an additional call

3535
03:26:13,718 --> 03:26:17,678
on the formula calculation, and that brought us to the totality

3536
03:26:17,838 --> 03:26:18,138
of

3537
03:26:19,078 --> 03:26:19,618
if you add

3538
03:26:20,338 --> 03:26:25,178
$118,886,306

3539
03:26:25,238 --> 03:26:28,438
plus the additional calculation in the formula,

3540
03:26:29,538 --> 03:26:31,238
it ends up asking for

3541
03:26:32,158 --> 03:26:32,858
a request

3542
03:26:33,678 --> 03:26:35,698
in the formula of

3543
03:26:35,758 --> 03:26:38,338
$388,655,679.

3544
03:26:39,418 --> 03:26:42,658
The $388,655,679 covers

3545
03:26:42,958 --> 03:26:46,738
replacing the one-time money, $118 million, and

3546
03:26:47,438 --> 03:26:49,738
the additional call calculated by the formula.

3547
03:26:51,358 --> 03:26:52,478
I hope that all made sense.

3548
03:26:53,478 --> 03:26:54,098
I know it's a lot.

3549
03:26:55,978 --> 03:26:59,318
I was sort of following along. I don't know if everybody else followed, but I guess

3550
03:26:59,478 --> 03:27:03,458
the real point of the question is that I think maybe

3551
03:27:04,318 --> 03:27:04,678
one,

3552
03:27:05,758 --> 03:27:06,898
why was that

3553
03:27:07,978 --> 03:27:11,378
additional ask from last year not funded?

3554
03:27:12,358 --> 03:27:12,498
And

3555
03:27:12,618 --> 03:27:17,038
if

3556
03:27:17,118 --> 03:27:19,738
maybe that's the flat budget number that we're talking about here.

3557
03:27:20,098 --> 03:27:23,878
You know what I mean? If we know that they're going to take off a certain amount

3558
03:27:23,918 --> 03:27:27,798
that we're asking and that the formula requires an increase, if we just keep

3559
03:27:27,858 --> 03:27:29,158
that flat. Does that make sense?

3560
03:27:29,958 --> 03:27:33,818
I think I'm following. So last year, the $190

3561
03:27:33,858 --> 03:27:37,518
million increase that the formula calculated was not funded.

3562
03:27:38,118 --> 03:27:41,226
So we remained at the four To a two-

3563
03:27:41,446 --> 03:27:41,946
And why was it-

3564
03:27:42,186 --> 03:27:42,766
736

3565
03:27:42,775 --> 03:27:44,666
... that was just the legislature said we're not going to increase the form-

3566
03:27:44,906 --> 03:27:45,186
foundation-

3567
03:27:45,206 --> 03:27:48,246
Both the governor and the legislature, I believe, chose to

3568
03:27:48,286 --> 03:27:51,966
go with not funding the calculated increase.

3569
03:27:52,266 --> 03:27:55,766
Okay. And that formula, just to refresh my memory, is that

3570
03:27:56,626 --> 03:27:59,446
just based on, for lack of a better way to say it,

3571
03:28:00,506 --> 03:28:03,646
cost of living adjustments, like annual in- inflation? I don't know.

3572
03:28:03,886 --> 03:28:05,926
What causes it to go up every year?

3573
03:28:06,506 --> 03:28:06,906
Okay.

3574
03:28:08,406 --> 03:28:08,876
Maybe that's too-

3575
03:28:09,236 --> 03:28:10,266
That's a loaded question

3576
03:28:10,386 --> 03:28:11,536
Okay, never mind then. I thought it was an easy answer.

3577
03:28:11,536 --> 03:28:12,766
Well, no, I can give you the

3578
03:28:14,586 --> 03:28:15,646
30,000-foot level.

3579
03:28:18,046 --> 03:28:21,586
In the formula, and I think I've said it before, there are what I

3580
03:28:21,646 --> 03:28:22,146
consider...

3581
03:28:22,966 --> 03:28:26,566
I think of it in three parts. The original formula calculation, which

3582
03:28:27,586 --> 03:28:31,526
we determine what the state adequacy target is

3583
03:28:31,546 --> 03:28:35,166
for a student, how much money it takes for a student to be

3584
03:28:35,246 --> 03:28:37,746
educated by the schools of Missouri.

3585
03:28:38,766 --> 03:28:42,526
And then we look at, it's calculated in what the student

3586
03:28:42,566 --> 03:28:43,466
count is.

3587
03:28:44,826 --> 03:28:48,726
And then there are also a list of

3588
03:28:49,226 --> 03:28:53,126
special payments that get stacked on top of the formula, and those

3589
03:28:53,146 --> 03:28:56,736
include things like paying tuition for

3590
03:28:56,926 --> 03:28:58,766
students who are in virtual schools,

3591
03:29:00,386 --> 03:29:02,926
the 169-day calendar incentive

3592
03:29:03,886 --> 03:29:07,486
where schools get an extra 1% and now 2% if they

3593
03:29:07,566 --> 03:29:11,506
adopt a 169-day calendar. Back in the mechanics

3594
03:29:11,586 --> 03:29:15,366
of the formula, there is a call that is generated because

3595
03:29:15,526 --> 03:29:19,326
of a charter school local effort measure that has been

3596
03:29:19,426 --> 03:29:21,226
placed into the formula calculation.

3597
03:29:21,386 --> 03:29:25,186
So it's a number, it's a lot of factors that are recalculated

3598
03:29:25,246 --> 03:29:25,756
every year.

3599
03:29:26,826 --> 03:29:28,496
And our request each year

3600
03:29:29,326 --> 03:29:30,486
is the difference between

3601
03:29:31,306 --> 03:29:35,006
what last year's number was and what this year's number

3602
03:29:35,166 --> 03:29:39,066
calculates out to be. That's the very high view of the

3603
03:29:39,146 --> 03:29:39,506
formula.

3604
03:29:40,166 --> 03:29:40,386
Okay.

3605
03:29:41,486 --> 03:29:42,116
Mr. Meyer?

3606
03:29:42,206 --> 03:29:46,026
On the one-time funds, that wasn't anything that this board or

3607
03:29:46,046 --> 03:29:48,766
DESE asked for. They found that.

3608
03:29:49,905 --> 03:29:53,046
Yeah. As a means of funding the formula current year,

3609
03:29:54,726 --> 03:29:58,286
they chose to put about $118 million in what are called

3610
03:29:58,406 --> 03:30:00,766
one-time funds into the formula.

3611
03:30:01,656 --> 03:30:02,266
And so

3612
03:30:03,726 --> 03:30:04,226
just to

3613
03:30:05,206 --> 03:30:06,446
stay at the

3614
03:30:06,706 --> 03:30:09,936
4,282,736,000 number

3615
03:30:10,806 --> 03:30:11,786
for fiscal year '28,

3616
03:30:12,766 --> 03:30:16,366
we would need at least $118 million to replace the

3617
03:30:16,446 --> 03:30:20,366
one-time funds. One-time funds are in the budget for that year, and then they go

3618
03:30:20,446 --> 03:30:24,046
away, and they have to be replaced with something else to stay at that same level.

3619
03:30:27,026 --> 03:30:30,926
And that's on our budget end to come up with that as opposed

3620
03:30:30,966 --> 03:30:31,446
to theirs?

3621
03:30:31,576 --> 03:30:32,986
We're required to make the ask.

3622
03:30:33,306 --> 03:30:34,006
To make the ask.

3623
03:30:34,086 --> 03:30:35,636
If we want to remain at that same level-

3624
03:30:35,676 --> 03:30:35,706
Right

3625
03:30:35,726 --> 03:30:38,686
... we have to make the ask in form of a new decision item.

3626
03:30:39,926 --> 03:30:43,706
We don't determine where the dollars come from, but we have to make the

3627
03:30:43,866 --> 03:30:47,126
ask if we want to fill that one-time fund hole.

3628
03:30:50,746 --> 03:30:54,736
So just back to what I said earlier, if

3629
03:30:54,766 --> 03:30:58,176
we were to just try to get ahead and say, "Okay, we're just going

3630
03:30:58,186 --> 03:31:01,786
to request flat foundation formula," what is the

3631
03:31:01,926 --> 03:31:05,426
risk that then they say that, like before,

3632
03:31:06,046 --> 03:31:07,826
we asked an amount and they took it down.

3633
03:31:08,666 --> 03:31:08,826
Right.

3634
03:31:09,786 --> 03:31:13,286
If we ask a flat amount and they take it down again, that's putting us in a worse

3635
03:31:13,346 --> 03:31:13,666
spot.

3636
03:31:13,726 --> 03:31:13,806
Mm-hmm.

3637
03:31:14,006 --> 03:31:15,736
I don't know if that could happen, but I don't-

3638
03:31:15,786 --> 03:31:15,846
No

3639
03:31:15,926 --> 03:31:16,636
... maybe it will. I don't know.

3640
03:31:16,636 --> 03:31:17,106
To clarify,

3641
03:31:17,986 --> 03:31:21,926
if the will of the board is to

3642
03:31:21,946 --> 03:31:24,546
make a request that totals the

3643
03:31:24,556 --> 03:31:27,496
$4,282,736,000,

3644
03:31:28,526 --> 03:31:32,466
we're going to have to have a new decision item for at least $118 million

3645
03:31:32,506 --> 03:31:34,006
to replace the one-time funds.

3646
03:31:35,386 --> 03:31:35,666
Now,

3647
03:31:37,606 --> 03:31:41,535
as far as what are the odds of the legislature or the governor doing something

3648
03:31:41,626 --> 03:31:45,586
different, I don't think I can speak with any kind of authority as to what the

3649
03:31:45,626 --> 03:31:48,466
will of the legislature and the governor would be.

3650
03:31:48,846 --> 03:31:49,766
There's a possibility.

3651
03:31:49,986 --> 03:31:50,326
Mm-hmm.

3652
03:31:50,336 --> 03:31:52,006
There's always a possibility of many things.

3653
03:31:52,806 --> 03:31:53,046
Mm-hmm.

3654
03:31:54,506 --> 03:31:55,366
I'm just thinking out loud.

3655
03:31:55,406 --> 03:31:57,406
Well, I agree. I think we... Go ahead.

3656
03:31:57,686 --> 03:31:57,906
Just-

3657
03:31:58,026 --> 03:31:58,856
We've got to submit something

3658
03:31:58,866 --> 03:31:58,895
... yeah.

3659
03:31:58,906 --> 03:31:59,186
Robbie.

3660
03:31:59,546 --> 03:32:01,005
Well, the new decision items,

3661
03:32:01,825 --> 03:32:03,666
they're either statutory,

3662
03:32:04,646 --> 03:32:06,486
legislative, judicial, or executive order,

3663
03:32:07,366 --> 03:32:08,146
except for the one.

3664
03:32:08,346 --> 03:32:11,386
The GR one's correct. The federal and others are different.

3665
03:32:11,506 --> 03:32:11,826
And-

3666
03:32:12,166 --> 03:32:13,946
And then there's the one other initiative, right

3667
03:32:13,966 --> 03:32:17,366
... and we're just trying to show good faith, so we could

3668
03:32:17,386 --> 03:32:18,666
ask the one-time,

3669
03:32:19,566 --> 03:32:23,466
I think what they put in it, plus the one-time funds last year, plus those

3670
03:32:23,566 --> 03:32:27,466
others, but it's the increase of what these other

3671
03:32:27,546 --> 03:32:30,036
ones ran through, what they ran up to,

3672
03:32:30,926 --> 03:32:34,836
just keeping those level. In doing

3673
03:32:34,906 --> 03:32:36,786
that, we wouldn't be presenting a level budget.

3674
03:32:36,926 --> 03:32:37,806
We would be saying,

3675
03:32:39,026 --> 03:32:40,936
particularly our largest line item,

3676
03:32:41,846 --> 03:32:42,986
we're presenting that

3677
03:32:44,866 --> 03:32:46,146
without a cut.

3678
03:32:48,426 --> 03:32:52,226
Most departments are going to have to present with a cut because the state

3679
03:32:52,446 --> 03:32:54,426
does not have the money. But

3680
03:32:56,846 --> 03:33:00,326
I'm open to... I just want us to show to them that we're

3681
03:33:00,366 --> 03:33:04,026
serious in trying to look at this, and we understand the reality.

3682
03:33:04,446 --> 03:33:05,876
We know there's not 600

3683
03:33:06,806 --> 03:33:10,226
million more that this department could get because they do not have it.

3684
03:33:10,666 --> 03:33:10,906
Yeah, and the-

3685
03:33:12,466 --> 03:33:12,736
So let's-

3686
03:33:12,906 --> 03:33:13,286
Two sec.

3687
03:33:13,326 --> 03:33:13,566
Yeah.

3688
03:33:14,586 --> 03:33:15,406
I was just

3689
03:33:15,946 --> 03:33:19,426
asking

3690
03:33:21,466 --> 03:33:23,426
for what was just approved,

3691
03:33:24,446 --> 03:33:28,406
and then, if we wanted to say, "Hey, if you have an extra $700

3692
03:33:28,426 --> 03:33:30,766
million laying around, here's what we would do with it."

3693
03:33:32,126 --> 03:33:35,886
Okay? Because that's really what we're talking about right now

3694
03:33:36,826 --> 03:33:39,186
is $600 or $700 million that

3695
03:33:41,386 --> 03:33:42,026
doesn't exist.

3696
03:33:43,086 --> 03:33:44,166
We know we're not going to get it.

3697
03:33:45,266 --> 03:33:48,946
That's why I say this isn't a serious budget request, and I think

3698
03:33:49,970 --> 03:33:53,790
Yes, we can calculate those numbers and provide those to anybody

3699
03:33:53,850 --> 03:33:57,450
that wants them, but it doesn't mean we have to request it.

3700
03:34:00,530 --> 03:34:01,170
Mrs. Casey?

3701
03:34:01,500 --> 03:34:04,410
And that was what I was trying to recommend, Mike, that we come up with an

3702
03:34:04,490 --> 03:34:07,480
alternate solution here. That we all come together,

3703
03:34:08,370 --> 03:34:09,910
because we do need to submit a budget.

3704
03:34:11,590 --> 03:34:12,230
Or we get nothing.

3705
03:34:13,310 --> 03:34:14,410
Can't let that happen.

3706
03:34:16,030 --> 03:34:19,150
So rather than a flat out, let's

3707
03:34:20,310 --> 03:34:23,550
construct it together here. If we believe

3708
03:34:24,690 --> 03:34:24,930
that

3709
03:34:26,970 --> 03:34:30,830
not just flat, but the amount of

3710
03:34:30,870 --> 03:34:31,570
the funding

3711
03:34:33,710 --> 03:34:34,810
of the core budget,

3712
03:34:37,470 --> 03:34:40,470
including those statutory

3713
03:34:41,630 --> 03:34:42,470
requirements-

3714
03:34:43,230 --> 03:34:44,070
Judicial, wasn't it?

3715
03:34:44,150 --> 03:34:44,630
Judicial.

3716
03:34:45,630 --> 03:34:48,410
But also, I'm going to ask a question, including the one

3717
03:34:49,410 --> 03:34:52,250
additional initiative, the 10 million on the-

3718
03:34:53,270 --> 03:34:53,490
The-

3719
03:34:53,600 --> 03:34:55,590
... evidence-based reading initiative.

3720
03:34:55,950 --> 03:34:59,740
I'm not asking for a vote, I'm just kind of putting this

3721
03:34:59,770 --> 03:35:03,530
together out loud here. So, if

3722
03:35:03,670 --> 03:35:06,490
we are saying the key concern

3723
03:35:07,470 --> 03:35:10,210
of the biggest amount, more than half,

3724
03:35:11,290 --> 03:35:12,730
is the foundation formula,

3725
03:35:16,970 --> 03:35:20,760
including, and we can choose to add in the transportation,

3726
03:35:21,330 --> 03:35:24,630
but that everything else we are asking for.

3727
03:35:24,670 --> 03:35:28,250
That's one option. To take out the foundation formula

3728
03:35:28,950 --> 03:35:29,490
increase.

3729
03:35:30,480 --> 03:35:32,410
So you're saying take out the 388

3730
03:35:33,450 --> 03:35:33,650
million?

3731
03:35:33,710 --> 03:35:36,290
And communicate it differently. But go ahead.

3732
03:35:36,730 --> 03:35:38,230
Well, except for the 118.

3733
03:35:39,590 --> 03:35:40,030
Right.

3734
03:35:40,050 --> 03:35:40,270
Oh, okay.

3735
03:35:40,330 --> 03:35:41,030
So we would have to have the 118.

3736
03:35:41,070 --> 03:35:41,590
Yeah.

3737
03:35:41,690 --> 03:35:42,720
So it'd be taking out-

3738
03:35:42,760 --> 03:35:44,010
Just for clarity purposes-

3739
03:35:44,090 --> 03:35:44,510
Yeah

3740
03:35:45,110 --> 03:35:47,050
... Ms. Casey, are you suggesting that

3741
03:35:48,390 --> 03:35:52,290
the only items you're looking at changing would be formula

3742
03:35:52,410 --> 03:35:53,390
and transportation?

3743
03:35:54,110 --> 03:35:57,990
That's what I'm trying to get us to say this is where we're going.

3744
03:35:58,229 --> 03:36:01,130
I'm not wanting to... Yes?

3745
03:36:01,370 --> 03:36:05,210
Is the early childhood special education, is

3746
03:36:05,310 --> 03:36:05,470
that

3747
03:36:06,330 --> 03:36:07,870
some formula that's in statute?

3748
03:36:08,150 --> 03:36:11,570
It's not a formula, but there is statute about it, and there's actually been a

3749
03:36:11,630 --> 03:36:12,510
court case about it.

3750
03:36:12,630 --> 03:36:12,640
Mm-hmm.

3751
03:36:12,640 --> 03:36:14,550
What's happening right now is-

3752
03:36:15,590 --> 03:36:15,670
Yeah

3753
03:36:15,770 --> 03:36:18,150
... our appropriation has not been sufficient to pay the bills.

3754
03:36:18,170 --> 03:36:21,810
We've been carrying bills from one year into the next, and we're trying to remedy

3755
03:36:21,870 --> 03:36:25,650
that. And that's for both early childhood and high needs special education.

3756
03:36:28,290 --> 03:36:32,170
So I believe that it's the foundation formula that

3757
03:36:32,190 --> 03:36:35,490
is the biggest issue. It is the foundation formula where we

3758
03:36:35,550 --> 03:36:37,430
can communicate our message.

3759
03:36:39,010 --> 03:36:42,900
Where these others, by their nature of what

3760
03:36:42,930 --> 03:36:46,859
they are provided for, as well as the legal issues behind them, that

3761
03:36:46,910 --> 03:36:50,710
I would recommend we keep them in. And we submit a budget

3762
03:36:50,890 --> 03:36:53,990
absent the 388 million,

3763
03:36:55,030 --> 03:36:58,070
offset by the 118 million

3764
03:37:00,270 --> 03:37:04,150
as suggested. So I guess we would reduce it

3765
03:37:04,190 --> 03:37:06,550
only 270 million?

3766
03:37:07,270 --> 03:37:08,120
No, I thought it was the other way around.

3767
03:37:08,150 --> 03:37:08,970
Or we'd add it.

3768
03:37:09,010 --> 03:37:09,930
It's 500 million-

3769
03:37:10,310 --> 03:37:10,430
Yeah

3770
03:37:10,490 --> 03:37:11,010
... if you do that.

3771
03:37:11,090 --> 03:37:12,970
Thank you. I went the opposite direction.

3772
03:37:14,150 --> 03:37:15,430
So you would figure out the number.

3773
03:37:17,310 --> 03:37:17,690
Okay.

3774
03:37:18,830 --> 03:37:22,650
Just for clarity again, are we talking specifically about the

3775
03:37:22,730 --> 03:37:26,550
foundation formula as the only item being adjusted from what's

3776
03:37:26,590 --> 03:37:27,110
presented here?

3777
03:37:27,470 --> 03:37:31,350
That is a suggestion that I'm putting out so that we can move this

3778
03:37:31,470 --> 03:37:32,370
discussion forward.

3779
03:37:33,550 --> 03:37:37,390
And then we can throw in... Someone else can disagree or add something

3780
03:37:37,410 --> 03:37:39,209
else, but right now, starting with that.

3781
03:37:40,370 --> 03:37:43,050
I would just clarify, does foundation include transportation?

3782
03:37:43,250 --> 03:37:43,790
Because those are-

3783
03:37:43,990 --> 03:37:44,730
They are separate

3784
03:37:44,750 --> 03:37:46,850
... big ticket, but they're two separate things.

3785
03:37:48,370 --> 03:37:52,270
My vote would be to keep transportation requests in the budget.

3786
03:37:54,850 --> 03:37:56,330
Just for context, the budget's

3787
03:37:57,710 --> 03:37:59,530
almost nine billion or something like that.

3788
03:37:59,730 --> 03:38:03,670
So 64 million sounds like a lot to me and most

3789
03:38:03,710 --> 03:38:04,390
people, but-

3790
03:38:04,430 --> 03:38:05,130
It's a minimal

3791
03:38:05,230 --> 03:38:08,149
... in the bigger scheme of things, it's just a drop. So just for context.

3792
03:38:08,390 --> 03:38:12,150
So if the formula is what we're looking at adjusting, then

3793
03:38:12,910 --> 03:38:16,290
some clarity on what the formula target should be

3794
03:38:16,890 --> 03:38:17,790
is what we'd need.

3795
03:38:17,870 --> 03:38:18,070
Well, the

3796
03:38:19,090 --> 03:38:20,630
suggestion was that it stay flat.

3797
03:38:21,390 --> 03:38:23,210
Okay. So go ahead.

3798
03:38:23,750 --> 03:38:23,890
Yeah.

3799
03:38:26,850 --> 03:38:28,950
What was the foundation formula funded at

3800
03:38:29,830 --> 03:38:30,570
this past year?

3801
03:38:31,070 --> 03:38:32,730
It was appropriated at 4 billion

3802
03:38:32,970 --> 03:38:35,180
282736000.

3803
03:38:35,440 --> 03:38:36,870
So that would be my request again then.

3804
03:38:37,490 --> 03:38:38,690
That includes the one-time money?

3805
03:38:39,450 --> 03:38:41,850
That's the appropriation for fiscal year '27.

3806
03:38:42,610 --> 03:38:46,540
So if I understand what you're talking about correctly, you're looking at

3807
03:38:47,310 --> 03:38:50,970
between the combination of core budget for the

3808
03:38:51,010 --> 03:38:51,450
formula

3809
03:38:52,410 --> 03:38:55,510
and new decision item for the formula, the total should

3810
03:38:55,570 --> 03:38:57,090
read 4 billion

3811
03:38:57,330 --> 03:39:00,830
282736000. Is that what you're looking at?

3812
03:39:02,370 --> 03:39:04,350
Well, it's a question for the board, but-

3813
03:39:04,430 --> 03:39:04,550
Yeah

3814
03:39:04,950 --> 03:39:08,670
... I don't know how I can make this any simpler.

3815
03:39:09,030 --> 03:39:12,930
Okay. The governor just signed a budget into law a couple of months

3816
03:39:12,970 --> 03:39:13,610
ago, right?

3817
03:39:14,770 --> 03:39:18,070
And that provided money for what? The foundation formula, the transportation

3818
03:39:18,150 --> 03:39:19,390
formula, and everything else.

3819
03:39:20,450 --> 03:39:24,310
That is what I would ask for. Exactly that. I wouldn't include anything new.

3820
03:39:25,150 --> 03:39:25,970
We don't have a

3821
03:39:27,050 --> 03:39:29,890
permanent commissioner in place. We don't have a strategic plan.

3822
03:39:30,430 --> 03:39:33,170
We have a new board that has a lot of questions about this budget.

3823
03:39:33,550 --> 03:39:35,620
We have unfunded mandates from the legislature.

3824
03:39:35,790 --> 03:39:38,830
If it were me, I would tell them, "Give us money and we'll fund it, and we'll ask

3825
03:39:38,870 --> 03:39:39,170
for it."

3826
03:39:39,690 --> 03:39:41,290
But we have to ask for the money-

3827
03:39:41,330 --> 03:39:41,960
But what I-

3828
03:39:42,000 --> 03:39:42,530
... so they give it to us.

3829
03:39:42,650 --> 03:39:44,030
Right. But what I would

3830
03:39:44,930 --> 03:39:48,750
do is just take what was just approved, ask for that again,

3831
03:39:49,430 --> 03:39:53,310
and then say, "Oh, and if you have $700 million more,

3832
03:39:53,922 --> 03:39:55,202
... this is what we would do with it.

3833
03:39:55,302 --> 03:39:58,762
We would put X amount into the foundation formula, X amount into the

3834
03:39:58,802 --> 03:39:59,432
transportation.

3835
03:40:00,402 --> 03:40:01,672
But asking for it-

3836
03:40:02,682 --> 03:40:06,612
What I think is problematic, if we don't ask for the new decision items which were

3837
03:40:06,622 --> 03:40:10,562
required by laws they passed, or what the governor put, or

3838
03:40:10,622 --> 03:40:13,642
what judges at, if we don't have those line

3839
03:40:13,742 --> 03:40:16,842
items in the budget, we can't spend it.

3840
03:40:18,802 --> 03:40:21,482
Is that fairly accurate?

3841
03:40:23,702 --> 03:40:27,582
DESE requires two things to expend dollars, and number

3842
03:40:27,702 --> 03:40:31,582
one is correct, an appropriation in the budget for those

3843
03:40:31,602 --> 03:40:35,362
purposes, and number two is dollars to

3844
03:40:35,422 --> 03:40:36,562
actually send the money out.

3845
03:40:38,482 --> 03:40:39,102
Okay.

3846
03:40:42,222 --> 03:40:43,382
I would like to make a motion.

3847
03:40:48,122 --> 03:40:49,202
That we submit a budget

3848
03:40:50,922 --> 03:40:51,522
that is not,

3849
03:40:52,662 --> 03:40:56,622
to Mike's recommendation, just flat, but with respect for

3850
03:40:56,662 --> 03:40:58,172
the concerns that he has raised.

3851
03:41:00,102 --> 03:41:00,592
That is

3852
03:41:01,462 --> 03:41:03,802
the budget that does not include

3853
03:41:04,602 --> 03:41:06,642
the increase in the foundation formula.

3854
03:41:07,982 --> 03:41:11,482
That we hold flat to the foundation

3855
03:41:11,522 --> 03:41:14,082
formula element of the budget

3856
03:41:15,222 --> 03:41:16,982
that was approved in 2027.

3857
03:41:17,742 --> 03:41:18,192
So you're wanting-

3858
03:41:18,192 --> 03:41:20,682
And that we continue to include

3859
03:41:21,902 --> 03:41:25,262
the early childhood special education, the high needs special

3860
03:41:25,302 --> 03:41:28,912
education, and the A through F grade card, and

3861
03:41:29,022 --> 03:41:29,402
the

3862
03:41:30,422 --> 03:41:33,882
federal grants, et cetera, and the 10 million on the

3863
03:41:34,182 --> 03:41:35,902
reading initiative,

3864
03:41:37,302 --> 03:41:39,022
and the transportation formula.

3865
03:41:41,722 --> 03:41:42,302
May I inquire?

3866
03:41:42,782 --> 03:41:43,122
Yes.

3867
03:41:43,622 --> 03:41:44,722
So for clarity's sake,

3868
03:41:45,562 --> 03:41:49,522
it would essentially be the budget as presented, except

3869
03:41:49,602 --> 03:41:53,002
that the formula number between core

3870
03:41:53,602 --> 03:41:56,962
and new decision item together would total last year's

3871
03:41:57,002 --> 03:41:57,802
appropriation-

3872
03:41:58,022 --> 03:41:58,362
Correct

3873
03:41:58,402 --> 03:42:01,952
... $4,000,282,736,000. Is that-

3874
03:42:02,342 --> 03:42:05,871
Is my starting recommendation here so we can say yes or

3875
03:42:05,942 --> 03:42:06,922
no.

3876
03:42:07,542 --> 03:42:09,242
Well, I was going to say, so then...

3877
03:42:10,262 --> 03:42:10,422
Well,

3878
03:42:11,342 --> 03:42:14,202
we got a motion on the floor. Let's see what happens there.

3879
03:42:14,382 --> 03:42:15,242
We should discuss it.

3880
03:42:15,882 --> 03:42:17,022
Well, yeah. And not if it's not-

3881
03:42:17,062 --> 03:42:17,172
And then we vote on it

3882
03:42:17,172 --> 03:42:17,871
Second it, then.

3883
03:42:17,902 --> 03:42:18,052
Okay.

3884
03:42:18,122 --> 03:42:18,462
Second it.

3885
03:42:19,622 --> 03:42:19,782
Yeah.

3886
03:42:21,862 --> 03:42:21,871
Okay.

3887
03:42:21,922 --> 03:42:25,742
By adding the new decision items and saying the budget stays flat,

3888
03:42:28,022 --> 03:42:31,502
somewhere we're going to have to make the cut besides just the growth

3889
03:42:32,422 --> 03:42:34,322
of the foundational formula.

3890
03:42:35,442 --> 03:42:36,061
The

3891
03:42:36,962 --> 03:42:38,242
legislature would make the cut.

3892
03:42:38,422 --> 03:42:42,062
No, we'd have to make it in the request because how much is in the new decision

3893
03:42:42,142 --> 03:42:42,502
items?

3894
03:42:43,302 --> 03:42:43,982
As I understood-

3895
03:42:44,562 --> 03:42:46,162
Not counting the foundation formula

3896
03:42:46,172 --> 03:42:47,582
... I understood Ms. Case's motion-

3897
03:42:47,602 --> 03:42:48,402
Yeah. It was maybe-

3898
03:42:48,442 --> 03:42:52,162
... it was budget as presented except that the

3899
03:42:52,202 --> 03:42:53,522
formula would be adjusted down.

3900
03:42:53,962 --> 03:42:54,212
Correct.

3901
03:42:54,382 --> 03:42:56,182
Everything else would stay, is my understanding.

3902
03:42:56,942 --> 03:43:00,242
And you understood that it would be the formula would be what was last year,

3903
03:43:00,302 --> 03:43:03,102
including the one-time money. Is that was your understanding?

3904
03:43:03,582 --> 03:43:07,282
My understanding is the formula number would end up

3905
03:43:07,402 --> 03:43:08,342
at

3906
03:43:08,362 --> 03:43:12,102
$4,000,282,736,000

3907
03:43:12,162 --> 03:43:14,962
between a combination of core budget and new decision item.

3908
03:43:16,442 --> 03:43:20,242
So Dr. Price? So just for clarity, to make sure that...

3909
03:43:20,642 --> 03:43:23,822
So if that motion goes forward like that, but you do want to keep it flat funding,

3910
03:43:23,882 --> 03:43:25,762
that will mean on paper-

3911
03:43:25,772 --> 03:43:27,762
No, I did not say I wanted to keep it flat funding.

3912
03:43:27,962 --> 03:43:28,802
What I said in the beginning-

3913
03:43:28,822 --> 03:43:29,132
Yeah, the-

3914
03:43:29,332 --> 03:43:32,682
... was I am not suggesting we keep it flat.

3915
03:43:32,762 --> 03:43:36,642
What I am suggesting is that we do

3916
03:43:36,702 --> 03:43:40,442
exactly what Kyle just said, that we take the budget

3917
03:43:40,522 --> 03:43:44,342
as presented and remove the foundation formula

3918
03:43:44,402 --> 03:43:45,082
increase.

3919
03:43:45,822 --> 03:43:47,662
It would still be an increased budget.

3920
03:43:48,182 --> 03:43:48,192
Correct.

3921
03:43:48,202 --> 03:43:52,042
But the bulk of it will be things that they put into

3922
03:43:52,082 --> 03:43:54,311
law that we may or may not ask for.

3923
03:43:54,462 --> 03:43:54,552
Right.

3924
03:43:54,582 --> 03:43:54,712
I assume-

3925
03:43:54,732 --> 03:43:55,192
That's what I understood

3926
03:43:55,202 --> 03:43:56,822
... I assume most of them we didn't ask for.

3927
03:43:57,272 --> 03:43:57,602
Yeah. Correct.

3928
03:43:57,862 --> 03:43:59,852
It would still be an increased budget, but it wouldn't be new-

3929
03:43:59,882 --> 03:44:03,722
The only thing we are asking for is that 10 million in

3930
03:44:04,722 --> 03:44:05,242
the reading.

3931
03:44:08,502 --> 03:44:12,302
Just to be clear, though, with the foundation formula

3932
03:44:12,341 --> 03:44:16,302
staying at the same level as last year, will still mean on

3933
03:44:16,462 --> 03:44:20,342
paper a new decision item of 118

3934
03:44:20,382 --> 03:44:20,742
million-

3935
03:44:20,962 --> 03:44:21,032
Mm-hmm

3936
03:44:21,042 --> 03:44:22,562
... to backfill the one-time money.

3937
03:44:22,942 --> 03:44:23,042
Yes.

3938
03:44:23,082 --> 03:44:26,922
So you can either be 118 million below last year to

3939
03:44:26,942 --> 03:44:30,722
stay totally flat or say, "Okay, we know that the one was a

3940
03:44:30,762 --> 03:44:34,342
one-time money," so to stay flat at the total amount

3941
03:44:34,502 --> 03:44:37,522
requires the 118 additional. Is that fair?

3942
03:44:37,742 --> 03:44:38,572
I think, right.

3943
03:44:38,702 --> 03:44:41,382
I am not recommending that we go below last year.

3944
03:44:41,642 --> 03:44:42,362
We need to-

3945
03:44:42,892 --> 03:44:43,231
I think I phrased it as-

3946
03:44:43,231 --> 03:44:43,231
118.

3947
03:44:43,262 --> 03:44:47,042
No, I agree. We need to account for that 118 million so that

3948
03:44:47,802 --> 03:44:51,282
we are flat to the foundation formula of last year.

3949
03:44:51,682 --> 03:44:55,312
I think the way I stated it was, if I understand you correctly, you're looking for

3950
03:44:56,462 --> 03:45:00,322
the total amount for the foundation formula would be

3951
03:45:00,332 --> 03:45:04,242
$4,000,282,736,000 through a

3952
03:45:04,262 --> 03:45:06,482
combination of core budget-

3953
03:45:06,742 --> 03:45:07,122
Plus

3954
03:45:07,322 --> 03:45:09,942
... and about $118 million new decision item.

3955
03:45:10,062 --> 03:45:10,502
Correct.

3956
03:45:10,772 --> 03:45:10,822
Okay.

3957
03:45:10,862 --> 03:45:12,762
Or one-time money again. We don't care.

3958
03:45:12,822 --> 03:45:13,122
Wherever-

3959
03:45:13,242 --> 03:45:14,992
Well, yeah. Where they get the money-

3960
03:45:15,122 --> 03:45:15,942
Or Robbie's donation

3961
03:45:15,952 --> 03:45:17,262
... where they get the money, I can't say.

3962
03:45:17,502 --> 03:45:18,262
I understand.

3963
03:45:18,302 --> 03:45:18,412
Yeah.

3964
03:45:18,442 --> 03:45:18,922
Yeah.

3965
03:45:19,362 --> 03:45:22,862
I would also include, though,

3966
03:45:22,942 --> 03:45:25,122
that an explicit-

3967
03:45:25,242 --> 03:45:26,102
Don't we have a motion?

3968
03:45:26,262 --> 03:45:30,172
Well, yeah, you're right. And maybe I should have made this part of

3969
03:45:30,202 --> 03:45:30,622
the motion.

3970
03:45:30,632 --> 03:45:30,752
No, I think-

3971
03:45:30,752 --> 03:45:33,762
But just that somehow how we communicate the message over to the

3972
03:45:34,462 --> 03:45:36,302
legislature needs to be discussed, so...

3973
03:45:37,222 --> 03:45:38,262
Can we

3974
03:45:39,762 --> 03:45:41,322
have the motion read to us?

3975
03:45:41,522 --> 03:45:42,142
Motion back.

3976
03:45:43,602 --> 03:45:47,502
If I understood the motion, it's approve the budget as presented

3977
03:45:47,562 --> 03:45:50,882
with the exception of the foundation formula,

3978
03:45:51,562 --> 03:45:54,522
and the total for the foundation formula should equal

3979
03:45:54,542 --> 03:45:58,502
$4,000,282,736,000

3980
03:45:58,542 --> 03:45:59,902
between the combination of core-

3981
03:46:00,182 --> 03:46:00,192
Yes

3982
03:46:00,192 --> 03:46:01,002
... and NDI.

3983
03:46:01,930 --> 03:46:03,570
I think that's the motion you were talking about.

3984
03:46:04,710 --> 03:46:05,010
Yes.

3985
03:46:09,070 --> 03:46:11,360
Yeah, so just clarification. And

3986
03:46:12,250 --> 03:46:14,610
that's the motion, I understand the motion, so what's the-

3987
03:46:18,230 --> 03:46:18,590
Increase

3988
03:46:18,810 --> 03:46:22,750
... well, the reduction. Right? It's the

3989
03:46:22,890 --> 03:46:24,930
388, is that what we're talking about?

3990
03:46:25,430 --> 03:46:25,770
Yes.

3991
03:46:25,830 --> 03:46:26,010
Okay.

3992
03:46:27,210 --> 03:46:27,410
It would be-

3993
03:46:27,590 --> 03:46:29,730
388 would be reduced

3994
03:46:30,530 --> 03:46:32,390
to a total of 118.

3995
03:46:33,430 --> 03:46:33,630
Okay.

3996
03:46:34,090 --> 03:46:35,420
That's to make up for-

3997
03:46:35,770 --> 03:46:36,530
The one-time money

3998
03:46:36,630 --> 03:46:37,090
... one-time.

3999
03:46:37,110 --> 03:46:37,839
Oh, I see. Yeah.

4000
03:46:37,890 --> 03:46:38,870
Where's our math teacher?

4001
03:46:40,450 --> 03:46:41,390
I got numbers here.

4002
03:46:42,310 --> 03:46:43,230
Let's hear them, Mike.

4003
03:46:43,950 --> 03:46:46,550
Well, I guess if I could speak,

4004
03:46:48,630 --> 03:46:51,140
the question I have on the 4282,

4005
03:46:53,370 --> 03:46:56,730
at what level was that funded?

4006
03:46:56,920 --> 03:47:00,690
The formula has you have 100%. What

4007
03:47:00,730 --> 03:47:03,030
percent was the 4282 representing?

4008
03:47:04,690 --> 03:47:07,240
428276000,

4009
03:47:08,490 --> 03:47:12,130
it would've been short $190 million of being fully

4010
03:47:12,150 --> 03:47:12,510
funded.

4011
03:47:12,750 --> 03:47:12,990
Okay.

4012
03:47:13,170 --> 03:47:14,270
If that answers the question.

4013
03:47:14,370 --> 03:47:16,850
Yes. And then the transportation,

4014
03:47:17,830 --> 03:47:18,470
what was that at?

4015
03:47:19,750 --> 03:47:22,790
Last year, it totaled 376

4016
03:47:22,930 --> 03:47:23,830
million-ish,

4017
03:47:24,890 --> 03:47:28,290
and that is letting us pay at just

4018
03:47:28,570 --> 03:47:30,050
under... We're supposed to pay

4019
03:47:32,870 --> 03:47:36,130
75% of allowable costs,

4020
03:47:37,330 --> 03:47:40,110
and we're able, right now, to pay just under

4021
03:47:40,810 --> 03:47:43,670
90% of that 75%.

4022
03:47:44,990 --> 03:47:48,930
So formula for transportation is currently under funded as well.

4023
03:47:48,990 --> 03:47:52,190
And the request here would be to put us at approximately full funding for

4024
03:47:52,230 --> 03:47:52,830
transportation.

4025
03:47:53,370 --> 03:47:53,690
Okay.

4026
03:47:55,290 --> 03:47:57,050
And then there's a list of,

4027
03:47:58,630 --> 03:48:01,750
below the major funding foundation programs, there's this slide,

4028
03:48:02,690 --> 03:48:05,510
formula foundation, transportation, small schools, Prop C.

4029
03:48:05,810 --> 03:48:09,690
And then after that, there's several slides of state level

4030
03:48:10,409 --> 03:48:11,130
line items.

4031
03:48:11,370 --> 03:48:13,350
Right. Talking the core budget, right?

4032
03:48:13,490 --> 03:48:14,550
Core budget, correct.

4033
03:48:14,590 --> 03:48:14,910
Correct.

4034
03:48:15,310 --> 03:48:16,169
It seems like

4035
03:48:17,010 --> 03:48:20,670
with the core budget, any cuts to the core budget seem to come off of

4036
03:48:21,710 --> 03:48:23,280
the foundation formula-

4037
03:48:23,630 --> 03:48:24,670
That's our biggest piece

4038
03:48:24,910 --> 03:48:26,630
... and/transportation, though those are-

4039
03:48:27,130 --> 03:48:28,310
Right. That's our biggest piece.

4040
03:48:28,710 --> 03:48:32,630
Which seem to be the pass-through items, so they get cut from the

4041
03:48:32,650 --> 03:48:33,350
district level.

4042
03:48:33,670 --> 03:48:33,970
Correct.

4043
03:48:34,410 --> 03:48:38,230
Right. The state level items, unless they're

4044
03:48:38,290 --> 03:48:41,370
line item vetoed by the governor, they get funded.

4045
03:48:42,010 --> 03:48:45,830
The pass-through gets shorted, so the districts end up getting short

4046
03:48:45,890 --> 03:48:48,560
of what the DESE calculation suggests would be.

4047
03:48:48,570 --> 03:48:52,350
Right. Historically, when there have been cuts to the

4048
03:48:52,390 --> 03:48:56,090
DESE budget, the largest place to find dollars is in

4049
03:48:56,130 --> 03:48:58,550
transportation and in foundation formula.

4050
03:48:58,580 --> 03:49:02,020
And so typically, those are the ones that draw the most

4051
03:49:02,050 --> 03:49:05,510
attention. A lot of our other items are tied to

4052
03:49:05,550 --> 03:49:09,150
matches required for different federal funds or other

4053
03:49:09,190 --> 03:49:10,270
programming that

4054
03:49:11,010 --> 03:49:16,810
doesn't

4055
03:49:17,370 --> 03:49:20,970
provide the dollar savings that formula and

4056
03:49:21,030 --> 03:49:22,190
transportation typically have.

4057
03:49:27,410 --> 03:49:28,310
Hope that answered your question.

4058
03:49:28,470 --> 03:49:29,750
It does. I think

4059
03:49:30,710 --> 03:49:34,030
we're going into this with an assumption that all of the line items of the state

4060
03:49:34,070 --> 03:49:37,110
level budget request, part of the core budget,

4061
03:49:37,990 --> 03:49:40,840
maintain through. They carry through from '27 to twenty-

4062
03:49:40,890 --> 03:49:41,890
Yeah, there are some re-

4063
03:49:42,270 --> 03:49:43,110
Minus some of the one-

4064
03:49:43,170 --> 03:49:45,630
There are some reductions in the core budget. Correct.

4065
03:49:46,430 --> 03:49:50,380
But any increases would be on this list of supplementals or

4066
03:49:50,390 --> 03:49:51,210
under decision items.

4067
03:49:51,890 --> 03:49:52,050
Right.

4068
03:49:52,930 --> 03:49:54,140
I guess my concern is that

4069
03:49:55,530 --> 03:49:58,970
the easiest place to cut is from the funding of the districts.

4070
03:49:59,550 --> 03:50:00,790
Historically, that has been the case.

4071
03:50:01,950 --> 03:50:02,500
What percentage

4072
03:50:03,310 --> 03:50:05,430
of the budget is the foundation formula?

4073
03:50:05,830 --> 03:50:06,770
About half.

4074
03:50:10,670 --> 03:50:12,470
Okay, so we do have a motion, right?

4075
03:50:12,870 --> 03:50:13,230
Yes.

4076
03:50:13,250 --> 03:50:16,770
And we have a second. And who seconded that? John Otto.

4077
03:50:17,130 --> 03:50:17,410
Okay.

4078
03:50:19,169 --> 03:50:21,210
Are you ready for a vote on this?

4079
03:50:22,410 --> 03:50:22,650
Yep.

4080
03:50:23,169 --> 03:50:23,489
Okay.

4081
03:50:25,470 --> 03:50:26,410
We'll do a roll call vote.

4082
03:50:26,890 --> 03:50:27,590
Mr. Bradbury?

4083
03:50:28,870 --> 03:50:29,170
Yes.

4084
03:50:30,410 --> 03:50:31,110
Ms. Casey?

4085
03:50:31,190 --> 03:50:31,490
Yes.

4086
03:50:32,130 --> 03:50:32,810
Mr. Matusik?

4087
03:50:33,010 --> 03:50:33,230
Yes.

4088
03:50:34,710 --> 03:50:35,200
Mr. Miller?

4089
03:50:35,690 --> 03:50:35,890
Yes.

4090
03:50:36,950 --> 03:50:37,100
Nope.

4091
03:50:37,370 --> 03:50:37,630
Yes.

4092
03:50:38,550 --> 03:50:39,170
Mr. Myers?

4093
03:50:39,370 --> 03:50:39,570
Yes.

4094
03:50:40,570 --> 03:50:40,830
I'm sorry.

4095
03:50:41,710 --> 03:50:42,690
You can ask for it.

4096
03:50:43,230 --> 03:50:43,750
Mr. Otto?

4097
03:50:44,170 --> 03:50:44,390
Yes.

4098
03:50:44,610 --> 03:50:45,210
Mr. Shamel?

4099
03:50:45,510 --> 03:50:45,770
Yes.

4100
03:50:46,030 --> 03:50:46,590
Dr. Scholl?

4101
03:50:46,790 --> 03:50:47,010
Yes.

4102
03:50:50,150 --> 03:50:51,790
Very well. Thank you. We will forward-

4103
03:50:51,870 --> 03:50:51,880
Now-

4104
03:50:51,880 --> 03:50:52,140
... the budget

4105
03:50:52,140 --> 03:50:52,430
... before we-

4106
03:50:52,550 --> 03:50:52,730
Yes

4107
03:50:52,850 --> 03:50:56,550
... so not part of a motion or a vote, but I think it's important that this message

4108
03:50:56,610 --> 03:51:00,540
be well communicated over the legislature, because we need to be sure

4109
03:51:00,570 --> 03:51:02,610
that we communicate-

4110
03:51:02,620 --> 03:51:03,810
Cut it again

4111
03:51:03,820 --> 03:51:07,670
... E- exactly. That is, now, I would hope that the dedication and commitment to

4112
03:51:07,770 --> 03:51:11,610
education would be there, but we cannot presume that,

4113
03:51:11,850 --> 03:51:15,810
and I'm worried, to a degree, that that could occur,

4114
03:51:16,160 --> 03:51:19,810
and I think we've just taken that bit of a risk, but how do we measure it?

4115
03:51:20,590 --> 03:51:24,250
I think it's important that through the communication of the budget, I

4116
03:51:24,290 --> 03:51:28,250
believe that there is a letter that is written by the commissioner, and I

4117
03:51:28,290 --> 03:51:31,190
request that the commissioner include

4118
03:51:31,950 --> 03:51:35,730
our commitment to education, our commitment to

4119
03:51:35,790 --> 03:51:39,750
our districts, our LEAs, to delivering

4120
03:51:39,810 --> 03:51:43,630
the resour- resources that are needed inclusive of

4121
03:51:45,270 --> 03:51:49,190
proper funding. But our respect for the governor and the state and the state of

4122
03:51:49,250 --> 03:51:51,290
the general revenue, et cetera, et cetera.

4123
03:51:51,870 --> 03:51:55,590
And that that be communicated explicitly to the amount,

4124
03:51:55,950 --> 03:51:58,449
including the amount that we are not

4125
03:52:00,930 --> 03:52:04,710
asking for, that we call it the gap now to the fully funded

4126
03:52:04,810 --> 03:52:05,250
formula

4127
03:52:06,294 --> 03:52:06,724
And I would just add-

4128
03:52:06,734 --> 03:52:07,474
My two cents

4129
03:52:07,574 --> 03:52:08,584
... yeah, I would add to that, Carrie.

4130
03:52:08,634 --> 03:52:12,074
I would love to see that letter in advance too before it's sent.

4131
03:52:12,134 --> 03:52:16,024
I know there were some previous issues between the department and the legislature

4132
03:52:16,074 --> 03:52:19,594
where I don't think the board necessarily knew what was being

4133
03:52:19,634 --> 03:52:21,334
communicated until after it happened.

4134
03:52:21,354 --> 03:52:24,444
And so, Stacy, to the extent that

4135
03:52:24,994 --> 03:52:28,594
whatever you're going to draft and prepare to send,

4136
03:52:28,854 --> 03:52:32,834
I don't know if the others agree, but I would love to see it before it goes to the

4137
03:52:32,874 --> 03:52:34,554
legislature and the governor.

4138
03:52:35,374 --> 03:52:39,134
Is that something that the legislative priorities committee could-- It seems like

4139
03:52:39,174 --> 03:52:40,734
that falls under that purview, right?

4140
03:52:40,874 --> 03:52:42,274
I think that's a good recommendation.

4141
03:52:42,284 --> 03:52:42,894
Ask the chairman, Robbie.

4142
03:52:42,934 --> 03:52:44,254
We could

4143
03:52:45,094 --> 03:52:47,264
meet a meeting with that and-

4144
03:52:47,334 --> 03:52:49,234
Yeah, just to review or just email.

4145
03:52:49,274 --> 03:52:49,454
And

4146
03:52:50,514 --> 03:52:54,174
none of this is trying to take away from districts or

4147
03:52:54,254 --> 03:52:57,584
kids. That's still our priority. This is recognizing reality,

4148
03:52:58,154 --> 03:53:01,444
just as we talked about earlier, trying to build relationships with the schools and

4149
03:53:01,534 --> 03:53:05,284
superintendents. We also got to build relationships with the legislature and

4150
03:53:05,814 --> 03:53:09,274
being clear-eyed and recognizing that

4151
03:53:09,794 --> 03:53:11,134
the financial realities,

4152
03:53:12,654 --> 03:53:14,494
what even we're asking for,

4153
03:53:15,354 --> 03:53:17,974
I would be very surprised for it to be funded at that level.

4154
03:53:18,754 --> 03:53:22,434
Thomas Sowell said there are no solutions. There's only compromise.

4155
03:53:22,594 --> 03:53:25,794
Okay, at this time, we're going to break for lunch.

4156
03:53:26,634 --> 03:53:30,374
And we are running a little bit late, so we think if we could keep a

4157
03:53:30,454 --> 03:53:34,094
short lunch time there and get back here at

4158
03:53:34,134 --> 03:53:35,134
12:35.

4159
03:53:35,494 --> 03:53:35,874
What time?

4160
03:53:36,314 --> 03:53:37,274
12:35.

4161
03:53:37,514 --> 03:53:39,084
12:45.

4162
03:53:39,084 --> 03:53:39,994
12:40? 12:45. Okay.

4163
03:53:40,334 --> 03:53:40,424
Yeah.

4164
03:53:40,634 --> 03:53:41,534
I'll give you 20 minutes.

4165
04:17:31,296 --> 04:17:33,156
I think it's the second part of our meeting, but

4166
04:17:34,036 --> 04:17:36,056
the afternoon portion of our meeting. How about that?

4167
04:17:41,156 --> 04:17:41,776
Carrie?

4168
04:17:42,266 --> 04:17:43,136
I saw her walk in.

4169
04:17:44,376 --> 04:17:45,796
I think she was going to the other room.

4170
04:17:45,856 --> 04:17:46,156
Okay.

4171
04:17:47,136 --> 04:17:47,636
She was roaming.

4172
04:17:47,696 --> 04:17:48,816
Yep.

4173
04:17:49,336 --> 04:17:52,776
So Carrie and Vince are who we are waiting on.

4174
04:17:53,076 --> 04:17:54,256
They should be back.

4175
04:18:07,496 --> 04:18:11,296
I tell you what, not to keep you all waiting, let's go ahead and get started on our

4176
04:18:11,336 --> 04:18:12,856
conversation here. How does that sound?

4177
04:18:13,096 --> 04:18:13,106
Very

4178
04:18:13,976 --> 04:18:14,936
good. Thank you.

4179
04:18:16,056 --> 04:18:19,816
This is Lisa Sorino, Deputy Commissioner of Learning Services.

4180
04:18:20,016 --> 04:18:21,296
Once again, good afternoon.

4181
04:18:22,416 --> 04:18:26,356
I would like to thank Dr. Maya Berry,

4182
04:18:26,556 --> 04:18:30,056
Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, for joining us today.

4183
04:18:30,576 --> 04:18:34,436
Dr. Berry and her colleagues are here to provide a

4184
04:18:34,456 --> 04:18:38,436
report and update to the State Board of Education, returning

4185
04:18:38,516 --> 04:18:40,176
for the third time-

4186
04:18:40,676 --> 04:18:40,836
Yes

4187
04:18:40,846 --> 04:18:44,296
... since the change in classification

4188
04:18:44,336 --> 04:18:47,336
from fully accredited to provisionally accredited.

4189
04:18:48,476 --> 04:18:52,456
The department has asked Dr. Berry to provide a progress report,

4190
04:18:52,545 --> 04:18:53,256
an update,

4191
04:18:54,396 --> 04:18:58,256
how the district is monitoring its results, and plans

4192
04:18:58,316 --> 04:19:01,456
for moving forward. With that, I'll turn it over to Dr. Berry.

4193
04:19:01,996 --> 04:19:03,175
All right. Thank you so much.

4194
04:19:03,516 --> 04:19:04,916
Thank you for being here. Appreciate it.

4195
04:19:05,086 --> 04:19:08,296
Of course. Thanks for having me. Good afternoon, President Miller, Vice President

4196
04:19:08,396 --> 04:19:11,716
Otto, members of the board, and the listening audience. As Dr.

4197
04:19:11,896 --> 04:19:14,936
Sorino said, we are here to provide an update from SLPS.

4198
04:19:16,336 --> 04:19:17,526
With everything that we do,

4199
04:19:18,336 --> 04:19:21,506
we are keeping our students at the forefront, and we follow the guidelines of our

4200
04:19:21,556 --> 04:19:24,596
Portrait of a Graduate, which we also consider our seven Cs.

4201
04:19:25,776 --> 04:19:29,516
The last time we were here, we talked about the core four, the four areas that we

4202
04:19:29,556 --> 04:19:33,096
are focusing on at SLPS. Today, we will review them

4203
04:19:33,106 --> 04:19:36,616
briefly to go over goals, strategies, and action steps.

4204
04:19:37,985 --> 04:19:40,046
So the first one, in the area of attendance.

4205
04:19:40,376 --> 04:19:44,096
So looking at our comprehensive school improvement plan, shortened CSIP,

4206
04:19:44,676 --> 04:19:45,996
we're looking at the attendance goal.

4207
04:19:46,596 --> 04:19:50,536
Our goal is to increase our attendance by 30% from a

4208
04:19:50,596 --> 04:19:54,436
baseline of 52.5 to 82.5

4209
04:19:54,856 --> 04:19:57,176
by the 2028 school year.

4210
04:19:58,336 --> 04:20:01,346
A few ways that we are doing this. We are looking at the Attendance

4211
04:20:01,436 --> 04:20:05,136
Strategy Works framework. When we're looking at the attendance

4212
04:20:05,296 --> 04:20:08,936
framework, we use a few key areas. We're looking at our early

4213
04:20:08,996 --> 04:20:12,496
intervention, our chronic absenteeism,

4214
04:20:12,936 --> 04:20:14,876
and improving overall attendance.

4215
04:20:15,296 --> 04:20:19,176
We often involve the family engagement and looking at our data to

4216
04:20:19,256 --> 04:20:21,956
make our data-informed decisions.

4217
04:20:22,036 --> 04:20:24,265
Our attendance, we're looking at our estimated.

4218
04:20:24,356 --> 04:20:28,196
We have not received the unembargoed data as of yet, but from our

4219
04:20:28,256 --> 04:20:31,856
own calculations, we have increased slightly from 52 to

4220
04:20:31,936 --> 04:20:35,676
54.5. We are also, we talked about

4221
04:20:35,756 --> 04:20:37,436
last time, our attendance campaign.

4222
04:20:37,896 --> 04:20:40,996
Every student, every day, together like never before.

4223
04:20:41,536 --> 04:20:44,876
We are focusing this year on our high schools, and so we are looking at high

4224
04:20:44,996 --> 04:20:48,836
schools. If a student, after two hours being late, no matter the time,

4225
04:20:49,156 --> 04:20:50,896
we are making individual phone calls.

4226
04:20:51,096 --> 04:20:53,276
So no longer just sending out the text message.

4227
04:20:53,496 --> 04:20:55,156
We're actually calling the homes.

4228
04:20:55,856 --> 04:20:59,356
We are also having attendance teams, they are meeting weekly, and a

4229
04:20:59,576 --> 04:21:01,555
30-day impact teams.

4230
04:21:03,136 --> 04:21:06,476
In the area of literacy, looking at our CSIP goals for literacy.

4231
04:21:06,896 --> 04:21:10,536
The first and second goal, we will have updated data after the

4232
04:21:10,576 --> 04:21:14,326
unembargoed data is shared. And so the first goal, the number of

4233
04:21:14,396 --> 04:21:18,156
schools receiving a 70% on our AYP will

4234
04:21:18,216 --> 04:21:20,276
increase to nine by 2027.

4235
04:21:21,236 --> 04:21:22,676
And so our second CSIP goal,

4236
04:21:23,556 --> 04:21:27,436
we are expecting an increase in the MAP and EOC assessments

4237
04:21:27,516 --> 04:21:30,936
by 15% by the end of the 2028 school year.

4238
04:21:31,966 --> 04:21:35,896
And our goal three, we are currently using and doing our STAR and benchmark

4239
04:21:35,976 --> 04:21:39,956
assessment now. That window closes on the 18th of September, and we are

4240
04:21:39,996 --> 04:21:43,336
looking to increase the number of students in proficient and

4241
04:21:43,456 --> 04:21:46,776
advanced by 10% using the STAR benchmark.

4242
04:21:49,216 --> 04:21:51,076
Some key strategies that we're utilizing.

4243
04:21:51,736 --> 04:21:54,916
We are thankful DESE did complete their first comprehensive visit.

4244
04:21:55,616 --> 04:21:58,556
Most of the schools, we did receive a glowing report.

4245
04:21:58,896 --> 04:22:02,866
DESE shared from our area supervisors that it was stronger

4246
04:22:02,876 --> 04:22:06,416
and a better start than before, and we're looking at our 30-day action

4247
04:22:06,456 --> 04:22:09,616
plans, but some additional strategies that we are utilizing.

4248
04:22:10,176 --> 04:22:13,716
Our 95% group, we talked about that a little bit last year.

4249
04:22:14,096 --> 04:22:16,796
We had a few schools last year that did the pilot program.

4250
04:22:16,826 --> 04:22:20,716
We're doing their second year, and what we saw was those double-digit increases in

4251
04:22:20,736 --> 04:22:24,506
their early literacy. So we're expecting to see some great gains this year

4252
04:22:24,556 --> 04:22:28,176
because this will be the second year for the entire district, and that's the

4253
04:22:28,216 --> 04:22:31,416
phonics program. We are using our letters training.

4254
04:22:31,456 --> 04:22:34,936
We have a cohort one and two going on, about to start our second

4255
04:22:34,996 --> 04:22:38,576
cohort one. We have 25 teachers that are using the

4256
04:22:38,636 --> 04:22:42,146
ASPIRE. That is the DESE literacy training for our

4257
04:22:42,176 --> 04:22:46,156
secondary teachers. We also are doing the virtual high-dose

4258
04:22:46,176 --> 04:22:50,012
tutoring Our reading success plans, what we're seeing, we have more

4259
04:22:50,212 --> 04:22:53,662
students that are exiting than we do have students that are newly

4260
04:22:53,792 --> 04:22:57,472
qualified. And in addition, too, we are also having our benchmark

4261
04:22:57,482 --> 04:23:01,472
cycles with the data teams to look at the test to see what we need to

4262
04:23:01,512 --> 04:23:02,532
do for our students.

4263
04:23:04,732 --> 04:23:05,872
In the area finance,

4264
04:23:06,692 --> 04:23:09,872
we are currently on track for our audit up timeline.

4265
04:23:10,352 --> 04:23:13,052
We are meeting with the auditor almost weekly.

4266
04:23:13,692 --> 04:23:17,632
We are on accrual system, so we're meeting with our departments weekly to look at

4267
04:23:17,672 --> 04:23:20,592
where we are, what checklists we need to finalize.

4268
04:23:20,932 --> 04:23:24,432
We are also still having weekly check-ins with LDR.

4269
04:23:24,472 --> 04:23:28,372
They are also assisting with our audit, various processes,

4270
04:23:29,152 --> 04:23:32,352
and then Dr. Kyle Cruz is also meeting with our CFO.

4271
04:23:33,752 --> 04:23:34,492
For our budgeting,

4272
04:23:35,332 --> 04:23:39,092
we are projecting to close our budget gap within the next three

4273
04:23:39,192 --> 04:23:40,942
years, by the end of 2029.

4274
04:23:41,872 --> 04:23:45,832
Our budgets are normally completed by departments at the end of March and April.

4275
04:23:45,872 --> 04:23:48,992
We are looking to have those and work on those by January of

4276
04:23:49,052 --> 04:23:49,962
2027.

4277
04:23:50,972 --> 04:23:54,552
We are also working on a new ERP system, and that's in the area of

4278
04:23:54,592 --> 04:23:56,972
finance, payroll, and our HR system.

4279
04:23:57,552 --> 04:24:01,382
And lastly, with our grants management, we are working towards hiring

4280
04:24:01,472 --> 04:24:03,772
someone to assist with our grants management.

4281
04:24:03,832 --> 04:24:07,452
We have recently updated the travel policy again, and we have trained all

4282
04:24:07,552 --> 04:24:11,051
staff in the area of P cards, which is using their credit cards.

4283
04:24:11,772 --> 04:24:13,652
So could I pause just a second here?

4284
04:24:13,892 --> 04:24:17,592
And first off, I'd ask that the supervisors be here, and they're not in

4285
04:24:17,652 --> 04:24:18,592
attendance, or are they?

4286
04:24:20,532 --> 04:24:22,892
I do see Dr. Hazel. Okay.

4287
04:24:23,432 --> 04:24:27,342
You want to come on up? And I guess from my perspective,

4288
04:24:27,792 --> 04:24:31,412
one of the reasons why I requested, we only have one school in the state of

4289
04:24:31,452 --> 04:24:33,512
Missouri that's on provisional status.

4290
04:24:33,892 --> 04:24:34,272
Yep.

4291
04:24:34,352 --> 04:24:38,242
And unfortunately, that's yours, and so you bring special attention.

4292
04:24:38,892 --> 04:24:42,632
And I think we need to, because we've not had any further discussions since

4293
04:24:42,732 --> 04:24:44,732
we've gone to provisional status,

4294
04:24:45,572 --> 04:24:49,532
is there a summary of

4295
04:24:49,592 --> 04:24:53,572
why we put them on provisional status and where they're at in that process

4296
04:24:53,592 --> 04:24:54,452
at the present time?

4297
04:24:55,292 --> 04:24:58,712
There's a lot of confusion around this.

4298
04:24:59,052 --> 04:25:02,592
You've got so many different people auditing and things of that nature.

4299
04:25:03,212 --> 04:25:06,272
I think our critical issue is

4300
04:25:07,392 --> 04:25:10,892
why we put you on provisional status. Are you making progress?

4301
04:25:11,612 --> 04:25:15,452
Is our staff supporting you appropriately to get you off

4302
04:25:15,492 --> 04:25:18,532
provisional status and moving you in the right direction?

4303
04:25:18,952 --> 04:25:21,972
That's why I requested your participation today.

4304
04:25:22,372 --> 04:25:23,192
Yeah. Thank you.

4305
04:25:23,352 --> 04:25:23,702
And pause.

4306
04:25:23,732 --> 04:25:26,892
Just for a point of clarification, I don't know if we are the only district that's

4307
04:25:26,932 --> 04:25:28,952
provisional in the state of Missouri. Is that accurate?

4308
04:25:28,992 --> 04:25:31,472
Or not. Okay, so there is more. Okay.

4309
04:25:33,372 --> 04:25:33,401
So.

4310
04:25:33,401 --> 04:25:37,252
So do you recall why your school's on provisional status or was

4311
04:25:37,272 --> 04:25:39,172
put on provisional status by this board?

4312
04:25:39,432 --> 04:25:42,992
Yeah. We were told because of the last audit, because of the

4313
04:25:43,092 --> 04:25:46,712
deficit spending out of the fund balance, and it was shared with a

4314
04:25:46,772 --> 04:25:47,992
turnover of leadership.

4315
04:25:48,162 --> 04:25:48,162
Okay.

4316
04:25:48,172 --> 04:25:49,492
That is what we were told.

4317
04:25:50,352 --> 04:25:53,032
Okay. And do you believe that we're addressing that?

4318
04:25:53,972 --> 04:25:55,632
How well are we addressing that?

4319
04:25:57,712 --> 04:25:58,121
I think I'm going to let Dr. Barry-

4320
04:25:58,121 --> 04:26:01,932
How well are we addressing that? Yeah, I guess my frustration, if we're going to

4321
04:26:01,972 --> 04:26:05,692
take action as a board, we need to be following up to make certain

4322
04:26:05,812 --> 04:26:09,692
that we are carrying out assisting you in any way that

4323
04:26:09,732 --> 04:26:12,012
we can be assisting you. And that's

4324
04:26:13,252 --> 04:26:15,692
my whole intent is to make you a better board.

4325
04:26:15,772 --> 04:26:19,562
You have a lot of eyes looking at you and things of that nature, and we really do

4326
04:26:19,612 --> 04:26:20,901
want to make you a better school district.

4327
04:26:21,092 --> 04:26:21,102
Yeah.

4328
04:26:21,152 --> 04:26:25,072
So that's where I come from. And so can we talk

4329
04:26:25,132 --> 04:26:25,472
about...

4330
04:26:25,972 --> 04:26:26,992
Let's talk about it.

4331
04:26:27,032 --> 04:26:27,121
Yeah.

4332
04:26:27,592 --> 04:26:28,792
DESE has been great.

4333
04:26:29,792 --> 04:26:32,382
Surprisingly, not just from DESE, from every state entity-

4334
04:26:32,482 --> 04:26:32,482
Yeah

4335
04:26:32,482 --> 04:26:36,462
... we have been randomly selected for every review last year, and so that

4336
04:26:36,512 --> 04:26:36,812
actually-

4337
04:26:36,832 --> 04:26:37,172
Yeah.

4338
04:26:38,002 --> 04:26:38,882
I can imagine.

4339
04:26:39,412 --> 04:26:43,262
But I can say, when you do a review, all you can do is take it and

4340
04:26:43,272 --> 04:26:44,852
become better from it. So it's been very-

4341
04:26:44,862 --> 04:26:44,872
Mm-hmm

4342
04:26:44,892 --> 04:26:48,032
... helpful because a lot of the areas were zero findings.

4343
04:26:48,072 --> 04:26:51,602
And so, I will say Dr. Cruz and a team, I just met with

4344
04:26:52,112 --> 04:26:54,692
Dr. Priest last week, and we had a conversation.

4345
04:26:55,172 --> 04:26:57,772
DESE has been very instrumental. Dr. Hazel and Dr.

4346
04:26:57,852 --> 04:27:01,632
Holland, they are on site, if not every week, just about

4347
04:27:01,712 --> 04:27:05,572
every week in classrooms. So we have a lot of support from DESE.

4348
04:27:05,852 --> 04:27:06,151
Mm-hmm.

4349
04:27:07,151 --> 04:27:10,812
Okay. So can you give us an update of where you feel like their

4350
04:27:11,172 --> 04:27:11,922
growth is and-

4351
04:27:12,012 --> 04:27:12,232
Sure

4352
04:27:12,292 --> 04:27:13,052
... how well they're doing?

4353
04:27:13,412 --> 04:27:17,292
So we were in schools on day 11, and all the schools

4354
04:27:17,332 --> 04:27:20,912
that are in comprehensive school improvement have comprehensive school improvement

4355
04:27:21,012 --> 04:27:21,452
plans.

4356
04:27:21,541 --> 04:27:21,541
Okay.

4357
04:27:21,552 --> 04:27:24,332
There's requirements that are related to that.

4358
04:27:25,392 --> 04:27:27,192
Here's what we know about school improvement.

4359
04:27:27,752 --> 04:27:31,552
There's three big areas to focus on: delivering

4360
04:27:31,592 --> 04:27:32,272
core well-

4361
04:27:32,972 --> 04:27:33,172
Mm-hmm

4362
04:27:33,212 --> 04:27:36,452
... okay, with fidelity, integrity, however you want to say it,

4363
04:27:37,332 --> 04:27:41,272
and increasing the expertise and knowledge of your teachers that are teaching the

4364
04:27:41,392 --> 04:27:45,192
core. There's another area I'm not going to go into at this point, but those are

4365
04:27:45,212 --> 04:27:49,032
the two basic areas. What I can say is leaders are actively, at

4366
04:27:49,112 --> 04:27:49,812
day 11,

4367
04:27:50,632 --> 04:27:52,312
working their comprehensive plans.

4368
04:27:53,232 --> 04:27:55,952
And we've never been in buildings this early in the...

4369
04:27:55,992 --> 04:27:57,582
This is going into my third year-

4370
04:27:57,812 --> 04:27:57,912
Okay

4371
04:27:57,922 --> 04:27:59,812
... of working with SLPS.

4372
04:28:01,432 --> 04:28:03,572
Teachers are utilizing the core curriculum.

4373
04:28:03,972 --> 04:28:07,852
They have already received professional developments, and buildings

4374
04:28:07,992 --> 04:28:11,952
have plans for job-embedded professional learning to continue to build

4375
04:28:12,032 --> 04:28:15,612
that content knowledge and expertise of teachers and leaders.

4376
04:28:16,432 --> 04:28:20,152
And I'll speak specifically to, in my

4377
04:28:20,192 --> 04:28:24,172
opinion, not all curriculums are created equal, and so you

4378
04:28:24,212 --> 04:28:28,172
have to have the highest quality curriculum that has the research

4379
04:28:28,212 --> 04:28:31,712
and the evidence behind it. That is part of the requirements of ESSA

4380
04:28:32,452 --> 04:28:35,372
and working a comprehensive plan. Okay?

4381
04:28:36,212 --> 04:28:38,592
And they have to note the source of that evidence.

4382
04:28:38,672 --> 04:28:40,772
So it can't just be the company saying,

4383
04:28:41,112 --> 04:28:45,072
"We're backed by the science of reading." We hear

4384
04:28:45,152 --> 04:28:45,632
that a lot.

4385
04:28:45,692 --> 04:28:45,872
Mm-hmm.

4386
04:28:46,352 --> 04:28:48,272
Show me the evidence that this works.

4387
04:28:48,492 --> 04:28:50,092
SLPS doesn't have any time-

4388
04:28:51,420 --> 04:28:53,560
To mess around with things that aren't going to work.

4389
04:28:53,740 --> 04:28:56,340
So they have the highest quality phonics curriculum.

4390
04:28:56,400 --> 04:29:00,239
Some of our board members got to see that during their visit

4391
04:29:00,280 --> 04:29:00,920
last year.

4392
04:29:01,760 --> 04:29:02,020
So,

4393
04:29:03,560 --> 04:29:07,340
what we did notice is some of the buildings accessed even additional

4394
04:29:07,380 --> 04:29:11,170
professional development during their O week, and we saw leaders and

4395
04:29:11,300 --> 04:29:15,120
teachers. We saw higher evidence of leaders even using

4396
04:29:15,260 --> 04:29:18,980
that language and knowledge as they have been in classrooms

4397
04:29:19,080 --> 04:29:20,140
already at day 11,

4398
04:29:21,500 --> 04:29:23,500
providing support and feedback.

4399
04:29:24,560 --> 04:29:27,300
Now, let me just speak to one other thing.

4400
04:29:27,360 --> 04:29:31,280
We also saw evidence of systems being put into place to provide that

4401
04:29:31,380 --> 04:29:35,149
ongoing feedback and follow-up, because principals are busy,

4402
04:29:35,620 --> 04:29:39,390
right? We get into classrooms, we give feedback, but it's

4403
04:29:39,460 --> 04:29:43,220
about that bite-sized feedback and then following up to

4404
04:29:43,260 --> 04:29:46,560
ensure that bite-sized feedback is put in place.

4405
04:29:46,580 --> 04:29:48,090
And that's how you grow teachers.

4406
04:29:50,140 --> 04:29:54,130
And I will say all of this in only 15 days into

4407
04:29:54,160 --> 04:29:56,600
the school year. So we started at the 11th day.

4408
04:29:56,640 --> 04:29:59,610
We ended our site visits at the 15th day.

4409
04:29:59,640 --> 04:30:03,200
There is still much work ahead, but it is encouraging to see the

4410
04:30:03,260 --> 04:30:07,020
systems and the expectations taking shape so early.

4411
04:30:07,580 --> 04:30:09,150
Now, what I will say is

4412
04:30:10,360 --> 04:30:14,280
SLPS- ... 16 comprehensive schools, and so those are

4413
04:30:14,360 --> 04:30:18,200
the schools that we visited. We did do a debrief with the

4414
04:30:18,260 --> 04:30:19,780
executive team. Is that-

4415
04:30:19,940 --> 04:30:20,040
Mm-hmm

4416
04:30:20,160 --> 04:30:23,060
... probably what you call it? The executive team, which included the network

4417
04:30:23,140 --> 04:30:24,120
superintendents

4418
04:30:25,020 --> 04:30:25,620
and

4419
04:30:26,580 --> 04:30:30,400
the chief of schools, Dr. Dino. Sorry,

4420
04:30:30,740 --> 04:30:34,280
I work with a lot of different districts with a lot of different terminology.

4421
04:30:34,360 --> 04:30:37,580
And what was encouraging about the debrief is that they

4422
04:30:37,600 --> 04:30:41,140
basically did the debrief. They saw these things.

4423
04:30:41,200 --> 04:30:44,680
So we identified schools that are going to need additional support.

4424
04:30:44,820 --> 04:30:47,880
Here's the question is, that was 16 of their schools.

4425
04:30:48,500 --> 04:30:51,660
What do the other, a lot, 30, 20-

4426
04:30:51,940 --> 04:30:52,060
Yeah

4427
04:30:52,600 --> 04:30:53,180
... 47-

4428
04:30:53,310 --> 04:30:53,620
There you go.

4429
04:30:54,410 --> 04:30:57,760
... schools, how is their implementation going?

4430
04:30:58,000 --> 04:31:01,349
So I might let you take a breath for a moment. So- ...

4431
04:31:01,600 --> 04:31:05,540
two things. You've been hearing from Lisa Hazel, who is our area

4432
04:31:05,600 --> 04:31:07,080
supervisor of instruction,

4433
04:31:07,920 --> 04:31:11,780
one of two in the St. Louis area, and her role is to

4434
04:31:11,820 --> 04:31:15,700
provide support and oversight for, and work closely

4435
04:31:15,740 --> 04:31:19,320
with leadership in our schools in the St. Louis region.

4436
04:31:19,840 --> 04:31:23,280
She mentioned comprehensive schools, and just as a

4437
04:31:23,320 --> 04:31:25,140
point of vocabulary,

4438
04:31:26,140 --> 04:31:29,680
those are the schools that are identified under the Every Student

4439
04:31:29,780 --> 04:31:30,620
Succeeds Act,

4440
04:31:32,660 --> 04:31:36,540
these schools are identified as the lowest

4441
04:31:36,680 --> 04:31:37,480
performing,

4442
04:31:38,520 --> 04:31:41,490
5% statewide. That's what that means.

4443
04:31:42,440 --> 04:31:46,340
What also comes along with that designation is funding

4444
04:31:46,400 --> 04:31:50,020
to provide for support. Those are federal dollars that come

4445
04:31:50,060 --> 04:31:53,820
along with that designation, and then support

4446
04:31:54,520 --> 04:31:58,410
ongoing meetings and intentional work that's

4447
04:31:58,460 --> 04:32:02,280
led by our area supervisors there. So I let you take a breath.

4448
04:32:02,360 --> 04:32:05,860
Thank you. Sorry, you can tell I'm a little passionate about school improvement

4449
04:32:05,900 --> 04:32:06,200
work.

4450
04:32:06,500 --> 04:32:07,020
You should be.

4451
04:32:07,180 --> 04:32:09,720
And would love to have conversations with anybody about it.

4452
04:32:10,320 --> 04:32:14,240
So, and what our role is and how we can ensure there's

4453
04:32:14,320 --> 04:32:17,970
so many things to focus on, right? And we can't do everything

4454
04:32:18,100 --> 04:32:21,380
well. So when you're in comprehensive school improvement,

4455
04:32:22,240 --> 04:32:22,860
literacy

4456
04:32:24,040 --> 04:32:26,320
has to be a focus, and

4457
04:32:27,360 --> 04:32:30,940
they do have the highest quality program right now, and

4458
04:32:31,240 --> 04:32:33,240
they're working it, and it's going to take time.

4459
04:32:33,980 --> 04:32:36,540
We had six schools that came off the comprehensive last year.

4460
04:32:38,640 --> 04:32:42,420
Okay. So when you say it's going to take some time, when as a board should we

4461
04:32:42,500 --> 04:32:44,460
be reviewing the status of that school

4462
04:32:45,460 --> 04:32:45,980
district,

4463
04:32:47,100 --> 04:32:48,960
in your opinion? Have I put you on the spot?

4464
04:32:49,380 --> 04:32:53,280
Well, actually, I think it's an annual thing

4465
04:32:53,380 --> 04:32:57,340
to formally review the classification status of the

4466
04:32:57,380 --> 04:33:00,940
school or district. And then certainly, these types of reports

4467
04:33:01,080 --> 04:33:01,440
from

4468
04:33:03,040 --> 04:33:07,030
the district are useful to give you an update on what

4469
04:33:07,039 --> 04:33:10,789
they're doing, the information that Lisa has shared about what we're doing, what

4470
04:33:10,800 --> 04:33:13,280
the department is doing to be supportive.

4471
04:33:14,120 --> 04:33:17,780
The key time comes when we can pull all of that

4472
04:33:17,820 --> 04:33:21,090
information, the assessment information together,

4473
04:33:21,940 --> 04:33:23,140
and share that with you.

4474
04:33:23,940 --> 04:33:25,020
Yeah.

4475
04:33:25,030 --> 04:33:25,030
Yeah.

4476
04:33:25,180 --> 04:33:25,710
And if I may,

4477
04:33:27,340 --> 04:33:27,940
so each year,

4478
04:33:29,540 --> 04:33:33,340
we do go up as far as when you're looking at the MSIP, but I do ask, and I will

4479
04:33:33,401 --> 04:33:37,241
come and present to you every month if I have to, but I just ask that

4480
04:33:37,320 --> 04:33:40,881
if I am presenting, and we are not the only ones that are having issues with

4481
04:33:40,920 --> 04:33:44,840
finances, which we actually have over a 50% fund balance, and if we're not the

4482
04:33:44,881 --> 04:33:48,221
only district that's provisionally accredited, if we could just make sure that I am

4483
04:33:48,260 --> 04:33:49,760
not the only one having to present.

4484
04:33:52,760 --> 04:33:55,881
And we looked, I think there's four other schools besides yourself that are

4485
04:33:55,920 --> 04:33:56,741
provisionally accredited.

4486
04:33:58,980 --> 04:34:00,180
Dr. Berry, good to see you.

4487
04:34:02,160 --> 04:34:05,920
It's my understanding that the schools or the district was placed

4488
04:34:06,401 --> 04:34:09,640
on probation over what I will call mechanical issues,

4489
04:34:10,360 --> 04:34:13,180
transportation, leadership turnover, et cetera.

4490
04:34:14,120 --> 04:34:15,120
Budget concerns.

4491
04:34:16,221 --> 04:34:20,040
How are we doing on those things? I'm pleased to hear the report,

4492
04:34:21,300 --> 04:34:23,790
but how are we doing on the mechanics-

4493
04:34:23,840 --> 04:34:23,850
Yeah

4494
04:34:23,850 --> 04:34:25,340
... the transportation, the budget?

4495
04:34:25,820 --> 04:34:28,381
So we shared last year, we have a new transportation department.

4496
04:34:28,440 --> 04:34:31,620
We provided that update last year. We had a 95% on-time rate.

4497
04:34:32,420 --> 04:34:34,460
We are doing well with the transportation.

4498
04:34:34,780 --> 04:34:38,520
Our fund balance, again, is well over 50%, when DESE requires

4499
04:34:38,680 --> 04:34:42,300
3%. Most schools in Missouri have less than 40 or

4500
04:34:42,460 --> 04:34:46,140
30%, and we have well over 50%. We are strong financially.

4501
04:34:46,550 --> 04:34:49,901
We have a double A-minus rating with our bonds department.

4502
04:34:50,160 --> 04:34:53,340
We have about $619 million we can go out for bonds.

4503
04:34:53,721 --> 04:34:56,280
So SLPS is strong financially.

4504
04:34:57,244 --> 04:34:59,435
And I can share with the board that

4505
04:35:00,744 --> 04:35:04,333
the feedback on the transportation system, to me personally, has

4506
04:35:04,365 --> 04:35:08,304
been unbelievable. Can you describe a little bit

4507
04:35:08,365 --> 04:35:11,874
how this works? Because I've had parents tell me this is

4508
04:35:11,874 --> 04:35:15,784
amazing, that they get on their cell phone, and they know exactly where their child

4509
04:35:15,884 --> 04:35:16,045
is.

4510
04:35:16,984 --> 04:35:19,164
Yeah. A few board members did join us last year.

4511
04:35:19,284 --> 04:35:21,124
Hopefully, if you come back, we can get you on a bus.

4512
04:35:21,185 --> 04:35:23,144
But yes, we have a new transportation system.

4513
04:35:23,164 --> 04:35:26,705
There's an app with the Zoom app where the parents can track their children from

4514
04:35:26,724 --> 04:35:29,724
the time they leave their homes, the bus stop, what time it's going to pick them

4515
04:35:29,804 --> 04:35:33,444
up. They can text and have a conversation if they're going to be late, almost like

4516
04:35:33,484 --> 04:35:35,824
an Uber or a Lyft. You can cancel the ride.

4517
04:35:36,365 --> 04:35:40,084
So it's been very helpful. And the students have a key card that they have to

4518
04:35:40,144 --> 04:35:43,304
swipe when they get on the bus, so the parents will know they're actually on the

4519
04:35:43,345 --> 04:35:46,644
bus. If they don't have that key card, the driver can actually type in.

4520
04:35:47,164 --> 04:35:47,345
Yeah.

4521
04:35:50,104 --> 04:35:50,884
Good progress.

4522
04:35:51,144 --> 04:35:51,424
Thank you.

4523
04:35:52,164 --> 04:35:52,865
Mrs. Casey?

4524
04:35:53,324 --> 04:35:57,304
Thank you very much. I have various questions, but I'm wondering if you have

4525
04:35:57,324 --> 04:35:58,164
more to present?

4526
04:35:58,304 --> 04:36:01,444
I can certainly wait. I think we were just going to talk about how we were going to

4527
04:36:01,504 --> 04:36:02,174
close the

4528
04:36:03,564 --> 04:36:07,474
fund balance, or I'm sorry, the overage spending from

4529
04:36:07,484 --> 04:36:11,324
our fund balance. And so we were originally talking about having a $41

4530
04:36:11,345 --> 04:36:15,074
million deficit. We did get about $16 million in additional

4531
04:36:15,104 --> 04:36:19,025
revenue from our local revenue. We are being very conservative,

4532
04:36:19,164 --> 04:36:21,464
so we're not saying 16, we're using 12.

4533
04:36:21,845 --> 04:36:25,604
And with that $12 million instead of a $41 million deficit spend, we're looking at

4534
04:36:25,615 --> 04:36:29,464
a $29 million deficit spend. With Future Ready, we are

4535
04:36:29,504 --> 04:36:33,324
projecting to save about $13.6 million in staffing and

4536
04:36:33,334 --> 04:36:37,264
$10 million in transportation. There will be some additional savings in deferred

4537
04:36:37,304 --> 04:36:40,474
maintenance, but we didn't want to put that number until we really know.

4538
04:36:40,484 --> 04:36:42,935
And so that 13.6 and that 10 million is

4539
04:36:43,164 --> 04:36:46,944
23.6. From that 29 million, it's roughly $5.4

4540
04:36:46,984 --> 04:36:49,545
million, but we're going to go up and say six million.

4541
04:36:49,865 --> 04:36:53,084
So within two years, we will have that six million down to a zero

4542
04:36:54,205 --> 04:36:58,124
fund balance spend. And then we were just, of course, if

4543
04:36:58,144 --> 04:37:02,064
we were going to ask some things that we did talk about the bond, I did

4544
04:37:02,124 --> 04:37:06,025
share that we have a $619 million capacity

4545
04:37:06,084 --> 04:37:09,705
for our bond debt. We do, on time, conclude all of our

4546
04:37:09,744 --> 04:37:12,144
presentations and our bond proposals.

4547
04:37:12,584 --> 04:37:16,104
And then just, I know there were some questions around the audit, and just wanted

4548
04:37:16,144 --> 04:37:19,845
to share that the '25 and '26 audit was based off the

4549
04:37:19,865 --> 04:37:21,185
'23 and '24

4550
04:37:22,104 --> 04:37:25,784
academic years. And while we do not dismiss those findings,

4551
04:37:26,284 --> 04:37:29,705
we did not wait to receive the findings to start taking action.

4552
04:37:29,984 --> 04:37:33,784
We began taking action October 17th of 2025.

4553
04:37:34,384 --> 04:37:37,913
And everything in this latest audit, which was also from '23 and

4554
04:37:37,913 --> 04:37:41,814
'24, we have responded to. We've adopted the read and

4555
04:37:41,924 --> 04:37:43,974
success plans. We're a cash-free district.

4556
04:37:44,104 --> 04:37:47,624
Just about everything in the audit that was questioned, we have

4557
04:37:47,685 --> 04:37:50,104
responded, if not already implemented.

4558
04:37:50,764 --> 04:37:54,584
And then just lastly, there was one part of the audit that was

4559
04:37:54,744 --> 04:37:58,464
from this year under my leadership, and it was allegations

4560
04:37:58,644 --> 04:38:02,185
to enrollment, graduation rates, comprehensive school

4561
04:38:02,244 --> 04:38:05,685
qualifications, timekeeping, and federal grant oversight.

4562
04:38:05,994 --> 04:38:09,764
And I think it's worth noting that the auditor found no significant

4563
04:38:09,804 --> 04:38:13,734
deficits in internal controls, policies, procedures that

4564
04:38:13,744 --> 04:38:17,314
relate to the enrollment, graduation rates, comprehensive schools,

4565
04:38:17,525 --> 04:38:19,525
timekeeping, or federal grant oversight.

4566
04:38:19,955 --> 04:38:23,834
And so while we are not asking to ignore the other findings,

4567
04:38:24,205 --> 04:38:27,604
I think it is very worth noting that no findings were

4568
04:38:28,045 --> 04:38:28,664
available.

4569
04:38:32,084 --> 04:38:34,824
And just lastly, we accept the accountability,

4570
04:38:35,944 --> 04:38:39,345
we accept the call to action, and we responded.

4571
04:38:39,964 --> 04:38:43,865
But I stand firm and resolute that this leadership will continue serving the

4572
04:38:43,924 --> 04:38:46,884
students, staff, and families of the entire city of St.

4573
04:38:46,964 --> 04:38:50,874
Louis with nothing but the best, highest expectations, and

4574
04:38:51,025 --> 04:38:52,084
love. Thank you.

4575
04:38:53,685 --> 04:38:55,004
Great. Thank you, and thank you, Dr.

4576
04:38:55,944 --> 04:38:59,845
Perry. I really do appreciate the passion and commitment you've

4577
04:38:59,884 --> 04:39:03,795
brought to addressing all the various issues, and I recognize that some of them

4578
04:39:03,845 --> 04:39:06,284
are older, maybe no longer applicable.

4579
04:39:06,324 --> 04:39:08,824
You have done a remarkable job on the transportation.

4580
04:39:08,865 --> 04:39:12,054
Our visit to your school last spring was very

4581
04:39:12,124 --> 04:39:14,944
helpful to see. And

4582
04:39:15,764 --> 04:39:18,244
things take time, so we respect that.

4583
04:39:18,275 --> 04:39:22,124
So my questions are more for our benefit

4584
04:39:22,205 --> 04:39:23,845
of further understanding, not

4585
04:39:24,804 --> 04:39:27,845
in any way a reflection that you're not doing anything.

4586
04:39:28,474 --> 04:39:32,084
And they're various. So if you could go back to the attendance slide.

4587
04:39:32,724 --> 04:39:35,365
It was moving so quickly, I'm not sure that I caught.

4588
04:39:36,564 --> 04:39:42,264
So

4589
04:39:42,274 --> 04:39:46,113
this has been the attendance, and you have been yourself working on it

4590
04:39:46,184 --> 04:39:47,714
over the last year-

4591
04:39:48,034 --> 04:39:48,034
Yes

4592
04:39:48,034 --> 04:39:50,654
... now into this year. So what progress have you made?

4593
04:39:50,804 --> 04:39:54,164
Yeah. So we've gone up about, what, 0.2%?

4594
04:39:54,224 --> 04:39:57,304
So it was 52.5, where this is an estimation of

4595
04:39:57,484 --> 04:40:01,284
54. But we're also, the first day, when we compare it to

4596
04:40:01,344 --> 04:40:05,244
last year, we had a higher number of membership, meaning students that attended

4597
04:40:05,304 --> 04:40:08,304
on day one that were coming to school, than we have in the past.

4598
04:40:08,504 --> 04:40:11,844
We have a two-prong going on right now with our communications.

4599
04:40:11,884 --> 04:40:15,124
We are actively going, knocking on doors-

4600
04:40:15,144 --> 04:40:15,174
Mm

4601
04:40:15,174 --> 04:40:18,844
... putting signs out. But in addition to that, there are a three- to

4602
04:40:18,864 --> 04:40:22,474
five-step process that we're asking schools to go through and having

4603
04:40:22,564 --> 04:40:26,484
contact with families, and so it's more hands-on than it was in the past.

4604
04:40:26,704 --> 04:40:30,604
Good. And so with some of that in place, you've made a

4605
04:40:30,644 --> 04:40:33,304
two-point increase, but now you're going to be roughly a

4606
04:40:33,464 --> 04:40:35,544
30-point increase

4607
04:40:36,584 --> 04:40:39,184
by next year. So do you feel that is achievable?

4608
04:40:39,554 --> 04:40:42,634
You've got all the right things in place to

4609
04:40:43,524 --> 04:40:47,484
see your attend-- I'd love it, but to see your attendance improve to that

4610
04:40:47,624 --> 04:40:48,344
82%.

4611
04:40:48,594 --> 04:40:50,624
Yeah. We are certainly putting things in place.

4612
04:40:50,644 --> 04:40:53,944
I don't want to say yes, we're going to get it, but we are actively, I think more

4613
04:40:54,004 --> 04:40:57,824
heavily than we have in the past, pushing for that engagement to get our

4614
04:40:57,884 --> 04:40:58,704
students to school.

4615
04:40:59,580 --> 04:40:59,840
Okay.

4616
04:41:01,260 --> 04:41:04,640
The next slide spoke about

4617
04:41:04,760 --> 04:41:05,520
CSIP.

4618
04:41:06,360 --> 04:41:06,980
Excuse me.

4619
04:41:08,600 --> 04:41:08,620
I

4620
04:41:09,880 --> 04:41:13,740
didn't even catch the other two goals, it went so quickly, but you're going

4621
04:41:13,760 --> 04:41:16,100
to increase to a total of nine

4622
04:41:17,120 --> 04:41:19,740
that will now hit 70%. Are you saying that...

4623
04:41:20,540 --> 04:41:22,470
How many will not be at 70%?

4624
04:41:22,980 --> 04:41:23,850
So we had six

4625
04:41:25,160 --> 04:41:28,680
schools two years ago. Last year we moved up to seven, and so their

4626
04:41:28,700 --> 04:41:30,460
projected goal is nine. We have-

4627
04:41:31,200 --> 04:41:32,020
That will be.

4628
04:41:32,240 --> 04:41:32,769
Yes, that will be.

4629
04:41:32,769 --> 04:41:33,220
That will achieve.

4630
04:41:33,250 --> 04:41:33,250
Yes.

4631
04:41:33,260 --> 04:41:36,729
But how many will not? Are you saying all the remaining schools will not-

4632
04:41:37,100 --> 04:41:37,460
So we have-

4633
04:41:37,549 --> 04:41:38,520
... be at 70% yet?

4634
04:41:38,840 --> 04:41:42,549
So we have 61 schools as they stand, in

4635
04:41:42,600 --> 04:41:46,180
various departments. They're comprised of also

4636
04:41:46,520 --> 04:41:48,660
special education, so there's various schools.

4637
04:41:48,760 --> 04:41:48,830
Mm-hmm.

4638
04:41:48,900 --> 04:41:52,040
So I'll have to get the actual number because not everyone would take this test

4639
04:41:52,300 --> 04:41:53,430
from the 61 schools that we have.

4640
04:41:53,440 --> 04:41:57,320
Sure, but of those schools that, call it, are

4641
04:41:57,540 --> 04:41:59,020
measured under APR,

4642
04:42:00,560 --> 04:42:03,200
still the majority of them will not be at-

4643
04:42:03,210 --> 04:42:04,300
At 70%

4644
04:42:04,339 --> 04:42:04,990
... 70%, which is our-

4645
04:42:05,010 --> 04:42:06,360
As a totality.

4646
04:42:06,440 --> 04:42:06,640
Our-

4647
04:42:07,620 --> 04:42:09,180
We are going up each year.

4648
04:42:09,280 --> 04:42:09,600
Yes.

4649
04:42:13,940 --> 04:42:16,780
That remains a significant concern.

4650
04:42:16,840 --> 04:42:20,820
One of the things that was in the audit most recently produced

4651
04:42:20,940 --> 04:42:24,860
was that you needed to establish a reading success

4652
04:42:24,960 --> 04:42:26,060
plan policy.

4653
04:42:26,600 --> 04:42:26,690
Mm-hmm.

4654
04:42:26,780 --> 04:42:28,600
When was that policy put in place?

4655
04:42:29,000 --> 04:42:32,470
It was adopted in 2025. I don't know the exact date. It was in 2020.

4656
04:42:32,470 --> 04:42:32,960
So roughly-

4657
04:42:33,340 --> 04:42:33,380
Yes

4658
04:42:33,420 --> 04:42:34,780
... in the last school year, which is good.

4659
04:42:34,860 --> 04:42:35,220
So what

4660
04:42:36,600 --> 04:42:40,200
governance do you have over reading success plans, and what

4661
04:42:40,280 --> 04:42:40,900
results,

4662
04:42:41,860 --> 04:42:45,620
realizing you don't have exact numbers, but how effective is the policy?

4663
04:42:46,340 --> 04:42:49,140
And how are you governing over your reading success plans?

4664
04:42:49,760 --> 04:42:53,360
So I can tell you with the reading success plans, in

4665
04:42:53,500 --> 04:42:57,320
2025 of February, we had 3,032, and then

4666
04:42:57,380 --> 04:42:59,960
in June, we added an additional 272.

4667
04:43:01,080 --> 04:43:03,960
And then in February, that number went down to

4668
04:43:04,200 --> 04:43:06,990
1,279. We had

4669
04:43:07,200 --> 04:43:09,880
205 that exited. So

4670
04:43:09,920 --> 04:43:13,850
we're working the plan, and students are

4671
04:43:13,940 --> 04:43:17,640
coming off the plan. And you may know with the reading success plans, you start

4672
04:43:18,300 --> 04:43:21,660
up until the third grade, and then if you have not finished it, well, you start

4673
04:43:21,720 --> 04:43:24,220
third grade. If you haven't finished it, it follows you through your middle school

4674
04:43:24,300 --> 04:43:26,720
year, and we see more students that are falling off.

4675
04:43:28,220 --> 04:43:31,360
How are you governing over those plans, though, monitoring them?

4676
04:43:32,680 --> 04:43:33,020
Yeah.

4677
04:43:33,250 --> 04:43:34,640
What mechanism do you have in place?

4678
04:43:34,729 --> 04:43:36,800
Yeah. Teachers have interventions. I'm going to call Dr. Dana up.

4679
04:43:36,860 --> 04:43:40,160
She's our chief of schools, and so I'm sure she can give you a more detailed

4680
04:43:40,220 --> 04:43:43,720
approach of the governing of the reading success plans because this is her

4681
04:43:43,880 --> 04:43:44,440
wheelhouse.

4682
04:43:44,610 --> 04:43:47,830
And the reason I'm asking is reading success plans are fundamental

4683
04:43:47,940 --> 04:43:51,360
to improvements in literacy, along with

4684
04:43:51,380 --> 04:43:53,540
curriculum and best teaching practices.

4685
04:43:54,240 --> 04:43:57,740
And not having had a policy in place,

4686
04:43:58,060 --> 04:44:01,800
now having a policy in place, it's just not having the policy and putting the

4687
04:44:01,880 --> 04:44:05,789
plans out there. If you really want to turn around those other 40 or

4688
04:44:06,080 --> 04:44:08,480
50 schools, this is a key component.

4689
04:44:08,520 --> 04:44:08,880
Mm-hmm.

4690
04:44:09,860 --> 04:44:13,600
So I do want to share that even prior to having a board-adopted

4691
04:44:13,740 --> 04:44:15,440
reading success plan policy, we

4692
04:44:16,540 --> 04:44:19,860
did have reading success plans, and we've been tracking that data in SLPS.

4693
04:44:20,500 --> 04:44:24,420
One of the changes that was made during last school year is when

4694
04:44:24,460 --> 04:44:28,320
we moved to a new student information system, we were able to

4695
04:44:28,380 --> 04:44:32,220
turn those plans from paper/pencil scans that people would

4696
04:44:32,340 --> 04:44:36,060
submit via PDF to us into our student information system, so we can

4697
04:44:36,120 --> 04:44:39,280
track students better, we can follow them better, we can run reports.

4698
04:44:39,700 --> 04:44:43,660
As they move from elementary now to middle school, those middle schools have them

4699
04:44:43,720 --> 04:44:47,620
right away to review. We do have a literacy team and our teach

4700
04:44:47,740 --> 04:44:51,200
and learning team who reviews pretty regularly

4701
04:44:51,820 --> 04:44:53,600
are the reading success plans in place,

4702
04:44:54,500 --> 04:44:57,980
how do they provide guidance to the teachers for when, because you

4703
04:44:58,640 --> 04:44:59,940
develop them with parents, right?

4704
04:44:59,980 --> 04:45:03,690
And so with conferences coming up in October, we do

4705
04:45:03,720 --> 04:45:05,440
another push with teachers there.

4706
04:45:05,480 --> 04:45:08,810
We're also looking, because you have to have two benchmark periods where you're

4707
04:45:08,820 --> 04:45:12,340
showing growth before you come off the reading success plan, we're monitoring that.

4708
04:45:13,120 --> 04:45:16,900
Before, I would say individual teachers were monitoring things at the classroom

4709
04:45:16,940 --> 04:45:19,580
level. We're now able to monitor more at a system level,

4710
04:45:20,780 --> 04:45:24,580
and that also allows us to support schools with how do

4711
04:45:24,640 --> 04:45:28,540
they develop their intervention blocks for larger groups of students, and

4712
04:45:28,580 --> 04:45:30,220
where do we see things across the board?

4713
04:45:30,320 --> 04:45:33,610
So one, I think that our

4714
04:45:33,660 --> 04:45:37,320
having adopted the new student information system that had the RSP

4715
04:45:37,340 --> 04:45:40,400
module in it, so that we could do that was one piece, and then the other piece was

4716
04:45:40,580 --> 04:45:43,300
definitely being able to look at the data from a bigger picture.

4717
04:45:43,740 --> 04:45:47,680
Good. Thank you. I have one last point then to raise, and it goes back to what

4718
04:45:47,740 --> 04:45:48,880
you were saying on your funding.

4719
04:45:49,760 --> 04:45:49,840
Okay.

4720
04:45:50,420 --> 04:45:52,700
And recognizing it's a challenge

4721
04:45:54,060 --> 04:45:54,380
to

4722
04:45:55,560 --> 04:45:59,420
have plans approved and things of that nature, but I know you have not yet had

4723
04:45:59,560 --> 04:46:03,510
your school building closure plan approved

4724
04:46:04,340 --> 04:46:04,960
by your board.

4725
04:46:05,320 --> 04:46:06,380
Our future-ready plan, no.

4726
04:46:06,429 --> 04:46:06,429
Right.

4727
04:46:06,640 --> 04:46:08,060
It's up for a vote in November.

4728
04:46:08,520 --> 04:46:12,280
And it has been up for a vote multiple times, and either for

4729
04:46:12,340 --> 04:46:14,780
one good reason or another has been shifting.

4730
04:46:15,160 --> 04:46:18,850
But your projection of it isn't just

4731
04:46:19,160 --> 04:46:22,680
having the fund balance, but it's been your spend rate, and the fact that

4732
04:46:22,720 --> 04:46:26,630
the auditor, Auditor Fitzpatrick, has actually raised

4733
04:46:26,660 --> 04:46:30,560
that even again with the release of the second audit, that you are

4734
04:46:30,680 --> 04:46:33,580
on a trajectory by 2030

4735
04:46:34,500 --> 04:46:34,740
to

4736
04:46:36,200 --> 04:46:37,280
have no more funds.

4737
04:46:37,980 --> 04:46:38,080
Right.

4738
04:46:38,100 --> 04:46:41,890
And so your plan, though, is dependent on that plan... Excuse me.

4739
04:46:41,960 --> 04:46:45,500
Your financial outlook is dependent on that

4740
04:46:46,400 --> 04:46:49,800
future ready success plan being approved.

4741
04:46:52,380 --> 04:46:53,860
Yes. I just want to make sure I understand the question.

4742
04:46:53,940 --> 04:46:57,580
So the audit mainly was still from the '23, '24

4743
04:46:58,240 --> 04:46:58,940
academic year.

4744
04:46:59,120 --> 04:47:02,924
But it spoke forward To the trajectory based on your

4745
04:47:02,964 --> 04:47:05,254
spend rate. And yes, you've been addressing your spending-

4746
04:47:05,304 --> 04:47:05,314
Mm

4747
04:47:05,314 --> 04:47:09,264
... but it was still a serious concern raised by Auditor

4748
04:47:09,384 --> 04:47:13,264
Fitzpatrick in the release of the second phase of the

4749
04:47:13,324 --> 04:47:13,604
audit.

4750
04:47:14,064 --> 04:47:17,504
Yeah, and I think what wasn't taken into account, you have to also,

4751
04:47:17,604 --> 04:47:21,124
we have a collective bargaining agreement. You think about the teacher raises.

4752
04:47:21,184 --> 04:47:24,844
So I think he was calculating what that looked like projected

4753
04:47:24,884 --> 04:47:27,864
forward. And so some of those numbers are definitely off.

4754
04:47:28,204 --> 04:47:31,504
I think after five years we would still, because even in 2028, we would

4755
04:47:31,584 --> 04:47:35,564
still have money. So the five-year spend, but we

4756
04:47:35,624 --> 04:47:39,344
do have to do something differently because if we continue with the

4757
04:47:39,364 --> 04:47:43,184
61 schools and the way that we run the school district now, we would

4758
04:47:43,244 --> 04:47:46,944
be in a crisis. But right now, we're solid.

4759
04:47:46,984 --> 04:47:50,344
But if that plan is approved, you're solid?

4760
04:47:51,004 --> 04:47:52,904
You can't continue to do what you're doing now-

4761
04:47:53,664 --> 04:47:54,484
Right. We would have to-

4762
04:47:55,144 --> 04:47:55,154
... remain solid

4763
04:47:55,154 --> 04:47:59,124
... And not even so much, even if they kept every building, we would just have to

4764
04:47:59,184 --> 04:48:02,864
move teachers and move students into a

4765
04:48:02,924 --> 04:48:06,364
single building so that we can have our resources spread around.

4766
04:48:06,404 --> 04:48:09,824
So the building themselves, you really don't save money on the building themselves.

4767
04:48:09,854 --> 04:48:11,884
It's the resources being put into the buildings.

4768
04:48:12,264 --> 04:48:15,784
I mean, there is annual spend, but I'm not necessarily trying to debate any of

4769
04:48:15,824 --> 04:48:19,764
those details, I'm sure. What I'm trying to call out is there is still a

4770
04:48:19,824 --> 04:48:23,124
significant risk until those plans are approved by your board.

4771
04:48:23,854 --> 04:48:27,564
The projections are on paper, and there is a significant

4772
04:48:27,604 --> 04:48:31,564
risk financially, as called out by State Auditor Fitzpatrick, to

4773
04:48:31,624 --> 04:48:32,324
this district,

4774
04:48:33,414 --> 04:48:35,184
that we just need to be aware of.

4775
04:48:37,584 --> 04:48:39,424
So if you had a request of us,

4776
04:48:40,624 --> 04:48:43,484
as a board and things, what would it be?

4777
04:48:43,644 --> 04:48:47,594
Yeah. Thank you. I think I would one, want clear guidelines on what does

4778
04:48:47,624 --> 04:48:51,284
it take for us to get our accreditation back.

4779
04:48:51,364 --> 04:48:55,284
Again, and not to put any of my colleagues out here, but there are a number of

4780
04:48:55,324 --> 04:48:58,684
school districts that are having financial stress.

4781
04:48:58,754 --> 04:49:01,544
There are a number of school districts that are not meeting 70%.

4782
04:49:01,884 --> 04:49:05,804
There are a number of school districts who turn in late audits multiple years in

4783
04:49:05,864 --> 04:49:09,483
a row, and I think for SLPS to be called out on their

4784
04:49:09,524 --> 04:49:13,464
accountability with no one else, it just shows to our community there's

4785
04:49:13,504 --> 04:49:15,744
a spotlight over SLPS. Now, Grant,

4786
04:49:16,664 --> 04:49:19,784
I will stand in the spotlight because we want to be better and we will do better,

4787
04:49:20,124 --> 04:49:23,144
but it just seems like to my community, when I have to explain to them the why

4788
04:49:23,184 --> 04:49:27,124
behind it, they don't understand why SLPS and why not

4789
04:49:27,144 --> 04:49:27,844
someone else.

4790
04:49:27,974 --> 04:49:28,184
Mm-hmm.

4791
04:49:30,744 --> 04:49:31,004
Brooks.

4792
04:49:31,584 --> 04:49:32,084
Oh, did you have something?

4793
04:49:32,144 --> 04:49:32,744
Go ahead. No.

4794
04:49:34,144 --> 04:49:38,104
Thank you for coming in. I think the last time that we saw you

4795
04:49:38,164 --> 04:49:40,464
was in St. Louis in May. Is that correct?

4796
04:49:41,204 --> 04:49:41,484
Yes.

4797
04:49:41,664 --> 04:49:42,304
Yes. Okay.

4798
04:49:44,124 --> 04:49:44,134
Yes.

4799
04:49:44,144 --> 04:49:47,064
And how many students do St. Louis Public Schools serve?

4800
04:49:47,264 --> 04:49:50,804
Yeah. So I just got a count number. So we have projected enrollment

4801
04:49:50,864 --> 04:49:54,724
17,100. We have membership, meaning students who actually came

4802
04:49:54,804 --> 04:49:57,924
already, 16,015.

4803
04:49:58,064 --> 04:49:58,244
Okay.

4804
04:49:59,164 --> 04:50:02,994
And I think I made this-- I don't think I phrased it

4805
04:50:03,084 --> 04:50:06,824
right in May, but I agree with your point about

4806
04:50:07,264 --> 04:50:10,504
wanting to hear from other districts, and I think I said the same thing.

4807
04:50:10,564 --> 04:50:11,684
It would be nice to

4808
04:50:13,244 --> 04:50:17,104
have those other districts that are provisionally accredited come before the board

4809
04:50:17,184 --> 04:50:17,504
just to,

4810
04:50:18,494 --> 04:50:19,904
what are their challenges? Right?

4811
04:50:23,304 --> 04:50:26,144
And certainly wish you the best. Right? All the students.

4812
04:50:26,504 --> 04:50:29,934
I think this board and everybody needs, the state needs St.

4813
04:50:30,124 --> 04:50:33,824
Louis to be successful and those students to get a great education.

4814
04:50:33,924 --> 04:50:35,464
I think there's a lot of challenges.

4815
04:50:37,304 --> 04:50:41,214
But it is nice to hear from you. I don't know what the accreditation

4816
04:50:41,284 --> 04:50:45,004
process looks like at the end of this year or early next year.

4817
04:50:46,384 --> 04:50:49,144
But I do think it would be helpful to hear from other districts.

4818
04:50:49,164 --> 04:50:52,974
And just to add to that point, not to change the subject, but some of

4819
04:50:53,024 --> 04:50:56,804
us I think are going to go see Liberty Public Schools in a couple of weeks.

4820
04:50:57,124 --> 04:51:01,104
I'm going up to North Davies, I think, a week after that to see, I think, what

4821
04:51:01,144 --> 04:51:03,884
is one of the smallest K through 12 districts in the state.

4822
04:51:03,984 --> 04:51:06,744
It would be helpful to the board to

4823
04:51:08,384 --> 04:51:12,324
hear from others, right, and districts that are

4824
04:51:12,364 --> 04:51:15,113
different, right? And so I just wanted to reiterate that.

4825
04:51:15,204 --> 04:51:17,704
I wish you the best, and thank you.

4826
04:51:17,944 --> 04:51:18,344
Thank you.

4827
04:51:19,863 --> 04:51:21,683
I have a question, Brooks. This is more for the board.

4828
04:51:22,024 --> 04:51:25,834
Is there a reason why we aren't hearing from other

4829
04:51:25,844 --> 04:51:28,564
districts that have the same or similar issues?

4830
04:51:29,304 --> 04:51:29,544
No.

4831
04:51:30,384 --> 04:51:34,324
Like I said, I was under the impression we only had the one until it

4832
04:51:34,384 --> 04:51:36,464
was brought to my attention right here.

4833
04:51:36,644 --> 04:51:39,144
But they will all be before us.

4834
04:51:39,724 --> 04:51:43,464
I, as chairman of the board, will give

4835
04:51:43,564 --> 04:51:47,064
everyone an opportunity to come and reach out to us.

4836
04:51:47,684 --> 04:51:51,664
We want you to succeed. That's the reality of

4837
04:51:51,724 --> 04:51:53,984
it. And you're too big-

4838
04:51:54,804 --> 04:51:58,124
... and you mean too much to our state for us not to

4839
04:51:58,244 --> 04:52:02,164
work with you in a way to help

4840
04:52:02,244 --> 04:52:02,384
you-

4841
04:52:02,944 --> 04:52:02,974
Thank you

4842
04:52:02,974 --> 04:52:05,744
... move forward. And so that's where I come from.

4843
04:52:05,824 --> 04:52:09,784
But we will in fact invite the others, the remaining four,

4844
04:52:11,044 --> 04:52:14,924
in future meetings to come and share with us what their needs are

4845
04:52:14,984 --> 04:52:15,424
as well,

4846
04:52:16,544 --> 04:52:19,174
and how we can be of assistance, or what we need to do.

4847
04:52:19,944 --> 04:52:22,204
So 16 or 17,000, right? That's the number.

4848
04:52:22,564 --> 04:52:26,284
How many different schools are there in St. Louis, did you say?

4849
04:52:26,624 --> 04:52:30,344
So we have 61 total buildings. There are multiple other

4850
04:52:30,404 --> 04:52:33,464
schools, private, parochial, charter, that are in the same surrounding

4851
04:52:33,504 --> 04:52:36,544
neighborhood. Just to give you an idea, there are 34, roughly

4852
04:52:36,664 --> 04:52:40,584
34,000 students in the city of St. Louis, that we are all trying

4853
04:52:40,624 --> 04:52:41,444
to service, so.

4854
04:52:43,924 --> 04:52:46,884
Mike, Park Hill

4855
04:52:48,544 --> 04:52:50,644
enrollment is like 11 or 12,000?

4856
04:52:50,944 --> 04:52:51,424
That sounds right.

4857
04:52:52,084 --> 04:52:52,304
Ish.

4858
04:52:52,444 --> 04:52:53,324
Sounds about right. Yes.

4859
04:52:53,424 --> 04:52:55,324
And how many buildings does Park Hill have?

4860
04:52:56,644 --> 04:52:57,664
You got two high schools.

4861
04:52:58,664 --> 04:53:00,404
Two high schools, and then we have the LEAD Center.

4862
04:53:00,664 --> 04:53:02,004
LEAD Center, and then you got-

4863
04:53:02,564 --> 04:53:05,124
Four middle, and I think each

4864
04:53:06,264 --> 04:53:09,424
middle has I think three or four feeding

4865
04:53:10,974 --> 04:53:13,174
So I guess my question is-

4866
04:53:13,234 --> 04:53:13,874
Your buildings

4867
04:53:14,174 --> 04:53:14,514
... yeah.

4868
04:53:15,334 --> 04:53:18,514
Is it because the buildings are bigger, or why?

4869
04:53:19,374 --> 04:53:20,294
Because there's only

4870
04:53:21,114 --> 04:53:22,384
5,000 less students, but-

4871
04:53:23,594 --> 04:53:24,414
Yeah. Thank you for your-

4872
04:53:24,424 --> 04:53:24,774
... three times the buildings

4873
04:53:24,794 --> 04:53:28,084
... question. And so when we were talking to our community, we even show there are

4874
04:53:28,474 --> 04:53:31,394
districts, and I'll just use Hazelwood as an example, that have roughly the same

4875
04:53:31,434 --> 04:53:35,214
number of students, and they have almost half the number of buildings.

4876
04:53:35,254 --> 04:53:38,084
Our footprint in St. Louis City is much larger.

4877
04:53:38,094 --> 04:53:41,754
And so originally you may have, if you paid attention to the, maybe not, the Future

4878
04:53:41,814 --> 04:53:45,734
Ready plan, originally we started with 22 schools, but when you start looking at

4879
04:53:45,774 --> 04:53:49,314
the size of the building, and some of the schools only hold about 200 students, and

4880
04:53:49,394 --> 04:53:53,094
then you look at the area, and if you were to remove that school, where students

4881
04:53:53,114 --> 04:53:56,984
would actually go. So because the footprint is so large, a lot of buildings,

4882
04:53:57,054 --> 04:54:00,214
we have to say, "Well, we need to keep a building actually in this area to service

4883
04:54:00,274 --> 04:54:02,314
students." But that is a very good point.

4884
04:54:02,794 --> 04:54:04,494
More buildings serving... Okay. Yeah.

4885
04:54:04,504 --> 04:54:04,504
Yeah.

4886
04:54:04,854 --> 04:54:05,174
Thank you.

4887
04:54:07,154 --> 04:54:07,964
Any other questions?

4888
04:54:08,964 --> 04:54:10,614
I did have one question. Sorry to

4889
04:54:11,754 --> 04:54:12,594
spend the time, but

4890
04:54:14,334 --> 04:54:17,694
the attendance statistic kind of stood out to me.

4891
04:54:17,754 --> 04:54:21,734
It was kind of alarming, right? Like 50%, and you just said 16,000

4892
04:54:21,794 --> 04:54:25,033
students, so that's 8,000 students are absent.

4893
04:54:25,664 --> 04:54:27,534
That's a lot.

4894
04:54:27,754 --> 04:54:31,534
Yeah. Yes, what you can do. Or as the way you calculate attendance in

4895
04:54:31,554 --> 04:54:33,194
Missouri is by the minute.

4896
04:54:34,134 --> 04:54:37,234
Okay. Well, at any rate, that's still

4897
04:54:38,754 --> 04:54:41,734
alarmingly low compared to other school districts, right?

4898
04:54:41,864 --> 04:54:43,554
And so I didn't know.

4899
04:54:44,414 --> 04:54:47,774
I see your actions there, but I didn't know if

4900
04:54:50,494 --> 04:54:54,214
part of your strategy included maybe leveraging or reaching out to

4901
04:54:54,634 --> 04:54:58,354
larger school districts, like our urban school districts like Kansas City or

4902
04:54:58,414 --> 04:55:02,164
Springfield, who has a, I just looked it up, they have a really,

4903
04:55:02,294 --> 04:55:06,164
really high attendance. And so just to kind of see what they're doing,

4904
04:55:06,254 --> 04:55:09,754
if that could be something that you guys could do, because even if you got up to

4905
04:55:09,774 --> 04:55:12,594
the state average, that's a 25% increase-

4906
04:55:13,334 --> 04:55:13,434
Yeah

4907
04:55:13,474 --> 04:55:14,324
... from that 50%.

4908
04:55:14,434 --> 04:55:15,794
We actually work closely with them.

4909
04:55:15,834 --> 04:55:18,314
The superintendent in Springfield gave me her whole playbook-

4910
04:55:18,654 --> 04:55:18,814
Got it

4911
04:55:18,833 --> 04:55:20,794
... on what she did for attendance, so yes.

4912
04:55:21,393 --> 04:55:21,403
Good.

4913
04:55:21,403 --> 04:55:24,254
Elaborate, by the minute, how does that impact St.-

4914
04:55:24,334 --> 04:55:24,474
Yeah

4915
04:55:24,774 --> 04:55:25,694
... your school in particular?

4916
04:55:25,854 --> 04:55:29,614
Okay. You're going to make me call Chief Mitchell up here. She does our attendance.

4917
04:55:30,534 --> 04:55:34,414
There's a lot that goes into the calculation of proportional attendance.

4918
04:55:34,434 --> 04:55:38,084
But some districts, not in St. Louis, if you are

4919
04:55:38,154 --> 04:55:40,694
absent for the day, that's considered an absent.

4920
04:55:40,714 --> 04:55:43,504
But if you are in high school, and you're absent for the first period, there's a

4921
04:55:43,534 --> 04:55:47,054
different calculation for what that absent looks like. Chief Mitchell?

4922
04:55:47,794 --> 04:55:49,954
Yeah, I think it really has to do with data entry.

4923
04:55:50,044 --> 04:55:52,963
The by the minute makes it incredibly challenging.

4924
04:55:52,994 --> 04:55:56,174
Many other states do, if you show up, you're there for the day.

4925
04:55:56,194 --> 04:56:00,154
But for middle and high school in Missouri, you do period attendance

4926
04:56:00,514 --> 04:56:02,714
because it's aligned to instructional minutes.

4927
04:56:02,743 --> 04:56:06,614
And so, yes, if a student is a few minutes late, let's say I come to

4928
04:56:06,634 --> 04:56:10,274
first period but I miss second period, so not only does it

4929
04:56:10,334 --> 04:56:13,654
create a lot of challenges around appropriate data

4930
04:56:13,714 --> 04:56:17,494
entry as a state, it also just becomes very tedious

4931
04:56:17,554 --> 04:56:20,574
because it's minute calculations versus saying, "Yes, you're here today.

4932
04:56:21,074 --> 04:56:25,014
You get your X amount of minutes for the day," and then we move on to

4933
04:56:25,074 --> 04:56:25,194
the

4934
04:56:27,234 --> 04:56:31,084
duty of instruction or whatever. And it's not the same in other

4935
04:56:31,194 --> 04:56:34,654
state. And we know that we were one of the districts that implemented Focus, and as

4936
04:56:34,694 --> 04:56:38,334
you may know, the other Missouri districts that also implemented Focus

4937
04:56:38,374 --> 04:56:41,724
had some attendance challenges with that particular system.

4938
04:56:42,164 --> 04:56:46,154
They came out of Florida. Florida does daily attendance, and so it

4939
04:56:46,214 --> 04:56:50,154
took that SIS system a little while to get their system accurate for

4940
04:56:50,214 --> 04:56:53,914
Missouri. They want to launch in Missouri into more districts, and so, yes,

4941
04:56:54,234 --> 04:56:58,034
as they had an obligation as a company to get their attendance calculations

4942
04:56:58,134 --> 04:57:01,664
correct, but because of the way that we do it here in the state,

4943
04:57:01,734 --> 04:57:04,574
it's not the easiest formula. We'll just leave it at that.

4944
04:57:04,754 --> 04:57:08,604
But is there any particular challenges to your school district that doesn't

4945
04:57:08,614 --> 04:57:11,374
apply to other school districts why that minutes is...

4946
04:57:11,834 --> 04:57:14,174
Because that's what we're comparing it to, is others

4947
04:57:14,994 --> 04:57:15,954
using the same system.

4948
04:57:16,614 --> 04:57:20,414
I would say definitely things with transportation, so those

4949
04:57:20,454 --> 04:57:22,974
early transportation issues that we're working on resolving.

4950
04:57:23,094 --> 04:57:27,054
So if my bus is late, and we're on a three-tier system district, right?

4951
04:57:27,134 --> 04:57:30,674
So every single minute counts, and so that's the messaging we give to students is

4952
04:57:30,713 --> 04:57:34,074
every minute matters. Also, within the community, helping parents

4953
04:57:34,134 --> 04:57:37,414
understand if you bring your child late or if you pick your child up

4954
04:57:37,474 --> 04:57:41,374
early, every single minute that you miss of school counts against those attendance

4955
04:57:41,454 --> 04:57:44,474
minutes. And so I don't know if that's completely unique to St.

4956
04:57:44,534 --> 04:57:46,714
Louis Public, but that is definitely some of our challenges.

4957
04:57:46,754 --> 04:57:50,554
It's about that chronic absenteeism and making sure that we're at that

4958
04:57:50,694 --> 04:57:54,454
90% and making sure our families know every single minute

4959
04:57:54,494 --> 04:57:55,314
matters.

4960
04:57:55,324 --> 04:57:58,254
And so with that, we're looking at healthy start times because we have earlier

4961
04:57:58,294 --> 04:58:01,584
times, and many times you have their older siblings, because parents went to work,

4962
04:58:01,874 --> 04:58:05,194
that are taking their younger siblings to school, so now they're late to school.

4963
04:58:06,034 --> 04:58:06,954
Yeah.

4964
04:58:07,034 --> 04:58:07,374
Thank you.

4965
04:58:07,734 --> 04:58:08,414
Of course. Thank you.

4966
04:58:08,934 --> 04:58:12,654
Yeah. Thanks for that clarification because then when I saw that initially, I'm

4967
04:58:12,674 --> 04:58:14,804
thinking that they're just out in the wild somewhere-

4968
04:58:15,064 --> 04:58:15,064
Yes

4969
04:58:15,064 --> 04:58:17,834
... but they're probably in the building just trying to go to class.

4970
04:58:17,974 --> 04:58:21,284
Because I have teenagers, and I know what it feels like. So good.

4971
04:58:21,534 --> 04:58:22,414
Thanks for the context.

4972
04:58:22,614 --> 04:58:23,113
Of course.

4973
04:58:23,174 --> 04:58:25,354
Okay, so we're going to have to draw a conclusion.

4974
04:58:25,474 --> 04:58:29,174
And I just want you to leave knowing that we want you to

4975
04:58:29,214 --> 04:58:29,634
succeed.

4976
04:58:29,694 --> 04:58:30,214
Thank you.

4977
04:58:30,454 --> 04:58:30,894
And that's

4978
04:58:31,794 --> 04:58:35,634
what we're about, working with you, trying to keep moving it

4979
04:58:35,674 --> 04:58:39,194
forward. You're a big school district. You have a lot of challenges.

4980
04:58:39,414 --> 04:58:39,714
Thank you.

4981
04:58:39,894 --> 04:58:41,474
And we want to do whatever we can to help.

4982
04:58:41,634 --> 04:58:43,074
I appreciate it. Could I have one more ask?

4983
04:58:43,254 --> 04:58:43,414
Yes.

4984
04:58:43,494 --> 04:58:47,234
Okay. I ask that if there's no consideration right now

4985
04:58:47,254 --> 04:58:51,134
regarding the lowering of accreditation, give us time to implement the plan.

4986
04:58:51,174 --> 04:58:54,634
We will come and present as often as we need to, but trust that we are moving

4987
04:58:54,694 --> 04:58:55,074
forward.

4988
04:58:55,174 --> 04:58:57,544
Okay. And that's our ultimate goal. I hear that.

4989
04:58:57,544 --> 04:58:58,194
Thank you so much.

4990
04:58:58,794 --> 04:59:01,134
Okay. That sounds great. Thank you for your time.

4991
04:59:04,603 --> 04:59:09,504
Thank

4992
04:59:09,504 --> 04:59:09,554
you.

4993
04:59:09,714 --> 04:59:13,094
Okay, so now we have the report on the career technical

4994
04:59:13,154 --> 04:59:15,853
education, and that is Ms. Holmes

4995
04:59:21,404 --> 04:59:22,044
Yeah, exactly.

4996
04:59:24,304 --> 04:59:28,044
Good afternoon. Perry Goral, Program Administrator of Career and Technical

4997
04:59:28,124 --> 04:59:30,424
Education in the Office of College and Career Readiness.

4998
04:59:31,014 --> 04:59:34,804
And I have with me today Dr. Pantleo, who is a professor at University of Central

4999
04:59:34,864 --> 04:59:35,264
Missouri.

5000
04:59:36,584 --> 04:59:36,863
So

5001
04:59:37,744 --> 04:59:41,204
we are here to conduct our annual update of career and technical

5002
04:59:41,284 --> 04:59:41,934
education.

5003
04:59:42,924 --> 04:59:43,744
Because of

5004
04:59:45,264 --> 04:59:48,104
many of you being new to the board, I'm going to try to keep this at very high

5005
04:59:48,144 --> 04:59:51,584
level, and we can work off from there.

5006
04:59:52,124 --> 04:59:55,814
So when you look at career and technical education in the state of Missouri,

5007
04:59:56,344 --> 04:59:59,444
I want you to focus on this first diagram

5008
04:59:59,484 --> 05:00:00,984
here.

5009
05:00:02,144 --> 05:00:05,484
Career and technical education is made up of many partners, and these many

5010
05:00:05,584 --> 05:00:09,324
partners are what makes our programming for

5011
05:00:09,364 --> 05:00:10,704
across the state of Missouri.

5012
05:00:11,984 --> 05:00:15,864
We have what we call area career centers across the state of Missouri.

5013
05:00:16,104 --> 05:00:19,404
There are 57 career centers

5014
05:00:20,084 --> 05:00:23,564
across the state. 54 of these career centers are

5015
05:00:23,604 --> 05:00:27,564
located in comprehensive high school or school districts.

5016
05:00:28,284 --> 05:00:29,724
The other four of these

5017
05:00:30,624 --> 05:00:34,464
career centers for our secondary programs are located at

5018
05:00:34,544 --> 05:00:35,544
community colleges.

5019
05:00:36,684 --> 05:00:40,664
These programs typically or traditionally provide the

5020
05:00:40,704 --> 05:00:43,304
more highly specialized programming for our students.

5021
05:00:44,344 --> 05:00:48,224
Many times it's in the skilled technical sciences or within the health science

5022
05:00:48,264 --> 05:00:48,814
programs.

5023
05:00:49,884 --> 05:00:53,874
From there we move into the comprehensive high schools and providing a career and

5024
05:00:53,904 --> 05:00:55,704
technical education to our students.

5025
05:00:56,444 --> 05:00:59,844
Comprehensive high school is probably the more traditional programming

5026
05:01:00,364 --> 05:01:02,104
of career and technical education.

5027
05:01:02,864 --> 05:01:06,764
These programs are such as the ag education, business

5028
05:01:06,884 --> 05:01:10,154
marketing, and DECA programs, and FBLA programs,

5029
05:01:10,844 --> 05:01:11,324
FACS,

5030
05:01:12,924 --> 05:01:15,564
and those programs are located there.

5031
05:01:16,184 --> 05:01:18,024
These more traditionalized programs

5032
05:01:19,084 --> 05:01:22,204
are housed at the secondary programs.

5033
05:01:22,804 --> 05:01:26,764
85% of our career and technical education students are located

5034
05:01:26,864 --> 05:01:28,384
in our comprehensive high schools.

5035
05:01:29,164 --> 05:01:32,664
Now, the one thing I do want to share about comprehensive high schools is that this

5036
05:01:32,724 --> 05:01:36,524
is also beginning to change. We are seeing across the state of

5037
05:01:36,564 --> 05:01:39,944
Missouri that comprehensive high schools are starting to provide more

5038
05:01:40,044 --> 05:01:43,714
specialized programming in health science programs and the skilled

5039
05:01:43,804 --> 05:01:46,424
technical science programming, and so on.

5040
05:01:47,004 --> 05:01:50,824
And so we are starting to see a movement within the state of Missouri

5041
05:01:50,904 --> 05:01:54,454
of comprehensive high schools moving not only from the traditional

5042
05:01:54,524 --> 05:01:58,174
programs, but offering the more specialized programs that

5043
05:01:58,224 --> 05:02:01,624
have once only been contained at the area career centers.

5044
05:02:02,964 --> 05:02:06,944
The next partner within career and technical education is our post-secondary

5045
05:02:07,044 --> 05:02:10,584
partners. I think it's important to understand that within career and technical

5046
05:02:10,644 --> 05:02:12,524
education at the secondary level,

5047
05:02:13,404 --> 05:02:17,054
there are some requirements, not only federal requirements, but requirements that

5048
05:02:17,084 --> 05:02:20,454
we like to see, and those are partnerships with our post-secondary

5049
05:02:20,564 --> 05:02:24,084
partners. We want their education to continue once they've

5050
05:02:24,124 --> 05:02:27,564
continued or have finished programs at the secondary level.

5051
05:02:28,644 --> 05:02:32,384
There are 12 community colleges that these articulation and dual

5052
05:02:32,424 --> 05:02:36,264
credit agreements are housed at, and then there also is the one

5053
05:02:36,364 --> 05:02:39,344
state college at State Tech.

5054
05:02:40,484 --> 05:02:43,924
These are important partners because we provide

5055
05:02:44,004 --> 05:02:47,724
sometimes the foundational education that will lead them to these

5056
05:02:47,784 --> 05:02:51,584
secondary partners. There's also the post-secondary partners with the four-year

5057
05:02:51,684 --> 05:02:55,444
universities that the career and technical education programs provide as well,

5058
05:02:56,004 --> 05:02:59,684
and we see this in the Teacher Pathways as an example.

5059
05:03:01,024 --> 05:03:04,854
The next part of this wheel or the diagram is school counseling and

5060
05:03:04,924 --> 05:03:08,584
career advising and the importance that it plays in career and technical education.

5061
05:03:09,484 --> 05:03:10,644
We often talk about

5062
05:03:11,844 --> 05:03:15,664
you know what you know, and individuals need-to-know

5063
05:03:15,744 --> 05:03:19,704
information, and school counseling and career advising is an ultimate

5064
05:03:19,724 --> 05:03:21,744
foundation for career and technical education.

5065
05:03:22,564 --> 05:03:26,364
Behind the student who goes onto these programs is someone

5066
05:03:26,384 --> 05:03:30,124
who's referring them or is recommending them, and it's important with school

5067
05:03:30,224 --> 05:03:34,024
counseling and career advising that these individuals are part of

5068
05:03:34,084 --> 05:03:35,474
career and technical education.

5069
05:03:36,984 --> 05:03:39,324
They provide interest inventories for our students.

5070
05:03:39,364 --> 05:03:43,144
They provide the development of the ICAP, or the Individualized Career Academic

5071
05:03:43,204 --> 05:03:44,344
Plans, for our students.

5072
05:03:45,324 --> 05:03:47,384
They are an intricate part of this process.

5073
05:03:48,364 --> 05:03:51,494
Without that process, many of our students probably wouldn't go into career and

5074
05:03:51,524 --> 05:03:52,584
technical education.

5075
05:03:53,664 --> 05:03:55,944
And then lastly, we have our industry partners.

5076
05:03:56,624 --> 05:03:59,764
Industry partners have always been an important part of career and technical

5077
05:03:59,844 --> 05:04:03,664
education. But more and more each day, they become an intricate part

5078
05:04:03,724 --> 05:04:06,274
of providing many different services and opportunities.

5079
05:04:06,984 --> 05:04:10,164
Such things as they serve on our advisory council, which

5080
05:04:10,184 --> 05:04:14,064
Dr. Pantleo will talk about here in a bit, but they also serve

5081
05:04:14,104 --> 05:04:16,184
on our advisory councils for our programs.

5082
05:04:16,944 --> 05:04:20,744
Every program area is required to have an advisory council,

5083
05:04:20,904 --> 05:04:24,404
and many of those advisory councils are made of industry partners.

5084
05:04:24,924 --> 05:04:27,304
And so they're bringing their expertise, their technical

5085
05:04:28,424 --> 05:04:32,384
expertise to the table and helping these programs be relevant

5086
05:04:32,464 --> 05:04:35,624
and continue to serve. They also are valued by

5087
05:04:35,644 --> 05:04:39,544
providing work-based learning opportunities for our students, opportunities

5088
05:04:39,584 --> 05:04:42,664
for our students to take what they've learned in the classroom and into the

5089
05:04:42,684 --> 05:04:45,104
industry to put those to real work.

5090
05:04:45,644 --> 05:04:49,354
And so I think it's important to understand what makes up career and technical

5091
05:04:49,354 --> 05:04:49,984
education.

5092
05:04:51,104 --> 05:04:53,084
This is at a very high level, but without these

5093
05:04:54,184 --> 05:04:56,884
five components, career and technical education

5094
05:04:58,444 --> 05:05:02,164
would struggle, not to exist, but there would be components

5095
05:05:02,224 --> 05:05:02,584
missing.

5096
05:05:02,924 --> 05:05:06,744
All right. Did you mention how many high school students are enrolled in

5097
05:05:06,824 --> 05:05:07,044
CTE?

5098
05:05:07,664 --> 05:05:09,324
I'll get to that. I got it.

5099
05:05:12,564 --> 05:05:15,904
DESE oversees different

5100
05:05:16,624 --> 05:05:18,604
CTE programs, and today I've brought with me...

5101
05:05:18,644 --> 05:05:20,948
I think it's important for you all to see ...

5102
05:05:20,958 --> 05:05:22,828
the individuals behind the scene.

5103
05:05:23,108 --> 05:05:27,028
And so I brought my CTE program directors and coordinators for

5104
05:05:27,088 --> 05:05:29,768
Career and Technical Education, and they are located here behind me.

5105
05:05:29,798 --> 05:05:32,248
And so as I call them, I'll just have them stand up.

5106
05:05:32,988 --> 05:05:36,747
CTE coordinator is Lori Brown. She's an integral part of overseeing

5107
05:05:37,148 --> 05:05:41,068
our enhancement grant, new teacher institute for our department.

5108
05:05:41,948 --> 05:05:43,828
Ag education is Jeffrey Boris.

5109
05:05:44,908 --> 05:05:48,228
Business marketing, information technology, and education is Larry Anders.

5110
05:05:49,048 --> 05:05:52,548
Family consumer sciences and human service education is Teresa Stroup.

5111
05:05:53,288 --> 05:05:56,968
Health science education, Rachel Fisher. She's unable to be with us today.

5112
05:05:58,088 --> 05:06:01,768
Skilled technical science is Dr. Oscar Carter, and technology and

5113
05:06:01,848 --> 05:06:04,008
engineering education is Mia Quezo Gilbert.

5114
05:06:04,828 --> 05:06:08,268
These individuals are responsible for the administrating of our programs.

5115
05:06:08,938 --> 05:06:12,908
They work hard each and every day to ensure that our programs are of

5116
05:06:12,948 --> 05:06:16,248
high quality across the state, answering a variety of questions from school

5117
05:06:16,288 --> 05:06:20,168
districts. I think it's worth being noted that this year,

5118
05:06:20,768 --> 05:06:24,448
technology and engineering education, it is the first year

5119
05:06:24,808 --> 05:06:28,668
for us as a department of them being approved CTE programs.

5120
05:06:29,828 --> 05:06:31,128
In the prior years,

5121
05:06:32,128 --> 05:06:33,438
industrial technology and

5122
05:06:34,368 --> 05:06:37,788
education, as it was called in the past, or AKA

5123
05:06:37,948 --> 05:06:39,168
industrial arts in the past,

5124
05:06:40,128 --> 05:06:42,798
has not been an approved CTE program, and now it is.

5125
05:06:42,948 --> 05:06:45,808
And so this has been a lengthy process.

5126
05:06:46,288 --> 05:06:48,388
We went through the summer of approving programs.

5127
05:06:49,228 --> 05:06:51,268
We have approved, I believe, over 120

5128
05:06:52,988 --> 05:06:56,488
technology and engineering education programs across the state of Missouri and look

5129
05:06:56,548 --> 05:06:59,468
forward to approving more in the years to come.

5130
05:07:01,628 --> 05:07:05,368
The CTE program areas, and I'll talk about the enrollment.

5131
05:07:08,468 --> 05:07:12,108
Ag education, typical courses, animal science, plant science,

5132
05:07:12,208 --> 05:07:14,648
and so on. There's approximately

5133
05:07:14,788 --> 05:07:18,268
32,451 students. Business education.

5134
05:07:20,748 --> 05:07:23,588
Accounting computer is 84,512.

5135
05:07:24,668 --> 05:07:28,628
Family consumer science is 77,056,

5136
05:07:28,828 --> 05:07:31,268
and health science education, 18,160.

5137
05:07:31,608 --> 05:07:35,488
Marketing education, 14,787. Skilled technical

5138
05:07:36,008 --> 05:07:39,878
science education is 15,983. And technology and

5139
05:07:39,888 --> 05:07:42,768
engineering education is 13,026.

5140
05:07:50,248 --> 05:07:50,828
Sorry about that.

5141
05:07:58,408 --> 05:08:02,328
So in 2025 through '26 selected

5142
05:08:02,338 --> 05:08:02,718
data year,

5143
05:08:03,748 --> 05:08:07,028
the total number of secondary students enrolled in CTE is

5144
05:08:07,408 --> 05:08:10,248
185,000 students across the state of Missouri.

5145
05:08:11,428 --> 05:08:14,648
These are students that are taking an approved CTE program

5146
05:08:17,188 --> 05:08:19,088
and/or course within the state of Missouri.

5147
05:08:19,868 --> 05:08:23,448
Post-secondary, we have 55,794.

5148
05:08:25,368 --> 05:08:29,328
Organizational membership, part of being in an approved CTE program is that they

5149
05:08:29,408 --> 05:08:33,328
must have a CTSO. It's a Career Technical Student Organization.

5150
05:08:34,598 --> 05:08:37,888
And so examples of those is DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, and so

5151
05:08:38,048 --> 05:08:40,788
on. We have over 77,000 students

5152
05:08:41,708 --> 05:08:43,737
that participate in these organizations,

5153
05:08:44,668 --> 05:08:47,948
which is an integral part, an important part of

5154
05:08:48,308 --> 05:08:50,208
our career and technical education.

5155
05:08:51,788 --> 05:08:55,368
Industry-recognized credentials earned, or certifications.

5156
05:08:55,708 --> 05:08:58,628
This prior year was 13,867.

5157
05:09:00,028 --> 05:09:03,608
These industry-recognized credentials are important because they lead to

5158
05:09:03,648 --> 05:09:05,948
employability within our workforce,

5159
05:09:07,108 --> 05:09:08,068
and for our students.

5160
05:09:11,078 --> 05:09:12,398
The CTE certificate earned,

5161
05:09:13,408 --> 05:09:16,048
when we talk about, Dr. Parent-Leo's going to talk about this

5162
05:09:17,148 --> 05:09:20,668
in his part of his presentation. Last year we presented

5163
05:09:20,888 --> 05:09:22,548
4,228 students.

5164
05:09:23,688 --> 05:09:27,568
When we talk about the importance of our advisory committee legislation that came

5165
05:09:27,648 --> 05:09:31,308
about because of the advisory committee, one of these was the

5166
05:09:31,368 --> 05:09:35,017
CTE certificate. And the last piece of data there is the registered

5167
05:09:35,028 --> 05:09:38,678
apprenticeship participants, which is 656.

5168
05:09:40,348 --> 05:09:43,498
If you're unaware with what a registered apprenticeship is

5169
05:09:44,928 --> 05:09:44,928
...

5170
05:09:45,968 --> 05:09:49,328
I am so sorry. That's what I get for brush hogging and

5171
05:09:51,648 --> 05:09:52,348
being out on a

5172
05:09:53,668 --> 05:09:56,778
vacation. But registered apprenticeship is

5173
05:09:57,888 --> 05:10:01,157
where students take the career and technical programs that they're enrolled in,

5174
05:10:01,788 --> 05:10:05,568
actually become a registered apprentice in the industry.

5175
05:10:06,378 --> 05:10:10,088
The minimum amount of hours to receive an

5176
05:10:10,128 --> 05:10:14,098
apprenticeship certification is 2,000 hours, and so currently we have

5177
05:10:14,348 --> 05:10:16,008
656 active students.

5178
05:10:17,168 --> 05:10:20,418
Over the course of time, we've actually had 280 students

5179
05:10:20,688 --> 05:10:23,148
complete a registered apprenticeship.

5180
05:10:23,748 --> 05:10:27,407
Many of these apprenticeships last longer than just the 2,000 hours.

5181
05:10:30,688 --> 05:10:34,328
I know earlier you all had a good conversation in and around

5182
05:10:34,568 --> 05:10:38,528
budget funding, and I think it's important for you all to understand our

5183
05:10:38,748 --> 05:10:42,668
two buckets of money, or two funding sources that we have.

5184
05:10:44,008 --> 05:10:45,498
First of all, we have our federal funding.

5185
05:10:45,808 --> 05:10:48,588
Our federal funding is due to the Carl Perkins Act.

5186
05:10:49,228 --> 05:10:52,828
It's where we receive our federal dollars, and it's approximately

5187
05:10:52,948 --> 05:10:56,628
28,500,000. That federal

5188
05:10:56,728 --> 05:11:00,248
funding then is broke out into secondary and post-secondary

5189
05:11:00,708 --> 05:11:04,048
allocations, and then the last of it is program support.

5190
05:11:04,078 --> 05:11:06,218
And under program support, we do a lot of leadership

5191
05:11:07,468 --> 05:11:11,168
implementation. One of the things that we do under program support,

5192
05:11:11,808 --> 05:11:15,348
as an example, we do teacher externships during the summer.

5193
05:11:15,788 --> 05:11:19,018
We do a cooperative project with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce,

5194
05:11:19,928 --> 05:11:23,728
and provide teacher externships in four different regions across the state

5195
05:11:24,592 --> 05:11:27,332
And teachers go into industry and

5196
05:11:27,532 --> 05:11:31,152
participate, or see what is industry

5197
05:11:31,192 --> 05:11:34,712
doing, and then take that back to the classroom.

5198
05:11:34,812 --> 05:11:38,392
As for the core state funding, it is approximately $52 million.

5199
05:11:38,432 --> 05:11:40,612
It's like $52,400-and-some thousand.

5200
05:11:42,052 --> 05:11:45,932
$29 million of that is CTE based on performance, and CTE

5201
05:11:46,032 --> 05:11:49,812
based on performance is based upon number of teachers, students, and so

5202
05:11:49,952 --> 05:11:52,732
on. And so that is the first core of that.

5203
05:11:53,432 --> 05:11:55,752
The next is 15 million, this enhancement grant.

5204
05:11:56,612 --> 05:12:00,342
The enhancement grant is the opportunity for approved programs,

5205
05:12:00,772 --> 05:12:04,732
career and technical education programs, to submit a grant to us

5206
05:12:04,932 --> 05:12:08,232
for either purchasing new equipment, updating equipment,

5207
05:12:08,812 --> 05:12:10,412
or maybe starting a new program.

5208
05:12:11,652 --> 05:12:14,792
We wish that it was a 75/25

5209
05:12:15,492 --> 05:12:16,092
allocation.

5210
05:12:17,152 --> 05:12:21,112
This past year, we had over $18 million of requests, and

5211
05:12:21,192 --> 05:12:24,932
so because of that, we have to pro-rate it down to all those approvable

5212
05:12:25,012 --> 05:12:28,992
items. And so our amount is at $15 million that we

5213
05:12:29,032 --> 05:12:30,042
approve for this

5214
05:12:31,732 --> 05:12:32,792
type of grant project.

5215
05:12:33,712 --> 05:12:35,492
Limited access grant at $2 million,

5216
05:12:36,492 --> 05:12:40,412
this is where providing program in areas that hasn't traditionally happened

5217
05:12:40,432 --> 05:12:44,392
in the past. It has to be within the skilled trades, it has to be within the health

5218
05:12:44,452 --> 05:12:47,172
science, and it has to be in the advanced manufacturing areas

5219
05:12:48,832 --> 05:12:51,972
to be able to apply for the limited access grant.

5220
05:12:52,752 --> 05:12:54,192
And then program improvement grants

5221
05:12:55,372 --> 05:12:57,812
happen throughout all the programs.

5222
05:12:57,932 --> 05:13:00,152
That's where we provide 50/50 money for

5223
05:13:01,172 --> 05:13:04,692
programs to update equipment, and then we have program support.

5224
05:13:06,692 --> 05:13:10,592
The last one there is 5.5 million, which is not a part of

5225
05:13:10,632 --> 05:13:11,612
the 52 million.

5226
05:13:12,752 --> 05:13:16,732
These are construction grants. Traditionally, in the past, it's been for

5227
05:13:16,752 --> 05:13:20,512
area career centers, and this year it's been opened up to area

5228
05:13:20,592 --> 05:13:22,432
career centers and comprehensive high schools.

5229
05:13:23,312 --> 05:13:25,792
This funding is for a grant opportunity for

5230
05:13:27,152 --> 05:13:31,132
building renovations or the addition of programs to build

5231
05:13:31,172 --> 05:13:34,912
facilities. And so in the past, we've had about, annually,

5232
05:13:35,012 --> 05:13:38,612
14 different either area career centers or school districts apply.

5233
05:13:39,252 --> 05:13:42,872
This grant application's actually due today, and so

5234
05:13:43,852 --> 05:13:47,552
in the next few weeks, we'll be reviewing those applications and then

5235
05:13:47,812 --> 05:13:48,612
sending those out.

5236
05:13:56,132 --> 05:13:58,352
Oh, good afternoon. I'm Mike Pantaleo.

5237
05:13:58,432 --> 05:13:58,992
As Perry said,

5238
05:14:00,132 --> 05:14:04,072
I am the four-year university representative on the CTE Advisory Council.

5239
05:14:04,252 --> 05:14:04,612
Before

5240
05:14:05,732 --> 05:14:09,452
working at the university, I was a CTE teacher and an administrator for

5241
05:14:09,492 --> 05:14:10,612
multiple years.

5242
05:14:11,432 --> 05:14:15,082
Part of the act of establishing

5243
05:14:15,712 --> 05:14:18,612
the CTE Advisory Committee was in 2013.

5244
05:14:19,212 --> 05:14:22,832
There are just maybe some focuses back in those

5245
05:14:22,852 --> 05:14:26,012
days that CTE wasn't going in a direction maybe

5246
05:14:26,092 --> 05:14:29,592
that stakeholders thought was a good idea.

5247
05:14:29,712 --> 05:14:33,612
And so the committee was reestablished from a long

5248
05:14:33,692 --> 05:14:35,902
time past that was, I think, in the '70s.

5249
05:14:35,942 --> 05:14:39,452
There was a similar committee that pretty much had dissolved.

5250
05:14:39,532 --> 05:14:42,632
But through that time, a lot of the

5251
05:14:43,532 --> 05:14:43,912
CTE

5252
05:14:44,752 --> 05:14:48,732
probably initiatives and just focus wasn't going in the right direction, so the

5253
05:14:48,752 --> 05:14:52,172
committee was formed, and you can see the actual bullet points

5254
05:14:52,232 --> 05:14:55,792
there that I'll talk about probably a little bit more in detail

5255
05:14:55,852 --> 05:14:59,612
because what I see is that the actual duties

5256
05:14:59,672 --> 05:15:03,212
that are assigned and allocated to the CTE Advisory Committee are

5257
05:15:03,292 --> 05:15:07,132
outlined in the parts of the strategic plan, but also in the

5258
05:15:07,172 --> 05:15:08,932
next couple slides. But

5259
05:15:10,132 --> 05:15:14,032
developing a comprehensive awareness plan, increasing the total numbers, it's

5260
05:15:14,072 --> 05:15:17,352
all part of that, of what we're trying to do as a

5261
05:15:18,012 --> 05:15:21,692
CTE Advisory Committee, but also listening to the stakeholders.

5262
05:15:22,052 --> 05:15:25,842
And you'll see on the next, probably go ahead and click on the next couple slides,

5263
05:15:26,272 --> 05:15:26,972
very wide

5264
05:15:28,352 --> 05:15:31,772
swath of membership, just like other good boards have

5265
05:15:32,272 --> 05:15:36,152
representatives from across the state, but also different levels of folks that are

5266
05:15:36,172 --> 05:15:38,592
involved to provide input.

5267
05:15:39,792 --> 05:15:43,292
And so they're also kind of addressing back to the duties that

5268
05:15:45,352 --> 05:15:47,832
hearing what the stakeholders have and hearing what their concerns are,

5269
05:15:48,812 --> 05:15:51,572
is something that that CTE Advisory Committee does.

5270
05:15:51,632 --> 05:15:55,572
Again, all levels of folks involved and at

5271
05:15:55,652 --> 05:15:58,972
all different throughout the state and different locations.

5272
05:15:59,032 --> 05:16:02,712
So that's an important part of what we do, meeting four times a year

5273
05:16:03,292 --> 05:16:06,392
to hear those and address those concerns

5274
05:16:06,512 --> 05:16:08,512
and go from there.

5275
05:16:09,412 --> 05:16:12,192
Again, kind of part of moving on from the...

5276
05:16:12,212 --> 05:16:15,972
Go to the next one, is the actual strategic plan, which is probably the

5277
05:16:16,052 --> 05:16:19,892
most important part of what we have been doing over the last, oh, at

5278
05:16:19,932 --> 05:16:22,122
least three years, I would think. It's been a continuous

5279
05:16:23,992 --> 05:16:24,332
effort,

5280
05:16:25,732 --> 05:16:26,712
especially in the governor's

5281
05:16:27,952 --> 05:16:30,752
plan from the EOC part of that,

5282
05:16:31,452 --> 05:16:35,422
that Perry will talk about. But as you

5283
05:16:35,432 --> 05:16:39,112
can see, some of those strategic plan, and I can get a little bit more

5284
05:16:39,192 --> 05:16:42,092
detail, but increasing the statewide awareness,

5285
05:16:42,372 --> 05:16:46,232
like I said, one of the initiatives is probably

5286
05:16:46,512 --> 05:16:47,752
at the middle and high school level.

5287
05:16:48,072 --> 05:16:51,922
Giving toolkit to the counselors, to the teachers that are in those schools,

5288
05:16:51,992 --> 05:16:54,792
just so they have an idea of what those careers look like.

5289
05:16:55,552 --> 05:16:59,352
Experiences for the students, if that can work out, but also the

5290
05:16:59,392 --> 05:17:02,772
awareness to business and industry of what CTE

5291
05:17:03,672 --> 05:17:07,392
has to offer in the state is an important part of what that awareness is.

5292
05:17:07,772 --> 05:17:11,692
So looking at different options for that in the strategic plan as the years

5293
05:17:11,732 --> 05:17:12,272
progress,

5294
05:17:13,272 --> 05:17:17,212
that's part of what the committee's looking at and trying to decide

5295
05:17:17,222 --> 05:17:21,122
and make decisions on. The second one, which Perry alluded to a minute

5296
05:17:21,172 --> 05:17:21,342
ago,

5297
05:17:22,452 --> 05:17:25,932
for those of you not aware of the Missouri CTE certificate, my

5298
05:17:27,188 --> 05:17:30,768
Selfless definition of it is kind of the ideal career and technical

5299
05:17:30,828 --> 05:17:34,548
education graduate. When a student in career and technical education

5300
05:17:34,628 --> 05:17:38,188
graduates from high school, having met the criteria, which

5301
05:17:38,268 --> 05:17:42,198
is having a concentrator of a program, so at least been

5302
05:17:42,228 --> 05:17:45,518
in three different classes. They have 95% attendance in that

5303
05:17:46,588 --> 05:17:50,448
school. They've earned a 3.0 GPA in their core

5304
05:17:50,508 --> 05:17:54,368
CTE area. They've also had some work-based learning experience, I think 50

5305
05:17:54,488 --> 05:17:58,148
hours of work-based learning, whether that's a clinical time as a

5306
05:17:58,168 --> 05:18:02,028
CNA or LPN type student, or doing an

5307
05:18:02,068 --> 05:18:06,048
apprenticeship or an internship, but actually having some actual job time on the

5308
05:18:06,148 --> 05:18:09,248
hours or job time in the workforce is important.

5309
05:18:09,608 --> 05:18:13,288
Also, earning an industry credential or a technical student assessment, which is

5310
05:18:13,328 --> 05:18:16,408
like the end of course program assessment for the programs.

5311
05:18:17,588 --> 05:18:18,608
And then scoring,

5312
05:18:20,008 --> 05:18:23,728
I guess, an adequate standard score in the CCR, which is like

5313
05:18:23,768 --> 05:18:27,388
ACT, ASVAB, and those scores. So again, a comprehensive

5314
05:18:27,428 --> 05:18:31,308
measure of the CTE graduate, and again, that's my definition of it,

5315
05:18:31,388 --> 05:18:34,908
kind of how I think about it. And actually, that was one of the first

5316
05:18:34,948 --> 05:18:38,368
initiatives that when the CTE advisory committee was formed in

5317
05:18:38,508 --> 05:18:42,308
2013, it took them a year to get it accomplished, but that was their first

5318
05:18:42,368 --> 05:18:45,708
initiative, to actually get that CTE certificate

5319
05:18:46,008 --> 05:18:48,628
created and approved through the process.

5320
05:18:49,628 --> 05:18:50,248
So from there,

5321
05:18:51,108 --> 05:18:54,668
the third one is kind of what I already talked about, is work-based learning, as we

5322
05:18:54,748 --> 05:18:58,568
all know, giving experiences for students early on or

5323
05:18:58,808 --> 05:19:02,548
in later life, letting them decide, "Is this the right career?" It's better for a

5324
05:19:02,628 --> 05:19:06,568
student to learn in high school that being a doctor or

5325
05:19:06,968 --> 05:19:10,358
an RN is not maybe something I do, instead of going to college for four years,

5326
05:19:10,428 --> 05:19:14,388
three years and deciding that. So giving those experiences maybe that they can help

5327
05:19:14,408 --> 05:19:16,828
with some of that is an important plan.

5328
05:19:16,868 --> 05:19:17,058
But

5329
05:19:17,908 --> 05:19:21,518
just getting more and more businesses, it's a tough sell

5330
05:19:21,908 --> 05:19:23,038
a lot of times just because of

5331
05:19:24,008 --> 05:19:27,348
lots of different scenarios of having businesses involved.

5332
05:19:27,368 --> 05:19:30,818
But we got to show them the value, and again, that goes back to that

5333
05:19:32,208 --> 05:19:34,228
awareness plan and that marketing plan.

5334
05:19:35,148 --> 05:19:38,948
So the bottom two really are, as you might understand,

5335
05:19:39,148 --> 05:19:42,768
to be a career tech educator in some aspects, especially a

5336
05:19:42,848 --> 05:19:46,388
carpenter, an auto mechanic, a plumber, you're going to ask some of those folks

5337
05:19:46,408 --> 05:19:50,108
that have been in the workforce to probably take a cut in pay about half to come

5338
05:19:50,128 --> 05:19:53,828
back and teach into that high school or career

5339
05:19:53,868 --> 05:19:57,588
center. So it is a challenge. So keeping those teachers,

5340
05:19:58,128 --> 05:20:01,388
trying to get that, trying to evaluate what are the challenges.

5341
05:20:01,448 --> 05:20:02,268
So those

5342
05:20:03,088 --> 05:20:05,208
numbers four and five are really specific to the

5343
05:20:06,448 --> 05:20:08,508
advisory committee because that's what we hear.

5344
05:20:08,828 --> 05:20:11,808
That's what we hear from our stakeholders that are out in the

5345
05:20:12,508 --> 05:20:16,448
schools is, it's hard to hire teachers, it's hard to

5346
05:20:16,468 --> 05:20:18,288
get them to come teach,

5347
05:20:19,148 --> 05:20:21,008
just because of some of the things I said, but there's a lot of,

5348
05:20:22,768 --> 05:20:25,208
I guess, variables out there that do that.

5349
05:20:25,248 --> 05:20:29,228
But trying to get some more information is part of that, so

5350
05:20:29,248 --> 05:20:32,748
doing a lot of the surveying with that and other surveys to try to just get some

5351
05:20:32,848 --> 05:20:36,468
ideas of how we can help. Again, that's just like this board, trying to

5352
05:20:36,508 --> 05:20:40,288
gather input to try to do what you can to help the CTE

5353
05:20:40,328 --> 05:20:42,808
stakeholders in Missouri.

5354
05:20:43,868 --> 05:20:45,528
Thanks. My part. Right.

5355
05:20:47,568 --> 05:20:51,338
All right. Moving on to the Governor's Workforce of the Future Challenge

5356
05:20:51,428 --> 05:20:51,828
report.

5357
05:20:52,748 --> 05:20:56,528
We are required to submit a report on September the 30th of

5358
05:20:56,808 --> 05:20:57,278
this year,

5359
05:20:58,088 --> 05:20:59,968
just an update of where we are on those

5360
05:21:01,248 --> 05:21:05,238
priority areas. And so I want to share with you the priority areas and what's

5361
05:21:05,248 --> 05:21:06,108
happened to the state.

5362
05:21:07,108 --> 05:21:10,008
First of all, strengthen work-based learning, employer engagement, and workforce

5363
05:21:10,068 --> 05:21:10,528
development.

5364
05:21:11,548 --> 05:21:15,488
I think it's also important to understand that all this work that we do

5365
05:21:15,528 --> 05:21:19,408
in career and technical education is also going hand-in-hand

5366
05:21:19,428 --> 05:21:23,228
with DOWDE, or the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

5367
05:21:23,948 --> 05:21:26,138
Our two agencies are very linked in this work.

5368
05:21:26,868 --> 05:21:30,748
When it came to this workforce challenge, they were very involved also with this.

5369
05:21:30,768 --> 05:21:34,588
And so how do we improve or what were things we could do within

5370
05:21:34,628 --> 05:21:37,268
our system internally

5371
05:21:38,288 --> 05:21:41,758
to help meet those recommendations through the executive order?

5372
05:21:42,308 --> 05:21:44,947
And so we're going to be giving that update to them.

5373
05:21:45,468 --> 05:21:49,048
So progress to teacher externships and registered apprenticeships continued.

5374
05:21:51,288 --> 05:21:54,448
I know within the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, one of

5375
05:21:54,488 --> 05:21:57,808
those requests was to evaluate WorkKeys.

5376
05:21:57,908 --> 05:21:59,588
I don't know if you're familiar with WorkKeys.

5377
05:22:00,228 --> 05:22:02,828
WorkKeys is an alternative assessment given

5378
05:22:03,688 --> 05:22:06,648
by ACT. It talks about being workforce ready.

5379
05:22:07,128 --> 05:22:07,608
And so

5380
05:22:08,488 --> 05:22:12,328
DOWDE has completed that assessment of that program

5381
05:22:12,568 --> 05:22:15,908
to determine its value. Expand early

5382
05:22:16,408 --> 05:22:19,048
career exploration, school counseling, advising systems.

5383
05:22:20,828 --> 05:22:21,428
So we

5384
05:22:22,348 --> 05:22:26,308
did a deep dive into our internal budget, where were areas that we

5385
05:22:26,348 --> 05:22:30,108
could see where there may be some inefficiencies and of

5386
05:22:30,168 --> 05:22:33,728
movement. And so one of those areas is that we are bringing on some career

5387
05:22:33,748 --> 05:22:36,648
advisors across the state of Missouri.

5388
05:22:37,388 --> 05:22:41,248
Prior to the executive order, we had nine career advisors

5389
05:22:41,368 --> 05:22:44,988
at .5 FTE, meaning they were half-time individuals.

5390
05:22:45,508 --> 05:22:49,488
We're actually bringing these career advisors in our four more metropolitan

5391
05:22:49,548 --> 05:22:53,148
areas, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia, to full-time

5392
05:22:53,188 --> 05:22:56,928
individuals. These individuals will help school districts

5393
05:22:57,868 --> 05:23:00,308
to providing opportunities for students,

5394
05:23:01,228 --> 05:23:03,418
to advising students in career expansion.

5395
05:23:04,448 --> 05:23:07,348
And then the last one there is strategic communication and marketing to promote

5396
05:23:07,448 --> 05:23:07,908
CTE.

5397
05:23:09,248 --> 05:23:13,178
We are working hand-in-hand with the University of Central Missouri, Dr.

5398
05:23:13,748 --> 05:23:16,828
Pantleo here, to do our CTE perception survey.

5399
05:23:19,276 --> 05:23:23,176
It actually will go out here sometime November, December,

5400
05:23:23,436 --> 05:23:27,306
to our stakeholders. Our stakeholders, our audience that

5401
05:23:27,336 --> 05:23:30,036
we will send this out to, will be our students, our parents,

5402
05:23:31,176 --> 05:23:33,266
our career centers, and industry.

5403
05:23:34,236 --> 05:23:37,656
We will partner with industry partners, individuals within our

5404
05:23:38,256 --> 05:23:41,646
advisory committee to get the CTE's perception survey.

5405
05:23:42,336 --> 05:23:44,956
That survey is very important because we also get a

5406
05:23:46,016 --> 05:23:48,976
pulse on what's happening out there from industry providers.

5407
05:23:49,936 --> 05:23:51,705
And then director of strategic initiatives,

5408
05:23:52,856 --> 05:23:56,845
we've brought on that individual within our department to help with all this

5409
05:23:56,856 --> 05:24:00,456
process. And so, that status report will be delivered to the

5410
05:24:00,476 --> 05:24:04,076
governor by September 30, 2026. So,

5411
05:24:06,916 --> 05:24:07,936
that's a very quick

5412
05:24:08,776 --> 05:24:09,256
update.

5413
05:24:11,016 --> 05:24:12,496
Do you have any questions?

5414
05:24:16,316 --> 05:24:17,056
Mr. McCluskey?

5415
05:24:18,896 --> 05:24:21,296
No questions, but I think just

5416
05:24:21,416 --> 05:24:23,716
my old district,

5417
05:24:24,576 --> 05:24:27,806
when I was on the local school board, we went to the high school graduation, and

5418
05:24:27,816 --> 05:24:29,876
shortly after that, it was all the technical...

5419
05:24:30,456 --> 05:24:33,286
There was a separate graduation, and everyone showed up in their

5420
05:24:34,516 --> 05:24:38,376
scrubs if it was nursing or whatever it was, and aviation.

5421
05:24:38,396 --> 05:24:41,796
And I looked at, and I'm thinking, "This is like a room of

5422
05:24:42,156 --> 05:24:46,146
future small business owners," and I just thought it was a really neat thing

5423
05:24:46,176 --> 05:24:47,316
to see. So,

5424
05:24:48,336 --> 05:24:51,296
no questions, just a neat example of what this...

5425
05:24:51,736 --> 05:24:52,956
Anyway, so thank you.

5426
05:24:56,556 --> 05:24:57,176
Mrs. Casey?

5427
05:24:57,876 --> 05:24:59,256
Thank you very much, and

5428
05:25:00,096 --> 05:25:02,256
thanks for this update. Very important.

5429
05:25:03,556 --> 05:25:07,376
You'd mentioned that there's nine, was it nine, is it counselors that

5430
05:25:07,436 --> 05:25:08,056
you're adding?

5431
05:25:08,636 --> 05:25:09,816
So, these career advisors-

5432
05:25:09,906 --> 05:25:09,906
Career advisors

5433
05:25:09,916 --> 05:25:13,436
... help partner with districts to bring career advising

5434
05:25:13,496 --> 05:25:14,856
initiatives to their schools.

5435
05:25:15,016 --> 05:25:15,026
Good.

5436
05:25:15,056 --> 05:25:18,936
And so, they have the framework, and so we're

5437
05:25:18,996 --> 05:25:22,436
increasing those. There are nine halftime individuals.

5438
05:25:22,956 --> 05:25:26,816
There were nine halftime, and now within Kansas City, St.

5439
05:25:27,016 --> 05:25:30,336
Louis, Columbia, and Springfield, they will be full-time.

5440
05:25:30,936 --> 05:25:31,056
Okay.

5441
05:25:31,076 --> 05:25:33,276
And the reason for those areas is that

5442
05:25:34,316 --> 05:25:38,146
those other .5s were in the RPDCs, but when you

5443
05:25:38,156 --> 05:25:41,956
look at the total population of those areas, those are our more

5444
05:25:41,996 --> 05:25:45,966
highly populated areas. And so, a .5 person wasn't

5445
05:25:46,016 --> 05:25:47,976
enough to cover those areas.

5446
05:25:48,196 --> 05:25:49,416
It makes sense. It sounds-

5447
05:25:49,656 --> 05:25:49,706
Yeah

5448
05:25:49,706 --> 05:25:51,236
... like they'd be very fruitful.

5449
05:25:52,696 --> 05:25:54,156
Did we approve them in the budget?

5450
05:25:55,356 --> 05:25:56,596
So, we actually-

5451
05:25:57,216 --> 05:25:57,226
Okay

5452
05:25:57,276 --> 05:25:59,516
... we pulled it out of our $52 million.

5453
05:25:59,556 --> 05:25:59,776
Okay.

5454
05:26:00,416 --> 05:26:02,096
So, it is a part of our core.

5455
05:26:03,396 --> 05:26:04,136
Great. Thank you.

5456
05:26:06,796 --> 05:26:07,576
Other questions?

5457
05:26:10,616 --> 05:26:12,146
Hearing none, thank you very much for your presentation.

5458
05:26:12,156 --> 05:26:12,916
Thank you. Welcome.

5459
05:26:14,836 --> 05:26:18,996
This

5460
05:26:19,056 --> 05:26:21,616
time we have Dr. Mark Wheatley.

5461
05:26:38,316 --> 05:26:40,516
Good afternoon, President Miller, members of the board.

5462
05:26:40,796 --> 05:26:43,996
Mark Wheatley, the assistant commissioner in the Office of Special Education.

5463
05:26:44,056 --> 05:26:44,736
I'm here today

5464
05:26:45,576 --> 05:26:49,476
to provide an update on the MSSD Reimagined work that

5465
05:26:50,656 --> 05:26:51,276
has been,

5466
05:26:52,756 --> 05:26:56,596
gosh, I guess there have been components that started some three

5467
05:26:56,636 --> 05:27:00,246
years ago with regard to the Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled, and

5468
05:27:00,296 --> 05:27:03,856
looking at that program evaluation and making some

5469
05:27:03,896 --> 05:27:07,276
changes to the processes, to the structure,

5470
05:27:07,796 --> 05:27:11,656
and ultimately down to the students and the impact on their

5471
05:27:11,676 --> 05:27:15,156
education within that program. And so, today, this is just an

5472
05:27:15,216 --> 05:27:19,176
opportunity for us to come back to you today and give you an update based on the

5473
05:27:19,196 --> 05:27:21,176
work that's happened since the last year.

5474
05:27:21,816 --> 05:27:24,756
So, before I jump into that, though, I would like to do a couple of quick

5475
05:27:24,796 --> 05:27:28,396
introductions. To my right and your left, I have Jacob

5476
05:27:28,516 --> 05:27:32,375
Klett with Public Consulting, as well as

5477
05:27:32,576 --> 05:27:36,055
Josh Chisholm with Capital A&E. Two of our

5478
05:27:36,136 --> 05:27:39,916
partner consulting firms that work with us and have worked with us

5479
05:27:39,936 --> 05:27:43,256
throughout the evaluation, and then the implementation of the

5480
05:27:43,316 --> 05:27:45,276
recommendations through this process.

5481
05:27:45,326 --> 05:27:49,076
And so, they're going to be here and share some of the information along with me

5482
05:27:49,656 --> 05:27:53,636
as it relates to some of the work that they've done over the past, well, 12

5483
05:27:53,676 --> 05:27:57,476
months really, but again, going back more historically than that.

5484
05:28:01,636 --> 05:28:05,556
So, again, for today, we're going to start, because of context, I think, to

5485
05:28:05,616 --> 05:28:09,076
provide you with a little bit of information for those new board members

5486
05:28:09,616 --> 05:28:11,656
to an overview of what the Missouri

5487
05:28:12,576 --> 05:28:16,276
Schools for the Severely Disabled is and does, as well as an

5488
05:28:16,316 --> 05:28:19,646
update on that MSSD Reimagined process.

5489
05:28:20,096 --> 05:28:23,986
We're going to share some accomplishments and data around the steps that have

5490
05:28:24,056 --> 05:28:27,836
taken place over the last year, and then talk briefly about

5491
05:28:27,856 --> 05:28:31,816
implementation and next steps. But this visualization

5492
05:28:31,856 --> 05:28:35,376
that's up in the corner, I think does a good job here to

5493
05:28:35,476 --> 05:28:38,816
indicate the importance of several different areas that

5494
05:28:38,876 --> 05:28:42,816
include a variety of things in school operations,

5495
05:28:42,916 --> 05:28:46,576
not just educationally, but all of those other components that were

5496
05:28:46,616 --> 05:28:49,916
considered through the original study and evaluation of the

5497
05:28:49,976 --> 05:28:53,486
MSSD programming, and that ultimately led us down

5498
05:28:53,596 --> 05:28:57,116
paths towards each of those five areas that you see there.

5499
05:28:57,716 --> 05:29:01,656
And so, that's kind of going to be the anchor for which a lot of the information is

5500
05:29:01,736 --> 05:29:05,476
shared today. So, I hope you find that informational and provide a little greater

5501
05:29:05,576 --> 05:29:07,356
context as we move forward.

5502
05:29:09,796 --> 05:29:12,996
So, for greater context, MSSD is one of three

5503
05:29:13,156 --> 05:29:16,896
state-operated programs, and so those are school programs.

5504
05:29:16,966 --> 05:29:20,816
Missouri also operates the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton, Missouri,

5505
05:29:20,876 --> 05:29:24,696
as well as Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis, Missouri.

5506
05:29:27,256 --> 05:29:30,816
A little more background. The MSSD program was

5507
05:29:30,856 --> 05:29:34,396
established in 1957. To give you a little historical

5508
05:29:34,516 --> 05:29:38,436
context, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,

5509
05:29:39,156 --> 05:29:41,276
originally known as Public Law

5510
05:29:41,456 --> 05:29:45,136
94-142, was

5511
05:29:45,216 --> 05:29:48,536
actually established into federal law just over 50 years ago in

5512
05:29:48,576 --> 05:29:49,916
1975.

5513
05:29:50,876 --> 05:29:54,495
So from that perspective, you can see that Missouri

5514
05:29:54,656 --> 05:29:58,416
had prioritized access to public education for students with

5515
05:29:58,456 --> 05:30:02,416
disabilities, even those students with the most extensive support needs, way

5516
05:30:02,436 --> 05:30:05,916
in advance of the federal recognition through that federal law of the

5517
05:30:05,956 --> 05:30:09,036
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which I think is really

5518
05:30:09,076 --> 05:30:12,976
important to share. In addition to that, though, the

5519
05:30:13,116 --> 05:30:16,636
IDEA actually focuses on ensuring

5520
05:30:16,876 --> 05:30:20,786
free and appropriate public education for all students with disabilities,

5521
05:30:21,516 --> 05:30:25,346
and that that also occurs in the least restrictive,

5522
05:30:25,356 --> 05:30:29,256
most inclusive environment, as appropriate and as

5523
05:30:29,316 --> 05:30:33,006
determined by the individual student's needs with that individualized

5524
05:30:33,156 --> 05:30:37,146
educational program team being the decision-makers when it comes

5525
05:30:37,216 --> 05:30:41,136
to each individual student. And that team is made up of the educators,

5526
05:30:41,436 --> 05:30:45,156
the family, the student, when appropriate, all of the

5527
05:30:45,236 --> 05:30:49,176
stakeholders coming together to work together to come up with a plan and a

5528
05:30:49,196 --> 05:30:52,196
program that supports those individual students' needs.

5529
05:30:53,216 --> 05:30:56,616
A little more information about who is served within MSSD.

5530
05:30:56,876 --> 05:31:00,796
Again, going back to some earlier comments and the previous slide,

5531
05:31:01,736 --> 05:31:05,576
MSSD supports the students with some of the most extensive

5532
05:31:05,656 --> 05:31:06,356
support needs.

5533
05:31:07,576 --> 05:31:10,576
Many are non-ambulatory, many

5534
05:31:11,856 --> 05:31:15,076
have limited communication skills, many are non-verbal.

5535
05:31:16,056 --> 05:31:19,416
Neurodivergent students exhibiting

5536
05:31:19,536 --> 05:31:23,416
or working with specific disabilities around

5537
05:31:23,496 --> 05:31:27,486
autism and other categories such as that, other health impaired, many of

5538
05:31:27,536 --> 05:31:31,466
those areas. Some come with significant behavioral needs that have to

5539
05:31:31,476 --> 05:31:34,316
be supported through the program as well.

5540
05:31:34,336 --> 05:31:34,466
But

5541
05:31:35,396 --> 05:31:37,576
intellectual disability as well.

5542
05:31:37,626 --> 05:31:39,716
And so all of those things combined

5543
05:31:40,636 --> 05:31:44,276
require that LEA school districts and those

5544
05:31:44,376 --> 05:31:48,276
IEP teams look for an appropriate placement where they can be provided

5545
05:31:48,356 --> 05:31:50,136
with the most extensive services.

5546
05:31:50,176 --> 05:31:54,116
And so MSSD happens to be one of those placements on that

5547
05:31:54,556 --> 05:31:58,496
continuum, if you will, of placement considerations

5548
05:31:58,516 --> 05:32:02,296
that are available to the IEP team when they're making those decisions.

5549
05:32:02,396 --> 05:32:04,036
So in MSSD,

5550
05:32:05,556 --> 05:32:08,036
they provide a modified curriculum

5551
05:32:09,396 --> 05:32:13,016
with essential elements that are connected to those core

5552
05:32:13,056 --> 05:32:16,676
competencies that you would see in the academic setting, because

5553
05:32:16,776 --> 05:32:20,516
MSSD buildings are schools first.

5554
05:32:20,976 --> 05:32:24,836
So when we talk about IDEA some 50 years ago,

5555
05:32:25,416 --> 05:32:28,496
prior to that, many states didn't have a

5556
05:32:28,506 --> 05:32:32,476
provision set to support students with the most extensive support needs,

5557
05:32:32,516 --> 05:32:36,296
and so they were oftentimes placed in other facilities

5558
05:32:36,336 --> 05:32:40,126
besides schools. So again, getting back to the importance of recognizing

5559
05:32:40,156 --> 05:32:43,656
that all students with disabilities should have access to educational

5560
05:32:43,756 --> 05:32:45,896
opportunities in the public setting.

5561
05:32:46,516 --> 05:32:50,436
And then they also work on functional skill development as well.

5562
05:32:53,356 --> 05:32:56,816
As we are here to speak with you today, you probably have a little bit of an idea

5563
05:32:56,856 --> 05:33:00,806
about this, but MSSD, as the other two buildings or the other

5564
05:33:00,896 --> 05:33:04,336
two programs as state-operated schools, are operated by DESE

5565
05:33:04,816 --> 05:33:06,896
on behalf of the State Board of Education.

5566
05:33:07,196 --> 05:33:10,776
So each school program has a superintendent.

5567
05:33:11,216 --> 05:33:13,956
MSSD superintendent is Dr. Greg Kane,

5568
05:33:14,816 --> 05:33:18,156
and he reports directly to me as the assistant commissioner in the Office of

5569
05:33:18,296 --> 05:33:21,376
Special Education, but ultimately, under DESE

5570
05:33:21,416 --> 05:33:25,086
leadership and structure with accountability extending to the Commissioner of

5571
05:33:25,156 --> 05:33:26,436
Education and this board.

5572
05:33:29,996 --> 05:33:33,916
MSSD currently serves approximately 600 students across

5573
05:33:33,996 --> 05:33:37,676
the state, and this map gives you a representation of

5574
05:33:37,796 --> 05:33:41,516
geographically where those 22 schools are

5575
05:33:41,556 --> 05:33:45,236
currently located. And you're going to learn more in just a little bit about some

5576
05:33:45,276 --> 05:33:49,075
of the processes that have taken place over the last year, where

5577
05:33:49,156 --> 05:33:52,956
six schools had closed and consolidated in advance of

5578
05:33:53,036 --> 05:33:56,376
last extended school year, which is that summer school term

5579
05:33:56,896 --> 05:33:58,616
during July. And this is

5580
05:33:59,516 --> 05:34:02,976
the map of those existing remaining facilities.

5581
05:34:03,816 --> 05:34:06,276
Again, that's 22 schools and 600 students.

5582
05:34:06,336 --> 05:34:10,236
And as you can see, that map is divided out geographically

5583
05:34:10,256 --> 05:34:14,016
by school district. And those districts

5584
05:34:14,136 --> 05:34:17,976
that are shown and shaded in colors are districts that

5585
05:34:18,056 --> 05:34:21,816
actually feed or place students within the

5586
05:34:21,916 --> 05:34:23,276
MSSD schools.

5587
05:34:28,696 --> 05:34:30,466
So getting more back into

5588
05:34:31,276 --> 05:34:33,456
who are the students that are served.

5589
05:34:33,996 --> 05:34:37,636
So these are students with extensive support needs.

5590
05:34:37,696 --> 05:34:38,916
How are they placed?

5591
05:34:39,926 --> 05:34:43,076
They're placed when an IEP team makes that decision,

5592
05:34:43,216 --> 05:34:47,096
that the local school district determines, along with that

5593
05:34:47,156 --> 05:34:50,196
IEP team, that that placement is most appropriate.

5594
05:34:50,296 --> 05:34:54,056
But then they're still required to go through a qualifying

5595
05:34:54,316 --> 05:34:57,846
of criteria established by the state plan for special education to be

5596
05:34:57,956 --> 05:35:01,416
eligible to actually attend the MSSD schools.

5597
05:35:01,436 --> 05:35:04,036
And so that's a process that takes place as well.

5598
05:35:04,576 --> 05:35:08,156
And then why is it important to have the MSSD

5599
05:35:08,256 --> 05:35:12,216
schools? Well, it's a statewide option for many of our students

5600
05:35:12,256 --> 05:35:15,896
with extensive support needs that otherwise wouldn't be served in their local

5601
05:35:16,016 --> 05:35:19,776
school district. And so there are additional options on that

5602
05:35:19,836 --> 05:35:23,496
continuum, such as approved private placement and other

5603
05:35:23,556 --> 05:35:26,096
placements that may be available to the district.

5604
05:35:26,176 --> 05:35:29,996
But Missouri, under statutory authority, established these, as I

5605
05:35:30,056 --> 05:35:32,736
mentioned, back in the late 1950s.

5606
05:35:34,892 --> 05:35:38,061
Now I'm going to turn it over to Jacob, and he's going to share more information

5607
05:35:38,092 --> 05:35:41,852
about the MSSD Reimagine work that has taken place over the

5608
05:35:41,872 --> 05:35:45,712
last three years or so, culminating in where we are today.

5609
05:35:45,762 --> 05:35:49,502
And that's really the progress report that we want to provide to you,

5610
05:35:50,032 --> 05:35:53,872
because I think it's important that we recognize not only where's the program come,

5611
05:35:54,392 --> 05:35:58,292
but most importantly, what has been the impact on the students that are served

5612
05:35:58,412 --> 05:35:59,172
within the program.

5613
05:35:59,972 --> 05:36:00,292
Jacob?

5614
05:36:01,372 --> 05:36:02,332
Thanks. Thank you, Dr.

5615
05:36:02,512 --> 05:36:06,452
Wheatley.

5616
05:36:09,652 --> 05:36:13,352
So in terms of the continuous improvement efforts, we want to

5617
05:36:13,412 --> 05:36:17,362
recognize that this work started 2023,

5618
05:36:17,692 --> 05:36:21,682
with the first comprehensive review of MSSD that's been conducted in

5619
05:36:21,692 --> 05:36:25,372
more than 20 years. And so this has been an ongoing effort.

5620
05:36:26,212 --> 05:36:29,652
DESE has partnered with Public Consulting Group and Capital AE

5621
05:36:30,312 --> 05:36:34,212
throughout the last couple of years to dig deep into the

5622
05:36:34,222 --> 05:36:35,652
data, the current state,

5623
05:36:36,472 --> 05:36:40,292
and then more recently, to support the implementation efforts to

5624
05:36:40,352 --> 05:36:42,292
reimagine or transform MSSD.

5625
05:36:43,792 --> 05:36:47,292
Throughout this process, we've gathered input from a variety of

5626
05:36:47,352 --> 05:36:51,092
stakeholders, including families of children who attend MSSD

5627
05:36:51,332 --> 05:36:51,852
schools,

5628
05:36:52,972 --> 05:36:56,892
as well as MSSD staff and folks who are working within

5629
05:36:57,312 --> 05:37:01,212
local education agencies as well too, in an effort to create a sustainable

5630
05:37:01,312 --> 05:37:05,152
roadmap that creates a path forward for

5631
05:37:05,232 --> 05:37:08,802
MSSD that effectively serves children and

5632
05:37:08,972 --> 05:37:10,132
stakeholders well.

5633
05:37:11,852 --> 05:37:15,692
As I mentioned, this work began back in 2023, initially

5634
05:37:15,702 --> 05:37:18,862
with a smaller scale operations study of MSSD that

5635
05:37:18,932 --> 05:37:22,582
was focused primarily on facilities, finance,

5636
05:37:22,872 --> 05:37:23,562
and staffing.

5637
05:37:24,432 --> 05:37:28,212
As a result of that, it was identified that a more comprehensive review of

5638
05:37:28,292 --> 05:37:32,212
MSSD as a program was needed. So that was completed

5639
05:37:32,272 --> 05:37:36,012
in 2024. That really looked at the full ecosystem of

5640
05:37:36,092 --> 05:37:36,772
MSSD,

5641
05:37:37,652 --> 05:37:38,932
across all areas.

5642
05:37:40,192 --> 05:37:43,492
Through that report, it was recommended to convene a

5643
05:37:43,552 --> 05:37:47,012
long-range planning advisory committee or LRPAC,

5644
05:37:48,032 --> 05:37:51,852
that consisted of a group of over 50 stakeholders,

5645
05:37:51,912 --> 05:37:55,392
just over 50 stakeholders that met across

5646
05:37:55,492 --> 05:37:56,812
2024, 2025,

5647
05:37:57,672 --> 05:37:59,232
both virtually and in person,

5648
05:38:00,332 --> 05:38:03,192
to review the results of the comprehensive report,

5649
05:38:04,432 --> 05:38:08,292
and to distill the data from those reports down to a set

5650
05:38:08,332 --> 05:38:11,952
of core recommendations that continue to guide the work of continuous

5651
05:38:11,992 --> 05:38:13,372
improvement for MSSD today.

5652
05:38:14,652 --> 05:38:18,312
Which brings us to the present day, 2025, and continuing through

5653
05:38:18,452 --> 05:38:22,412
2028, a period that we're calling MSSD Reimagine, where

5654
05:38:22,472 --> 05:38:26,072
we're really moving from studying and planning the

5655
05:38:26,112 --> 05:38:29,952
approach to solving some of the challenges that were raised, to

5656
05:38:30,032 --> 05:38:33,332
implementing the continuous improvement plan and the steps forward.

5657
05:38:34,192 --> 05:38:38,092
This consists of currently four active subcommittees that are driving

5658
05:38:38,152 --> 05:38:38,572
the work,

5659
05:38:40,232 --> 05:38:43,752
developing stronger systems and setting baseline metrics

5660
05:38:44,112 --> 05:38:44,932
to have clear

5661
05:38:46,012 --> 05:38:47,312
metrics to measure success.

5662
05:38:50,532 --> 05:38:53,492
So just to frame this out, when PCG

5663
05:38:54,112 --> 05:38:57,912
provided the original report in July of 2024,

5664
05:38:58,692 --> 05:39:02,132
at that time, the state of MSSD revealed many

5665
05:39:02,212 --> 05:39:02,752
challenges.

5666
05:39:03,592 --> 05:39:07,132
There had been a long period of leadership turnover

5667
05:39:07,732 --> 05:39:11,472
that had disrupted the sustainability of the system and made it

5668
05:39:11,532 --> 05:39:15,212
difficult to maintain consistent direction across all the schools within the

5669
05:39:15,272 --> 05:39:18,462
MSSD system. There were persistent communication

5670
05:39:18,572 --> 05:39:19,332
challenges

5671
05:39:20,212 --> 05:39:22,672
across buildings throughout the state,

5672
05:39:23,852 --> 05:39:27,392
communication challenges between area offices and the central offices and the

5673
05:39:27,452 --> 05:39:27,972
schools,

5674
05:39:29,052 --> 05:39:32,832
as well as operational structures that made it difficult

5675
05:39:32,932 --> 05:39:36,832
to manage the system. Our report also noted that there was a

5676
05:39:36,932 --> 05:39:40,772
need to establish key performance indicators so that there was clarity

5677
05:39:40,972 --> 05:39:44,852
on how to move forward, and how progress could be monitored over

5678
05:39:44,952 --> 05:39:45,252
time.

5679
05:39:48,652 --> 05:39:52,492
The LRPAC recommended six key recommendations

5680
05:39:52,652 --> 05:39:56,412
to drive the future of MSSD and the continuous improvement

5681
05:39:56,492 --> 05:39:56,972
efforts.

5682
05:39:57,812 --> 05:39:59,452
So one, they recommended

5683
05:40:00,372 --> 05:40:03,632
establishing clear communication across all stakeholders,

5684
05:40:04,432 --> 05:40:08,392
that includes families, school districts, as well as schools within

5685
05:40:08,432 --> 05:40:11,972
the MSSD system. They recommended renaming

5686
05:40:12,112 --> 05:40:15,932
MSSD to be more consistent with terminology that's

5687
05:40:15,972 --> 05:40:19,772
used in the present day. As Dr. Wheatley shared, MSSD has existed since the

5688
05:40:19,792 --> 05:40:23,692
1950s. Things have changed since then, and one of their recommendations

5689
05:40:23,772 --> 05:40:25,412
was to evolve with the times.

5690
05:40:26,392 --> 05:40:29,772
They recommended developing an accountability structure for

5691
05:40:29,852 --> 05:40:32,992
MSSD schools so that we knew that schools were being successful,

5692
05:40:33,812 --> 05:40:35,432
and to be able to intervene if they were not.

5693
05:40:36,292 --> 05:40:40,172
They also recommended high-quality professional learning and optimizing

5694
05:40:40,252 --> 05:40:44,072
facilities for students who have extensive support needs, recognizing

5695
05:40:44,112 --> 05:40:47,802
that staff need unique training to meet the needs of students who

5696
05:40:47,832 --> 05:40:51,472
have extensive needs, and that facilities also

5697
05:40:51,612 --> 05:40:53,512
need to meet needs of students who

5698
05:40:54,392 --> 05:40:57,572
diverge from what typical students in a

5699
05:40:57,752 --> 05:40:59,372
classroom may otherwise need.

5700
05:41:00,312 --> 05:41:04,212
And then finally, they recommended to build the capacity

5701
05:41:04,252 --> 05:41:07,972
of local school districts to better serve students with extensive support

5702
05:41:08,012 --> 05:41:11,152
needs. As you saw on the map, there are many districts that do

5703
05:41:12,252 --> 05:41:16,152
send students to MSSD, but MSSD has not always been

5704
05:41:16,192 --> 05:41:18,652
accessible to all districts due to geography.

5705
05:41:19,332 --> 05:41:23,072
So the committee recommended that local school districts build their

5706
05:41:23,112 --> 05:41:26,612
systems to serve students with this population as well too.

5707
05:41:28,492 --> 05:41:29,432
Where are we today?

5708
05:41:30,272 --> 05:41:33,982
Today, the work of MSSD Reimagined is focused on

5709
05:41:34,012 --> 05:41:37,352
continuing to build the infrastructure that's needed for success to

5710
05:41:37,392 --> 05:41:39,822
guarantee longer-term sustainability.

5711
05:41:41,080 --> 05:41:44,930
We've been working across the four active committees to establish a

5712
05:41:44,960 --> 05:41:48,910
foundation for clear structures, defined priorities, and

5713
05:41:48,960 --> 05:41:52,680
routines for progress monitoring. Leadership has stabilized.

5714
05:41:52,700 --> 05:41:56,560
We'll also share some data about site-based leadership in just a moment so you

5715
05:41:56,600 --> 05:41:59,840
can see how that's evolved over the last couple of years as well, too.

5716
05:42:00,920 --> 05:42:04,740
And then currently working to analyze and gather baseline

5717
05:42:04,820 --> 05:42:08,600
data to set those clear performance metrics that will

5718
05:42:08,640 --> 05:42:12,200
continue to guide the decisions of MSSD Reimagined

5719
05:42:12,500 --> 05:42:14,260
between now and 2028.

5720
05:42:17,440 --> 05:42:20,920
We'd like to, as part of this progress report, share some of the data that we

5721
05:42:20,980 --> 05:42:24,710
have looked at. So first, as Dr.

5722
05:42:24,920 --> 05:42:28,880
Wheatley mentioned, there were six MSSD schools that consolidated over the

5723
05:42:28,920 --> 05:42:32,670
past year. We recognize that through emergency

5724
05:42:32,760 --> 05:42:36,199
closures that had occurred in the past, families had expressed

5725
05:42:36,600 --> 05:42:39,300
challenges and concerns with those experiences.

5726
05:42:40,480 --> 05:42:44,400
The work of MSSD Reimagined really intentionally recognized

5727
05:42:44,459 --> 05:42:48,000
that stakeholder engagement, and particularly family engagement, is essential.

5728
05:42:49,100 --> 05:42:52,760
And so to support the consolidation of the MSSD

5729
05:42:53,080 --> 05:42:55,010
portfolio with those six schools,

5730
05:42:55,980 --> 05:42:59,120
a variety of stakeholder engagement efforts were conducted,

5731
05:42:59,310 --> 05:43:03,200
including six in-person meetings, four town halls,

5732
05:43:03,220 --> 05:43:06,840
and six webinars. There was 100% family

5733
05:43:06,900 --> 05:43:10,720
contact through outreach, whether that be through phone calls, through emails,

5734
05:43:10,780 --> 05:43:14,680
through written correspondence, or some kind of focus group or meeting, able to

5735
05:43:14,860 --> 05:43:17,220
reach every parent who was impacted by a closure.

5736
05:43:18,800 --> 05:43:22,160
Recognizing that some families don't respond to phone calls or emails right away,

5737
05:43:22,240 --> 05:43:25,750
there was a persistent effort on behalf of MSSD staff to make sure

5738
05:43:25,780 --> 05:43:29,620
that all families were informed, including making sometimes

5739
05:43:29,660 --> 05:43:32,480
over six attempts to interact with families

5740
05:43:33,300 --> 05:43:37,220
to ensure that they received the communication and support they needed to navigate

5741
05:43:37,230 --> 05:43:37,970
that transition.

5742
05:43:38,820 --> 05:43:42,300
And ultimately, 100% of IEP meetings that were

5743
05:43:42,340 --> 05:43:46,260
required were successfully held, and student placements for the upcoming

5744
05:43:46,320 --> 05:43:47,300
year were determined.

5745
05:43:50,339 --> 05:43:53,990
We've seen an increase in student attendance with the consolidation of the

5746
05:43:54,080 --> 05:43:56,040
portfolio over the past year.

5747
05:43:56,940 --> 05:44:00,820
We've actually seen that more students are attending school more frequently.

5748
05:44:00,940 --> 05:44:03,560
So from school year 2024 to 2025

5749
05:44:04,400 --> 05:44:08,240
to '25, '26, seeing an increase of just

5750
05:44:08,300 --> 05:44:10,800
about 6% in terms of student attendance rates.

5751
05:44:11,660 --> 05:44:12,260
And I would just

5752
05:44:13,460 --> 05:44:16,900
to put context to that as well. When you have some students with

5753
05:44:17,220 --> 05:44:20,040
extensive medical fragility or needs that way,

5754
05:44:20,860 --> 05:44:24,720
we have to keep that number in mind when we're looking at that 89%,

5755
05:44:25,620 --> 05:44:29,040
but it's still positive growth for sure. Thank you.

5756
05:44:33,920 --> 05:44:37,520
Notably also, in terms of students accessing MSSD,

5757
05:44:38,440 --> 05:44:42,420
once it's determined that a student may need MSSD services,

5758
05:44:43,520 --> 05:44:46,800
there's an application process that occurs and an intake process.

5759
05:44:47,860 --> 05:44:51,720
That time, in terms of admission of a student to

5760
05:44:51,800 --> 05:44:55,520
MSSD or notifying the student and the family of

5761
05:44:55,640 --> 05:44:59,590
ineligibility, has notably decreased in terms of how long that

5762
05:44:59,640 --> 05:45:02,909
takes. Over the last year, it's decreased by 55%.

5763
05:45:03,680 --> 05:45:06,440
So when we looked at this data in November of 2025, it took

5764
05:45:06,600 --> 05:45:10,520
approximately an average 155 days to process that

5765
05:45:10,600 --> 05:45:14,320
application and make a decision. By June of 2026, that's been

5766
05:45:14,340 --> 05:45:15,860
reduced to about 69 days.

5767
05:45:18,880 --> 05:45:20,020
And now I'll turn it to Josh.

5768
05:45:20,880 --> 05:45:21,600
Good afternoon.

5769
05:45:22,000 --> 05:45:22,680
Mr. Matusik.

5770
05:45:23,060 --> 05:45:25,580
Thank you. Just a quick question. Sorry to interrupt.

5771
05:45:25,640 --> 05:45:27,800
So the admissions process.

5772
05:45:30,960 --> 05:45:34,680
So we had a student that was

5773
05:45:35,020 --> 05:45:38,460
severely disabled or whatever,

5774
05:45:40,760 --> 05:45:42,760
and the district

5775
05:45:43,800 --> 05:45:47,240
was trying to figure it out to keep the student in the district.

5776
05:45:47,960 --> 05:45:51,520
And I don't know where it ended up,

5777
05:45:51,680 --> 05:45:55,400
but I don't remember ever hearing in the

5778
05:45:55,440 --> 05:45:59,300
conversations that we had on the local school board, I

5779
05:45:59,340 --> 05:46:00,580
don't remember ever hearing

5780
05:46:01,560 --> 05:46:05,400
a state school being considered as an option for

5781
05:46:05,440 --> 05:46:06,680
placement for this student.

5782
05:46:07,740 --> 05:46:11,540
My understanding is they were looking at if they couldn't do

5783
05:46:11,600 --> 05:46:13,020
it in-district,

5784
05:46:14,620 --> 05:46:17,300
they were looking at essentially paying a private provider,

5785
05:46:19,480 --> 05:46:22,700
or sending that student to a private provider.

5786
05:46:24,160 --> 05:46:25,460
And I guess so my question is,

5787
05:46:26,620 --> 05:46:29,980
the IEP sort of allows or that's the authority, but

5788
05:46:31,580 --> 05:46:34,660
does the parent have to essentially agree

5789
05:46:35,260 --> 05:46:39,100
to send their child to a state school, or does the

5790
05:46:39,160 --> 05:46:39,680
district

5791
05:46:40,880 --> 05:46:42,500
make that determination on its own?

5792
05:46:42,640 --> 05:46:43,020
Right. So

5793
05:46:44,120 --> 05:46:48,080
without digging too deep into the special education process, that's kind of where

5794
05:46:48,140 --> 05:46:50,220
this would take us to a certain degree.

5795
05:46:50,780 --> 05:46:54,560
School districts, LEAs, are responsible for providing a continuum of

5796
05:46:54,660 --> 05:46:58,410
placement options for all students with disabilities that they serve.

5797
05:46:58,920 --> 05:47:02,880
So that can be up to 80% or more of the day in the general

5798
05:47:02,960 --> 05:47:06,360
education setting, all the way down to separate

5799
05:47:06,400 --> 05:47:09,980
placements, and those separate placements may be

5800
05:47:10,420 --> 05:47:13,860
public placements, private placements, homebound,

5801
05:47:14,880 --> 05:47:18,540
medical. So there are a variety of different options that are all taken into

5802
05:47:18,620 --> 05:47:22,420
consideration by that IEP team. So the team is

5803
05:47:22,440 --> 05:47:24,900
responsible for looking at those placements.

5804
05:47:25,340 --> 05:47:29,160
The LEA is responsible for providing a free and appropriate

5805
05:47:29,260 --> 05:47:33,130
public education. So ultimately, that IEP team makes the

5806
05:47:33,200 --> 05:47:36,500
decision, where is that least restrictive environment,

5807
05:47:37,000 --> 05:47:40,662
and In the case of MSSD, if they meet the eligibility,

5808
05:47:41,242 --> 05:47:45,012
that doesn't necessarily mean that that team determines that that is the most

5809
05:47:45,052 --> 05:47:48,512
appropriate placement, but they have to have that entire

5810
05:47:48,552 --> 05:47:51,272
continuum available for all students.

5811
05:47:51,682 --> 05:47:55,632
And the parent is a member of the IEP team, so they're still there, and

5812
05:47:55,652 --> 05:47:58,872
they're advocating for their own child.

5813
05:47:58,932 --> 05:48:02,812
That's their role on the IEP team, just as the LEA is responsible,

5814
05:48:02,892 --> 05:48:06,172
or the school district is responsible for providing FAPE.

5815
05:48:06,412 --> 05:48:08,112
So, does that answer that question a little bit?

5816
05:48:08,212 --> 05:48:10,632
Well, it does. But if the IEP team

5817
05:48:12,972 --> 05:48:16,852
suggests sending a student to a state school, does the

5818
05:48:16,872 --> 05:48:20,652
parent have veto authority over that, or is that the

5819
05:48:20,712 --> 05:48:23,232
decision of the team, and that's where the student's going to go?

5820
05:48:23,472 --> 05:48:27,212
It's the decision of the team that that placement would be appropriate

5821
05:48:27,432 --> 05:48:31,312
as a public separate facility. And

5822
05:48:31,372 --> 05:48:35,332
so then, at that point, the onus is on the LEA to

5823
05:48:35,372 --> 05:48:37,852
find and provide that separate facility.

5824
05:48:37,972 --> 05:48:41,442
So, in the case of MSSD as a public placement,

5825
05:48:41,882 --> 05:48:45,372
that would be one of those day school options available to them.

5826
05:48:45,412 --> 05:48:49,232
And yes, the school district then determines where they can provide

5827
05:48:49,292 --> 05:48:52,902
that on the continuum. But the team determines if that

5828
05:48:52,972 --> 05:48:56,732
separate placement is necessary, then the district is responsible for

5829
05:48:56,772 --> 05:49:00,172
determining where that placement is, because ultimately, they're financially

5830
05:49:00,232 --> 05:49:03,252
responsible for FAPE, as well as, obviously, academically.

5831
05:49:04,132 --> 05:49:04,432
Thank you.

5832
05:49:04,592 --> 05:49:05,352
Yeah. You're welcome.

5833
05:49:07,612 --> 05:49:11,472
So throughout the long-range planning process, there was

5834
05:49:11,532 --> 05:49:14,132
an identified need to

5835
05:49:14,952 --> 05:49:17,312
build a more resilient portfolio of schools.

5836
05:49:17,412 --> 05:49:21,272
And there were a handful of closures that occurred

5837
05:49:21,972 --> 05:49:24,572
reactively instead of proactively.

5838
05:49:24,652 --> 05:49:27,492
One of those identifying factors was enrollment.

5839
05:49:27,752 --> 05:49:31,572
And do we have enough enrollment in each of our schools

5840
05:49:31,612 --> 05:49:35,532
to sustain the staffing models? Do we have enough staff in our schools to

5841
05:49:35,572 --> 05:49:39,502
sustain the enrollment? And so two of the things that we looked at were, do

5842
05:49:39,552 --> 05:49:43,422
we have... So MSSD still today serves over 600

5843
05:49:43,492 --> 05:49:46,852
students across the state. The

5844
05:49:47,432 --> 05:49:48,512
average enrollment

5845
05:49:49,512 --> 05:49:51,852
a couple of years ago was around 22.

5846
05:49:51,912 --> 05:49:55,012
It's up to around 30 now, after the consolidation and closure

5847
05:49:55,032 --> 05:49:56,082
process.

5848
05:49:57,932 --> 05:50:01,312
And so you can see that in FY23, almost a quarter of

5849
05:50:01,332 --> 05:50:05,272
schools had an enrollment of less than 10, and

5850
05:50:05,832 --> 05:50:09,312
6% had enrollment less than five. That is a point.

5851
05:50:09,632 --> 05:50:10,752
We get to the 10 mark,

5852
05:50:12,472 --> 05:50:16,012
it's sort of the caution flag. We get less than five, it becomes

5853
05:50:16,832 --> 05:50:18,812
challenging to maintain the schools.

5854
05:50:18,872 --> 05:50:22,532
And so the big goal was how can we consolidate our

5855
05:50:22,572 --> 05:50:25,672
portfolio and in such a way where we still offer

5856
05:50:25,692 --> 05:50:29,552
relatively geographically a service to the

5857
05:50:29,612 --> 05:50:33,472
students across the state, but still not be in a position where we have to

5858
05:50:33,512 --> 05:50:37,192
reactively close because two staff didn't show up to work today, and we have

5859
05:50:37,212 --> 05:50:40,272
nowhere to send students. And so you can see today, we're in

5860
05:50:40,392 --> 05:50:44,332
FY26, we have no schools in the portfolio that

5861
05:50:44,392 --> 05:50:48,112
have less than 10 students. Certainly none that have less than five.

5862
05:50:51,692 --> 05:50:54,832
Okay. This slide here shows utilization rate.

5863
05:50:54,912 --> 05:50:56,632
How many students can this

5864
05:50:57,652 --> 05:51:00,072
school hold, and how many students do we have in it?

5865
05:51:00,452 --> 05:51:01,292
Back in

5866
05:51:02,172 --> 05:51:06,152
2024, we still had 34 schools. 53%

5867
05:51:06,792 --> 05:51:08,392
of the capacity was being utilized.

5868
05:51:08,732 --> 05:51:08,872
So

5869
05:51:09,772 --> 05:51:12,752
roughly half of the portfolio was being utilized.

5870
05:51:13,872 --> 05:51:17,492
Some schools were more utilized, some schools were less. Overall, roughly half.

5871
05:51:17,592 --> 05:51:20,882
Now we're up to 70% utilization.

5872
05:51:20,912 --> 05:51:24,712
A healthy target, maybe 85%, but we

5873
05:51:24,772 --> 05:51:27,442
start to get into the same conversation that St.

5874
05:51:27,572 --> 05:51:31,372
Louis Public Schools was describing, where we're very

5875
05:51:31,432 --> 05:51:35,272
spread out geographically. And so in order to serve the students across the

5876
05:51:35,372 --> 05:51:35,632
state,

5877
05:51:36,672 --> 05:51:37,052
having

5878
05:51:37,972 --> 05:51:40,392
maxed out capacity is really not realistic.

5879
05:51:42,752 --> 05:51:42,972
Okay.

5880
05:51:43,132 --> 05:51:44,572
So could I ask, how much

5881
05:51:45,832 --> 05:51:48,012
are we paying per student of the 600?

5882
05:51:48,872 --> 05:51:50,812
What's our expense related to that?

5883
05:51:52,812 --> 05:51:55,052
I don't have that number in my head, sir.

5884
05:51:55,452 --> 05:51:56,872
Don't you think that's a pretty important number?

5885
05:51:57,531 --> 05:51:59,252
It's definitely in the report.

5886
05:52:03,372 --> 05:52:04,012
We can

5887
05:52:04,952 --> 05:52:05,242
look on that.

5888
05:52:05,252 --> 05:52:05,472
Okay.

5889
05:52:05,792 --> 05:52:05,932
Yeah.

5890
05:52:06,112 --> 05:52:06,212
Yeah.

5891
05:52:06,672 --> 05:52:09,732
That's probably based on the current numbers and the

5892
05:52:10,732 --> 05:52:14,452
change in the facilities and portfolio, that number has changed a little bit since

5893
05:52:14,472 --> 05:52:18,302
the last report, so we can provide the board with that information following this.

5894
05:52:18,322 --> 05:52:18,322
Yeah.

5895
05:52:18,322 --> 05:52:20,952
Okay. And so my follow-up question is going to be, why don't we

5896
05:52:21,352 --> 05:52:23,392
privatize this whole thing?

5897
05:52:23,612 --> 05:52:23,832
Okay.

5898
05:52:24,092 --> 05:52:27,972
Have we done a feasibility study to see if this can be

5899
05:52:27,992 --> 05:52:31,512
done in a better way through a different mechanism and things?

5900
05:52:32,072 --> 05:52:33,812
Six hundred people statewide,

5901
05:52:35,112 --> 05:52:36,052
it makes no sense.

5902
05:52:37,612 --> 05:52:41,412
You can't sustain that, depending on how much money you're paying per student.

5903
05:52:42,072 --> 05:52:45,932
And so my question is, and we had this conversation several months

5904
05:52:45,952 --> 05:52:46,272
ago.

5905
05:52:46,352 --> 05:52:46,632
Sure.

5906
05:52:47,532 --> 05:52:51,172
What are we doing long range to try to fix this problem?

5907
05:52:52,292 --> 05:52:53,752
And the problem is we

5908
05:52:54,612 --> 05:52:56,972
don't have a large portfolio of students.

5909
05:52:57,832 --> 05:53:01,152
They're spread geographically around the state and things, and it seems

5910
05:53:01,212 --> 05:53:03,932
like this is almost the identical same

5911
05:53:04,792 --> 05:53:07,432
report that we had several months ago.

5912
05:53:08,272 --> 05:53:12,092
So I think it's important when we look at some of those statistics and

5913
05:53:12,172 --> 05:53:15,692
figures, it's important to recognize that regardless of whether the

5914
05:53:15,732 --> 05:53:19,592
cost is a cost that is covered through general revenue through

5915
05:53:19,672 --> 05:53:20,332
the state,

5916
05:53:21,192 --> 05:53:25,072
or whether it's a cost that is provided by the LEA,

5917
05:53:25,172 --> 05:53:26,512
the cost to

5918
05:53:26,522 --> 05:53:30,432
meet

5919
05:53:30,452 --> 05:53:34,132
the educational needs of that student is going to remain relatively consistent

5920
05:53:34,172 --> 05:53:35,192
across the board.

5921
05:53:35,222 --> 05:53:35,732
But you're not sharing that with us.

5922
05:53:36,476 --> 05:53:38,776
I mean, we don't have that before us-

5923
05:53:38,876 --> 05:53:39,096
Okay

5924
05:53:39,236 --> 05:53:42,926
... to look at this program, and I don't know whether you have a proposal attached

5925
05:53:42,976 --> 05:53:43,356
to this.

5926
05:53:43,716 --> 05:53:46,676
No, this was an informational meeting to allow you-

5927
05:53:46,716 --> 05:53:46,956
Okay

5928
05:53:46,996 --> 05:53:49,496
... to have an update based on the consolidations.

5929
05:53:49,596 --> 05:53:52,956
But we certainly could do some analysis for you and

5930
05:53:53,076 --> 05:53:56,996
share the current rates for those approved private agencies

5931
05:53:57,076 --> 05:53:59,036
as compared to the student rate-

5932
05:53:59,356 --> 05:53:59,396
Mm-hmm

5933
05:53:59,516 --> 05:54:03,416
... within MSSD, and I think that would give you

5934
05:54:03,496 --> 05:54:05,496
more information about what you're asking for there.

5935
05:54:05,616 --> 05:54:05,776
Okay.

5936
05:54:05,796 --> 05:54:06,146
And we can do that.

5937
05:54:06,146 --> 05:54:09,636
And I don't mean to be frustrated, but I believe you two gentlemen presented the

5938
05:54:09,696 --> 05:54:13,126
last time we did this. Right? I mean, weren't you part of that

5939
05:54:13,156 --> 05:54:13,816
presentation?

5940
05:54:14,456 --> 05:54:14,876
We were.

5941
05:54:14,976 --> 05:54:15,356
Yes.

5942
05:54:15,556 --> 05:54:19,376
And the last presentation was about the long-range plan that was developed for

5943
05:54:19,516 --> 05:54:21,766
MSSD. As part of the-

5944
05:54:22,136 --> 05:54:22,166
Okay

5945
05:54:22,196 --> 05:54:25,876
... process and the analysis, there were different models that were reviewed

5946
05:54:26,116 --> 05:54:29,536
with the committee to understand what are our

5947
05:54:29,616 --> 05:54:33,456
options, how can we best serve the students, what are the costs

5948
05:54:33,496 --> 05:54:36,705
associated, how are other nearby states-

5949
05:54:36,776 --> 05:54:38,996
Okay, and so are we doing that here today?

5950
05:54:39,056 --> 05:54:43,016
This conversation is about how we are implementing the long-range

5951
05:54:43,136 --> 05:54:43,416
plan.

5952
05:54:44,196 --> 05:54:45,996
We don't even know what the long-range plan is.

5953
05:54:46,996 --> 05:54:47,146
What is-

5954
05:54:47,196 --> 05:54:47,706
Well, I think the-

5955
05:54:47,746 --> 05:54:47,746
What's the long-range plan?

5956
05:54:47,746 --> 05:54:51,556
... consolidation and closures to improve the efficiency and the program

5957
05:54:51,736 --> 05:54:53,956
student outcomes is the most-

5958
05:54:53,986 --> 05:54:55,486
So it's not to privatize it? And-

5959
05:54:55,716 --> 05:54:58,276
No, there was never a discussion around that from the-

5960
05:54:58,286 --> 05:54:59,256
It was a consideration.

5961
05:54:59,736 --> 05:55:03,266
It was a consideration that was discussed through the long-range planning and

5962
05:55:03,266 --> 05:55:04,346
advisory committee.

5963
05:55:04,366 --> 05:55:05,896
When did that come to the board to consider?

5964
05:55:07,756 --> 05:55:11,656
It wasn't presented as an option. There were three options that

5965
05:55:11,696 --> 05:55:15,166
were provided from the long-range planning committee,

5966
05:55:15,656 --> 05:55:16,506
and they looked at

5967
05:55:17,336 --> 05:55:21,316
maintain the status quo with 34 buildings as it stood

5968
05:55:21,356 --> 05:55:25,116
originally, consolidate down to a more

5969
05:55:25,156 --> 05:55:29,056
effective number that would provide for greater outcomes for students,

5970
05:55:29,796 --> 05:55:33,456
and then the third option that the team looked at was the

5971
05:55:33,516 --> 05:55:37,146
closure of the program. And the overwhelming, resounding

5972
05:55:37,316 --> 05:55:41,016
feedback from that long-range planning advisory committee, made up of all those

5973
05:55:41,116 --> 05:55:44,396
stakeholders, was to recommend to the board that we

5974
05:55:44,455 --> 05:55:46,536
continue under this current model.

5975
05:55:46,636 --> 05:55:48,236
And so I think it's important-

5976
05:55:48,266 --> 05:55:48,266
So you had 50-

5977
05:55:48,266 --> 05:55:51,976
... that we honor the work of that long-range planning advisory

5978
05:55:51,986 --> 05:55:55,976
committee, but continue to evaluate and assess as we move

5979
05:55:56,036 --> 05:55:56,316
forward.

5980
05:55:56,326 --> 05:56:00,046
You had 50 stakeholders providing input for 600

5981
05:56:00,176 --> 05:56:00,596
students.

5982
05:56:03,376 --> 05:56:06,966
I mean, that's what was quoted. We had 50 stakeholders working on

5983
05:56:07,056 --> 05:56:09,096
this for 600 students.

5984
05:56:09,136 --> 05:56:12,936
Right, and that information was shared back in August when the board

5985
05:56:13,356 --> 05:56:16,816
approved the recommendation for the consolidation and closures of the six

5986
05:56:16,876 --> 05:56:17,896
additional buildings.

5987
05:56:18,436 --> 05:56:20,616
I apologize, but I just see this as a futile

5988
05:56:21,556 --> 05:56:24,796
effort here that we keep bringing up time and time again,

5989
05:56:25,516 --> 05:56:28,696
and with no real... What is your proposal?

5990
05:56:28,836 --> 05:56:30,726
Can we get to a last sentence to say-

5991
05:56:31,056 --> 05:56:31,756
This was

5992
05:56:33,076 --> 05:56:37,036
essentially a report to the board, the status update with regards to the

5993
05:56:37,076 --> 05:56:41,006
program to show and explain where the program was

5994
05:56:41,096 --> 05:56:44,736
when the last board action occurred, which was August of 2025,

5995
05:56:45,296 --> 05:56:49,286
to now that we've done that consolidation in August of 2026 and now

5996
05:56:49,316 --> 05:56:53,246
September in 2026. So I think we can go through and see some of

5997
05:56:53,296 --> 05:56:57,186
those other outcomes, and hopefully it'll answer some questions as to why

5998
05:56:57,236 --> 05:57:00,796
we continue to operate that model that we have been

5999
05:57:00,836 --> 05:57:04,156
recommended to operate and move forward from this point.

6000
05:57:04,236 --> 05:57:07,636
But we can certainly have additional conversation around those other

6001
05:57:07,756 --> 05:57:09,656
pieces at a time where

6002
05:57:10,496 --> 05:57:14,216
if we're considering something new or different, then I think that's a

6003
05:57:14,256 --> 05:57:17,896
process that we need to do again with the stakeholders as well.

6004
05:57:19,796 --> 05:57:22,396
Okay, so quick update with the data.

6005
05:57:22,426 --> 05:57:26,276
For post-consolidation, we've gone from 34 schools to 21

6006
05:57:26,316 --> 05:57:30,216
schools. Transportation time is certainly a consideration

6007
05:57:30,256 --> 05:57:34,096
during consolidation. Post-consolidation, you can see

6008
05:57:34,396 --> 05:57:36,836
travel within an hour, those did go up.

6009
05:57:37,516 --> 05:57:41,446
But beyond an hour on the bus, less than an hour and a half, less than two

6010
05:57:41,476 --> 05:57:43,305
hours, both of those have gone down

6011
05:57:43,416 --> 05:57:47,216
post-consolidation. Nothing beyond two

6012
05:57:47,316 --> 05:57:50,316
hours. Staffing from building administrator

6013
05:57:50,416 --> 05:57:54,136
perspective, prior to the closures, there were nine

6014
05:57:54,715 --> 05:57:58,676
schools that didn't have a building administrator, think principal.

6015
05:57:59,046 --> 05:58:02,816
Many schools were sharing building leadership, and they were going back and

6016
05:58:02,916 --> 05:58:05,696
forth two days a week here, three days a week there.

6017
05:58:08,116 --> 05:58:11,976
Actually today, there are zero schools that do not have

6018
05:58:11,996 --> 05:58:14,936
a dedicated building administrator.

6019
05:58:15,916 --> 05:58:19,496
Okay? Again, building resilience in the program, having

6020
05:58:19,596 --> 05:58:22,176
consistent, stable leadership and guidance.

6021
05:58:22,876 --> 05:58:24,416
Last here, historically,

6022
05:58:25,356 --> 05:58:29,076
we've struggled to fill positions in the schools.

6023
05:58:29,376 --> 05:58:32,876
There were four vacancies in MSSD from a building administrator

6024
05:58:32,916 --> 05:58:35,076
perspective in FY23, school year '23.

6025
05:58:35,496 --> 05:58:37,236
Now all positions are filled.

6026
05:58:40,096 --> 05:58:41,416
Okay, and I'll hand it back to Dr. Wheatley.

6027
05:58:41,576 --> 05:58:45,496
Yeah, thank you. So coming back around to the

6028
05:58:45,536 --> 05:58:49,446
purpose of today's presentation is to provide you with a little more

6029
05:58:49,476 --> 05:58:51,876
context of where we've come over the last year.

6030
05:58:52,656 --> 05:58:55,976
And so I think it's critical that we talk to two groups.

6031
05:58:56,016 --> 05:58:58,866
There are two groups that probably have the greatest

6032
05:58:58,896 --> 05:59:02,876
perspective with which to consider what has happened thus

6033
05:59:02,936 --> 05:59:06,346
far with those closures and consolidations, and those would be the

6034
05:59:06,436 --> 05:59:09,906
families of the students that were directly involved with the

6035
05:59:09,936 --> 05:59:13,596
closures and consolidations with six buildings, as well as those

6036
05:59:13,736 --> 05:59:17,146
staff members that were directly engaged in that work and

6037
05:59:17,176 --> 05:59:20,916
experienced that in real-time. And so these are just some of the

6038
05:59:20,956 --> 05:59:23,496
pieces that I think are important to share.

6039
05:59:24,056 --> 05:59:26,736
As we talked in the beginning, communication was critical.

6040
05:59:27,376 --> 05:59:31,356
We had to make sure that families, staff members, the school districts

6041
05:59:31,816 --> 05:59:35,356
were all fully aware of this plan that was going to be implemented beginning

6042
05:59:36,056 --> 05:59:39,296
in the August of 2025/26 school year.

6043
05:59:40,036 --> 05:59:43,860
In addition to that We looked at making sure that it

6044
05:59:43,900 --> 05:59:47,360
was transparent to those families and those

6045
05:59:47,500 --> 05:59:50,700
LEAs, as well as the staff, as to why we made the

6046
05:59:50,740 --> 05:59:54,400
recommendations that we made and why we've made those changes, and then how can we

6047
05:59:54,440 --> 05:59:58,370
do that effectively to still make sure that we're educating and supporting

6048
05:59:58,440 --> 06:00:02,000
those students that are going to be experiencing some significant changes.

6049
06:00:02,880 --> 06:00:06,760
And as you can see, some of those results really right away are very positive from

6050
06:00:06,800 --> 06:00:10,380
both the family perspective as well as the staff's

6051
06:00:10,400 --> 06:00:14,260
perspective. We had to also look at the

6052
06:00:14,380 --> 06:00:17,279
care for the students and the families in the process.

6053
06:00:17,760 --> 06:00:21,370
If I'm a student attending a building in my hometown and now I am

6054
06:00:21,420 --> 06:00:25,390
moving to a building outside of my hometown because my local

6055
06:00:25,500 --> 06:00:29,430
school is closing, then we have to have considerations for

6056
06:00:29,460 --> 06:00:32,960
the potential ramifications that impact not just

6057
06:00:32,970 --> 06:00:36,800
the wellness of the student, but the educational

6058
06:00:36,820 --> 06:00:40,800
needs of that student have to be considered from the point A to point B

6059
06:00:40,880 --> 06:00:44,440
as we move through that process, and being very thoughtful about our

6060
06:00:44,480 --> 06:00:47,250
approach to address that with those families and those students.

6061
06:00:47,600 --> 06:00:51,580
And then, of course, the logistical considerations, some of which Josh

6062
06:00:51,620 --> 06:00:53,460
spoke to just a few moments ago.

6063
06:00:54,980 --> 06:00:58,200
As we looked at the staff, I think it was important to

6064
06:00:58,260 --> 06:01:02,100
recognize that they felt like the schools and staff were primarily ready,

6065
06:01:03,000 --> 06:01:05,120
and that students have adjusted well here.

6066
06:01:05,180 --> 06:01:08,940
They've been in school, they started extended school year right

6067
06:01:09,020 --> 06:01:13,000
after the Fourth of July weekend, and then they had a

6068
06:01:13,060 --> 06:01:15,860
little bit of time off before the regular school year, and now they've been in

6069
06:01:15,920 --> 06:01:19,800
session for just a little bit. But the information that is shared from the

6070
06:01:19,860 --> 06:01:22,840
families and the staff is that those students are

6071
06:01:22,960 --> 06:01:26,580
actually performing at a level of which we would expect,

6072
06:01:26,660 --> 06:01:30,600
despite some pretty significant transitions for some of those students who have the

6073
06:01:30,720 --> 06:01:33,960
most extensive support needs. And then lastly,

6074
06:01:34,540 --> 06:01:37,740
talking about how those logistical pieces and

6075
06:01:37,760 --> 06:01:41,630
transportation, those things that mom and dad have to be concerned, if we're going

6076
06:01:41,640 --> 06:01:45,560
to put a child on a bus who has medical fragility or

6077
06:01:45,640 --> 06:01:49,320
other issues, are we doing that in the most efficient and effective

6078
06:01:49,380 --> 06:01:53,060
manner? And as you saw above some-- or previously, some of

6079
06:01:53,120 --> 06:01:56,880
that data actually improved over time, but that doesn't mean that there weren't

6080
06:01:56,940 --> 06:02:00,620
students that were impacted in other ways based on that busing and

6081
06:02:00,640 --> 06:02:04,530
transportation. A few of the challenges, though, that I think is important,

6082
06:02:04,580 --> 06:02:08,170
we have to recognize those and continue to consider those moving forward

6083
06:02:08,620 --> 06:02:12,430
should there be a need to consider something of this nature in the future, whether

6084
06:02:12,460 --> 06:02:15,960
emergency or permanent, based on the needs of the

6085
06:02:15,980 --> 06:02:19,970
population. And I think we have to make sure that

6086
06:02:19,970 --> 06:02:23,300
as soon as we can, engage with the families in the

6087
06:02:23,340 --> 06:02:27,300
conversation, right? Even though we began this conversation in what would've

6088
06:02:27,340 --> 06:02:29,450
been September of 2025,

6089
06:02:30,740 --> 06:02:34,680
and we had that whole school year essentially to make all of those

6090
06:02:34,720 --> 06:02:38,500
preparations, anytime you can provide more support to families and the

6091
06:02:38,600 --> 06:02:41,600
students, then that's going to be more beneficial.

6092
06:02:41,640 --> 06:02:45,120
And then as far as staffing goes, making sure that they

6093
06:02:45,280 --> 06:02:48,840
have the time to adjust. That some of those logistical

6094
06:02:48,880 --> 06:02:52,520
pieces of making sure every piece of equipment went with the

6095
06:02:52,560 --> 06:02:56,260
student to the appropriate school or facility, that you are

6096
06:02:56,300 --> 06:02:59,680
really concerned most about the specific student needs,

6097
06:02:59,900 --> 06:03:03,840
medical, other staffing needs, that we

6098
06:03:03,880 --> 06:03:07,700
don't let some of those smaller pieces that we might take for granted

6099
06:03:07,780 --> 06:03:11,020
fall through the cracks, and just making sure the staff are along the way.

6100
06:03:11,490 --> 06:03:15,020
And ultimately, they looked for an opportunity for perhaps a little

6101
06:03:15,180 --> 06:03:19,020
earlier preparation on their part for the school year, and that was a

6102
06:03:19,060 --> 06:03:21,560
piece that would be considered in the future as well.

6103
06:03:23,440 --> 06:03:24,170
So with that,

6104
06:03:25,820 --> 06:03:29,260
President Brooks or Chair Brooks, I just want to kind of share our

6105
06:03:29,300 --> 06:03:33,250
implementation plan and timeline, and this is very similar

6106
06:03:33,300 --> 06:03:37,150
to the last timeline that you received when we were here in

6107
06:03:37,220 --> 06:03:40,600
August. I guess we were in Sedalia in August.

6108
06:03:40,640 --> 06:03:44,420
And that basically shows that this was a board update, a

6109
06:03:44,460 --> 06:03:48,140
progress report, if you will, to the program, and that at this

6110
06:03:48,160 --> 06:03:51,870
point, the next time we plan to work with and come to this

6111
06:03:51,880 --> 06:03:55,710
board is again to provide an update because we'll have gone through

6112
06:03:55,710 --> 06:03:59,560
a full year where the students are now in a

6113
06:03:59,599 --> 06:04:02,920
new school for those 60 students that were impacted.

6114
06:04:02,950 --> 06:04:06,820
And then we can talk more specifically about student outcomes and measures that are

6115
06:04:06,920 --> 06:04:10,740
used to determine those academic successes for our

6116
06:04:10,780 --> 06:04:13,240
students with disabilities in MSSD.

6117
06:04:14,200 --> 06:04:16,500
So what other questions can I answer for you today?

6118
06:04:18,480 --> 06:04:19,100
Go ahead. You go.

6119
06:04:20,240 --> 06:04:20,940
You want me to go first?

6120
06:04:22,640 --> 06:04:23,020
Thank you.

6121
06:04:24,440 --> 06:04:28,160
Last summer, it was a friend of a friend, but was

6122
06:04:28,180 --> 06:04:31,420
involved with the state school in St. Joe.

6123
06:04:32,060 --> 06:04:32,320
And I

6124
06:04:33,160 --> 06:04:36,500
was working on trying to get up there to basically see it.

6125
06:04:37,880 --> 06:04:41,000
It didn't really make sense to do it in the summertime because I don't think any

6126
06:04:41,080 --> 06:04:42,280
students were going to be there.

6127
06:04:43,320 --> 06:04:47,240
And then there was some turnover staffing and so I kind of

6128
06:04:47,280 --> 06:04:51,080
lost that connection. That's just a long way of saying, I think there

6129
06:04:51,120 --> 06:04:53,840
are two schools in Kansas City, one in St.

6130
06:04:54,100 --> 06:04:58,080
Joe, one in Chillicothe maybe, which is

6131
06:04:58,160 --> 06:05:01,200
in my neck of the woods. I mean, Kansas City and St. Joe would be the closest.

6132
06:05:01,320 --> 06:05:05,080
But before the end of the year I'd welcome the

6133
06:05:05,120 --> 06:05:05,880
opportunity to--

6134
06:05:06,740 --> 06:05:09,400
If there was a chance to actually go visit one of those schools.

6135
06:05:10,100 --> 06:05:13,860
I can't do it in the next few weeks, and you probably-- But by the end of the year,

6136
06:05:13,900 --> 06:05:17,200
it would be nice to go. I don't know what the best example would be, right?

6137
06:05:17,280 --> 06:05:21,180
If it's St. Joe or Kansas City or somewhere else, but I think it'd

6138
06:05:21,220 --> 06:05:24,020
be neat if I could-- I'd like to go actually see one and-

6139
06:05:24,200 --> 06:05:27,160
Yeah. I think that's something that would be a great opportunity for this board to

6140
06:05:27,200 --> 06:05:30,840
be able to do. We talked about that and introduced that idea

6141
06:05:30,920 --> 06:05:34,680
last year, and so would be happy to help work with the board to arrange a

6142
06:05:34,780 --> 06:05:38,700
time where we could look at some-- There are geographic characteristics of

6143
06:05:38,740 --> 06:05:40,860
those buildings that are different. There are sizes.

6144
06:05:41,500 --> 06:05:42,800
There are many different factors.

6145
06:05:42,900 --> 06:05:46,860
So you could see, kind of get a nice sampling of the different types of buildings

6146
06:05:46,940 --> 06:05:50,660
across the state, and I think that would give a good perspective to this board

6147
06:05:51,368 --> 06:05:52,407
Absolutely. Thank you.

6148
06:05:52,608 --> 06:05:54,628
Yeah, and to Brooke's point,

6149
06:05:57,768 --> 06:06:00,108
these are challenging environments, right?

6150
06:06:00,208 --> 06:06:02,058
It's a difficult thing,

6151
06:06:04,648 --> 06:06:07,628
sort of removing my emotion from it for a second, right?

6152
06:06:07,848 --> 06:06:11,368
I heard a statistic that 50% of the lawsuits against DESE

6153
06:06:11,428 --> 06:06:15,398
are state school related, right, or something like that.

6154
06:06:15,448 --> 06:06:18,338
It was a majority or close to... No, it

6155
06:06:18,368 --> 06:06:20,028
wasn't-

6156
06:06:20,168 --> 06:06:20,868
I don't know.

6157
06:06:20,948 --> 06:06:22,588
Yeah, I had thought someone had told me-

6158
06:06:22,748 --> 06:06:22,758
It was-

6159
06:06:22,758 --> 06:06:24,828
... roughly half or something.

6160
06:06:25,868 --> 06:06:26,688
And so,

6161
06:06:27,568 --> 06:06:31,508
every kid needs to have the opportunity to

6162
06:06:31,568 --> 06:06:34,388
have an education, right? No doubt about it.

6163
06:06:35,468 --> 06:06:39,368
So I think it would be helpful just to see these, see a school, and what is

6164
06:06:39,408 --> 06:06:43,268
it like. And I could only imagine, my commute to work used to be

6165
06:06:43,288 --> 06:06:46,668
50 minutes each way, and I could only imagine riding a bus for an hour and a half

6166
06:06:46,708 --> 06:06:48,048
or two hours every day.

6167
06:06:49,828 --> 06:06:53,808
So I don't know what the answer is. I guess to Brooke's point, though,

6168
06:06:53,888 --> 06:06:54,968
is it sustainable, right?

6169
06:06:56,688 --> 06:07:00,608
So I think Brooke made some valid points and

6170
06:07:00,688 --> 06:07:03,268
observations, but I personally would like to see one of the schools.

6171
06:07:03,388 --> 06:07:05,928
Absolutely. Yeah, I think we can arrange for that for the board.

6172
06:07:06,468 --> 06:07:06,868
Lars.

6173
06:07:07,088 --> 06:07:10,548
Yeah. As a new board member, I appreciate you giving us an update on an

6174
06:07:10,608 --> 06:07:12,648
ongoing initiative. I appreciate that.

6175
06:07:13,228 --> 06:07:16,988
And under our purview of our students that we have under our purview, these are

6176
06:07:17,228 --> 06:07:20,988
clearly the ones with the strongest needs and the most vulnerable, and I

6177
06:07:21,048 --> 06:07:23,368
appreciate the work you all are doing in that, so thank you.

6178
06:07:23,508 --> 06:07:23,828
Thank you.

6179
06:07:24,268 --> 06:07:24,548
Thank you.

6180
06:07:24,748 --> 06:07:28,508
I have one question about the transportation, the up to

6181
06:07:28,588 --> 06:07:32,328
two hours. Is that each way, or is that cumulative?

6182
06:07:32,488 --> 06:07:33,408
No, that's each way.

6183
06:07:33,988 --> 06:07:34,588
That's each way?

6184
06:07:34,648 --> 06:07:37,848
Yes. And again, I'll point back to the fact

6185
06:07:38,088 --> 06:07:41,928
that when you look at this information, we've actually reduced the

6186
06:07:41,988 --> 06:07:45,338
amount of travel for many of our students percentage wise,

6187
06:07:45,888 --> 06:07:49,628
but it's still a significant number just with 22 buildings versus

6188
06:07:49,868 --> 06:07:53,848
34. It wasn't as efficient with 34, but again,

6189
06:07:53,908 --> 06:07:57,888
that doesn't mean that some families now aren't impacted more than were

6190
06:07:57,928 --> 06:08:01,848
previously based on the closures and consolidations to meet

6191
06:08:01,908 --> 06:08:04,788
that need. There are about, and

6192
06:08:04,848 --> 06:08:07,918
I'm going to give you a rough number,

6193
06:08:08,448 --> 06:08:12,068
roughly 90 approved private agencies across the state,

6194
06:08:12,508 --> 06:08:14,988
but they are not geographically distributed

6195
06:08:16,988 --> 06:08:17,728
with any more

6196
06:08:19,488 --> 06:08:21,948
consistency as far as measures go.

6197
06:08:22,338 --> 06:08:25,488
And so I think when we look at, to your point

6198
06:08:26,168 --> 06:08:29,798
President Miller, I think looking at those facilities,

6199
06:08:29,988 --> 06:08:31,908
they might be able to provide some support.

6200
06:08:32,028 --> 06:08:35,588
And LEAs do have that option again, as in that continuum to

6201
06:08:35,628 --> 06:08:39,268
consider those. But there would still be some challenges with

6202
06:08:39,328 --> 06:08:43,048
transportation unless that number would be increased, and

6203
06:08:43,088 --> 06:08:45,288
particularly in regional rural areas.

6204
06:08:45,538 --> 06:08:45,638
Have you-

6205
06:08:45,708 --> 06:08:47,108
I think that's a huge need

6206
06:08:47,228 --> 06:08:50,148
... have you given consideration to the public school system?

6207
06:08:51,348 --> 06:08:54,708
Yeah, and so that was part of the presentation, and we shared more information

6208
06:08:54,748 --> 06:08:57,548
about some of the initiatives in the previous

6209
06:08:57,568 --> 06:09:01,448
presentation around some granting

6210
06:09:01,468 --> 06:09:05,008
that we've provided to local LEAs to better support that work.

6211
06:09:05,088 --> 06:09:08,128
I think that was in one of the earlier slides that Jacob shared.

6212
06:09:08,188 --> 06:09:08,548
How's that going?

6213
06:09:09,068 --> 06:09:13,048
So we had 52 districts that were impacted by the closures,

6214
06:09:13,428 --> 06:09:15,488
and one district applied for a grant.

6215
06:09:16,548 --> 06:09:17,548
Okay. And so-

6216
06:09:17,848 --> 06:09:19,868
I'm sorry, two districts applied for a grant-

6217
06:09:19,908 --> 06:09:20,298
I'm not going to

6218
06:09:20,298 --> 06:09:21,188
... one received a grant.

6219
06:09:21,228 --> 06:09:25,088
It just seems to me like if we have a saturation of

6220
06:09:25,448 --> 06:09:28,908
schools, and we do have a saturation of schools, we can say that,

6221
06:09:29,388 --> 06:09:33,328
rural, urban, and everything else, and we have a program here that has

6222
06:09:33,468 --> 06:09:37,268
need, but a limited amount of need, where you could

6223
06:09:37,668 --> 06:09:41,288
bring in healthcare professionals for speech

6224
06:09:41,348 --> 06:09:41,668
or

6225
06:09:43,028 --> 06:09:46,888
things of that nature that treat this population, right?

6226
06:09:48,168 --> 06:09:48,428
I

6227
06:09:51,048 --> 06:09:54,588
think that's a good question that you're posing, and I want to

6228
06:09:54,648 --> 06:09:58,628
just put it in the context of the responsibilities under the Individuals with

6229
06:09:58,668 --> 06:10:02,288
Disabilities Education Act to ensure that we're supporting the

6230
06:10:02,348 --> 06:10:06,148
educational needs through related services for educational

6231
06:10:06,188 --> 06:10:09,548
need, and that's our responsibility as it relates

6232
06:10:09,608 --> 06:10:12,868
to that individualized educational program.

6233
06:10:13,288 --> 06:10:17,208
And so any related services, all of those that you mentioned, the

6234
06:10:17,248 --> 06:10:21,108
language, the speech therapies, physical therapies, those

6235
06:10:21,148 --> 06:10:23,428
are to provide access to the

6236
06:10:23,508 --> 06:10:26,738
educational aspects of that student.

6237
06:10:26,848 --> 06:10:30,788
And many of our students receive care outside

6238
06:10:30,828 --> 06:10:34,528
of school for other medical needs and some of the same

6239
06:10:34,538 --> 06:10:37,788
therapies, but they don't address the same issues relative.

6240
06:10:38,028 --> 06:10:41,728
I just want to make sure that everybody recognizes there are

6241
06:10:41,768 --> 06:10:44,248
two service models that are available.

6242
06:10:44,328 --> 06:10:47,998
One are the educational service models, and the other are the medical service

6243
06:10:48,088 --> 06:10:51,428
models, and we have to be careful because we're obligated through

6244
06:10:51,488 --> 06:10:54,828
IDEA to ensure those educational related services are

6245
06:10:54,868 --> 06:10:55,728
provided.

6246
06:10:55,768 --> 06:10:55,868
Okay.

6247
06:10:55,928 --> 06:10:58,268
So does that help context with that a little bit?

6248
06:10:58,288 --> 06:10:58,328
No, not really.

6249
06:10:58,388 --> 06:10:58,788
Okay.

6250
06:10:59,048 --> 06:11:03,028
And my question is, there seems to be capacity in rural areas

6251
06:11:03,068 --> 06:11:06,908
in the state of Missouri right now, right? Am I right?

6252
06:11:07,188 --> 06:11:09,348
In schools they have capacity?

6253
06:11:09,808 --> 06:11:12,508
I think there are challenges with capacity.

6254
06:11:12,597 --> 06:11:14,268
They could provide some services here?

6255
06:11:15,028 --> 06:11:15,828
Is that not-

6256
06:11:16,168 --> 06:11:19,858
I think it's resources, the skilled resources that-

6257
06:11:20,148 --> 06:11:24,088
Okay, but we're funding those now, and they could go directly to the school

6258
06:11:24,208 --> 06:11:24,278
to-

6259
06:11:24,318 --> 06:11:24,448
Yeah.

6260
06:11:25,068 --> 06:11:25,198
Yeah.

6261
06:11:25,488 --> 06:11:25,658
I'm-

6262
06:11:26,118 --> 06:11:27,488
So, I'm sorry, may I jump in?

6263
06:11:27,548 --> 06:11:27,868
Yeah.

6264
06:11:28,068 --> 06:11:31,948
I will work with Dr. Wheatley to help arrange tours

6265
06:11:31,968 --> 06:11:33,148
for anyone who would like to see them.

6266
06:11:33,228 --> 06:11:37,028
One of the things that was most eye-opening to me when I was here the first time

6267
06:11:37,648 --> 06:11:41,288
and became the deputy is we're not talking about students with

6268
06:11:41,408 --> 06:11:43,308
mild learning disabilities or anything like that.

6269
06:11:43,468 --> 06:11:47,428
Many of the students in the school I saw, they weren't verbal or

6270
06:11:47,588 --> 06:11:51,488
mobile, and their healthcare needs were so extreme it

6271
06:11:51,508 --> 06:11:54,028
would be hard for them to be served well in a public school.

6272
06:11:54,088 --> 06:11:54,097
You know-

6273
06:11:54,108 --> 06:11:54,848
So I would love to-

6274
06:11:54,968 --> 06:11:57,768
I would just verify that I went to school

6275
06:11:58,596 --> 06:12:02,516
Fifth and sixth grade, matter of fact, in a school with those

6276
06:12:02,556 --> 06:12:03,036
children.

6277
06:12:04,536 --> 06:12:06,436
You understand what I'm saying? At one time,

6278
06:12:07,336 --> 06:12:11,176
that's the way we delivered services to these young people.

6279
06:12:12,556 --> 06:12:16,496
And I'm saying, are we looking outside the box on how

6280
06:12:16,596 --> 06:12:20,416
we're going to take care of these going forward? And that's all I'm saying.

6281
06:12:20,896 --> 06:12:24,716
We're hearing the same presentation we heard several months ago, and we

6282
06:12:24,776 --> 06:12:28,756
are not moving this ball down the road as far as I'm concerned. That's my opinion.

6283
06:12:28,816 --> 06:12:29,236
And to your-

6284
06:12:29,816 --> 06:12:29,976
Terry.

6285
06:12:30,016 --> 06:12:33,966
Thank you, President Miller. And to your point, having been part of

6286
06:12:34,016 --> 06:12:37,976
the original committee task force, but

6287
06:12:38,076 --> 06:12:42,016
back when I was in your position of barely being on the board,

6288
06:12:42,156 --> 06:12:42,296
so-

6289
06:12:42,436 --> 06:12:42,636
Mm-hmm

6290
06:12:42,646 --> 06:12:43,656
... it was all so new to me.

6291
06:12:44,596 --> 06:12:48,546
There was an awful lot of out of the box, and I think maybe what we-- And

6292
06:12:48,656 --> 06:12:52,416
I would be happy to work with you, Stacy, at least just give you my input from that

6293
06:12:52,656 --> 06:12:55,556
past experience, that we come back.

6294
06:12:55,636 --> 06:12:59,576
I think we need to take a step back from an education, there are so many new board

6295
06:12:59,616 --> 06:13:03,356
members, to help provide some of the context to the

6296
06:13:03,416 --> 06:13:04,136
work that the

6297
06:13:05,816 --> 06:13:09,716
committee did, the task force did, that addressed some of those

6298
06:13:09,916 --> 06:13:13,596
very important questions and concerns, and the

6299
06:13:13,656 --> 06:13:17,636
research that was done. There was a tremendous amount of work

6300
06:13:17,656 --> 06:13:21,576
done to come to these ultimate recommendations, and

6301
06:13:21,636 --> 06:13:24,346
I think that's the piece that's missing, if you could-

6302
06:13:25,256 --> 06:13:25,436
And-

6303
06:13:25,506 --> 06:13:25,896
... recommend that

6304
06:13:25,916 --> 06:13:27,666
... just to be fair, from what I'm seeing,

6305
06:13:29,436 --> 06:13:33,386
some consultants were hired, a plan was put into place, and annual

6306
06:13:33,386 --> 06:13:35,546
update was required to come do this.

6307
06:13:35,876 --> 06:13:35,936
Yeah.

6308
06:13:35,976 --> 06:13:38,266
I think they're just giving their annual update, and I think, I

6309
06:13:39,396 --> 06:13:43,206
agree that we need to address other things, but for them saying that they're

6310
06:13:43,236 --> 06:13:46,896
giving the same presentation, they are giving the update of last year's

6311
06:13:46,916 --> 06:13:47,596
presentation.

6312
06:13:47,736 --> 06:13:47,856
We asked them to.

6313
06:13:47,896 --> 06:13:50,496
We did not follow through on the last recommendation.

6314
06:13:50,956 --> 06:13:51,286
Okay.

6315
06:13:51,286 --> 06:13:52,436
That was to build a new building.

6316
06:13:54,226 --> 06:13:54,776
Ms. Minor?

6317
06:13:55,716 --> 06:13:56,476
Yeah. So if-

6318
06:13:56,696 --> 06:13:57,956
That was to build a new building-

6319
06:13:57,996 --> 06:13:58,146
Correct

6320
06:13:58,396 --> 06:13:59,456
... that was quite expensive.

6321
06:13:59,516 --> 06:14:02,736
That was a long range plan, though-

6322
06:14:02,796 --> 06:14:02,806
Right

6323
06:14:02,836 --> 06:14:04,816
... not to begin at that point.

6324
06:14:04,956 --> 06:14:04,966
That's all.

6325
06:14:04,966 --> 06:14:07,056
And so that's where some of this confusion is coming in.

6326
06:14:07,116 --> 06:14:10,996
A mixture of what was presented in some long range, and now

6327
06:14:11,036 --> 06:14:14,606
we're talking about some of the immediate actions that were reactive-

6328
06:14:14,616 --> 06:14:14,826
Correct

6329
06:14:15,036 --> 06:14:18,456
... to your point, in the last two years, and it's a little disconnected.

6330
06:14:18,516 --> 06:14:21,376
So I think if we can come back to a fuller picture,

6331
06:14:22,136 --> 06:14:26,106
and Brooks and I actually did have the opportunity when

6332
06:14:26,136 --> 06:14:27,796
we were touring SLPS.

6333
06:14:30,076 --> 06:14:33,556
That was a district that, urban, had enough of a

6334
06:14:33,616 --> 06:14:37,466
population to bring in the right resources, and had enough of the students,

6335
06:14:37,596 --> 06:14:40,256
too. And it was very

6336
06:14:41,676 --> 06:14:45,636
compelling to appreciate the skill level of the

6337
06:14:45,796 --> 06:14:48,916
teachers and the resources that are required for these

6338
06:14:48,956 --> 06:14:52,476
children. And to have

6339
06:14:52,696 --> 06:14:56,276
that in all of our public schools is impossible, but

6340
06:14:56,376 --> 06:15:00,156
that's why it's a concentrated

6341
06:15:00,216 --> 06:15:03,936
model. But to look at it again

6342
06:15:04,356 --> 06:15:07,015
through the lens of that project would be beneficial.

6343
06:15:07,836 --> 06:15:08,456
Yeah, for sure.

6344
06:15:08,985 --> 06:15:09,256
Thank you.

6345
06:15:09,296 --> 06:15:09,856
Happy to do.

6346
06:15:13,716 --> 06:15:14,356
Other questions?

6347
06:15:16,856 --> 06:15:18,515
Hearing none. Thank you for your presentation.

6348
06:15:18,836 --> 06:15:19,176
Thank you.

6349
06:15:19,516 --> 06:15:19,736
Thank you.

6350
06:15:19,836 --> 06:15:19,906
Thank you.

6351
06:15:19,906 --> 06:15:20,136
Thank you.

6352
06:15:45,156 --> 06:15:45,776
And so

6353
06:15:46,776 --> 06:15:48,296
next, we have here

6354
06:15:50,956 --> 06:15:54,256
consideration to discipline the license to teach

6355
06:15:55,076 --> 06:15:57,776
of Christopher Adam Cohen. And

6356
06:15:58,916 --> 06:16:01,596
okay, I think you can share the greater...

6357
06:16:03,056 --> 06:16:06,816
Yes. Thank you. My name's Megan Ford, chief

6358
06:16:07,936 --> 06:16:08,496
counsel.

6359
06:16:09,716 --> 06:16:11,596
I have just one item for you

6360
06:16:12,676 --> 06:16:13,716
on open today.

6361
06:16:14,856 --> 06:16:16,576
This is a

6362
06:16:17,696 --> 06:16:19,636
licensing issue for Christopher Cohen.

6363
06:16:20,856 --> 06:16:22,296
Pursuant to 5 CSR

6364
06:16:22,476 --> 06:16:26,076
20-400.230, the board is allowed

6365
06:16:26,256 --> 06:16:26,536
to

6366
06:16:27,756 --> 06:16:31,336
take a voluntary surrender of license to

6367
06:16:31,456 --> 06:16:31,776
settle

6368
06:16:32,696 --> 06:16:35,376
disciplinary actions that we might be taking.

6369
06:16:36,116 --> 06:16:38,596
We can do that when we have either a

6370
06:16:39,436 --> 06:16:43,336
crime of moral turpitude or a felony or other circumstances

6371
06:16:43,356 --> 06:16:44,236
approved by the board.

6372
06:16:45,556 --> 06:16:49,506
Mr. Cohen, in this case, pled guilty to a Class A misdemeanor of endangering the

6373
06:16:49,556 --> 06:16:53,276
welfare of a child, and as a condition of his plea of

6374
06:16:53,316 --> 06:16:57,236
guilt, they also required him to surrender his license to the board.

6375
06:16:58,136 --> 06:17:01,256
So the department recommends that the State Board of Education revoke Mr.

6376
06:17:01,516 --> 06:17:04,526
Cohen's certificate in accordance with his voluntary surrender,

6377
06:17:05,296 --> 06:17:09,216
pursuant to its authority under 168.071 and 5

6378
06:17:09,256 --> 06:17:11,976
CSR 20-400.230.

6379
06:17:12,336 --> 06:17:12,776
So moved.

6380
06:17:13,196 --> 06:17:13,596
Second.

6381
06:17:14,196 --> 06:17:15,636
We have a motion and a second.

6382
06:17:15,976 --> 06:17:16,376
Yeah, Brooks.

6383
06:17:16,386 --> 06:17:17,056
We have Leisinger.

6384
06:17:17,896 --> 06:17:18,916
Any further questions?

6385
06:17:19,196 --> 06:17:22,266
Yeah, just again, I know you guys put a ton of work into this.

6386
06:17:22,396 --> 06:17:25,396
I say it every time, and it seems like we just breeze through it.

6387
06:17:25,476 --> 06:17:29,416
But reading the information, this is a no-brainer to me, so

6388
06:17:29,516 --> 06:17:29,696
I

6389
06:17:30,636 --> 06:17:33,646
just always want to reiterate, we're not dismissing all of the behind the scenes

6390
06:17:33,736 --> 06:17:33,976
work,

6391
06:17:35,256 --> 06:17:35,776
so thank you.

6392
06:17:36,516 --> 06:17:36,856
Thank you.

6393
06:17:37,516 --> 06:17:38,136
Other questions?

6394
06:17:39,896 --> 06:17:42,956
Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favors...

6395
06:17:43,286 --> 06:17:44,026
Do we need a roll call?

6396
06:17:44,526 --> 06:17:44,526
Yeah.

6397
06:17:44,556 --> 06:17:44,886
Okay, we'll need a roll call.

6398
06:17:44,916 --> 06:17:45,666
Mr. Bradbury?

6399
06:17:46,136 --> 06:17:46,376
Yes.

6400
06:17:47,496 --> 06:17:47,946
Ms. Casey?

6401
06:17:48,156 --> 06:17:48,376
Yes.

6402
06:17:48,716 --> 06:17:49,316
Mr. Matusik?

6403
06:17:49,416 --> 06:17:49,616
Yes.

6404
06:17:49,876 --> 06:17:50,376
Mr. Miller?

6405
06:17:50,596 --> 06:17:51,316
Yes.

6406
06:17:51,336 --> 06:17:52,006
Mr. Myers?

6407
06:17:52,336 --> 06:17:52,535
Yes.

6408
06:17:52,726 --> 06:17:53,256
Mr. Otto?

6409
06:17:53,736 --> 06:17:53,916
Yes.

6410
06:17:54,076 --> 06:17:54,636
Mr. Shamel?

6411
06:17:54,936 --> 06:17:55,176
Yes.

6412
06:17:55,516 --> 06:17:56,095
Dr. Scholl?

6413
06:17:56,296 --> 06:17:56,556
Yes.

6414
06:17:59,896 --> 06:18:01,356
Okay, and that motion carries.

6415
06:18:02,296 --> 06:18:03,636
Now closed session.

6416
06:18:03,676 --> 06:18:07,346
Yeah. I need a motion to go into closed

6417
06:18:07,376 --> 06:18:07,696
session.

6418
06:18:10,096 --> 06:18:10,656
So moved.

6419
06:18:11,256 --> 06:18:12,276
Well, I have to say it.

6420
06:18:12,616 --> 06:18:13,706
Did you have to say it?

6421
06:18:13,756 --> 06:18:15,095
I don't know. Do we have the...

6422
06:18:17,956 --> 06:18:19,336
It's not on my cheat sheet.

6423
06:18:19,816 --> 06:18:22,116
It's not on mine either, but I assume that...

6424
06:18:23,556 --> 06:18:25,306
You have one from last month or anything?

6425
06:18:25,656 --> 06:18:26,016
I do.

6426
06:18:26,276 --> 06:18:28,456
I

6427
06:18:36,916 --> 06:18:37,556
can read it, yeah.

6428
06:18:39,476 --> 06:18:40,916
There you go. Thank you.

6429
06:18:41,456 --> 06:18:41,716
Thanks.

6430
06:18:44,296 --> 06:18:45,436
I move-

6431
06:18:46,116 --> 06:18:47,846
Just hold on.

6432
06:18:47,916 --> 06:18:48,466
Mr. Mayor.

6433
06:18:48,466 --> 06:18:48,476
Oh,

6434
06:18:49,336 --> 06:18:49,556
okay.

6435
06:18:51,036 --> 06:18:52,026
I'm not sure about the minutes.

6436
06:18:53,216 --> 06:18:56,336
All right. I move that the State Board of Education go into closed session as

6437
06:18:56,416 --> 06:19:00,226
posted by the executive assistant to consider the following items, legal actions,

6438
06:19:00,316 --> 06:19:03,586
causes of action, litigation, or legal work product relating to the State Board of

6439
06:19:03,656 --> 06:19:05,136
Education and the Department of

6440
06:19:06,376 --> 06:19:09,456
Elementary and Secondary Education, as well as any confidential or privileged

6441
06:19:09,496 --> 06:19:11,676
communication between those entities and legal counsel,

6442
06:19:12,996 --> 06:19:16,636
individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records

6443
06:19:16,696 --> 06:19:20,596
pertaining to employees or applicants for employment, and criminal records closed

6444
06:19:20,636 --> 06:19:22,576
by law.

6445
06:19:23,596 --> 06:19:23,876
Second.

6446
06:19:23,916 --> 06:19:27,096
Okay. We have a motion, second, by Mike Matusik. A roll call, please.

6447
06:19:28,496 --> 06:19:29,256
Mr. Bradbury?

6448
06:19:30,776 --> 06:19:31,056
Yes.

6449
06:19:31,516 --> 06:19:32,236
Ms. Casey?

6450
06:19:32,296 --> 06:19:32,576
Yes.

6451
06:19:32,886 --> 06:19:33,426
Mr. Matusik?

6452
06:19:33,476 --> 06:19:33,636
Yes.

6453
06:19:33,956 --> 06:19:34,416
Mr. Miller?

6454
06:19:34,536 --> 06:19:34,736
Yes.

6455
06:19:36,336 --> 06:19:36,926
Mr. Myers?

6456
06:19:37,016 --> 06:19:37,216
Yes.

6457
06:19:38,216 --> 06:19:38,736
Mr. Otto?

6458
06:19:38,916 --> 06:19:39,096
Yes.

6459
06:19:39,376 --> 06:19:39,956
Mr. Shamel?

6460
06:19:40,296 --> 06:19:40,596
Yes.

6461
06:19:40,916 --> 06:19:41,416
Dr. Scholl?

6462
06:19:41,676 --> 06:19:41,976
Yes.