Christiana Barger

This Legislative Platform outlines the strategic legislative priorities and ongoing issues for 2026. Key priorities include maintaining the integrity and full funding of the Foundation Formula, promoting equitable educational opportunities, ensuring charter schools adhere to public school standards, and advocating for local control. It also focuses on increasing state funding for K-12 education, funding safety measures, and supporting early childhood education and workforce development. The platform opposes mandates that divert public funds from public schools or reduce public school retirement benefits, while also supporting improvements in property tax assessments, professional development, and innovative instructional approaches.

The meeting proceedings included procedural items such as adopting the agenda. A key action taken was a motion to enter into a closed session at 5:35 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for the consideration of personnel issues and legal issues, pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes §610.021, subsections (3), (13), and (1). Following this, the open meeting was recessed into the closed session.

The meeting included procedural items such as the call to order and the adoption of the agenda. A significant action taken was the approval to enter into a closed session for the consideration of legal issues and personnel matters, pursuant to RSMo §610.021.

The Lee's Summit School District's Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) serves as a three-year strategic roadmap to prepare students for success. It is structured around five overarching strategic goals: ensuring student growth and achievement through high-quality, personalized educational opportunities; fostering a responsive, inclusive, safe, and caring student environment; maintaining high-quality systems for effective and efficient district operations; cultivating meaningful partnerships with internal and external stakeholders; and recruiting and retaining a high-quality workforce while creating a supportive environment for adults. The plan aims to achieve specific objectives related to student academic progress, well-being, operational excellence, community engagement, and staff development.

The board work session included discussions on adopting the agenda and salary schedules. Dr. David Carlson presented information related to salaries and the history of step movement/salary improvements.