Lauren Forste

The board reviewed the progress on the MSIP 6 process, including the District Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. The Food Service report and the Health Services Program report were reviewed. Administrative reports were submitted by the Elementary Principal, Middle School Principal, High School Principal, and Special Education Director. Topics discussed in the Superintendent's report included school board filing dates, member terms expiring, refresher training, the purpose of the closed session for mid-year staff reviews, the MSIP 6 Annual Performance Report, Holiday Tourney Dates and Brackets, Conference Affiliation Discussion, and the approval of the MOCAP and Homeschool Statement. The board also discussed the Missouri School Boards Association Student Scholarship Nomination and a bank account monthly interest comparison. The board went into a closed session to discuss personnel matters.

The regular board meeting addressed several significant items. The consent agenda included the approval of the payment of bills and the retirement of several staff members, including a counselor, a third-grade teacher, and a bus driver, alongside the employment of substitute personnel. In old business, the board approved the amended 2025-2026 Budget. New business involved the approval of the 2023-2028 Southwest R-V School District Communication Plan and updates to several MSBA Board Policies and Procedures related to instructional materials and public information programs. Program evaluations included a review of the Winter Sports Report, and administrative reports covered elementary, middle, and high school operations, as well as special education. The Superintendent's report highlighted upcoming Board Member term renewals, introduced board candidates, reminded members about annual refresher training, discussed conference affiliation, and presented a bank account interest comparison. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. Under the consent agenda, the Board approved staff actions including retirements, resignations, reassignments, and new employment for the upcoming school year. Old business involved setting dates for the 8th-grade promotion (May 7, 2026) and High School Graduation (May 8, 2026). The Board addressed the delayed distribution of the Parents Right to Know letter, adding a review process to the annual program evaluation plan. New business centered on the approval of the 2026-2027 school calendar, which detailed instructional time, professional development days, and contract days for staff. Procedures and guidelines for hiring provisionally certified teachers holding a DESE issued Substitute Teacher Certificate were also approved. Program evaluations reviewed the Guidance/Counseling report, and administrative reports from various principals and the Special Education Director were reviewed. The Superintendent's report covered details regarding the upcoming April election (which will be canceled due to only three sign-ups for three open positions), Board member terms, and ongoing training reminders. The Board later entered an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The agenda included discussion and approval of December employee stipends for certified and non-certified staff, legislative priorities, curriculum updates with textbook adoption plans for the 2025-2026 school year, and the District Safety and Crisis Plan with Professional Development. The board also reviewed and approved the Southwest R-V School District Literacy Plan, High School Building Improvement Plan, Middle School Building Improvement Plan, and Elementary School Building Improvement Plan. Sixteen high school students were recognized as semester graduates. The board approved contracting with The CPA Group for the 2025-2026 district audit and approved the 2024-2025 district audit conducted by The CPA Group. Program evaluations included the Library Media Center Report and PAT and Preschool data reports. Administrators' reports covered various topics, including the Board of Education Annual Refresher Training, election sign-up information, board member terms, MSIP 6 Annual Performance Report, bank account monthly interest comparison, and graduation ceremony details.

The Board reviewed the CSIP Plan presented by the administration, the 2025-2026 Assessment & Accountability Plan, the 2025-2026 Professional Development Plan, and the Southwest R-V School District CSIP Task Force Recommendations regarding Effective Communication. The Board approved the 2024-2025 Annual Secretary of the Board Report (ASBR), the 2025-2026 District Transportation Plan including Bus Routes, the MSBA Full Maintenance Agreement for the 2025-2026 school year, the 2025D MSBA Policy Updates, and the District Long Range Facilities plan. The Board reviewed the Federal Programs Evaluation report and the Special Education Program Evaluation report. The Board entered closed session for the purpose of discussing Personnel matters and Student discipline.