Travis Ford

The meeting included the presentation of the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year winners, with Antojuan Owens announced as the overall winner. Several items were presented for discussion only, awaiting formal approval at a subsequent meeting, including the purchase of an Apple iMac Lab for Riverview Gardens High School, renewing the Ultimate Threat Management/Antivirus solution, renewing Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet) membership, Glasgow Classroom Library Purchase, AT&T T-1 and Local Phone Service renewal, proposed E-Rate Vendors, RGSD Summer School Academic Programs 2017 budget, the 2017-2018 Staffing Plan revisions incorporating minimum cuts, and plans for new playgrounds at Central Middle School, Lemasters Elementary School, and Highland Elementary School, as well as purchasing Destiny Checkout Systems for several elementary schools and Heinemann LLI Materials for Highland Elementary, and renewing the Westview Math 180 program. Action was taken to approve consent agenda items, excluding the 2017-2018 Riverview School District Calendar. Specific action items approved included the purchase of fitness equipment for Central Middle School's fitness room, the playground structure for Lemasters Elementary School, and initiating the process for the Highland Elementary School playground structure.

The Special Administrative Board (SAB) convened in a closed executive session. Key discussions included a legal matter where the SAB approved allowing the administration to proceed with developing legal contract templates for vendors, with the expectation of realizing considerable savings in legal fees. The meeting also addressed several personnel actions, including the approval of various personnel reports covering support staff, staff changing positions and salaries, staff changing salary, substitute personnel, and multiple resignation and termination reports for both administrative and certified staff. The SAB also approved a recommendation for Mr. Leon Wonsley as submitted in the Personnel Report.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. Following patron participation, announcements were made recognizing administrative assistants for Administrative Professional Day. The Superintendent's Report included updates on supporting MAP celebrations and the upcoming Stepping to Good Health event, alongside a discussion regarding proposed state legislation concerning average daily attendance funding for unaccredited school districts' preschool programs. Information was presented on the Community Eligibility Program, which allows high-poverty districts to receive federal reimbursement for all student meals at the free rate. Action items approved included the renewal of Missouri School Board's Association membership dues, the purchase of a Unified Threat Management/Antivirus solution, the purchase of READ 180 Next Generation software for the High School funded by Title I, approval for another Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet) membership, approval to use MOSIG funds for Missouri Reading Initiative professional development services, and approval for Active Shooter and Intruder Response Training.

The meeting included an announcement regarding the passing of a relative of the Executive Director of Human Resources, followed by remarks from State Representative Rev. Tommie Pierson, Sr., who discussed educational funding challenges and the importance of early childhood education. The Superintendent's Report detailed that the Early Childhood Education Center received a $20,000 child care grant for staff training, mentioned an ongoing mathematics textbook vendor fair, and shared current enrollment figures, including 5,805 non-alternative education students and 508 students in the homeless program. A school report from Gibson Elementary focused on 2011 MAP data comparisons and 2012-2013 goals. Information items covered the 2013 MUSIC Insurance Assessment resulting in a $165,527 credit, a donation of pajamas and books to Gibson Elementary from Scholastic Books, and the recent closing of the sale of the St. Sebastian property to Greater St. Mark Family Church for $800,000. Discussion topics included policy revisions for Community Use of District Facilities, the 2013-2014 extra duty salary schedule, a request to declare a 1999 utility truck as surplus, Food Service Bid #121 for bread necessitating an RFP due to a vendor closing, the opportunity to refund General Obligation bonds projected to save $56,948, necessary roof repairs at the Family Community and Resource Center, and agreed-upon revisions to negotiations language regarding Association Release Time and representation. Action items approved included consultant agreements for literacy and differentiated instruction training at Westview Middle School ($20,000) and Meadows Elementary School ($17,400), the 2013-2014 extra duty salary schedule, and revisions to negotiations language.

The Special Administrative Board (SAB) approved the agenda for the meeting. The SAB moved into an executive session authorized under Missouri Revised Statute Section 610.021. Key legal discussions included an update on a pending legal matter involving a former student's parent and an upcoming remediation hearing scheduled for January 5th. An update was also provided regarding a legal matter concerning Mr. Joe Moran, whose right to sue was expiring soon, and work on a Statement of Charges related to teachers abandoning their positions. The Board also discussed staff salary increases and RGNEA negotiations, passing a motion to recommend a step and/or 2% salary increase for eligible staff for the second semester of the 2016-2017 school year. Actions taken in closed session included approving the Closed Session Meeting Minutes dated 11/22/16, accepting various Personnel Reports (Support Staff, Support Staff Changing Positions and Salaries, Certificated Staff Resignations and Terminations, Support Staff Resignations and Terminations, Substitute Staff Resignations and Terminations, Supplemental Duty), and accepting updates on current administrative leaves for misconduct.