Wright City R-II School District

This Continuous School Improvement Plan for the Wright City R-II School District serves as a roadmap for district-wide improvement, with a primary emphasis on academic performance. It is structured around four main focus areas: Academic Performance, College & Career Readiness, Staff Recruitment and Retention, and Community Culture & Engagement. The plan aims to increase IEP/ELL student achievement, foster yearly growth in reading, literacy, math, and numeracy, improve student attendance, achieve high college and career readiness assessment scores and graduation rates, enhance staff retention and recruit alumni, and boost stakeholder participation and knowledge of culture and inclusivity efforts. The district's mission is dedicated to student success, promoting high expectations, and improving stakeholder involvement.

The Board meeting included a report on MSBA activities, including legislative updates and school safety initiatives. Significant discussion focused on budget challenges resulting from state policy changes and the local economic impact of a new data center. Board members were sworn in and the Board underwent reorganization, electing officers and assigning committee roles. The meeting also included a construction update regarding the new gym project, with specific attention to site safety, accessibility, and site cleanup planning for upcoming graduation events.

The Board of Education meeting included a presentation on middle school student activities, specifically the one-school, one-book initiative and a creative writing workshop hosted by a visiting author. The Board received a report on Missouri School Boards' Association legislative activities and discussed concerns regarding pending tax proposals and their potential impact on public education funding and operations. Additionally, the meeting featured a recognition of school board members during School Board Appreciation Month, with students presenting portraits and handmade items to express gratitude.

The meeting included a discussion regarding Goal number three: increasing digital reach and engagement to better connect with the community. Key communication strategies and methods were reviewed, covering both internal (staff) and external (families) outreach via platforms such as the website, newsletters, and Infinite Campus. A plan to increase the social media footprint was also mentioned. A board member raised concerns regarding recurring technical difficulties encountered when broadcasting board meetings remotely, affecting participation for remote members. The administration acknowledged the concerns and indicated that IT and related departments have been working on improvements, including new audio-visual equipment and streaming platforms, to enhance stakeholder engagement. The board also reviewed reports for various departments including Early Childhood, PAT, High School, Middle School, Special Education, East Board, and Central Office. The consent agenda, which included employment matters, was approved. The board then moved into a closed session to discuss legal actions, personnel matters, and individually identifiable personnel records.

The meeting included recognition for an early childhood building presentation, featuring a student performance and recognition of a teacher, Miss Brandy Smith, named the educational staff sub of the first semester. The board also recognized Mr. Vincent Masters as the outstanding volunteer of the year for his extensive support of the band boosters, including coordinating logistics for competitions and fundraisers. Additionally, Mrs. Kristen Beckmire, a Wright City High School alumnus, was recognized for her nearly 40 years of service at FMB Bank and her founding role in the Blue and Gold Scholarship. Discussions covered the upcoming MSBA board report, legislative day attendance scheduled for March 10th, and the county issue concerning Senate Bill Three, noting its potential impact on the long-term viability of public education.