August BOE Meeting
The Board met Tuesday, August 15, at 6:00 pm for their monthly meeting. Here is a recap of the meeting highlights. You can view the complete agenda and supporting documents at: https://www.mywebschooltools.com/schools/Lawson/BoardMeeting/public.php.
Celebrations:
August Board Spotlights: The Board had the opportunity to celebrate and spotlight several different groups and individuals during this month's meeting.
The first spotlight was on the Lawson Bee Hive Lodge #393 for supporting our recently added HS Intro to Woods class. In support of the expansion of career education, the lodge awarded $1500.00 to be used to purchase tools and supplies. The course will be offered to juniors and seniors in both 1st and 2nd semesters of the 2023-2024 school year.
The second spotlight was on Coach Todd Dunn for his recent induction into the KC Metro Coaches Hall of Fame. Coach Dunn was a teacher and coach in the Lawson School District for 25 years and remains an active community member. Since his retirement in 2021, Coach Dunn has continued to assist with the groundskeeping of district athletic fields and volunteering as a coach.
Our final spotlight for August was focused on the great work our students are doing to give back to our local community as members of Lawson High School athletic teams. The Board learned about the efforts of our students and the passion each group has for making our community a better place to call home.
Consent Agenda:
The Board approved the 2023-2024 Board Manual, Substitute Teacher List, and each building student incentive program.
Items for Discussion:
Central School Addition (Lots 1 & 2) Bid Approval: The Board approved the bid submitted by Mrs. Beverly Pitts to purchase Lots 1 & 2. The district will work with Mrs. Pitts in the coming weeks to finalize the contract and close the property sale.
Parents As Teacher Expansion: The Board approved expanding our PAT program by adding a part-time position to assist with the services provided to our families with children birth to five. The program's expansion is directly connected to our district Strategic Plan Goal #9, a Priority Goal for the 2023-24 school year.
Policy G-155-P Update: The Board approved updating policy G-155-P to accurately note the location of monthly BOE meetings as the Lawson Media Center Bob Gill Drive, Lawson, MO 64062. The Board meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm.
September BOE Meeting Date: The Board approved moving the regularly scheduled September BOE meeting date to Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 6pm.
Tax Rate Hearing: The Board set the District's Annual Tax Rate Hearing date for Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 5:50pm. This is a required and standard procedure. A tax rate hearing can be at any time before the October 1st deadline to submit the tax rate to the county clerks but must be after a required posting notice once the tax rate is calculated. We cannot calculate the tax rate until we receive the official assessed valuation numbers from the three counties in which our school district resides. That usually occurs in the final week of July or the first week of August for Clinton and Ray County but is delayed in Clay County due to their Charter County form of government.
Items for information:
Special Education Compliance: Student Services Director, Mr. Tyson Miller, updated the Board on our 2023 annual determination under Section 616 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The district scored a 4 out of 4 and was classified as meeting the requirements and purposes of IDEA. The annual determination is a federal requirement and acknowledges our work to ensure we provide our students with the needed resources for continued success.
2023-2024 Parents as Teachers Update: PAT District Coordinator, Mrs. Kristina Meyer, updated the Board on the work being done to connect with district families and to assist them in meeting the needs of children birth to five. Over the past 12 months, the program has grown from a halftime coordinator position to a full-time position and will expand to have an additional halftime assistant for the 2023-2024 school year. In the spring of 2022, our PAT program provided services to 15 families. Currently, we are assisting 50+ families with the goal for the next 12 months to expand the reach to work with 75+ families. Our Parents as Teachers services combine research, education, and empowerment to help caregivers connect with their child's early development and build a lifetime foundation for academic success.
Superintendent Update: Dr. Stephenson updated the Board on current projects throughout the district in preparation for the start of the upcoming school year on August 22, 2023. He also provided an update related to FY24 Budgeting by informing the Board that we have received our Assessed Valuation (AV) from each of the three counties the district resides in. Current numbers show collecting approximately $250,000 in new local revenue based on assessment for the coming year. We are still working through the budget and will have a completed budget to present to the Board in September for approval. All indicators are showing us in a solid financial position for FY24.
Closed Session Announcements:
New Hire for the 23-24: The Board approved hiring Mrs. Amy Pair for the 23-24 school year. Mrs. Pair will be working in the Lawson Middle School.
Please contact Dr. Stephenson with questions or concerns regarding any information provided in this recap or other district matters. He can be reached by email at stephensonm@lawsoncardinals.org or by phone at (816)-580-7277.