Truman High School teacher Shelley Lauber addresses the Independence School Board on Tuesday night ahead of their vote on a four-day school week. I am focused on steering board meetings to a more accommodating frame so that our concerned citizens and parents can actively participate. We need to consider our parents and neighbors who care for our young people by making meetings more reasonably accessible and retainable. Thursday evening, Superintendent Ben Hegedish extended the districtwide mask mandate for two more weeks, following some passionate, but nevertheless relatively tame back-and-forth with board members. He was three minutes late to the open comment portion of the meeting, but waited to address the board before it moved into closed session. Baird said she does believe that following policy is important but if its a bad policy, it needs to be fixed. October 19, 2020 Board Packet. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). The community is firmly seeking transparency and accountability across the board regarding public officials. We want to extend our deepest thanks for his leadership in the ISD, serving on the ISD Board of Education from 2009-2022. Legislators to see that proper funding is in place for public education in our district and throughout the state and country. As KCURs education reporter, Ill break down the policies driving these issues in schools and report whats happening in our region's classrooms. The structure of how board directors are elected in the district is worth reexamining. . Previously, speakers could sign up to address any topic they choose. Blake has been in the insurance industry for 35 years. He has also been married to his wife Sandy for 35 years. Esry: Alone, I cannot accomplish anything. As youve no doubt seen on the news, this seems to be a rare commodity these days. Weve seen worse behavior in recent years at other area school board meetings that didnt conclude with a citation for trespassing. The Independence School District is making free breakfast and lunch available to children age 1 - 18 this summer at select locations. National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced this years $2500 Scholarship winners chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists FCS proudly presents our 2023 Senior Spotlight web/video series. He has also been married to his wife Sandy for 35 years. Board Policy Sections 0000 - Organization, Philosophy and Goals 1000 - General Administration 2000 - Students 3000 - Financial Operation 4000 - Instructional and Classified Staff 5000 - Support Services 6000 - Instructional Services 7000 - Facilities Development Regulations ISD Board Regulations - All Sections Board Regulation Sections 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. September 21, 2020 Board Packet. He should. Denise graduated from Horton High School in Kansas, and she and her husband Jared, a Truman High School graduate, raised their three children here in Independence. Student loan freeze set to end, threatening financial burden for borrowers, The devil is going to be in the details of public school Bible courses in Missouri. Missouri banned abortion. INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Independence Local Schools Board of Education hosted its annual organizational meeting Thursday (Jan. 6), including the appointment of a new president -- and a few fireworks. an informational page on the school districts website, After 10 years in Midtown, Ragazza has grown from 'a mid-life crisis' to a loyal following, You can still explore native prairies in Kansas and Missouri. Independence Day kicks off the editorial board's fundraising drive for school supplies. Gilliam:The Independence School Board has been very supportive of students, parents and staff throughout the pandemic, providing meals to students and parents, preparing and implementing an online curriculum within a few days and providing opportunities for staff to continue their work during a very uncertain time in our history. Incumbent Matt Mallinson has not responded to multiple emails from The Kansas City Beacon. At-home learning to continue through the end of the school year. Please reload the page and try again. Peer closed by admonishing the board to do away with ambiguous policy language that could be construed in any number of ways and which is, therefore, likely to fail before the courts. She says that has fueled her passion for child advocacy, which she looks forward to bringing to her role with the ISD Board of Education. The board argued the subject of gender identity may be. I dont have any individual goals for the district, but, if elected, I pledge to work with all other board members and the superintendent to improve our district in any and all ways possible. This year has been an especially litigious year for schools, remarked Hegedish, though he emphasized that the legal advice is also intended to ensure that all district students are treated with respect, dignity and compassion. Mondaine: Within six years my hope is to help create a culture of transparency and accountability. For additional details, please click this link: FCS says "welcome and congratulations" to our newest principals and administrative staff. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. But other candidates say transparency with the public must improve. View Map. We encourage sharing of information between home and school. I dont believe any of our board members is in it for him or herself or has any hidden agenda he/she is working towards. Board Members Board Regular Meeting Dates Board Agendas Board Minutes Board Policies Board Meetings I have created a Virtual Office for you to visit with me using your cell phone, laptop or any mobile device. Click on the link below. Find Us . Director, Men's Health: Aging and Metabolism. On Sept. 8, the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the ZIP code for the previous 30 days stood at 137. I would just recommend that you review your policies just to make sure you dont have language in there thats a bit too wishy-washy.. Independence Today sent all the candidates a questionnaire. The Independence School Board voted last month to remove "Cats vs. Robots Volume 1: This is War" from its elementary school libraries. But local voters can also influence education policy through their votes for school board members and on education bonds. Lauber was one of several speakers . With Herls approval, the district once charged student journalists more than $320 for public records. Speaking forcefully or out of turn at a school board meeting shouldnt result in a criminal record. Like all American citizens, the district substitute teacher has a constitutional right to address the school board. September 1, 2023. We agree. I have served on numerous nonprofit boards in our community including Englewood Arts, CAPA, Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity and Independence Meals on Wheels. In a statement, district officials told us Vollmecke was cited for refusing to leave school district premises once the school board meeting had concluded. Even if he read the agenda ahead of time, he said it didnt include enough information for him to understand what was being voted on. Esry: The Academies are a primary strength of the district as we provide real world learning opportunities and prepare students for life after high school. . Independent Living is having control over your life. A Missouri law enacted in June created a process for residents to place an item on their school boards agenda but it also allows a school district to require residents to meet with the superintendent first to resolve their issue. The proposal for a four-day week has an informational page on the school districts website, which makes it easier to access than many other issues the board works on. There are links for you to access most of your counseling needs. Improving transparency and communication with the community. I do believe that anybody with a concern that would like it to be brought before a board of education should be allowed to do so.. Student success: Over the past two years students have been faced with many interruptions to learning. Voters elected Jill to serve a six year term in 2022. The ISD board has a good working relationship with our superintendent. The restrictions that are in this year make it very challenging to put such a school in place, Hegedish said. Independence High Senior Named US Presidential Scholar. Voters elected Denise to serve a six year term in 2020. I believe that the school district, they've just been allowed to operate quietly and privately, said Baird. The Board of Education will meet for a special session meeting on June 29, 2023 at 7:30AM at 201 N. Forest Ave, Independence, Missouri. Esry: I believe the district does an excellent job of partnering with community groups to serve our families. You can publish our photos and graphics only with the stories with which they originally appeared. I still do not believe that that's the best way to do things. Eligible disabled adults are those who are determined by a state educational agency or local public educational [], Learn more about this initiative: https://www.isdschools.org/2023-levy-ballot-measure/. That hasnt been possible lately due to COVID-19, but I think it is important for boards to view activities and learn about challenges facing our buildings and staff. In June, the school board voted to remove the book Cats vs. Robots Volume 1: This is War which includes a nonbinary character from its elementary school libraries. Ashburn, Va 20148. If you are elected, what are the top two or three things you think you can realistically accomplish to improve the school district? | Opinion. Blake Roberson has the longest tenure of any current ISD board member, serving for 14 years. Jason Vollmecke, a chiropractor, also criticizes board communication and says it has allowed hostility into the workplace for district employees. July 20, 2020 Board Agenda. They owe it to their constituents to hear them out good, bad or indifferent. Include the following at the end of the story: If you share the story on social media, please mention @. Will they? Holiday. Higher education partners to create a pipeline for growing our own staff. Lynne Laski, the previous president, will act as vice president. Greg Gilliam says he worked in the district for more than 30 years in human resources and now wants to use that knowledge to be an effective board member. Check your registration on the Missouri Secretary of State website. Infection rates in the school districts ZIP code have skyrocketed since the first two-week mask mandate of the school year was put in place in September. An incumbent says board members work well together, unlike those in contentious districts that make the news. He proudly attended ISD schools and graduated from Truman High School in 1971. Mencl and Bernstein both supported the two-week continuation while also affirming the need to review the policy at the next board meeting. All rights reserved. He was a financial advisor with Stewardship Capital for more than a decade. Bring an acceptable form of voter ID such as one issued by the state, the federal government or a Missouri college or university. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. - NewsBreak As five candidates compete for two spots on the Independence school board in the April 5 election, transparency has become a key issue for two newcomers: Anthony Mondaine and Jason Vollmecke. Only 161 students in the nation earned this honor. Support on bond issues from the community. The Independence school board voted Tuesday night to approve a 4-day school week starting next school year. Their three children attended the ISD from kindergarten to graduation. Effective Monday, March 16, 2020,Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Independence Board of Education dealt with several items of new business at its meeting Tuesday (July 27), while also addressing concerns regarding the stubbornly persistent coronavirus pandemic. Reaffirming the boards executive responsibility over the superintendent. The presentation was part of an ongoing series of informational sessions with attorneys retained by the district. by Maria Benevento, The Beacon March 18, 2022, This and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
. I still see all the kids I had, and I feel like I am working for them and Ill be working for their children too, she remarked. The next-largest is the Warren County School District west of St. Louis, with more than 3,000 students. But he did tell us being arrested at a school board meeting was frustrating. Principal Investigator and Director, Boston Pepper Center. Expressing oneself to leaders is a cornerstone of our democracy. INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Independence Board of Education dealt with several items of new business at its meeting Tuesday (July 27), while also addressing concerns regarding the stubbornly persistent coronavirus pandemic. These 17 outstanding seniors one from each high school embody the spirit and fortitude of the Class of 2023. We serve on the School board because we care about providing quality education in our community. Lewisville ISD announces appointment of Laura Sherer as the new principal of Independence Elementary. Maintaining proper fund balances to keep us fiscally sound. Without the measure, unexpected departures could result in vacancies that would not be addressed until the following board meeting, which could be weeks away. I am running for this third term to do my small part to ensure that the ISD continues to provide an excellent education for every student for years to come. Mondaine: Board meetings are on time and most members are always present. Communication is a key element in helping to ensure the success of your student in the ICSD. I mean, seriously. Independence school officials should never use the districts public safety officers or police to quash a critics right to free speech. 0:04. Hundreds of volunteers will donate their time to install 24,300 pounds of mulch and paint 341,037 square feet with [], The Independence School District is making free breakfast and lunch available to children age 1 18 this summer at select locations. The Independence Local Schools Board of Education hosted its annual organizational meeting Thursday (Jan. 6), including the appointment of a new president -- and a few fireworks. The Independence Board of Education encourages school staff and interested citizens of the school district to attend its meetings. Anthony Mondaine, a district graduate and current Jackson County Childrens Services Fund treasurer, says Independence needs to improve diversity among staff and leadership to better reflect the student population. So I've been kind of a monthly fixture sitting in board meetings since then.. Dolly Partons Imagination Library in the ISD, Learn more about the August 8, 2023 Levy Ballot Measure, Advocating Equity in Missouri Public Schools, Parent Right-to-Know and ESSA Complaint Procedures, Schoolwide Plans & School, Parent, and Family Engagement Policy. At the podium, Vollmecke spoke calmly with an Independence Police officer in uniform, according to the video we watched. These staff members provide invaluable services such as food, clothing, utility assistance and social services resources to our families. Students then toured the village of tiny homes and learned about ways the Veterans Community Projects supports veterans. National Parent Teacher Association: PTAs mission is to make every childs potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. He wants to improve communication, support students and burned-out staff members, strengthen connections with higher education and advocate for increased funding. Vice PresidentBlake Roberson has the longest tenure of any current ISD board member, serving for 14 years. Find the proposed ESG ISD Board Policies at the top of the Board Policies and Regulations page. Since 1999, it has raised more than $1 million for students in need. Superintendent Ben Hegedish, by now well aware that guidance on masks can shift significantly in little time, said he plans to wait until the second week of August to make a decision. I've made the commitment to myself to be a better parent, and to pay more attention to our local school board, Smith said. Mencl is a lifelong Independence resident and taught at the primary school for 35 years. PresidentEricKnipp is very active in the Independence community, serving on the Independence Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Santa Cali Gon Festival Committee, Rotary Club of Eastern Independence Board of Directors and as an Eagle Scout coordinator. Board of education meetings arent streamed or recorded, which Smith said frustrates parents. At-Home Lesson Plans. 6:00 PM Board Meeting. I'm not saying that there are dark, nefarious things going on, but I am saying they've been allowed to operate without anyone questioning or asking them to do better. School boards typically have seven members who work together, with the superintendent, to accomplish goals and desires of the district. We all know that this variant is more transmissible, but its less harmful, Sears noted. Here's a basic guide to participating in several of the largest local districts that have . Board members unanimously approved the nomination of Joni Mencl to serve as president.
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