The Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 24, in the Heckart Performing Arts Center. Board Director Brad Grupe was absent.

The board approved a request from Smith-Cotton High School and the district to accept a position in Cohort 2 with DESE's Innovation Waiver. This waiver will allow Sedalia School District 200 for three years to assess student growth with internal and external assessments and be exempt from state assessment reporting. Secondary Curriculum Director Becky Brownfield said the move should give the district flexibility to be innovative and explore options for students that will not count against the district in its state Annual Performance Report assessments. The first year is set for planning, then the following three years would have state assessments waived in favor of local measurements.

Superintendent Dr. Todd Fraley said accepting a position in the Innovation Waiver does not lock the district into anything, but rather provides an opportunity “to explore and see if this is right for the district.”

Also Monday

-- The tuition rate for the 2023-24 school year was set at $10,689.24 using the DESE required method.

-- The 2023-2024 Tax Rate Hearing for school year 2023-24 was set for Aug. 28 at 6:15 p.m. in the Heckart Performing Arts Center. 

-- The board recognized 13 students who earned the Seal of Biliteracy for 2023. These students attained proficiency in English and one or more other world languages before graduation. Four students earned the Seal in Russian, seven students in Spanish, one German, and one Chuukese. This officially becomes part of their high school transcript. 

-- Infinite Campus was approved as the district’s student information system (SIS). The Year 1 cost is $67,819. Infinite Campus has formed a partnership with Tyler Technologies, the district’s current SIS, enabling both companies to collaborate and ensure a seamless transition to Infinite Campus. 

— Information about the Kindergarten Academy program was presented by Parkview Elementary Principal Stephanie Jackson. The program is a new way to approach the start of kindergarten with the goal of building balanced classrooms that take into account students’ strengths, needs and exceptionalities (EL, SPED, etc.). 

— Program evaluations for Special Education and Gifted programs were approved. Assistant Superintendent Chris Pyle noted the continued growth of the special education program, with proficiency rates in math and ELA exceeding the state averages.

— Change orders for the robotics annex were approved for the completion of the project. 

— An additional assistant coach position was approved for the junior high football program to assist with player supervision. 

— Sedalia School District Foundation President Deidre Esquivel said the annual golf tournament fundraiser brought in about $22,000 this year. A group of friends participated in the Brendan Eisenmenger Olympics, a collection of athletic events to raise money for the Eisenmenger Student Assistance Fund. Matt Cunningham and Jay Wheeler won the event, which brought in $5,040 for the fund.

— Sedalia NEA Vice President Josh Heimsoth said the group is preparing packets for New Teacher Orientation to let incoming staff members know that NEA can be a resource for them. New officer elections will be held in mid September.