School Board meeting brings financial discusssions, literacy development, project timeline to the table
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Following a public hearing, the St. Joseph School District Board of Education met Monday at Benton High School to go over a few important items on their agenda.
Board President LaTonya Williams said the district is working to cut costs wherever possible, especially after recently learning it is over budget by more than a million dollars.
She mentioned it came as a surprise to see that number first appear in a Facebook post, but emphasized, the district is doing everything it can to stay financially responsible.
"I want for everybody, you know, to understand it's nothing nefarious," said Williams. "Things are already very, very difficult. We're doing the best that we can, you know, to navigate through everything."
Williams called for a financial audit in an August Board meeting. According to SJSD Superintendent Ashly McGinnis, an update on the audit will come in November.
Another key topic was a Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant provided to Hosea Elementary School, which aims to boost reading programs for kindergarten through fifth grade.
This grant aims to strengthen literacy support statewide and ensure students have access to evidence-based learning practices.
“I love reading and I love books, so I hope that extra resources will also instill a love of reading and education in our students,” Williams said.
Board members also discussed a new contract with Ro Health — a company that provides private nursing services.
With growing medical needs among students and several unfilled nursing positions in the district, the board decided to bring in additional help to make sure students get proper care.
“I would think it's pretty dire, especially if children need extra care on top of your normal nurse assignments and hopefully it gets approved on the (Oct.) 27,” Williams said.
Williams said SJSD is bringing in outside help for some students in the district who need a little extra care. She also said the support cannot currently be provided in-house at the moment, enhancing the need for a third party.
The BOE addressed a playground project, replacing the rubber tile surface with turf to make room for a new access road and improve safety at Oak Grove Elementary.
The change, however, comes with an extra cost of just over $9,400 and could push back the playground’s reopening until mid-winter.
“I don’t think it's a major concern. I actually asked about that last night in the meeting, but things do happen all the time, and as long as we are being financially responsible and keeping track, I am okay with them,” Williams said.
The board also discussed a federal programming position that’s currently open. Williams said this isn’t a new role — it’s simply filling a vacancy that’s already part of the system.
She said the goal is to bring in a qualified, experienced person who can help secure more federal funding for the district — ideally balancing out the cost of the position itself.
“If you're looking at it as if you're using this extra expense. To be able to get a qualified, trained individual, to be able to bring in more money in my mind, it's my hope that it will offset each other,” Williams said.
