SJSD targeted big gains in reading and cuts to chronic absenteeism
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The St. Joseph Board of Education met Monday night, following a public hearing to decide its reorganization plan.
One of the big topics of discussion — the district’s Continuous School Improvement Plan. The board said it’s setting ambitious new goals — aiming to boost reading proficiency from 39% to 85% and cut chronic absenteeism in half, from 20% to 10%.
“Absenteeism has been a major issue since COVID and just getting into the groove things again has always been a struggle,” Board President LaTonya Williams said.
She pointed out, it’s been an ongoing challenge — especially for immigrant families — since education rules can be very different from those in the U.S.
Board members also talked about some facility updates, including removing the cupola from the roof at Lindbergh Elementary while the school gets a new roof. The cupola, which was originally designed to help circulate fresh air through the building, will be retired as part of the project.
“A lot of times, as the contractors are looking to make a repair as you open up things, you come across other issues, and it was an issue on a roof that needed immediate attention,” Williams said.
The board approved the item after Williams stressed it was an urgent matter — saying they didn’t want any schools left unprotected.
Another item on the agenda — written changes to the student dress code policy.
The Missouri School Boards’ Association is recommending that districts either adopt a full dress code or include one directly in their policy manual.
Williams said most of these policies come from a state committee and are designed to clarify the language and make them more inclusive.
“What I think is appropriate may not be what you think is important or like another individual, so you need like a baseline standard in which the guidelines are in a table and everyone feels equal,” Williams said.
According to district policy JFCA, the goal is to make sure schools maintain a safe, healthy learning environment — and one that minimizes classroom disruptions.
