[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6071415,"mediaKeyId","3043197-5b5eb71469a9a02581c9bed61efb10ba","parentId",3043197,"title","Superintendent and district liaison urge community to watch House Bill 711 on open enrollment","audioSeconds",2420,"startMs",291000,"endMs",2711000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043197-5b5eb71469a9a02581c9bed61efb10ba&start=291&end=2711","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043197-5b5eb71469a9a02581c9bed61efb10ba/thumbnail_291000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071415/Missouri/Superintendent-and-district-liaison-urge-community-to-watch-House-Bill-711-on-open-enrollment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071415-069f4fb74f25bebd4f234d7c9a8de6c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889623&Signature=N97kf2vDgHJhFh2uSFT8pjEMnE2dqmfanLr0AbsqKUiJSPXPW5qSzLme~BPl~EUkIhR00AC5DryFkDJUl~HCD4n0XKQzUP6B3pe5eDUEGbvi14iZeTk5cwOPM5kgnWEdFnMIDgkhdGAyg0tb0TNEJ7K~HaBT7FOs8FAbk8D6TVwabcLxV5KFCUVvw1ZAGn2LQUxN~Xvsklo6tnXZp3~7-uXGYXdGjrKYq~tZNW8jVZQ8sXFOC~6mdf0XMyg3e2AMtSMF8LU3OQ5xOE7Y5aTtj-CMxvr~ubVSGuDg~2XiJPjSC4LWLgzX8hsw6x2hdktTvQxMl01A1gtFxCETbhkRZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Blue Springs School District","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Jerome and district legislative staff used the board’s regular meeting to update the board and public on state legislation that could affect Blue Springs R‑IV, emphasizing House Bill 711, commonly described in the meeting as the open‑enrollment bill.

Dr. Jerome told the board, “If you feel compelled to reach out to a senator, Sirpoy or Nicola, voice your opinions about open enrollment, what that could mean for the Blue Springs School District.” He and staff said the House had passed House Bill 711 and the measure was moving through the Senate Education Committee with potentially significant debate ahead.

Jason Wolf, who presented the board’s legislative update, summarized several bills to monitor: Senate Bill 68 (a school‑safety omnibus with more than 30 provisions), HB607 (language to address prior legislation, referenced as crafting language around Senate Bill 727), and House Bill 629 (personal property changes the district said could cost the district up to roughly $1.5–$1.6 million). Wolf cautioned that omnibus bills often attach provisions that could become unfunded mandates for public education.

Wolf also reminded the board that the state budget deadline was approaching and that the Legislature had roughly four to five weeks remaining in the session; he said the House budget followed the governor’s request and that the district was watching whether the Senate would increase funding for the school funding formula, and what policy “strings” might be attached in return.

Board members and staff described recent advocacy activities, including a district visit to the Capitol with teachers and students in early April, and encouraged continued local engagement with legislators. No formal board action was taken on any of the bills during the meeting, but staff urged community members and educators to follow developments closely.

No external statutory citations beyond bill numbers were introduced during the discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Blue Springs School District School Board Meeting April 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Jerome and district staff highlighted state legislative items affecting Blue Springs R‑IV, notably House Bill 711 (open enrollment), and urged community members to contact state senators as the measure moved through the Senate. They also flagged other bills and the approaching state budget deadline.","taxTitle","BLUE SPRINGS R-IV, School Districts, Missouri","taxId",65621,"location","Missouri","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071420,"William Bryant Elementary’s All Kids Bike grant teaches kindergarteners to ride; older students served as leaders",0,1257000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043197-5b5eb71469a9a02581c9bed61efb10ba&start=1257&end=1257","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043197-5b5eb71469a9a02581c9bed61efb10ba/thumbnail_1257000.jpg","/articles/6071420/Missouri/William-Bryant-Elementarys-All-Kids-Bike-grant-teaches-kindergarteners-to-ride-older-students-served-as-leaders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071420-a5f991dd5630280c628e9ee82f820817/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889623&Signature=KpKqftQAk-v8tUDfeW~yg-PG5SRcjdNT84sNwkJKwoVRTGaKCHURmkDs44mnCcbxk6YyOcYVa4xZVk08th7I9bjCxm~KX68goS9D-N-tJZPytOQa9XUWN-zNCX2WNPuuRtTrJiGhGZcvW8-Ld8fY~tsCf3HJMTZF7F~CCkSKMoDLrFH7xm6Df0poZAhfn3vwhWWdmYrFWkjE-vLNFyoppTuWtqLiM0XoVUdSFEDo9DwbF0izIReUIAYpCY4euXfE22Cit2hMulNA7vkya5uPB0ArVtqOayoNZv~LmgTeXNADfKhQk9PxUqaxKdbmOR4FebmtEhv~yUAPyC~5KQEvVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","William Bryant Elementary’s All Kids Bike program — funded by a grant from the Blue Springs Education Foundation — provided kindergarten and first‑grade students with hands‑on bicycle instruction in physical‑education classes and drew support from fifth‑grade student leaders.

“Balance bikes help the kids learn a lot,” said Kurt Lower, the school’s physical‑education teacher, who led the program at William Bryant. Lower told the board that the program teaches gliding and balance on a flat, forgiving surface and that families have come to him to say their children can now ride independently.

Student leaders described their roles to the board. “One of the best parts about being a bike leader is helping kids gain confidence,” said Macy Morgan, a fifth‑grade leader, who described giving pep talks, adjusting helmets and running practice stations. Bennet Johnson, another fifth‑grade leader, said the program made students “excited for school and PE” and that he enjoys helping younger students learn the skill.

School staff said the program produced quick, visible results and built classroom community across grades. A parent quoted in the program materials told staff that the child’s ability to ride independently had been a meaningful change for family outings.

Principal Abby Swisher brought student leaders to the board meeting to show a short highlight video and to invite board members to the program’s finale, the Glow Bridal Celebration, where board members were invited to join a short ride around the gym.

The district presentation credited the Blue Springs Education Foundation grant with making the program possible and noted that the program supports both physical development and student leadership opportunities. The school asked the board and audience members to consider advocacy and support for extending the program to additional schools.

The board praised the program during public remarks. “It’s such a good skill to learn. It’s so good for your muscles and your bones and your heart and your balance,” Board Member Mrs. Emmerson said to the students and staff in attendance.","William Bryant Elementary used a Blue Springs Education Foundation grant to run All Kids Bike, a balance‑bike program that taught kindergarten and first graders to ride and engaged fifth‑grade student leaders to run stations and support families.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":80,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":82,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071425,"Blue Springs R‑IV board adopts residency and personnel policies, approves insurance changes and elects officers",1561,2818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043197-5b5eb71469a9a02581c9bed61efb10ba&start=1257&end=2818","/articles/6071425/Missouri/Blue-Springs-RIV-board-adopts-residency-and-personnel-policies-approves-insurance-changes-and-elects-officers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071425-a723855b14e2f661f5d7e4197b7d7960/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889623&Signature=B9oEj6etjTAx~9qDbmyEOju7Rtz~~cr3WqpwhErJ8dowOtiD57bAv2VXrENcZ1lePKkjN4lsQTrl6i4zdUNRI~QGxQOrahCIx4iUQBdlZ1ICzIMPsrVGUuRIWLP7TvMEKG0VsH8RBMT4lvXa4X0u7lw7GPeISAdg-pmrX-FGcHlwEg8j7976XLf9EUIT2i6PqXaZSR0zvGcF9R~rszQWVXuSjqtR0863Z1TA88ZFX~2iz3umbppIgWNsld6qijxXcbvdJt-BUsQd~7X7Spg9KZstOZd7zs9FGx~2vjK3yiyRpvXnRpmt~KvCzlZ4hqgtsv2yieN6mSiYmJCRuI05bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Blue Springs R‑IV Board of Education on April (date not specified) adopted two policy revisions on second and final reading, approved recommended changes to district medical/dental/vision benefits, took first readings of two additional policies and completed its annual officer reorganization.

The board approved the consent agenda and then adopted policy 5.51.0.4 (proof of residency and required emissions and enrollment information) on second and final reading. Mr. Swanson moved the motion; a second was recorded and the board voted in the affirmative. The board likewise approved section 3B (administrative personnel) on second and final reading following presentation by a board member. Both adoptions were recorded as passing with unanimous affirmative votes.

The board approved recommendations for medical, dental and vision benefits presented by district staff. The board approved holding medical and vision rates with a $3 increase to the board dental contribution (from $17 to $20) and a change in voluntary benefits administration from the standard to VOIA. The motion passed with six votes in favor and one abstention.

The board took first readings of two student‑health policies — board policy 5.35.1 (physical screenings or examinations) and board policy 96 (medication at school) — and approved those first readings by unanimous vote.

The meeting included the swearing in of newly elected directors for the district and a full reorganization of board officers for the 2025–26 school year. The board elected Mr. Swanson as board president (recorded 7–0). The board also nominated and confirmed officers for vice president, fiscal vice president (April Agate), treasurer (Kirk Sampson) and secretary (Karen Keener); recorded roll calls for treasurer and secretary were 7–0.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: approved as presented (no objections recorded).
- Policy 5.51.0.4 (proof of residency): second and final reading — approved (7 yes, 0 no).
- Section 3B (administrative personnel): second and final reading — approved (7 yes, 0 no).
- Medical/dental/vision recommendations: approved (6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain). Board dental contribution increased $3 (from $17 to $20); voluntary benefits administration moved to VOIA; no rate change for medical and vision reported.
- Board policy 5.35.1 and policy 96: first reading — both approved for first reading (7 yes, 0 no).
- Officer elections / appointments:
- Board president: Mr. Swanson — elected (7 yes, 0 no).
- Vice president: Jeff Seams — nominated and confirmed (vote recorded during reorganization proceedings).
- Fiscal vice president: April Agate — nominated and confirmed.
- Treasurer: Kirk Sampson — elected (record reflects 7–0).
- Secretary: Karen Keener — elected (record reflects 7–0).

No budget appropriations, contracts, ordinances or land‑use decisions were acted on at the meeting.

Minutes and formal motions were supplied by board staff during the meeting; the board directed staff to implement adopted policy changes and benefits updates according to district procedure.","At its April meeting the Blue Springs R‑IV Board of Education approved two policy adoptions on second reading (proof of residency and administrative personnel), approved recommended changes to employee benefits with one abstention, took first readings of two student-health policies, and completed board officer elections and oaths of office.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent and district liaison urge community to watch House Bill 711 on open enrollment

William Bryant Elementary’s All Kids Bike grant teaches kindergarteners to ride; older students served as leaders

Blue Springs R‑IV board adopts residency and personnel policies, approves insurance changes and elects officers