[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6267977,"mediaKeyId","3059990-afc3c099afa8e70037cdd7e91ec0b8e0","parentId",3059990,"title","Lee's Summit R‑VII highlights student leaders, volunteers and early‑college program","audioSeconds",916,"startMs",780000,"endMs",1696000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3059990-afc3c099afa8e70037cdd7e91ec0b8e0&start=780&end=1696","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3059990-afc3c099afa8e70037cdd7e91ec0b8e0/thumbnail_780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6267977/Missouri/Lees-Summit-RVII-highlights-student-leaders-volunteers-and-earlycollege-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267977-c95b775f3855846ecb1703bd5b4a5812/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135768&Signature=CpzpTSdr~RMUkg1K4zkeA5f3GgID3eACocUJv1ky6CGPtp8YS~d7ieg0bm5~2~oxihKJpcktxyBpEQCwf-uceQc2iV4s6P9WIDD9UOb9nBgeXDRDuleYwxx9EAnJxfDc9XEuGYmOTsq0fuiq~f7ulnzribdQ~Fl2ln88a~F2HTiRSUFulU2IWkJpTDhtAmx2plxFsp1XkA4imTyQ05gM8gZDQ6sjGP4Skz0lYQgpWW82rVfA-AUvggYbsOW3KklcjAPgTbwIIijUuqOEWZhuZFuiBWOKPbE6N1kdrifa0AnyPVlRGHILbq948o40CoSzd7gApnwsijlSDArfGhEOVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-19T09:12:56.343Z","article","The Lee's Summit R‑VII Board of Education received school spotlights from Woodland Elementary and Summit Technology Academy (STA), recognizing student leaders and volunteers and hearing a staff presentation on the district's Early College Program.

Marcia Hasty, principal of Woodland Elementary, introduced the Woodland student council, which described school projects including recycling, fundraising, a community care‑kit drive and a planned May drive to support KC Pet Project. Woodland also named Jennifer Bennett as the school's volunteer of the year for five years of service supporting PTA activities and classroom assemblies.

Jeremy Bonis, director of Summit Technology Academy, introduced volunteer David Abishan (also referenced as Dave), who has supported STA's international studies program for about 10 years. David's volunteer work with students and professionals in the community was recognized as a long‑running contribution to the district's career and global studies offerings.

Erin Barnett, coordinator of the Early College Program at Longview Community College, described the ECP's structure and student outcomes. Barnett said the program, established in 2018 and rebranded in 2022, is an off‑campus option for juniors and seniors; students take college classes that count for both high school and college credit at the MCC Longview campus. She said the district charges $60.50 per credit hour for ECP courses under the MCC partnership, that the program has served “over 450 plus students,” and that two seniors in the current year will complete associate degrees while still in high school. Barnett also noted the program participates in the Missouri Core 42 transfer framework, which facilitates transferability of earned credits among Missouri public institutions.

Barnett described ECP flexibility — from a single class to a full day on the college campus — and noted the program supports students preparing for lengthy professional pathways, study‑abroad opportunities, or time‑management needs such as student‑athletes. She said enrollment set a new record and the program expects more than 50 students for the coming fall term. The board gave recognition to the students, volunteers and staff for their contributions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LSR7 Board of Education Meeting -4/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board heard spotlights from Woodland Elementary and Summit Technology Academy, including a student‑council report, volunteer awards and an overview of the district's Early College Program (ECP) at Longview Community College, which charges $60.50 per credit and has produced associate degree completers.","taxTitle","Lee's Summit R-VII, School Districts, Missouri","taxId",13566,"location","Missouri","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_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":56,"_74":56},6267983,"Parents and community members press Lee's Summit R‑VII board for transparency and condemn anti‑trans rally attendance",572,2591000,3163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3059990-afc3c099afa8e70037cdd7e91ec0b8e0&start=2591&end=3163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3059990-afc3c099afa8e70037cdd7e91ec0b8e0/thumbnail_2591000.jpg","/articles/6267983/Missouri/Parents-and-community-members-press-Lees-Summit-RVII-board-for-transparency-and-condemn-antitrans-rally-attendance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267983-03d975182afa2c7c55e78a2298bd2367/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135768&Signature=YThNZAzLhjGYgc4-nvEYEDxtH2-nKohuQOZvNLBtj9kG5TdwH2~rqSGAtBj5uovPH9~D-h-j4Euf8fSDVGWNFmsiD0KFVu86iDhrMhtasNOXZ5U2nKht3zk8ZHpPZQ9pjqBLsxHN7YTMhn1eGVE~yJW-uLjkkpzsOjkaEHgSCaZ5-TPhQZSur1NhdZZW1-7dah0Hz1MWMiI0QCkkRt6rPFUYMI5OAqBo~URdOTN1jSc3OLiu5rdRpyOMQMaQ7X~~NpT0KqXxqaXiEYC8R-CyycpEElrt0GGYN-dFqHOteCMQR7EMWMFMzWyk3sdAY~-R8hov~QjjAKfdoHWfC-AI2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the public‑comment portion of the Lee's Summit R‑VII school‑board meeting, several parents, former board leaders and community members urged the board to increase transparency, strengthen accountability and to repudiate rhetoric perceived as hostile toward transgender students.

Melanie Olson Cox, a parent and PTA leader, criticized a board member for attending a local “Stand for the Flag” event that she characterized as promoting anti‑trans rhetoric and said the district should fight politically driven mandates from state or federal actors that could harm students. \"Trans people and trans students are a gift,\" Olson Cox said, and she called for clear, transparent communication about how the district will respond to politically fraught mandates and for the board to support the district's legislative platform.

Other speakers reinforced the call for accountability. Robert Sparks, identifying himself as a former board president, urged the current board to focus on equity and opportunity for all students and said the community is seeking leadership that ensures every child receives a fair education. Janae Swanson, a district parent, asked the board to improve transparency in decision making and to treat bullying prevention and student well‑being as measures of success alongside academics.

Speakers frequently asked the board to provide timely information to families and to prioritize the safety and emotional well‑being of students. Several commenters highlighted the role of the board in protecting students who are low‑income, unhoused, immigrant or have disabilities and asked for proactive steps on bullying, clearer reporting systems and meaningful community engagement before final votes.

The board's stated public‑comment rules were read at the start of the period; the board did not respond to comments during the meeting but indicated it may ask clarifying questions and follow up with the superintendent as appropriate.","Multiple public commenters urged the board to defend vulnerable students, increase transparency and to address concerns about a board member's attendance at an anti‑trans rally while wearing district insignia.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6267988,"Lee's Summit R‑VII board certifies bond election, swears in two directors and elects new leadership",1061,3919000,4980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3059990-afc3c099afa8e70037cdd7e91ec0b8e0&start=3919&end=4980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3059990-afc3c099afa8e70037cdd7e91ec0b8e0/thumbnail_3919000.jpg","/articles/6267988/Missouri/Lees-Summit-RVII-board-certifies-bond-election-swears-in-two-directors-and-elects-new-leadership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267988-9403924de06f9210f3c791651b01c818/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135768&Signature=eXLvFkCwonWJs7Oo7osFqGwhQ-d1RK6s~Hs4XgeGG6BRq9orOwDrPM6nN0EkkkTBqogAlDyveP843FU6xIxIXP~KVeCCPgqr7yzFYi234qSA13oLjyj0NHZ1ZGgkdjsyPQZLJZluEWfrzQ5XAvFehX~xGC2f9RBuub73b-g5mN-X~fSsUROuLZbIxqCx6ZdUNCym7XUHmQaSET4Vif1S7eruDaUm9~o~2Fjg31jbnTskXwq9D6azus~KgUgbiLOA8AfUXY4NEH0NUclGbMAMI0UFQ5WAFIy8f8ecWzrN1X~z6ebGHWVUts-j~k5WkdOYN9NgdOHy3D34p2oDBFdDXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lee's Summit R‑VII Board of Education on a series of voice votes accepted the unofficial results of the April 8, 2025 bond election, swore in two newly elected directors and completed its annual reorganization, electing Stacy Myers as president and Erica Miller as vice president.

Board members also approved routine financial business, including a motion to transfer $3,374,001.84 from the general fund to the special revenue fund, the treasurer's report and payment of bills, an amendment to the 2024–25 budget, and approval of consent‑agenda items 7.01–7.23.

The actions matter because they finalize the district's elected leadership and clear administrative authority to implement budget and bond‑related work now that voters have approved the bond measure. The board's reorganization sets leadership and administrative appointments for the coming year.

Board President Foley opened the reorganization portion by congratulating the newly elected directors. The board formally moved to certify that Michelle Dawson and Nikki Nickens are duly elected members; that motion carried by voice vote. The board then proceeded with the prescribed nomination and voting process for president and vice president. Stacy Myers was nominated and accepted the nomination; the board's voice vote produced a president vote recorded as carried 7–0. Erica Miller was elected vice president by a subsequent voice vote recorded as carried 7–0.

On financial business, a motion to transfer $3,374,001.84 from the general fund to the special revenue fund was made and approved; the meeting minutes record the motion and that it passed by voice vote. The treasurer's report and payment of bills were approved and the board adopted an amendment to the 2024–25 budget as presented. The consent agenda covering items 7.01 through 7.23 was approved without separate discussion. The board also moved to accept the unofficial results of the 04/08/2025 bond issue; that motion passed.

The board completed ministerial appointments during the reorganization. The board reappointed Linda Ismert as board secretary, appointed Nathan Holder as treasurer through June 30, 2025, with Dr. Chad Herzog to assume the treasurer role beginning July 1, 2025; Hannah Pruitt was reappointed assistant secretary and Sharon Garcia reappointed assistant treasurer.

The meeting record shows these votes were conducted by voice and recorded as passing in the meeting; detailed roll‑call tallies were only announced explicitly during the president and vice‑president elections (7–0). The board adjourned the regular meeting and then conducted the reorganization session that produced the new leadership and appointments.","The Lee's Summit R‑VII Board of Education accepted unofficial 04/08/2025 bond results, certified two newly elected directors, elected Stacy Myers president and Erica Miller vice president, and approved a series of routine financial items including a $3,374,001.84 fund transfer and a FY24‑25 budget amendment.","actionData","errors"]

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Lee's Summit R‑VII highlights student leaders, volunteers and early‑college program

Parents and community members press Lee's Summit R‑VII board for transparency and condemn anti‑trans rally attendance

Lee's Summit R‑VII board certifies bond election, swears in two directors and elects new leadership