[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,97],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6554434,"mediaKeyId","5024145-ca015570d1d806ce1ce2dd6d60a51dd1","parentId",5024145,"title","Votes at a glance: Kearney School District board actions on grants, policies, budgets and appointments","audioSeconds",3080,"startMs",2380000,"endMs",5460000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024145-ca015570d1d806ce1ce2dd6d60a51dd1&start=2380&end=5460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024145-ca015570d1d806ce1ce2dd6d60a51dd1/thumbnail_2380000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6554434/Missouri/Votes-at-a-glance-Kearney-School-District-board-actions-on-grants-policies-budgets-and-appointments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554434-9689fea41fb9a71ed3c4947cb18bbe5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1769861730&Signature=eSl315CdlL9npUsOKniHhOkkytSrqeDrFKcNousw19xFbt~WuoDhHzgzIsqIeji5S3HOgYTKUiJ0VejRevROttrKqbQ42y1fGG0BgXAmGaDrVjWzWNk6~a2MdMSHc6PEZdC~6yjawAv1vm4cOb5yR9UuqHGEWHfIbVPNfVJImcuhFfDKIuhGqczpHq4-2NzOI4Jp--7y-hoeJDTajhr4HsNU-G4TbBsHDg4FQv02qSTNwKPLAORCTq-xz~INbpf4Xr21Ej0oDYzERcDxybMSiuvOfsxITkjBLQGeX6~5k4JPB4BjKegatp7UVp7ZarnEiy2z0-xiceLbE4ebSYWrvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kearney School District","date","2025-06-19T14:15:07Z","article","The Kearney School District Board of Education took the following formal actions at its regular meeting (summary of motions and outcomes):

- Approve agreement with Clay County Children’s Fund (grant acceptance; described in discussion as approximately $792,000 for the award cycle). Outcome: approved.

- Approve agreement and quote with Hope Squad for grades 6–7. Outcome: approved.

- Approve update to the district strategic plan (2022–2027). Outcome: approved.

- Approve 2025–26 salary schedules (administration, certified, classified, extra duty, miscellaneous); certified overall increase cited ~4.1%, classified ~4%, administrators ~3.25%. Outcome: approved.

- Approve 2025–26 employee manual. Outcome: approved.

- Approve 2025–26 student/parent handbooks. Outcome: approved.

- Ratify purchases/agreements over $50,000, including multiple contracts with McConnell & Associates (concrete/asphalt and other site work) and Heartland Business Systems (technology support). Outcome: approved.

- Approve agreement with Houston Stewart Consulting for strategic communications assistance (general-fund services). Outcome: approved.

- Appointments: Darlene Bailey as board representative to the Kearney Advanced Enterprise Zone (approved); Nick Vasquez as liaison to the Kearney School District Education Foundation (approved); Jason Clint as MSBA delegate (approved); and appointment of Jacob Klingensmith to fill a board vacancy for the remainder of the term (approved). Klingensmith will be sworn in at a future public meeting.

Trustees asked staff to provide follow-up reporting in several areas, including more detailed grant budget-to-service mappings (Clay County Children’s Fund), evaluation metrics for pilot programs (Hope Squad) and year-end financials and budget documents (finance and budget items).

This summary is a compact record of board motions and approvals; for contractual details and vote tallies, district minutes and official contracts should be consulted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 18, 2025 Kearney R-1 Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its regular meeting the Kearney School District board approved grants, program agreements, salary schedules, handbooks, capital purchases and several appointments; staff will report follow-up details where requested by trustees.","taxTitle","KEARNEY R-I, School Districts, Missouri","taxId",53780,"location","Missouri","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554439,"District outlines communications strategy, reports ParentSquare rollout progress",488,1680000,2168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024145-ca015570d1d806ce1ce2dd6d60a51dd1&start=1680&end=2168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024145-ca015570d1d806ce1ce2dd6d60a51dd1/thumbnail_1680000.jpg","/articles/6554439/Missouri/District-outlines-communications-strategy-reports-ParentSquare-rollout-progress","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554439-c672675c9b60bc8d343cde544aeedfba/orig.mp4?Expires=1769861730&Signature=JMyxvSI27LiWHN5HgCLH2J-L6~1BaXIN0U5etThn0HkvfNO2xdE315PFzrbqGQAVRJTFa8wQVl3g6h87b5ndQq9VnwjQynhnMp3cdx3aqD~x7g0d2E7maRbvgKc0efiSQTKbCmpdTD0bYMgWQUILHk65s08d1jkTbBf~znxC3Ic7axNxW1Rg04lTHHQfbBaV0SyGLa~UUj5VLNYdehOPW8-OojMTTeOL2WuGNnWR6wZ3DdxsFiH5IJUr7vFMADmmjTi0-xa7SUdtZ885ztHn2xV3R1UxbxBXMlPiqeKQB0CDGRjCRlPAN15bYcz4gU1XTUSS3H3qGFbKxx7rlITIGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kearney School District communications and community relations staff presented an overview of the past year’s work and near-term priorities, including the districtwide rollout of ParentSquare and plans for website replacement, customer-service restructuring and a communications internship program.

The presenter described the communications office as a one-person department that supports stakeholders and teams across the district, while relying on collaboration with cabinet and administrative staff. The district has procured a comprehensive communications platform and reported a soft launch of ParentSquare for summer programs and coaches. Staff said about 67% of staff and roughly 50% of parents had registered accounts as of mid-June; presenters called for additional outreach to raise parent registration.

The communications lead described a multi-pronged outreach plan to reach households outside the district’s immediate network, including engaging a local vendor to verify households by literally driving district boundaries to ensure mailing lists are current and planning mailings and website improvements aimed at residents who are not yet connected. The presenter said the district is planning commemorative events for the district’s 150th anniversary as an engagement opportunity.

Board members praised the staff’s work and asked for follow-up on ParentSquare adoption by board members and for progress reports on parent-registration rates. The presenter said future work will focus on connecting the communications plan to district strategic goals and broadening engagement beyond families already connected to schools.","The district communications director reviewed a year of work, plans to finish implementation of ParentSquare, launch new websites and run a communications internship, and said about half of parents have registered so far.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":43,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":49,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554444,"Board approves Clay County Children’s Fund agreement; trustees seek sustainability guidance",710,3090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024145-ca015570d1d806ce1ce2dd6d60a51dd1&start=2380&end=3090","/articles/6554444/Missouri/Board-approves-Clay-County-Childrens-Fund-agreement-trustees-seek-sustainability-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554444-74abe98f510ab39fd01dbfb907992b2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1769861730&Signature=g9Tz4lMqzVBWyoGv2se3vCYQwp8YpQKngCjRYrdaEkVcYAMah-NyYczsHheesAxsx994eTOzEe8v8EEY-GBeidTeqd1oMS9ksWuZxN5RqwwXJzMv0D8h1CTuU8dRK0MIXDQkcfbAOzKXVegI4o~O2jg~cILL47BrK5y9aKhjmALKijZMdaIIkBW5c-ZW2xNFRJL6ZD91YbFqoAstI7DNn2P-IB5hXISkiRbxCn1gi~1aBvmd8lgovk2~TI8PIBlA2igbZ1Z6KTnHsV1gRlXpddViof3whWIj5GKF47LK7L1hYREoJxn1hCuzKmicIhvqkDPM8-zjEZsE8R4LHwssfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kearney School District Board of Education approved an agreement accepting Clay County Children’s Fund support for programs that expand behavioral health and student-support services.

During discussion, a trustee said the currently listed amount—about $792,000—was “alarming” because county sales tax revenue that funds the program can fluctuate, and the district must plan for sustainability if the money drops in later years. The presenter explained this award is the second year of a two‑year grant cycle and that staff build their grant applications and expenditures with careful prioritization and the ability to reassess as needed.

District staff told the board that the majority of the funds go to individual and group therapy, behavior intervention staff and direct student support. School principals described concrete benefits: a registered behavior technician working on daily schedules reduced behavior incidents in one elementary building, and a board-certified behavior analyst provided classroom‑usable behavior plans that decreased referrals and increased time students spent in general education settings.

A board member asked whether the district lists spending plans at a detailed level during the grant application; staff confirmed that the application includes line-item uses when requested and that this year the grant administrator provided an estimated award amount to guide budgeting. Trustees asked that future grant applications and awards be brought to the board earlier in the process so trustees have more context before accepting funds.

The motion to approve the agreement passed by voice vote. Staff said they would share additional information about use of funds, program impacts and how the district will prioritize services if future funds are reduced.","Trustees approved a two‑year grant agreement with the Clay County Children’s Fund that directs about $792,000 to district student-support work this cycle; board members urged transparency on sustainability and requested future briefings on program prioritization.",{"_32":98,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":99,"_40":100,"_42":101,"_44":45,"_46":102,"_48":103,"_50":104,"_52":105,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":106,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":107,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554448,"Kearney board approves Hope Squad pilot for grades 6–7 after extended debate on rollout and metrics",1600,3860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024145-ca015570d1d806ce1ce2dd6d60a51dd1&start=3860&end=5460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024145-ca015570d1d806ce1ce2dd6d60a51dd1/thumbnail_3860000.jpg","/articles/6554448/Missouri/Kearney-board-approves-Hope-Squad-pilot-for-grades-67-after-extended-debate-on-rollout-and-metrics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554448-3a7466642f8623d413b189ba222631a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1769861730&Signature=b0nfGsGp2hx7B5Yl8d1HCAURuApbLt6DokljzXXsj-cCHuzAs0oehHpmrRT7RpifHBFNue8SdPPA32KQO65RMh8KCJ04wlQEHSG~~yCN0TObRzsKyNS-g2~DgyM71~calZCg~2jQ9s7h8sfsFkaDgPiQOPSMNh6G4tqVKYvIUdaSXWN9sZP53HxzFzGomXUudRwio39Ix5DY-lMtdRihSDOnkS3qqI6UD6jtr1xiwreuFtNEir1dRolJuuqEPv82ycXUKC5fHFe8wGNFh4pT00hGmrcCFdGk9NpesvnqsEnmMYJKbfdmT8cJiRs-yVn2aOi322Dj86~12HUo5OGgug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kearney School District Board of Education voted to approve an agreement with Hope Squad to start a peer-to-peer, adult-facilitated program for sixth- and seventh-grade students.

The program, which the board approved after an extended discussion, will be paid from Clay County Children’s Fund dollars already budgeted to support behavioral health and student support services. Board members asked staff to return later with measurable evaluation data and clarity on parent notification and opt-out procedures.

The board heard a multi-staff presentation from district social workers and building leaders. Amanda Textor, a district social worker, described Hope Squad as “a peer to peer model that has adult facilitators,” and said lessons are age‑appropriate and include both awareness activities and training for nominated student leaders. She told trustees that Hope Squad provides a parent manual and “postvention resources” for responding should a crisis occur.

Kearney Middle School principal Dan Miller said the district’s counseling offices respond to suicide, bullying and other social-emotional issues “almost every day,” and urged trustees to adopt the program. “I wholeheartedly…stand here before you today in support of this program as an advocate for it,” Miller said.

Mitch Masker, introduced in the meeting as a board-certified behavior analyst, said he viewed Hope Squad as another leadership opportunity that can fit into existing student-leadership structures, with a lighter footprint at the elementary level and more structured lessons at the middle school level.

Trustees pressed staff on program details. Board member Jason Clint asked about nomination and parent-notification procedures; presenters said staff would prioritize informing parents before students are told and would provide opt-out options. Trustees also asked how the district would measure success; staff proposed using baseline measures and existing survey tools (Panorama or district surveys) and adding a referral flag to safety-assessment records to track issues first brought to staff by Hope Squad members.

Cost and funding: presenters said initial training and implementation expenses were written into the Clay County Children’s Fund budget approved earlier in the meeting. Presenters noted that training costs are front-loaded and future annual costs would be substantially lower; one estimate discussed in the meeting put recurring annual training costs in a low-thousands-dollar range per building (presenters described a figure of about $2,000 per year as a planning reference). The district said the Clay County Children’s Fund has already budgeted funds for the program; future-year funding would be reassessed annually.

Trustees expressed two consistent concerns: (1) ensuring the program fits into a districtwide K–12 social-emotional strategy rather than standing alone, and (2) establishing clear evaluation measures so the board can determine whether the program reduces harms or improves early reporting. Several board members said they supported a pilot approach—approve now for sixth- and seventh-graders, evaluate results and consider expansion or replacement of other programs later.

The motion to approve the Hope Squad agreement for grades 6–7 passed by voice vote. District staff said they will return with implementation details, parent-notification language and proposed metrics for measuring outcomes.

The board’s action authorizes the district to execute the Hope Squad agreement and proceed with training and implementation for the grades approved by the board.","The Kearney School District board voted to approve a Clay County Children’s Fund–funded Hope Squad peer-support program for sixth- and seventh-graders, with trustees asking for clear evaluation metrics, parent-notification procedures and periodic review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Kearney School District board actions on grants, policies, budgets and appointments

District outlines communications strategy, reports ParentSquare rollout progress

Board approves Clay County Children’s Fund agreement; trustees seek sustainability guidance

Kearney board approves Hope Squad pilot for grades 6–7 after extended debate on rollout and metrics