[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6189119,"mediaKeyId","5058557-2b6fbf2bb785b800a5a4f5ed86f2bded","parentId",5058557,"title","Board renews therapy contracts, adds virtual speech-language services amid staffing shortages","audioSeconds",341,"startMs",2148000,"endMs",2489000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058557-2b6fbf2bb785b800a5a4f5ed86f2bded&start=2148&end=2489","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058557-2b6fbf2bb785b800a5a4f5ed86f2bded/thumbnail_2148000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189119/Missouri/Board-renews-therapy-contracts-adds-virtual-speech-language-services-amid-staffing-shortages","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189119-048bf6babba7d315e092f0e27e0569f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007592&Signature=cgZrRsF7dLg-f9hC5xU0BwsaBuEqn71em4WEXazNiLGn~mZ6tT2wAIRx2M3SuVbzl1XBrC~1tiBIeQo-gtXIeuYYJF3sedhvYqj6a7qtCr7DTlFTooxrU1qPPkh-rUWZwETrKkri8rafQJ2GsMYnBMDpSSBUfu5nTWHRw~CyYwDmeg-x8iKiOs7S8-Hcum9NMfWQ3QZeLlyEroBkcXXjKU3Txm7jz0Yn1LIGMOxl7JnUVSOl5kfYIcAhbHoJMBi-NcZt6bncTX538tkc-n3HO1ixdVtQ5DjP0yI-H4qFU3sf0wa~A8sCivlpLoqq5lOt8dnYn1Fl3K9oG-ntbjwmpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Joseph School District","date","2025-06-24T20:51:43.733Z","article","The St. Joseph School District Board approved renewal of the district’s contract for physical, occupational and speech-language therapy services and later approved an amendment to expand virtual speech-language services to address staffing gaps.

Administrators said the district maintains an approved vendor list to ensure special-education students receive services required by their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and that recruiting enough licensed therapists remains difficult. The contract renewal for on-site therapy services was described as the district’s best option to meet student needs; the board approved the renewal by roll-call vote, 7–0.

The board then voted to amend an existing Huddle Up virtual speech-language therapy contract after administrators reported the district had lost several SLPs/SLPAs to family moves. Staff said the amendment would add two virtual therapists to ensure services are available when school starts. The presenter noted the minimum fee on the amended contract is $244,091.71. Board members and staff noted that if the district could not provide required services, it would need to provide compensatory services or seek alternative arrangements; administrators said virtual services reduce that risk.

Both motions were approved by recorded roll-call votes of 7–0.

Ending: The board approved both the annual on-site therapy contract renewal and the virtual speech-language amendment; administrators said they will continue recruiting specialists while relying on contracted services to meet students’ IEPs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 23, 2025 Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a renewal for contracted therapy services used to meet special-education IEP needs and approved an amendment to add two virtual speech-language therapists to cover staffing shortages. Both motions passed unanimously.","taxTitle","St. Joseph, School Districts, Missouri","taxId",13572,"location","Missouri","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189124,"Board approves Real World Learning Coordinator job; debate erupts over externship partner Herzog",432,3363000,3795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058557-2b6fbf2bb785b800a5a4f5ed86f2bded&start=3363&end=3795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058557-2b6fbf2bb785b800a5a4f5ed86f2bded/thumbnail_3363000.jpg","/articles/6189124/Missouri/Board-approves-Real-World-Learning-Coordinator-job-debate-erupts-over-externship-partner-Herzog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189124-10a93085d4570af53eece8e777c13453/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007592&Signature=LSWS9UB6wVuHzBNqJloMCvtR5HjHHDk0BpRM35Bc7gdBoN6nYwawW5GTZwaknJxCzDmIGVAES9dz~hmku8~1JpGLC9snv-4aVNpdSoWTKs9W2Fgx9z7NILA1PNV4TzD55hDCxc699puMbBSMrbW-TroYKsHGX1bujHhftCIUnYG9X~MyUX2DHUaB8v2kZ4V05gx3CGEkGQOpfFUC9EJb1ler-cEk8Iw~cJY~VebJDUx9mkEHZlCLvW6JDRRejwqVVEHoMPSUQmUTfD0nqPjrIRtef39E8IuJh3eLphnlhxhZJrcXfx8tdrKehmD8D2MDpWPhcek2IG62Pwm4MTPp0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Joseph School District Board approved a reworked job description that renames the business-partner role “Real World Learning Coordinator,” adds responsibilities connecting students with local businesses for job shadowing and internships, and changes extra-duty stipend pay to be paid each semester.

Administrators described the role as a connector between students and local employers to support career exploration, mock interviews, resume-building and apprenticeship pathways. The board approved the job posting and title change and clarified the position is an extra-duty stipend (not an administrative position); staff said the stipend starts at $72.23 per semester at the initial step level.

Separately, the board debated an externship grant application and a proposed community partnership that would include the company Herzog. Several board members voiced objections to formal partnerships with Herzog, raising concerns about industry funding and its involvement in state-level education policy advocacy; other board members and administrators pushed back, noting that Herzog has provided apprenticeships, manufacturing-day events and employment pathways for students.

The discussion over Herzog became a lengthy and at times heated exchange. Board members who opposed the partnership said the company’s statewide political activity conflicted with the board’s stated role as an advocate for public education; other members argued staff and teachers sign up for externships voluntarily and that job and apprenticeship opportunities for students are valuable. A procedural motion to end debate and proceed (a motion to “call the question”) was put to the board and passed 5–2. The record shows the board returned to its agenda items after the procedural vote; the transcript does not clearly record a final board vote on the externship grant or any written exclusion of Herzog from the application.

Administrators said they will continue to bring career, externship and business-partnership items back to the board and that staff will work to clarify any partnership agreements and the source of grant funding before final commitments.

Ending: The board approved the Real World Learning Coordinator extra-duty posting and requested clearer documentation of external partnerships and their funding and policy implications before any further commitments are made.","The board approved a renamed 'Real World Learning Coordinator' extra-duty position to expand career-connected opportunities. Separately, an externally funded externship grant drew sharp criticism from some board members over a proposed partnership with Herzog; the record shows intense debate and a procedural vote to move discussion forward.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189128,"Consultant presents timeline for long-range plan; board debates two-high-school options and voter prospects",514,5490000,6004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058557-2b6fbf2bb785b800a5a4f5ed86f2bded&start=5490&end=6004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058557-2b6fbf2bb785b800a5a4f5ed86f2bded/thumbnail_5490000.jpg","/articles/6189128/Missouri/Consultant-presents-timeline-for-long-range-plan-board-debates-two-high-school-options-and-voter-prospects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189128-d9d6250de3adc856043bab0ba951a255/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007592&Signature=nqd151m4x~nh3yFSrT~K8-TTOhYO7zedRztqPLClCpheR3qbbr44OOYPp28575YlPZaaw5Eu6RhzHZnTBOBSS0dgx868U5ski87cS5sq89Tfk1HQnqxrcAFSxPKtN-jFHXAQY1vViUJucplycmoDd39WL1HC1qAFEVZRT0XGfnHFOpzN~D7N0yqhVP2N5XPvv2t1GxdLHU5YPJA67i5GjicuSUPis6BFcGzTksp5O8qukjgJMBXpHynzu89vrv9ltleYnTIkpxL6kWGUJJlXWDWQBqRYMc0kUCtdiakIt0WzkUImkHZSnPSouLgXf08wQ9FfKzRXsvUnHcEy2fYpFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A consultant team from the DLR Group and construction partner Nabholz outlined a timeline for the district’s long-range facilities plan and possible bond activity in 2026–27, prompting extended discussion among board members about which high-school pairings would be most feasible and politically viable.

Kevin Grescher of the DLR Group presented a phased schedule showing community engagement and a board decision point in late 2025 or December if the district wanted to put a bond question on an April 2026 ballot. The schedule shows design work running through 2026 into 2027 and construction beginning in mid- to late-2027 if the board pursues a 2026 ballot.

Board members and administrators discussed two broad approaches: renovate two existing schools (the timeline reference included options sized roughly at 1,700 students and 1,100 students) or pursue a different combination of facilities to reach a two–high-school system. Questions from board members focused on parking and site constraints at Lafayette, the amount of renovation work needed at each campus, the likely cost impact, and how short-term choices would affect long-term plans for a new high school.

Several board members said past bond results — the district’s recent bond failed to reach a winning margin — make voter outreach and feasibility analysis critical before returning to a ballot. During the discussion the board asked staff and consultants to develop a written feasibility comparison that would: (1) summarize the work required for a Lafayette/Central scenario and a Benton/Central scenario; (2) identify major site issues such as parking and utilities; (3) estimate order-of-magnitude costs for minimal and more extensive renovation scopes; and (4) show how each short-term option would affect a longer-term plan for a new high school.

The consultant said those feasibility items are the typical next step and offered to provide the district’s earlier master-plan materials and updated sketches to inform the board’s decision. Board members asked administration to return with the feasibility comparisons and an administrative recommendation at an upcoming meeting or work session so the board can evaluate options before making a direction to the community.","DLR Group presented a timeline for possible capital work and a potential bond vote in 2026 or 2027. Board members debated whether to concentrate renovations at Lafayette and Central or consider Benton/Central, raised feasibility questions (parking, capacity, costs) and requested a feasibility-style comparison of options.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189133,"Saint Joseph School Board adopts fiscal 2026 budget with $258,000 surplus",242,798000,1040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058557-2b6fbf2bb785b800a5a4f5ed86f2bded&start=798&end=1040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058557-2b6fbf2bb785b800a5a4f5ed86f2bded/thumbnail_798000.jpg","/articles/6189133/Missouri/Saint-Joseph-School-Board-adopts-fiscal-2026-budget-with-258000-surplus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189133-0cf822bdd00a73607c5befaa76c04deb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007592&Signature=EvYo4eMxPMtqa5kHpUDkfrknVwnrmUenJevmTkSSrVWhfko48O7EofRGSHYodyQO0Ss2YmaVgH1CHJ~saOFz3xXowXeqFUdQjsJuoncAA1hn22eDdCwZukOGpHvJ3xEPtHkpjoptgmij3WDhP8LkQ-G0f-NKAQ7G9epxtJO6wme53Rnpk3StzGpOBTVyHUG3iwuYniqCKB7h3Yyf0Fo4VTa9h0xUlSN7NaRo7REcrmyfWHFiybkjaMm0jKq~lNuu3VeFK-ebHWnghgRFqTQ1XMWTwRQvW9AemqOU59dDkD10wOtmBnPpgtJXx58w6q3JxmjG66pCI~XGt10dj7OgNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Joseph School District Board of Education voted 7-0 to adopt the district’s fiscal 2026 budget, a plan administrators said contains a modest $258,000 surplus.

Board administrators presented the budget as conservative and contingent on state action. “The budget I’m bringing you tonight . . . actually has a slight surplus to it, $258,000,” the district finance lead told the board while noting the state budget still required the governor’s signature. He said the district used conservative assumptions for assessed valuation and state funding to guard against possible withholdings.

Board members and district staff said the budget reflects several years of declining enrollment — from 10,718 students in 2019–20 to 9,979 this year — and uncertainty about federal allocations. Administrators told the board they used a 2% assessed-valuation increase in estimates (the five-year average is about 2.23%) and reduced some revenue assumptions after a recent Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) adjustment to per-pupil figures. The budget package that passed also incorporates the board’s recently approved 1.17% salary increase.

The district’s projected ending general fund balance is 20.3% of expenditures, which administrators said meets board policy guidelines. The finance presentation highlighted revenue declines tied to average daily attendance losses since before the COVID-19 pandemic while noting property tax and local revenues were up due to assessed-valuation increases and a Prop C waiver.

Board procedure: a motion to approve the budget was made and seconded during the meeting; the roll-call vote recorded seven yes votes and no no or abstentions.

Administrators told the board they would continue to monitor state and federal action and update assumptions if DESE or the governor’s office changes funding guidance. The board approved the budget ahead of the state’s June 30 deadline for the governor’s signature on the state budget.

Funding details, enrollment trends, and the district’s financial plan will be revisited by staff if state or federal allocations change.

Ending: The board’s unanimous vote moves the district into fiscal 2026 with a budget administrators described as conservative and positioned to absorb short-term funding uncertainty; staff said they will return with updates if state or federal figures change.","The St. Joseph School District Board approved the fiscal 2026 budget unanimously, authorizing a conservative spending plan that projects a $258,000 surplus and a 20.3% fund balance, while noting state funding and enrollment uncertainties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board renews therapy contracts, adds virtual speech-language services amid staffing shortages

Board approves Real World Learning Coordinator job; debate erupts over externship partner Herzog

Consultant presents timeline for long-range plan; board debates two-high-school options and voter prospects

Saint Joseph School Board adopts fiscal 2026 budget with $258,000 surplus