[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6147681,"mediaKeyId","5520218-0b5cf6a6f68fef39b97d3697c7a25afc","parentId",5520218,"title","Resident urges board to uphold 'dignity table' commitments, criticizes two members' public objections","audioSeconds",161,"startMs",598000,"endMs",759000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520218-0b5cf6a6f68fef39b97d3697c7a25afc&start=598&end=759","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520218-0b5cf6a6f68fef39b97d3697c7a25afc/thumbnail_598000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6147681/Missouri/Resident-urges-board-to-uphold-dignity-table-commitments-criticizes-two-members-public-objections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147681-299e1aced98a863ec001e95cba132d24/orig.mp4?Expires=1773565584&Signature=o0B7IAxFNkYF5WHWxXa5mWKhsI6luciEi8t4n5M77E8sqQtPZ9IaNH54QDSemmoUycQWoMJ9YRuDqJhJ-t95OElYiAtc~cMJPI1TW~-ErqmPL9kItozP-boy7UxpYWsNoKMPenN~eFcVRNigiXe3ssWupIMSAcjkWCbWv-W~2udiz5MTaq7tjIwzMxn7JMmPVb2kV1~~iBRilkk9OMidYiZ2Egmnp8jwzTGgRTsIoanYRioLx60PygHgCArZwPot4Q2sq9FpWTFPWJpRCB5us4cj8HkCLqJJszN6qKlkKHfkLJdUJnezOztv2Qe7oUwubON87Tv6MzrmZy-3BQa7Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-30T22:05:57Z","article","Ayesha O’Malley told the Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education she expects the board to lead “with integrity, transparency, and accountability,” and she criticized two board members for publicly contradicting commitments made at a recent board retreat regarding the district’s dignity table.

O’Malley said every member of the board agreed at a June retreat to support the dignity table and that the board had approved goals in the district’s comprehensive school improvement plan aimed at fostering inclusive, caring student environments. “Instead of standing by what they had already endorsed, they raised performative concerns and used politicized terms like DEI to stir division and delay action,” she said, naming “Mister Haley and Miss Garrett” as the members she said had opposed the effort.

O’Malley framed her remarks as centered on students’ welfare: “This isn’t about DEI. This is about dignity,” she said. She urged the board to honor commitments made in private and public, and to ensure that board actions reflect their stated priorities for student inclusion and safety.

Her comments were made during the public comment period; the board’s public comment rules (board policy BDDH) restrict comment topics, protect privacy for students and staff and limit decorum in the meeting. The board did not respond to O’Malley during the meeting; the chair reminded speakers that the board may ask clarifying questions but does not engage in back‑and‑forth during public comment.

O’Malley’s remarks were among several public comments at the meeting; the board took no formal vote or action on the dignity table during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LSR7 Board of Education Meeting -7/31/25","oneSentenceSummary","At the Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education meeting, Ayesha O'Malley criticized two board members for publicly questioning the district’s previously endorsed dignity table and urged the board to act with consistency and integrity.","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},6147686,"Board approves 10¢ student meal price increase for 2025–26 and plans stakeholder team to close funding gap",115,1276000,1391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520218-0b5cf6a6f68fef39b97d3697c7a25afc&start=1276&end=1391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520218-0b5cf6a6f68fef39b97d3697c7a25afc/thumbnail_1276000.jpg","/articles/6147686/Missouri/Board-approves-10-student-meal-price-increase-for-202526-and-plans-stakeholder-team-to-close-funding-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147686-a8f23a28b270e8608a82978e0064118a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773565584&Signature=BInw93T1WnbDM6tXPHlJeQxSVvgw~i5upnXHr3w197gL-iUVk0w651DpCBCvudbhJ~eJ8oopL0hdg9tnm~73tjRtDh6L--~qXlZvE33pRsEIjiTsxe7bbG0Tc~2mq2AEedlrod7JiPxjrTHZdDiUA9OQsmeb58LxhOwwlCuCTZ7gUEday7-VxuFXQB7PsFoJq4Bs1EArtbdmwzlictLQFH1Fw-VWUuPJz-O3PwetOlO4GIe6W2Kd9pgXt9-99QGSW5isSXhihIvb3F0JmfCSSKQBVs2eH9A0YuY-8RfY2Mz1PxgCuv-7Z5OJ2KgbbV7SJV4aTPu1Y5pht~~LkABPbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education voted to raise paid student meal prices by 10 cents for the 2025–26 school year and to form a stakeholder Process Action Team (PRAT) this fall to plan how to close a larger funding gap identified by the district.

During discussion, a board member said the administration could have raised prices by up to 75 cents under the paid meal equity tool but chose a smaller increase to limit impacts on families. “The fact that you are able to you are allowed to raise the price by 75¢ per meal, but instead chose to take a more conservative approach and raise the meal prices by 10¢ … and then form a PRAT … just shows the community how conscientious you are,” the board member said.

Another board member noted local practice has typically been a 10‑cent increase annually and described the PRAT as a plan to bring together staff, parents, board members and other stakeholders to develop a two‑ or three‑year plan to close the gap. The board described the PRAT as intended to explore options that would ease the burden for families who do not qualify for free or reduced price meals.

The motion to adopt the 10‑cent increase passed by voice vote. The board also approved the treasurer’s report and payment of bills during the same session.

The district reminded families during the superintendent’s report that free and reduced‑price eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and encouraged families who might qualify to submit applications; the board did not provide a full cost estimate for closing the nutrition services shortfall in the meeting materials.","The Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education approved a 10¢ increase to paid meal prices for 2025–26, citing a conservative approach below the paid meal equity tool's 75¢ recommendation and planning a process action team to study how to close the funding gap.",{"_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},6147691,"Board transfers $16.79 million from general fund to special revenue fund",28,1195000,1223000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520218-0b5cf6a6f68fef39b97d3697c7a25afc&start=1195&end=1223","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520218-0b5cf6a6f68fef39b97d3697c7a25afc/thumbnail_1195000.jpg","/articles/6147691/Missouri/Board-transfers-1679-million-from-general-fund-to-special-revenue-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147691-ec64e7e65f9eab315eaea93fe7fdebc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773565584&Signature=Ijy3z902~Qe0~3IH3BhiOUVMtStibiu4sWuaHCuzDbx~rB6uorjpFKMFEtpp9VVGS13KIdESOjUb10IaT5GK8VsBiaaApJDRFo91sw5DtCDnafNR~tjeFWCIWO4HMhUquUi656auOW0o3rEed3PIHZJgilyRPUigmWnqrZ2ABNNkZOSn3FEkzb5HcoROHUnkKvVMqmA7u1an7qZRZ0xVALq4Zkks7zp~KyijiIWcu1Mo~BUw9VpGDFYMqPEj~0fWmyMfDlViJVbO~WfyupWf4KbfelVhhMKjze5BpaRgoZWvVIPbaD-iXI3ud-mPB0WEiPuE0QmMxc861ZTvbn7S9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education approved transferring $16,789,455.48 from the district’s general fund to its special revenue fund.

A board member moved to approve the transfer and the motion was seconded. The board recorded the action by voice vote; the clerk announced “Aye” and the motion passed.

Board members did not provide detailed line‑item breakdowns or a public explanation of how the transferred funds will be allocated within the special revenue fund during the meeting. The motion and voice vote were the formal approval recorded in the minutes.

The transfer was presented as an agenda item under routine fiscal actions; the board also approved the treasurer’s report and payment of bills during the same session.

The board did not attach a statutory citation or external authority to the transfer during the meeting materials discussed on the record.","Lee's Summit R-7 school board approved a one-time transfer of $16,789,455.48 from the general fund to the special revenue fund; the motion passed by voice vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6147696,"Board approves renewal of Wilson language training after debate over reach and cost",935,861000,1796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520218-0b5cf6a6f68fef39b97d3697c7a25afc&start=861&end=1796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520218-0b5cf6a6f68fef39b97d3697c7a25afc/thumbnail_861000.jpg","/articles/6147696/Missouri/Board-approves-renewal-of-Wilson-language-training-after-debate-over-reach-and-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147696-65425792a36fb926650526964e03dc7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773565584&Signature=ibfT-JbYcwgaV05N5V6RBmxhXJ1DwMwU-IGKsPr5SORp2ay7FcUzNC9TtOVNulLsS0oOFNAH0h6CEPLFhSwBgr8xOyANxwhmctDewOUYCDv4kyi4XzV62ROooapxWG6EYEZXzuUhGJdVHsjsmODXBEMD-QdmnR5PlO-SUVHSXW3B93XjLycnEfZE0fdZGgs8w8yJpUT7W-zx82MHYOqHm6MS3DHUI1F1ceBw1anPXRH-EEIt7y4RxOYswu5fVQEQKOzTuESgbDpJ-Wq9STkggS3EE467X5oJBr3I3s1SmZsyl246yybO24apmAUcmFw3GzC1y~dRyG8qQfrcUJpaHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of Wilson language training for $20,330 and to renew the service agreement through June 30, 2026, after public comments and board discussion about the program’s cost, intensity and reach.

At a public comment period before the vote, resident Kristen Grubbs urged the board to examine how the district identifies and serves students with reading difficulties. “Why then has our below basic rate increased? … How come our specialized reading program for these very students has only reached 105 students in 4 years?” Grubbs said, citing district figures and program spending she summarized for the board.

The issue prompted questions from board members about program scope and cost-effectiveness. One board member asked whether the district could expand access if substantial money has been spent but only about 100 students have used the service. A staff member, Dr. Barger, described Wilson as an intensive, diagnostic intervention intended for students who have exhausted earlier tiers of support: “If you think of that logic…Wilson is the most intensive procedure. It's 1 on 1 or small group. It's very intense. It's very focused.”

Board member Dr. Nickens told colleagues he had consulted literacy experts and reviewed program materials and argued the program is designed specifically to serve students with dyslexia and other intensive needs. “Wilson is the only intervention that allows some continuity of support from elementary into middle school,” Nickens said, noting the district’s plan to develop an internal “resident expert” to reduce future training costs through a train‑the‑trainer model.

Board discussion emphasized that Wilson functions at a tier‑3 level of support—intensive, individualized instruction typically reserved for a smaller number of students—and that implementation requires certified instructors. The board cited the program’s heavy time commitment for staff certification as a reason why only a limited number of students have received Wilson services to date.

After discussion the board took formal action to purchase the training and renew the agreement through June 30, 2026. The motion passed with the board voice vote recorded as “Aye.”

Board materials and public remarks at the meeting noted past expenditures and student counts; the board did not present an independent, itemized verification of those totals at the meeting. The district indicated a plan to continue examining how to deploy interventions across tiers and to explore internal capacity building to reduce future training costs.","Lee's Summit R-7 school board voted to renew a Wilson language training contract for $20,330 and continue the service agreement through June 30, 2026, after public comment and board discussion about the program's intensity, costs and how many students it reaches.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges board to uphold 'dignity table' commitments, criticizes two members' public objections

Board approves 10¢ student meal price increase for 2025–26 and plans stakeholder team to close funding gap

Board transfers $16.79 million from general fund to special revenue fund

Board approves renewal of Wilson language training after debate over reach and cost