Joplin Schools board approves scholarships, tech upgrades and budget adjustments; hears county children’s fund pitch

The Joplin Schools Board of Education approved multiple operational items at its March 2025 regular meeting — including a memorandum of understanding with Pittsburg State University to reserve up to 10 full-ride scholarships for Franklin Technology students, a recurring MasteryConnect subscription, E-rate-funded network upgrades, a Chromebook refresh for incoming sixth- and ninth-graders, and a seven-year district copier contract — and adopted the second budget adjustment of the year after removing a proposed $2,572,490 transfer from the classroom trust fund.

The meeting also included presentations on a proposed Jasper County children’s services fund and an overview of alternative programs at the Roy Wood campus, topics board members said provide local context for how district and community resources connect to student needs.

Board action summary and why it matters The scholarship agreement with Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg State University College of Technology) creates a new pathway for Franklin Technology students: the district said qualifying students who complete a Franklin Tech program will be eligible to apply for one of up to 10 renewable, four‑year full‑ride scholarships, and will be assigned a dedicated academic advisor at Pittsburg State. Miss Thornton presented the item and the board approved the MOU by voice vote after a motion by Mrs. Sherrick and a second by Mr. Greenlee.

Finance and budget adjustments drew the most extended discussion. Dr. Dickey, presenting the spring budget adjustment, said the district planned $1,050,793 in expenditure adjustments and $2,263,251 in additional revenue for this adjustment cycle, producing an overall net revenue increase of $1,212,458. The proposal included moving $2,572,490 from the classroom trust fund into Fund 4 for capital projects (elementary Phase 1 furniture and the previously approved 2025–26 cap outlay). During debate, several board members questioned the timing of immediately transferring the classroom trust balance; Mr. Hurd moved to remove that transfer from tonight’s approval and the board voted to adopt the budget adjustment without the classroom trust fund transfer.

Technology, curriculum and operations - MasteryConnect: Dr. Mwangi and staff recommended MasteryConnect as a Canvas add‑on for grades 6–12 to centralize common assessment data and support professional learning communities. The board approved the $26,000 recurring subscription for implementation beginning this spring with full rollout next school year. - E-rate network equipment: The district sought approval to spend allocated E-rate Category 2 funds to replace switches and wireless access points at Joplin High, East Middle and several elementary sites. The presentation stated the district was allotted about $809,000 through the E-rate program and that roughly 80% of purchases are reimbursable. The board approved the purchase and transition plan, which includes phased moves from Aruba/ ClearPass to Ruckus cloud management. - Chromebooks: The board approved a Chromebook refresh targeted at incoming sixth- and ninth‑grade students for the next school year to maintain the district’s 1:1 device program for grades 6–12. - District copiers: After an RFQ process the board approved Lakeland Copy Products for district copier services under a multi‑year contract to replace aging hardware.

Other routine approvals The board approved the consent agenda and accounts payable as presented; the accounts payable list for the meeting period totaled $8,398,424.12, the board noted, with the year‑over‑year increase driven primarily by payroll and related liabilities.

Presentations and community items - Jasper County for Kids: Terry Wachter, a retired Mercy Hospital administrator and volunteer for Jasper County for Kids, and Stephanie Teese, director of Children’s Haven, asked the board to note that Jasper County Proposition A (on the April 8 ballot) would establish a county children’s services fund funded by a proposed quarter‑cent local sales tax to support prevention, intervention and community‑based treatment services for children. Wachter said the coalition represents more than 30 organizations; Teese said local Kids Count data show worsening county indicators since 2020 and said local funding is needed to expand community services. Board members asked clarifying questions about board terms and conflict‑of‑interest rules for an appointed oversight board; presenters said commissioners appoint a nine‑member board with three‑year terms and that appointees cannot have a financial interest in funded organizations. - Roy Wood alternative programs: Shelley Tartar provided an overview of three alternative/high‑support programs on the Roy Wood campus (the LEHI program, Missouri Options and JAG/Jobs for America’s Graduates), including attendance and work‑hours requirements for LEHI students and reported enrollment counts (about 30 in JAG; roughly 98 in the flex program at the time of reporting).

Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: motion by Mr. Greenlee, second by Mrs. Schroeder; approved by voice vote. - Consent agenda: motion by Mr. Weaver, second by Mrs. Sherrick; approved by voice vote. - MOU with Pittsburg State University (College of Technology) scholarships: motion by Mrs. Sherrick, second by Mr. Greenlee; approved by voice vote. (MOU authorizes district participation and student eligibility process; scholarship terms referenced in the MOU are not specified in full in the meeting record.) - Accounts payable: motion by Mrs. Schroeder, second by Mr. Greenlee; approved by voice vote. (Bill list $8,398,424.12.) - Budget adjustment (second adjustment of year): motion to approve with an amendment to remove the classroom trust fund transfer; amendment moved by Mr. Hurd, seconded; board approved the budget adjustment excluding the $2,572,490 classroom trust transfer. - MasteryConnect subscription (Canvas add‑on): motion by Mrs. Sherrick, second by Mrs. Schroeder; approved by voice vote. (Recurring cost cited at $26,000.) - E‑rate network equipment (switches and access points; Ruckus migration): motion by Mrs. Sherrick, second by Mr. Greenlee; approved by voice vote. (E‑rate allocation discussed at approx. $809,000; reimbursement rate cited at 80%.) - Chromebook refresh (sixth and ninth grades): motion by Mrs. Sherrick, second; approved by voice vote. - District copier contract (Lakeland Copy Products, multi‑year): motion by Mr. Green, second; approved by voice vote.

What the board did not decide tonight Board members removed the classroom trust fund transfer from this budget adjustment and explicitly left the transfer for a potential later action; no transfer from the classroom trust fund was enacted tonight. The Jasper County Proposition A presentation was informational; the board did not take a formal action on the county ballot measure.

Looking ahead Presenters and board members noted that the Jasper County ballot measure (Proposition A) will appear on the April 8 ballot, and teachers’ and students’ state and national competitions were highlighted in the meeting’s recognitions. The board will consider any remaining capital transfers as part of future budget actions.