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Board approves new physical-therapy FTE and funding for an additional school resource officer
Summary
During the workshop the Grain Valley R-V Board approved adding a physical therapist FTE (or 0.5 FTE equivalent if needed) and voted to fund one additional school resource officer for 2025–26; the SRO motion was amended to clarify funding responsibility.
The Grain Valley R-V Board of Education voted to add a full physical therapist FTE for the 2025–26 school year and to fund one additional school resource officer (SRO) for the same year.
Physical therapist: administrators asked the board to add a physical therapist position to address growing caseloads across eight district buildings. Dr. Willie explained the district currently has one physical therapist and that contracted services for a single day per week would cost as much as a 0.5 FTE; hiring a 0.5–1.0 FTE would provide more consistent service. “Technically, the minimum ask would be…a half FTE,” Dr. Willie said, adding that the district prefers to post a full FTE to attract candidates but can hire part time if needed. The board approved the motion to add one physical therapist FTE; the transcript records the motion as passing (voice vote).
School resource officer: the board also approved funding for an additional SRO for 2025–26. The agenda item and discussion made clear the SRO would be an employee of the Grain Valley Police Department and not the district. Dr. Willie and staff said the district has budgeted funds to pay for the SRO, while the police department will handle assignment and equipment (such as a patrol vehicle). During discussion a board member moved to amend the motion to state explicitly that the district would fund one SRO; the amendment carried, and the amended motion passed.
Executive session motion: at the end of the meeting the board voted to adjourn into executive session under statutory citations given on the record (see Actions below). The roll call for the executive-session motion recorded the following board responses: Jared — yes; Sarah — yes; Julie — (not recorded on the audio); Erin — yes; Tommy — yes. The clerk closed the meeting following that vote.
Votes at a glance - Add 1 physical therapist FTE for 2025–26: approved (voice vote; mover/second not specified in transcript). Note: administrators said a 0.5 FTE would meet a minimum need but the position is being posted as a full FTE to broaden the applicant pool. - Fund 1 additional school resource officer for 2025–26: approved after an amendment to specify the district will fund the SRO (mover/second not specified in transcript). The SRO will be an employee of the Grain Valley Police Department. - Adjourn to executive session under statutory subsections referenced on the record: approved by roll call (Jared: yes; Sarah: yes; Erin: yes; Tommy: yes; Julie: not audibly recorded).
Why this matters: the physical-therapy hire addresses immediate special-education and caseload needs across buildings; the district’s commitment to pay for an additional SRO expands school safety staffing but relies on coordination with the police department for assignment and equipment.
Background and next steps Administrators said they will post the physical-therapy position and may hire part time if necessary. For the SRO, Dr. Gooch and district staff said they are coordinating with the police chief and the city on availability, vehicle assignment and additional city costs that may arise.
Ending Minutes and formal motions will appear on the board’s consent agenda and in the official minutes; administrators said personnel details and position postings will proceed following human-resources and city coordination.
