Excelsior Springs board hears plan to pilot Missouri Flex program at high school

Dr. Miller introduced the Missouri Flex program and told the board the district will pilot the state‑authorized program at the high school with “maybe 2 or 3 kids” initially.

Dr. Miller said the Missouri Flex option allows students to earn credits through an individualized plan that can include part‑time work while remaining enrolled. He distinguished the Flex program from Missouri Options, which focuses on GED/HiSET preparation, and said Flex is a “personalized coursework” pathway that requires close supervision and a 95% attendance standard.

Rick Schwab was named as the teacher who will oversee the pilot at the high school. Dr. Miller said the program requires a certified teacher to supervise and conduct site visits so coursework aligns with on‑the‑job learning; beyond staff time and site visits he said “there really is no cost at all” and noted a financial benefit: the district receives full average daily attendance (ADA) funding for participating students while they are on the job.

Board members discussed how the program would be limited to students referred by principals or counselors, and Dr. Miller emphasized the program is intended for a specific group of students — those who need a nontraditional pathway because traditional full‑time enrollment is not the best route for them. He said each participant must have an ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) aligned to the Flex coursework.

Why it matters: district leaders said the Flex pilot could help students who struggle with full‑day attendance or who work in family businesses during seasons such as farm season, and that successful pilots in other Missouri districts informed the decision.

Ending: Dr. Miller and Rick Schwab will run the initial pilot and the board asked staff to report back on the program’s staffing needs and ADA impacts if it expands.