Kendra, the district’s early childhood center director, told the Hannibal School Board that her program’s annual evaluation rated the Early Childhood Center (ECC) “excellent,” highlighting 97% staff attendance in the first semester, strong family communication and growth in students’ language and independence skills.

Kendra said the program’s 14 certified staff missed between one and three days each during the first semester and that staff frequently covered extra duties such as custodial tasks and snow removal when needed. She credited staff teamwork for managing student behavior, building early literacy and supporting nonverbal children with communication devices.

Kendra presented sample program measures: use of an assessment/data collection tool called ESGI to track individual goals and progress; high staff attention to kindergarten-readiness skills such as meal-time routines and independence with clothing; and speech-language support that, she said, helps many nonverbal children move to multi-word communication.

Administrators and board members discussed enrollment trends in the ECC packet: the number of early childhood special education (ECSE) students is growing, and as required placements for ECSE students increase, the number of Title I slots the district can offer to other preschool students has declined. Superintendent Susan Johnson told the board that ECSE placements are required by law and that the growth in that population reduces available general-title seats.

Kendra and the board emphasized that the ECC uses blended classrooms—mixing ECSE and Title I students—and that building staff will receive additional professional development as the district consolidates elementary footprints for 2025–26. The board did not vote on the evaluation; Kendra’s report was entered into the packet and discussed during the meeting.