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Bolivar Middle School spotlight, A+ program and academic calendar planning highlighted at board meeting
Summary
Principal Brooke Campbell outlined a new 0‑hour behavior block, literacy and PLT work at Bolivar Middle School, and attendance/APR metrics; the board also heard an A+ program update and began calendar planning for 2026–27 (late start vs. early out options).
Bolivar Middle School principal Brooke Campbell described a series of building initiatives the board highlighted as central to the district’s academic priorities. Campbell said BMS serves 571 students (208 sixth graders, 171 seventh graders, 192 eighth graders) and has added a daily 0‑hour period focused on behavior and executive‑function skills, currently scheduled as 12 minutes per day and planned for grade‑specific customization next year.
Campbell reviewed curriculum and assessment work, saying the middle school is implementing a new ELA curriculum and using a backwards design model to align standards, assessments and instruction. She described professional learning teams (PLTs) operating five days per week—three content days, one behavior day and one RTI/preparation day—and said two instructional coaches support teachers in the building. Campbell also gave attendance and accountability figures: average daily attendance around 94.15% and APR tracking at a level the district hopes to improve further.
The board then heard a brief annual A+ program update from VHS principal Jason Blair, who outlined state requirements for the scholarship (2.5 GPA, 95% attendance, testing or ACT/GPA combinations, 50 hours of tutoring/mentorship and a citizenship requirement). Blair said coordinator Mrs. Shockley is working to educate families about A+ benefits, streamline tracking (including an online option to replace paper logs) and capture tutoring hours across buildings; recent graduates receiving the scholarship numbered about 74–77 per year.
Dr. Garber presented broader academic items including the district’s APR (reported at 85.5%, a 3 percentage‑point increase), a one‑page literacy plan aligned to Missouri priorities, and initial calendar planning for 2026–27. The calendar committee will solicit staff and parent feedback after Thanksgiving; the district is weighing either a late‑start Wednesday or an early‑out Friday and plans a recommendation to the board in February.
