Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent apologizes to South High students; district highlights back-to-school carnival and student council activities
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Martin Knox apologized to South High students for the school-year opening incident, praised staff response and highlighted a back-to-school carnival that had more than 70 vendors and served over 900 families; student leaders reported Freshman Academy activities and new student council initiatives.
Superintendent Dr. Martin Knox opened his report at the Sept. 8 board meeting by thanking staff and students and apologizing for a disruption at Raytown South High School at the start of the school year. "I apologize, especially to our south high school students and our 100 students for the manner in which we had to start the school year," Dr. Martin Knox said, adding that safety remains a priority and praising staff who supported students during the incident.
Dr. Knox and district staff also highlighted a revamped back-to-school carnival that drew extensive community participation. Staff reported more than 70 vendor tables and attendance by more than 900 families; the event — moved to the weekend before classes began — aimed to connect families with resources including mental-health, behavioral-health, education, transportation and utility assistance. A district staff member who coordinates student supports said the carnival helped families access local services and strengthened ties between students, educators and community partners.
The board recognized several volunteers for organizing the carnival and other community outreach. Kim Snyder, president of the Raytown Educational Foundation, thanked long-term sponsors and volunteers for stabilizing foundation efforts and supporting grants, scholarships and student recognition programs.
Student council leaders from Raytown High and Raytown South also reported on start-of-year activities. Savannah Young, Raytown High student council president, said student leaders helped teachers set up classrooms to accommodate a new Freshman Academy, held a freshman transition day and organized spirit events and a pep rally. Jenna Budialo, Raytown South student council president, said South students adjusted to new phone policies and welcomed a new principal; Budialo noted homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 4 and thanked Raytown High for sharing space and resources during recent transitions.
The superintendent closed his report by thanking the district’s executive leadership, teachers and facilities staff for their work preparing students for the year. The board offered additional thanks to volunteers and staff for maintaining safety and supporting student-focused events.
The meeting proceeded to committee and policy business after presentations from students and the foundation.
