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Superintendent reports gains in graduation and declines in behavior incidents after district investments
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Landon reported year-end metrics: near-82% graduation rate, large gains for historically underserved students, reductions in suspensions/restraints and improvements tied to behavior investments and programs; district also implemented zero-based budgeting to address a roughly $12 million shortfall and secured $5.6 million in grants.
At the June 8 board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Landon gave a year-end report that highlighted academic and safety outcomes the district attributed to strategic investments and programs.
On safety and behavior, Dr. Landon said the district invested about $3.8 million in behavior supports and intervention. He reported year-over-year declines: major behavior referrals decreased 7%, physical altercation incidents decreased 28%, out-of-school suspensions decreased 19%, and restraints decreased 40% — the lowest level the district has seen during its agreement with the Department of Justice. The superintendent also noted the Safe Zone sports pilot engaged 109 fourth- and fifth-grade students and coincided with measurable reductions in referrals and physical aggression among participants. The district reported using the CrisisGo platform for 3,370 messages and 169 emergency drills; 96.3% of families were notified about incidents within one hour.
On academic outcomes, Dr. Landon said the district’s graduation rate approached 82%, a 5-percentage-point increase since 2023, and he highlighted equity gains: Black/African-American students’ graduation rate rose to 80.5% (a 9.2-point improvement). He said 1,488 students took AP courses and 826 students completed Kirkwood dual-credit coursework, and that 250 English learners met proficiency and will exit ELL programming.
On finances and operations, Dr. Landon said the district pursued a zero-based budgeting process to address an approximately $12 million budgetary gap and that leaders secured about $5.6 million in grant funding to support programs during the reconfiguration and rightsizing work.
Dr. Landon framed the results as a team effort of staff, leadership and community partners and invited continued board feedback as the district finalizes a new strategic plan.
