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SSD board approves curriculum reviews, professional development budget and a package of contracts and staffing changes
Summary
The SSD Board approved the fourth-quarter strategic/CSIP update, the curriculum and assessment plan, the 2026-27 professional development budget, and multiple contracts and staffing actions; the board also scheduled three closed meetings on litigation and personnel matters.
The Special School District (SSD) Board of Education approved multiple agenda items covering curriculum, professional development, contracts and personnel changes and scheduled three future closed meetings.
After presentations and questions from board members, the board voted to approve the strategic and comprehensive school improvement (CSIP) fourth-quarter update, the curriculum assessment plan, and the Professional Development Committee report and budget for 2026'27. Dr. Molly Bolton told the board the district will move curriculum documents off the Embark platform and into a cost-free Google site to meet ADA Title II accessibility requirements. "Embark is not going to be able to meet the standards for our ADA Title II, and so therefore we feel very strongly that our curriculum needs to be accessible," Bolton said.
The board then approved a package of operational items by motion: transportation reimbursement through Children's Division; FY27 purchase-of-service contracts; a diverse-staffing services agreement; an agreement between North and South Tech and the St. Louis County Fire Academy; substitute contracts with multiple partner districts; a Bridges Program reclassification (teacher to guidance counselor); conversion of a North Tech EMT role from part-time to full-time; a Customized Training Program contractor; renewal of the district's benefits self-service platform; SSD leadership cabinet reorganization; and a FY27 budget adjustment. Most motions were carried by voice vote with no recorded roll call; where a recorded roll call was taken it appears in the minutes.
During public comment, Tim Eby of the Special Education Foundation thanked departing leaders and provided program metrics: "SEF served over 8,000 students over the school year," he said. That figure was presented during the public-comment portion and was not independently verified at the meeting.
On a separate motion the board approved holding closed meetings on June 23, July 14 and July 28, 2026 to discuss litigation, personnel records and negotiations. That motion passed on a recorded roll call with Directors Meeks, Sartorius, Beaver, Burke, Cuneo, Nelson and Suda recorded as "Yes." President Meeks closed the meeting at 7:12 p.m.
Votes at a glance: strategic/CSIP update (approved), curriculum & assessment plan (approved), PDC report and 2026-27 PD budget (approved), transportation reimbursement (approved), FY27 purchase-of-service contracts (approved), diverse-staffing services agreement (approved), North/South Tech & St. Louis County Fire Academy agreement (approved), substitute contracts with multiple partner districts (approved), Bridges Program position reclassification (approved), North Tech EMT position change (approved), Customized Training Program contractor (approved), renewal of benefits platform (approved), SSD leadership cabinet reorganization (approved), FY27 budget adjustment (approved), motion to hold closed meetings (approved by recorded roll call).
Why it matters: The approvals move forward curriculum and professional development implementation and authorize operational contracts and staffing changes that affect SSD schools and partner districts. The ADA-driven platform change for curriculum documents may require a major formatting and uploading effort before the next school year.
The board offered tributes to three departing district leaders and adjourned.
