Monett Board of Education reviews program gains

Social media outreach reflects expanded community contact; attendance highest in district in three years
 
The Monett school board concentrated on operations during its October meeting.
The Welcome Center, located in the former administration building at Eighth and Scott streets, slated a grand opening for the noon hour on Nov. 5. Operations director Steve Garner said the facility has been transformed, decorated, and “looks welcoming.” This will be a new location where parents with students in multiple campuses can go to register or conduct needed business in one place.
Efforts to resolve the software problem that has left the new crosswalk by the high school inoperable a year after installation were “close to resolution.” Garner reported the software manufacturer and the Missouri Department of Transportation were talking to each other and coming close to fixing the glitches.
During October, Garner said elementary students had begun using the badges issued to bus riders, which they will use as they enter and leave buses. If they attempt to get off at the wrong stop, the new system will alert the bus driver. Parents will be able to download an app that will tell them how long they will wait before the bus arrives.
2026-27 school calendar approved
Board members adopted a calendar for the 2026-27 school year, enabling the districts sending students to the Scott Regional Technology Center to select their schedules in the coming two months. Superintendent Dr. Mark Drake presented two options, noting that 80 percent of the faculty preferred the choice offering a week-long break at Thanksgiving, two weeks off for the Christmas holiday, and graduation on May 14. The other option shifted those vacations in different lengths and would have held graduation a week earlier.
Under the adopted calendar, classes will begin on Aug. 18. A New Teacher Academy is slated for Aug. 6 and 7. Professional development days for teachers are slated in August, September, October, and January only. Schools are allowed to hold classes remotely for the first six days when winter weather disrupts transporting students. If four additional make-up days are needed, in-class sessions were slated for Feb. 15, April 19, and May 21, 24, and 25.  
In personnel action, the board accepted the resignation of Lauren Gunter as a special education paraprofessional at the intermediate school. Two were hired as a daycare giver and a substitute custodian.
Collaboration efforts
Assistant Superintendent Isaac Sooter reviewed the leadership poll given to principals at the end of September to show the pulse in their buildings, reflecting successes and less effective efforts to guide upcoming professional development efforts to send support where needed. He said the survey for new principals sought to identify particular challenges, spurring conversation during the administration meeting on how to overcome issues. Sooter spoke positively about how this effort helps create a collaborative environment, “real conversations about the real world” helping colleagues learn from each other.
Reduced cell phone use at the high school appears to have increased student engagement. Sooter referred to Peer Learning Walks and After-School Academic Support creating momentum. At lower grades, the Profile of a Cub effort has encouraged student participation and goal setting, taking ownership of learning, and enthusiasm for growth. At the middle school, nearly 200 students signed up for after-school activities, which Sooter saw as “a strong measure of belonging and expanded opportunities.”
Sooter noted principals continued to prioritize staff morale and recognition in an effort to show positive intent and “joyful work.”
Measured successes
Attendance, Sooter noted, was overall at 89.9 percent, the highest in three years for October. High school numbers were at the highest point shown in four years and the first time over the target goal of 90 percent. The intermediate school had an attendance level at 91.4 percent for a district high.
Board members saw gains in the Success Ready category at the high school, with more students taking advanced courses than last year. The percentage of students qualifying in college and career readiness tests, like the ACT, still lag significantly behind the targeted number.
The district is introducing the Monett Shield for use on all campuses. Designed with district-wide brand guidelines to ensure a consistent appearance everywhere, the shield will symbolize “tradition, achievement, and unity across campuses.” Promotional materials are being created to promote brand recognition and pride.
Social media contact is growing as a reflection of expanding public outreach. Facebook contact had increased by almost 5 percent. Instagram had almost 148 percent growth in contacts from the previous reporting period. Through ParentSquare, the district has 95 percent contact with families of students.
In addition, Monett Elementary launched its Guardians of MES (G.O. MES) parent involvement committee.
STAR testing has been underway during the previous month, documenting a learning baseline for students for the year. Intermediate school principal Jennifer Wallace reported 5 percentage point gains in reading and math in October. Monett Elementary principal Karly Drake reported steady weekly improvement in fluency instruction.
Ruby Smith and Carsyn Goetz, two Student Council members at the high school, talked to the board about efforts to boost student engagement at sporting events. For example, Student Council committees agreed to try singing between the third and fourth quarters of a football game to pep up the crowd. Smith and Goetz agreed that song choice would make a big difference on how effectively the strategy worked.
Drake reminded board members the office would be open from 3-5 p.m. on Dec. 30 for last minute filings for the school board in the April 7, 2026 election.
The next board meeting was scheduled for Nov. 20.