independence school board

If you publish online, include the hyperlinks in the story, and a link to the original articles URL on our website. Vollmecke was given multiple opportunities by the Director of Public Safety to leave the boardroom once the meeting had concluded, the statement read. Late in the three-plus-hour meeting, Mike Pennington, director of curriculum and technology integration, discussed the possibility of creating a remote-learning pathway, which would somewhat resemble the pandemic-inspired 2020-21 iPride Academy. May 24, 2023 4:13 PM We question the recent trespassing conviction of Jason Vollmecke, a regular critic of Independence School District Superintendent Dale Herl. Director, Center for Clinical Investigation. Since Smith didnt learn about the books removal until after it already happened, he would have missed his chance. Weve seen worse behavior in recent years at other area school board meetings that didnt conclude with a citation for trespassing. From coordinating the 21st Century program for the districts youngest learners in early education, to my role as an administrator in human resources, I championed efforts to build consensus and ensure equity for diverse groups. The sessions will occur at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month. Independence Local Schools JAN 12, 2023 Calendars for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years were approved by the Board at the 1/5 meeting. The Independence Board of Education encourages school staff and interested citizens of the school district to attend its meetings. November 5, 2019 City/School Official Results. View Map. If you can, we hope youll help keep our journalism free for all readers by becoming a monthly member of The Beacon. Mondaine: Within six years my hope is to help create a culture of transparency and accountability. The Independence school board started exploring a shorter school week in August amid difficulties recruiting and retaining staff. News | Trempealeau County Times METH TOWN ADMITS THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION NO LONGER ADVANCES SOCIAL MOBILITY!!! He also wants the board to make meetings more accessible to the public and says communication between the board and public is shamefully scarce.. I'm not saying that there are dark, nefarious things going on, but I am saying they've been allowed to operate without anyone questioning or asking them to do better. But one surefire way to silence dissent is to have critics arrested on trumped up trespassing charges. Jill, Bill, and their two daughters graduated from Truman High School. The board also unanimously accepted an agreement between St. Michael Catholic School in Independence and Twinsburg-based PSI Affiliates for educational services. That speaker was not arrested or prevented from sprouting off hateful rhetoric aimed at the LGBTQ community. School boards typically have seven members who work together, with the superintendent, to accomplish goals and desires of the district. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM We rely on your donations to remain free for everyone. Expressing oneself to leaders is a cornerstone of our democracy. Competitive salary and benefits. Who is running for Robinson's seat on the Palm Beach County School Board? Heres what it means for our health, Endorsements, door-knocking and rallies: The new power players of Kansas Citys elections, Three things to watch for during Kansas Citys June 20 election, The seven candidates vying to represent Kansas Citys urban core, Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, free to republish in accordance with these guidelines, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Mencl is a lifelong Independence resident and taught at the primary school for 35 years. Having had experience with budgeting in excess of millions of dollars I understand the importance of every dollar, maintaining programs with a positive fund balance, and making hard decisions when shortfalls come. Introducing The Capable and Committed Members of the Independence School Board of Trustees Mrs. Amelia Wyant, President and a member of the Independence Class of 1990, is president of Eastern. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), From left: Independence school board candidates Jill Esry, Greg Gilliam, Anthony Mondaine and Jason Vollmecke. The meeting opened with Christina Peer, partner at the law firm of Walter Haverfield, presenting the board with legal updates and guidance for the 2021-22 school year. September 1, 2023. Each candidate was limited to 250 words. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. HOME 7733 Stone . August 17, 2020 Board Packet. Independence school board critic's unjust arrest, conviction | The Following the mask debate, Hegedish offered a bit of good news on the health and safety front. For additional details, please click this link: FCS says "welcome and congratulations" to our newest principals and administrative staff. The coronavirus pandemic continues to compel difficult decisions. If you cant vote on election day for one of several reasons Missouri accepts, request an absentee ballot by 5 p.m. March 23 or vote in person at the election authority office until 5 p.m. the day before the election. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). But he did tell us being arrested at a school board meeting was frustrating. Include the following at the end of the story: If you share the story on social media, please mention @. As many have suggested for years . 2020-2021 Junior-Senior High Student Handbook. Some adults age 18 - 21 are eligible for free meals if they meet . We vividly recall Herl and school board members sitting idly by as one mom accused the sponsor of gay inclusion club of being a pedophile. We were hard-pressed to understand he how his behavior warranted an arrest. Independence, IA 50644. Infection rates in the school districts ZIP code have skyrocketed since the first two-week mask mandate of the school year was put in place in September. His arrest was just plain silly and a real abuse of power by Superintendent Herl. Wendy Baird created the Facebook page after she had difficulty finding out how to address the board when her child struggled with the switch to virtual learning during the pandemic. One of the challenges I see is the severe lack of diversity in employment and leadership. Kudos to Johnson Countys new diversity coalition. Administration Office You can reach me at jodifortino@kcur.org. Register online at: registration.isdschools.org Find information about proof of residency, forms, and immunization requirements on our online Admissions Center at isdschools.org/admissions/. See who came onboard July 5, 2023. They owe it to their constituents to hear them out good, bad or indifferent. He had informed the secretary he was going to be late. He already talked to administrators about his concerns on the books removal, so hes not optimistic they would add the matter to future agendas. The Independence school board voted Tuesday night to approve a 4-day school week starting next school year. Feel free, however, to publish it on a page surrounded by ads youve already sold. It might be just a free babysitting service. Those who would like to address the Board during the public comment period must submit a written request to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools (annette_miller@isdschools.org) by 4 p.m. the Friday before the regular meeting. Another strength of the ISD is how we support our students and their families. Clean, attractive facilities. Another challenge our district faces is the current attack on public education throughout the state and nation. Ahead of the April 5 election, The Kansas City Beacon sent five questions to each candidate about the district and school board's strengths and weaknesses, and why they're the right person to help them improve. School board listens patiently as mom calls sponsor of gay inclusion club a pedophile By The Kansas City Star Editorial Board Updated October 14, 2021 9:00 AM Members of the Kansas City. Address: 1207 1st Street West School Supply Drive: Help kids start school ready to soar To add insult to injury, Herl removed Vollmecke from involvement with the districts STEM Academy, according to the letter. In June, the school board voted to remove the book Cats vs. Robots Volume 1: This is War which includes a nonbinary character from its elementary school libraries. We do not sell or share your information with anyone. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. We looked long and hard for any wrongdoing on Vollmeckes part. Independence High / Homepage Eleven out of 33 polling places are reporting. He was a financial advisor with Stewardship Capital for more than a decade. Is the Independence school board transparent? Mondaine: Board meetings are on time and most members are always present. Neither Mondaines nor Vollmeckes response was abbreviated. The reason I ran for school board was I felt that they needed a voice from the teachers on the school board, said Mencl. A citizen having to worry about going to jail for trying to address the school board is just ludicrous, he said. Esry: I believe the district does an excellent job of partnering with community groups to serve our families. Dont tell that to Herl and his enablers. Lewisville ISD announces appointment of Laura Sherer as the new principal of Independence Elementary. And I kind of see that as my role now.. As KCURs education reporter, Ill break down the policies driving these issues in schools and report whats happening in our region's classrooms. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The ISD has a social worker (family school liaison) in each school building. Opinion - Chicago Tribune I am experienced in child care, mental health and substance abuse intervention, and I am presently serving as treasurer of the Jackson County Childrens Services Fund. The restrictions that are in this year make it very challenging to put such a school in place, Hegedish said. by Maria Benevento, The Beacon March 18, 2022, This article first appeared on The Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.. Board Members Board Regular Meeting Dates Board Agendas Board Minutes Board Policies Board Meetings The ISD board has a good working relationship with our superintendent. Mental health is an area where it would be nice to have greater involvement. For Position . The Independence Board of Education dealt with several items of new business at its meeting Tuesday (July 27), while also addressing concerns regarding the stubbornly persistent coronavirus pandemic. I am pleased to present to you the 2018 Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework, which was adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on June 26, 2018. Unrecorded meetings. Public comment rules. Is the Independence school She became aware that the district was changing how it enforced its commenting policy after she signed up to speak at Novembers board meeting and was told she needed to wait for the agenda to be posted and pick an item to comment on. Although mask mandates and COVID-19 protocols have lessened, our staff continues to experience heightened behavior and mental health issues with students. Previously, speakers could sign up to address any topic they choose. Anthony Mondaine, a district graduate and current Jackson County Childrens Services Fund treasurer, says Independence needs to improve diversity among staff and leadership to better reflect the student population. The community is firmly seeking transparency and accountability across the board regarding public officials. My connections within the higher education community will be valuable as we continue to build pipelines for growing our own. Independence school board lets hate speech go unchallenged | The Kansas Now, though, Smith wouldnt be able to raise his objection to the books removal. But local voters can also influence education policy through their votes for school board members and on education bonds. Please reload the page and try again. DirectorAnthony J. Mondaines involvement in the Independence community runs deep. He plans to appeal the misdemeanor conviction handed down by Municipal Judge Garry Helm. I think it should be allowed to be an open forum, Baird said. Originally published at 7:21 p.m., May. Blake has been in the insurance industry for 35 years. I dont believe any of our board members is in it for him or herself or has any hidden agenda he/she is working towards. Unlike the surreal 2020-21 school year, which compelled the state to allow less-stringent requirements for online schools, the upcoming year will involve strict oversight and regulation. Mondaine is an ordained minister, serving as a local pastor in the community for the last six years. Her husband Bill works in finance and is active in the Heart of America Council of the Boy Scouts of America. If youre in line at 7 p.m. you can vote. Lynne Laski, the previous president, will act as vice president. Ahead of the April 5 election, The Kansas City Beacon sent five questions to each candidate about the district and school boards strengths and weaknesses, and why theyre the right person to help them improve. To request Board Meeting Minutes, please email Secretary to the Board Annette Miller at annette_miller@isdschools.org, Dolly Partons Imagination Library in the ISD, Learn more about the August 8, 2023 Levy Ballot Measure, Advocating Equity in Missouri Public Schools, 5-19-2023 Agenda Special Session Tax Levy (PDF), Special Meeting MSBA Spring Virtual Meeting 3-1-2023 (PDF), 2-27-2023 Agenda Executive Session (PDF), 11-01-2022 Agenda Executive Session (PDF), 10-20-2022 Agenda Executive Session (PDF), 10-13-2022 Agenda Special Session (PDF), Executive Session Suspension Appeal Hearing 11-3-21 (PDF), Executive Session Suspension Appeal Hearings 5-14-19 (PDF), Executive Session Suspension Appeal Hearings 4-29-19 (PDF), Executive Session Agenda 12-19-2018 (PDF), Minutes 6-29-2016 Budget Special Session (PDF), Parent Right-to-Know and ESSA Complaint Procedures, Schoolwide Plans & School, Parent, and Family Engagement Policy. September 4, 2023. Independence school board approves contract extensions for I still see all the kids I had, and I feel like I am working for them and Ill be working for their children too, she remarked. I've made the commitment to myself to be a better parent, and to pay more attention to our local school board, Smith said. I also served as a social worker in mental health and substance abuse for 10 years and I am very concerned for the mental health of our students and faculty. Voters elected Carrie to serve a six year term in 2018. Board member Carrie Sears forcefully argued against the mandate. Click on the link below. Anthony Mondaine: I am a graduate of ISD (Van Horn High School C/O 2009). 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. We appreciate your interest and comments and ask your participation to help us meet that goal. A raft of updated board policies -- regarding everything from employee evaluations and prohibitions on discrimination to athletics and graduation requirements -- received unanimous approval. National Parent Teacher Association: PTAs mission is to make every childs potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We are blessed to have these community partners that participate in our Academies as well as provide services to our students. Im more concerned about our kids mental well-being, social well-being, emotional well-being in the long term.. These 17 outstanding seniors - one from each high school - embody the spirit and fortitude of the Class of 2023. September 21, 2020 Board Packet. Yes, school boards have great power, but ultimately, its members are not the ones in the trenches working daily to improve and educate students. 2:52. Other school districts may ask residents to keep their comments about policy or district matters, but they dont specify that they have to stick to agenda items. (Chris M. Worrell, special to cleveland.com). In Independence, school board terms are for six years. The Board of Education will meet for a special session meeting on June 29, 2023 at 7:30AM at 201 N. Forest Ave, Independence, Missouri. Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Support on bond issues from the community. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our, Chris M. Worrell, special to cleveland.com. View a sample ballot by clicking View Candidates and Issues after finding your polling place. Maria Benevento is the education reporter at The Kansas City Beacon. Meet the Independence School Board candidates | Scriptype Speaking forcefully or out of turn at a school board meeting shouldnt result in a criminal record. But in Independence schools under Herls leadership, questioning decisions made by him or the school board that unequivocally supports him are too often not tolerated. Why is it spending millions to promote alternatives to procedure? We are constantly looking for additional partners. BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Members of the Bryan ISD School Board approved upgrades to elementary schools earlier this month. We encourage sharing of information between home and school. These improvements include bathroom upgrades, pavement repairs, and . Nearly all Kansas City area districts record and stream their meetings. Despite being asked to leave, Vollmecke is heard saying he would address the board anyway. Vollmecke was told Herl accused him of displaying violent and aggressive behavior, he said. Student Early Release. Fax: 703-542-0913 . Improving transparency and communication with the community. Cant we all do the same? Greg Gilliam says he worked in the district for more than 30 years in human resources and now wants to use that knowledge to be an effective board member. In a statement, district officials told us Vollmecke was cited for refusing to leave school district premises once the school board meeting had concluded. More by Maria Benevento. She is a Report for America corps member. HOME7733 Stone RoadIndependence, Ohio OH 44131Phone: (216) 642-5850. Independence school board candidates discuss priorities- The Beacon Find the proposed ESG ISD Board Policies at the top of the Board Policies and Regulations page. Board of education meetings arent streamed or recorded, which Smith said frustrates parents. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. It sends a powerful, needed message | Opinion, Fact check: Ex-KC officer Eric DeValkenaeres fundraising plea includes false claims | Opinion, Josh Hawley rings in July 4 with fake quote with antisemitic, white nationalist roots | Opinion, Travis Kelce proves hes above hateful GOP politicians trying to destroy Bud Light | Opinion, Kansas Citys spiraling homicide rate is hard to fathom. Effective Monday, March 16, 2020,Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Independence High School hosted the Thursday, Jan. 6, annual school board organizational meeting, which also included several items of new business. Your education news is made possible with support from: Jill Esry: I am a third-generation Independence resident. September 11, 2023. . Like all American citizens, the district substitute teacher has a constitutional right to address the school board. Strong relationships with area colleges. Scroll down. Jason Vollmecke: As a health care professional, I can provide insight and guidance to policy, which is currently lacking. Were hopeful that Vollmecke, a chiropractor by trade, is spared the legal consequences of a questionable conviction. With a district composed of a nearly 50/50 split (white students and students of color) there needs to be balanced representation. While we certainly dont always agree, we are able to come together as one voice. These 17 outstanding seniors one from each high school embody the spirit and fortitude of the Class of 2023. You can publish our photos and graphics only with the stories with which they originally appeared.