Latest news with #SJSD
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New SJSD budget reflects updated priorities
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In the middle of funding challenges for school districts throughout the country, the St. Joseph School District approved its 2025-2026 fiscal year budget in its June 23 meeting. The Board of Education unanimously approved its nearly $170 million working budget for the 2025-26 academic year, reflecting only a 2.2% increase from the previous year overall. Retiring Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Dr. Robert Sigrist, said the goal was to present a conservative budget that recognizes the possibility of cuts in state and federal revenue. We tried to be very conservative," Sigrist said. "We went in most areas below what DESE's (Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) estimate was for state funding." Given the $3.1 million deficit left over from last year's budget, the SJSD will transfer about $5.1 million from the operating fund to carry over into the new year. Noticeable cuts in outlay for building expenditures and new construction kept numbers relatively low, with Sigrist citing the completion of bond-funded projects in the previous fiscal year. "This past year, we had a lot of bond projects going on," Sigrist said. "That included the HVAC project at Central. There will still be some bond projects in this coming year, but much of the $20 million bond project money from 2024 was spent in this past year." Notable increases in projected spending in faculty and staff recruitment and placement, reflecting the ongoing staffing needs for the district. The amount will increase from about $198,000 to about $659,000 for this coming fiscal year. "We budgeted more for our 'Grow Your Own' program," Sigrist said. "This will help staff that may be interested in becoming teachers or other certified workers by providing scholarships and incentives. In the June 2025 meeting, school administrators noted crucial openings for teachers and staff as the district moves into the new school year. Enrollment is also expected to be down slightly for 2025-2026. Sigrist said federal funding accounted for about 10% of the SJSD budget for the previous academic year, and the district is prepared to adjust as needed while maintaining a goal of working toward a zero-based budget in the future. As far as revenue, the district expects slight decreases in local and county revenue sources, an approximate $2 million decrease in federal sources, and about a $ 5 million increase in state sources of funding. For a full layout of the entire school budget for 2025-2026, visit the SJSD School Board website.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
ROTC instructor sues SJSD over firing
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A former ROTC instructor who was fired in 2024 has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the St. Joseph School District. Master Sergeant Jamaal Anderson served as an instructor for Benton High School's JROTC program. Anderson alleges he was placed on leave on April 29, 2024, was given a letter of suspension and told to not to go on school property. His contract was not renewed for the 24-25 school year. According to Anderson's lawsuit, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery in March of 2022. The lawsuit contends that Anderson informed the district that there would be times when he would need to leave class to use the restroom or miss work abruptly. The lawsuit states that Anderson was told that SJSD would not accommodate such breaks. Jamaal Anderson lawsuitDownload Anderson also alleges he was not permitted to take time off to attend doctor's appointments. The lawsuit also said Anderson's absences led to poor classroom and extracurricular event ratings by his district supervisors, which eventually led to his suspension. News-Press NOW did contact SJSD Superintendent Gabe Edgar, who stated, We are aware of this. However, because it's a personnel matter, we will not comment." The day after his suspension was announced, students and cadets spoke out against the move. "This makes all of us mad because he always stands up for what he believes is right and treats everyone with respect,' one student said. Anderson's lawsuit also referenced an incident at Lafayette that occurred in May 2023. Students allegedly "wrapped Anderson's car in paper and wrote racial slurs and drew offensive pictures on the paper. Anderson contends the school district should have filed charges against the students but failed to do so. Although no dollar amount was specified in the suit, Anderson does ask for actual and punitive damages.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SJSD to celebrate maintenance and operations staff
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District will celebrate the hard work and dedication of the maintenance and operations staff through a ceremony. The Cleanest Building Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 22 at the Keatley Center, located at 1202 S. 28th St. The ceremony serves as SJSD's opportunity to recognize the pride its maintenance and custodial staff takes in tending to buildings. Winners of the cleanest building will be announced, and the district will also hand out special awards.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SJSD School Board approves new administrators
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District Board of Education has approved the appointments of two administrators for the 2025-2026 school year. Dr. Kati Reid has been appointed as the Director of Secondary Education, replacing Dr. Lara Gilpin, who is retiring on June 30, 2025. Reid began her career in 2009 and joined SJSD in 2010. Reid was an English teacher at the middle and high school level for 12 years. Most of her teaching career was invested in Spring Garden Middle School. She has been an assistant principal and principal at Benton High School for the past three years. Reid earned her Ed.D in Superintendency and Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Williams Woods University. She also has a Bachelor's of Science in English and a Masters of Science in Assessment from Missouri Western State University. Makayla Mekonnen has been appointed as assistant principal at Oak Grove Elementary for the 2025-2026 school year. She replaces Tom Evans, who was appointed as principal at Edison Elementary. Mekonnen began her career in SJSD in 2015. During her 10 years of education, she has held varied k-12 roles, including special education, classroom teacher and behavior interventionist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from MWSU and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University. Mekonnen is currently pursuing her Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from Baker University, with anticipated completion in 2025.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SJSD School Board appoints cabinet positions for 25-26 school year
The St. Joseph School Board appointed cabinet positions, with staffing changes becoming ever-so-present for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Stacia Studer, the St. Joseph School District's current director of curriculum and instruction, will take over for Dr. Ashly McGinnis as the Assistant Superintendent of Academics. Stacia Studer Stacia Studer, the St. Joseph School District's current director of curriculum and instruction, will take over for Dr. Ashly McGinnis as the Assistant Superintendent of Academics. McGinnis will assume her role of SJSD's superintendent for the upcoming school year. Studer has served the St. Joseph community as an educator for 24 years, she has also coached cross country, basketball and track. Studer holds an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, a Master of Arts in School Administration from William Woods University, and a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education with an emphasis in English Language Arts and Social Studies from Missouri Western State University. She has completed her doctoral coursework at William Woods University and is currently working on her dissertation. Additionally, she is a National Writing Project Consultant with the Prairie Lands Writing Project, based at Missouri Western State University. Mark Korell will serve as the Director of human Resources, taking over for Dr. Brian Kraus, who will retire in June. Mark Korell Mark Korell will serve as the Director of human Resources, taking over for Dr. Brian Kraus, who will retire in June. Korell is the current principal at Bode Middle School and has been with SJSD since 2011. Korell holds an Ed.S. in Superintendency from Northwest Missouri State University, in K-12 Administration from Northwest Missouri State University, a B.S. in History from Missouri Western State University, and a A.S in Criminal Justice from Missouri Western State University. Dr. Robert Hedgecorth will serve as the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations, taking over for Dr. Robert Sigrist, who will also retire in June. Robert Hedgecorth Dr. Robert Hedgecorth will serve as the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations, taking over for Dr. Robert Sigrist, who will also retire in June. Hedgecorth will be joining SJSD in the 25-26 school year, but is currently serving as the Executive Director of Business Services for the Ozark School District. Hedgecorth has also served as the Executive Director of Support Services for the Smithville School District. He earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from William Woods University. He also earned his in Education from Baker University and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Northwest Missouri State University. All three appointees will assume their positions on July 1, 2025.
