In order to build a culture of teaching and learning for the students of the Normandy Schools Collaborative (NSC), Department and Normandy staff continued planning this week for the new school year. Top priority for the new district is retaining and recruiting effective leadership and effective teachers for every classroom.

The Normandy Joint Executive Governing Board, appointed by the State Board of Education to operate the Normandy Schools Collaborative (the school district that replaces the lapsed Normandy School District), will honor Normandy School District’s obligations under its general obligation bonded indebtedness.  General obligation bond issues are obligations agreed to by the voters within the geographic areas of the taxing jurisdiction.

The Department will do everything we can to ensure access to quality education for the children and families involved.

Unfortunately, the transfer program is not sustainable in its current form. The State Board of Education is working to balance the need for choice with the educational needs of the students served in the Normandy Schools Collaborative.

The Department was pleased to learn the Normandy School Board withdrew its legal filing to stop the State Board of Education’s actions.

We believe that the only feasible way to preserve schools within the Normandy community is through the restructuring of the district. The children deserve high-quality education options delivered in their local communities.

Department of Defense grant aimed at college readiness

The Waynesville R-VI School District will be the first in Missouri to implement a college readiness program from the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Department of Defense Educational Authority (DoDEA).

The NMSI College Readiness Program focuses on:

The Department has issued updated guidance for student transfers from unaccredited to accredited districts. It is non-regulatory guidance provided to offer districts assistance in implementing state law. 

• Guidance for Student Transfers from Unaccredited Districts to Accredited Districts

The Department’s Pathways to Prosperity initiative will be the focus of a workforce development symposium in Hannibal on June 24, 2014. The initiative is designed to build career pathways for high-school-aged students.

The Northeast Missouri Development Partnership will host the symposium at Hannibal LaGrange University. Superintendents, business leaders, legislators and others interested in developing a ready workforce are invited. To register, please visit https://form.123formbuilder.com/895413.

Jeanne Loyd wins prestigious Stevinson Award

Four Vocational Rehabilitation employees were honored for their service to those with disabilities during the Missouri Rehabilitation Association Conference earlier this month.

Jeanne Loyd, assistant commissioner for the office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services, was the winner of the Stevinson Award, the highest honor given by the Missouri Rehabilitation Association.

The Missouri Leadership for Excellence, Achievement, and Development (MoLEAD) is expanding its program to include a third round of training, as well as a new pilot program with Missouri State University aimed at enhancing instructional leadership among school administrators.

“Quality instructional leadership training is vital to ensure high quality education opportunities for students in schools across the state,” said Deputy Commissioner Margie Vandeven. “Being able to provide even more instructional leadership will only help students more.”

The Department has named Geoffrey Barney the new superintendent of the Missouri School for the Blind beginning with the 2014-15 school year. Barney succeeds Patty Yocum, who retired after serving as superintendent for five years.