The Purdy school board filled staffing posts for the coming year and reviewed facility needs during its February meeting.

In closed session, the board renewed contracts for Julie Dalton, elementary principal,
and Jennifer Cornelius, assistant principal and athletic director, for the coming year.

The board also renewed the contract for Darcy Brown as special services director. The
board extended Superintendent Travis Graham’s contract to three years, adding another
year at its January meeting.

The board extended the extra-pay stipend Graham had to the current year for over
seeing construction projects and their close. Health insurance for staff was approved
to include family-paid health insurance for the next three school years.

New staff hired for next school year included Robert Ryman and Kaitlyn Hardwick,
both as special education teachers, and Khloe Holder as a middle school math teacher. The
board also hired Bobbi Roldan as administrative assistant for the elementary office and
McKenzie Walker as coordinator for the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program.

Elizabeth Blankenship resigned as a substitute and helping with in-school suspension.

On facility needs, Graham reported working with Davis and Sons, a Monett plumbing firm,
regarding problems with the sewer line to the elementary school.

“Currently we are trying to close the gap between when we can get a grinder pump delivered,” he said.

Graham also reported preparations for getting quotes on roofing and rooftop heating and cool
ing units.

In financial action, the board authorized Graham to negotiate an extension to the deal funding purchase of several school buses. The lease deal was expiring, putting the district in the awkward position of going elsewhere to get several buses or striking a new deal.

Graham briefed the board on bills filed at the Missouri General Assembly in the current session impacting education. HB 607 held particular interest in that it would delay implementation of the raising teachers’ pay based on changes in the Consumer Price Index until the 2030-31 school year. He noted a House
joint resolution adding veterans to proposed allocation of gaming revenues, thus diluting fund
ing to public education by $45.7 million annually.

Other bills under consideration continue to push for open enrollment and a property tax freeze that
would have a direct effect on districts like Purdy.

Board members endorsed the legislative priorities package promoted by the 46 districts in the Southwest
Center for Educational Excellence. Key points listed included access to early childhood education for all, programs preparing students for real-world success, academic literacy achievement with local
accountability, recognition of teachers and staff as career professionals, encouraging school inno
vation, safety, relevance, and modernization, under local governance and community-driven leader
ship. The package pushed recruitment and retention of teachers, full funding of the Foundation Formula,
opposition to privatization and unfunded mandates, and prioritizing student and staff safety and men
tal health.

Building reported noted 33 of 35 Future Business Leaders of America members placed in the top 10 in 50 different events at the district leadership conference. Two Family, Career and Community Leaders of
America advanced to state competition.