WEBB CITY R-7

BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES

July 15, 2025

 

Present:          Erin Taylor, Dan McGrew, Jason Woodmansee, David Collard, William Roderique and Scott Smith

 

Absent:           Stephen Crane

 

The regular meeting of the Webb City R-7 Board of Education was called to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Student Services Center, 1000 N. Webb, Webb City, Missouri by Erin Taylor, Vice President.   Dan McGrew gave the invocation.

 

Guests at the meeting included R-7 administrators Dr. Brenten Byrd, Dr. Josh Flora, Jeff Wilkie R-7 employees Kelsey Orson and Kendal Wolf; Bob Foos, Webb City Sentinel.

 

Approve Agenda

A motion was made by William Roderique to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Jason Woodmansee and was unanimously approved.

 

Calendar of Consent

A motion was made by Dan McGrew to approve the Calendar of Consent.  David Collard seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

 

Bills for Payment

Jason Woodmansee made a motion to approve for payment bills covered by Check Nos. 117004 through 117346.  David Collard seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

 

MOU:  Jessica Thomas

Dr. Byrd recommended a memorandum of understanding be extended to Jessica Thomas for the early childhood special education position at Heritage Preschool.  Jessica has been a paraprofessional in the district since January 2019.  A motion was made by Scott Smith to extend an MOU to Jessica Thomas.  William Roderique seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

 

MOU:  Danielle Hart-Zavala

Dr. Flora recommended a memorandum of understanding be extended to Danielle Hart-Zavala for the Spanish position at the High School.  Danielle graduated from Missouri Southern State University.  This past school year she was an instructional aide at Heritage Preschool.  A motion was made by David Collard to extend an MOU to Danielle Hart-Zavala.  The motion was seconded by Jason Woodmansee and was unanimously approved.

 

Employee Handbook

Dr. Flora, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations shared with the Board a copy of the employee handbook for their approval.  A few of the changes highlighted included:

• Cell Phone Usage – Staff are not permitted to use personal electronic devices during instructional time, and while on supervisory duty, unless for job-related reasons.
• Maternity Leave – An employee can exhaust all earned sick days and/or personal day(s) up to 12 weeks.
• Sick Leave – Personal illness or injury to immediate family members (interpreted to mean mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife, son/daughter, grandchildren or guardianship). 
• Leave of Absence – The District must be notified, in writing, prior to March 1 in order to be eligible for a leave of absence.  An employee requesting a leave of absence must be tenured.  The employee is required to fill out a Leave of Absence Agreement.  If the employee chooses to return to work at the District, they are required to notify the District by March 1 of the following school year.  They will not be guaranteed to return to the same position.
• Sick Leave Buy Back – In order to be eligible for the sick leave buy back, the district must receive written notification of the intention to retire, prior to January 1^st.

A motion was made by William Roderique to approve the employee handbook as presented.  The motion was seconded by Scott Smith and was unanimously approved.

 

Project Updates

Dr. Flora, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations reported to the Board the football field fence will be completed this week.  He also reported the concrete work to help with the drainage issue at the high school will be finished this week.  The chair lift for the high school industrial arts classroom has been installed.  The state inspection will be next week. 

 

2025-2026 Tuition Rate

Dr. Byrd, Superintendent recommended to the Board the tuition rate for out of district students for the 2025-2026 school year be $10,330.  A motion was made by David Collard to approve the tuition rate for the upcoming school year.  The motion was seconded by Scott Smith and was unanimously approved.

 

Annual Levy Hearing

Dr. Byrd reported the annual levy hearing will be held August 12, 2025 at 6:15 pm prior to the regularly scheduled board meeting.  A motion was made by Jason Woodmansee to approve the August 12^th levy hearing.  The motion was seconded by William Roderique and was unanimously approved.

 

Financial Disclosure Resolution

Dan McGrew made a motion to approve the financial disclosure statement.  The motion was seconded by Jason Woodmansee and was unanimously approved.

 

Cell Phone Policy Discussion

Dr. Byrd provided the Board with a couple of options for the new cell phone usage policy. We will be sending information out to the parents regarding the new law the governor signed banning cell phone usage at school.  During the first week of school students will be given warnings if caught using their cell phones.  The district will not be purchasing lock boxes for student phones.  If a student wants to leave their phone in their locker the district will provide a lock.  We will list the consequences if students are caught using their phones in the student handbooks.  Dr. Byrd will ask for the Board to approve the new policy at the August meeting.

 

Adjournment        

The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

___________________________________

Cheryl Chaney, Secretary

Webb City R-7 Board of Education