BOE Recap - February 19, 2026

The board meeting was called to order by President Ken Gaspar followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board Members present: Ken Gaspar Annie Smith, Jared Wormington, Ashley Bailey, Matt Batson, and Mike Whannell. Absent: Walter Branch

Our MES students did a phenomenal job presenting at the February Board of Education meeting. 

Principal Drake, alongside Mrs. Nolasco, Ms. George, Ms. Pulliam, Mrs. Lemon, and Mrs. Gervais shared the impactful work happening at the Monett Elementary School as they focus on essential reading skills at every grade level. These foundational skills are intentionally taught and reinforced to help students grow into confident, successful readers. 

Segment spoken words into individual phonemes, decode CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant)/CVCe (consonant-vowel-consonant-silent e) in context and read grade level HF (high frequency) words.

Decode two syllable words in context and read grade level high frequency words.

Decode multisyllabic words in context and determine the meaning and read grade level high frequency words. 

MES teachers work together to engage students and help them master these essential skills. Their goal is 100 percent proficiency because they believe in 100 percent of their students. The students who presented at the board meeting are a powerful example of what happens when hard work, practice, feedback, and perseverance lead to real growth.

Student growth is intentionally celebrated through a special lunchtime award ceremony that honors effort and progress. When students master their essential skill, families are invited, certificates are awarded, and the achievement is recognized in a meaningful and powerful way. During the Board Meeting students proudly rang the gong to mark their accomplishments and celebrate their success. It is a joyous tradition that reinforces our belief that all students can learn, grow, and thrive at MES. 

To close their presentation, students from each grade level came together to share their Essential Skills chant, a message that reflects the heart and spirit of the Monett Elementary School. 

Together, they shared: 

“We love our school.

We come here to learn and grow. 

We read books and work hard every day. 

Our teachers help us and cheer us on.

At MES, we rock our learning and have fun doing it.” 

We are so proud of our MES students and staff for building strong reading foundations and creating a culture where all students can grow.

Principal Wallace and the MIS team proudly recognized students who successfully completed their Reading Success Plans. This milestone represents goal-setting, hard work, and academic growth. We are proud of the dedication these students showed as they met their reading benchmarks and continued building strong literacy skills. 

Mrs. Chapman shared how students set goals and worked diligently to reach them. Through constant effort, perseverance, and support from their teachers, these students demonstrated measurable progress and successfully met their reading benchmarks. 

We are proud of each student recognized and celebrate the progress they have made in their reading development.

MIS students were recognized for outstanding achievements in art. Under the guidance of Amy Green, MIS Art teacher, student artwork was selected for display at the Missouri State Capitol, a special honor that highlights the creativity and talent of our students. 

Mrs. Green also submitted artwork to be considered for the Show Me Art Student Coloring Book, printed by the Missouri Art Education Association. Two MIS students were selected from more than 300 entries statewide, an impressive accomplishment. The coloring book is available for purchase on Amazon, and proceeds support scholarships for Missouri students pursuing a degree in Art Education.

👉 Coloring Book Linked here

We are proud of these students and the way they continue to showcase their talent and hard work.

Madi Bryan

Liam West

Alijah Valentin

Hser Poe

Melody Murad

Kimber Kellner

Principal McNichols, along with the MHS administrative team and staff, proudly recognized students who earned All-State and other prestigious honors during the Fall 2025 athletic season.

Behind every achievement is countless hours of practice, teamwork, and determination. Our student-athletes continue to represent MHS with integrity, sportsmanship, and pride, both on and off the field. 

The MHS administrative team has been developing a consistent plan to honor students who reach these outstanding levels of recognition. Recognizing that athletic seasons and competitions do not always conclude at the same time, the MHS admin team remains committed to ensuring every student’s accomplishments are acknowledged and celebrated.

Each student received a plaque in recognition of their hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievements. 

We are proud of our Fall 2025 honorees and grateful for the coaches, families, and staff who support our students every step of the way. Congratulations to all of our students! 

GO CAPS students and teachers shared how the program continues to grow and positively impact students’ academic and career pathways. 

Now in its 11th year and expanding to include an additional high school, CO CAPS continues to strengthen its regional presence and student engagement. The program currently serves students from 10 high schools and operates with different instructors, who guide students through real-world learning experiences. 

Students provided an overview of GO CAPS and highlighted consistent growth in student applications and participation. The data showed strong and consistent student engagement, reflecting the program’s continued growth and success. GO CAPS students have participated in more than 40 client projects, creating a positive and lasting impact throughout the region.

GO CAPS offers four industry pathways and multiple strands that allow students to explore career interests while developing professional skills. Current strands include Agri-Business & Food Systems, Global Business & Entrepreneurism, Healthcare & Emergency Services (EMT), Medicine & Healthcare, and Teacher Education. Through these pathways, students gain hands-on experience, collaborate with industry partners, and work on real client based projects. 

Students from each strand shared how GO CAPS has helped them set goals, explore careers, and develop professional skills. Students spoke about the value of job shadowing, internships, and hands-on learning, emphasizing how these experiences have helped them make informed decisions about their future.

We are proud of our GO CAPS students and grateful for the continued partnership that provides meaningful, innovative learning opportunities.

Update on Facilities/Grounds by Steve Garner, Director of Operations, included:

Update on Academics by Dr. Isaac Sooter, Assistant Superintendent included:

The Board unanimously approved the Monthly Program Evaluations (per CSIP) - Continuous School Improvement Plan:

The Board approved the MSBA 25E policy updates.

The Board unanimously:

The Board approved: