A key update on the district’s curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development and the undermining effects of bigotry and bullying in schools were the main issues discussed at the Platte County R-3 Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Three speakers addressed the board about discriminatory behavior in local schools.
Leona Baskerville, an employee at Barry School, who described herself as a proud Mexican mother of three multi-racial children, said for the last eight years at the school she has spoken out about discriminatory behavior and she has repeatedly gone through the proper channels to talk about her concerns with bigotry in the school system with the district administration and was oftentimes ignored.
“I’m tired of having to explain to people in power about how traumatizing this is to our students with diverse backgrounds to simply exist in this district.”
She said in May of 2014 staff at Barry School were made aware by former students that there was an area in the high school hallway where students of color congregated and was referred to as “Little Africa” and that these derogatory terms were not only used by students, but by some staff as well. They wrote a letter to all three district administrators and the administrators suggested rebranding the area as an extension of the classroom and adding tables and chairs for students to work.
Baskerville said, “Translation — make the black kids move and that would take care of the problem. Please don’t ignore this issue any longer, the current board policies regarding bullying and discrimination are simply not enough.”
Nina Mathews spoke next and said teachers don’t do anything when they hear the N-word. She said she feels like children of color are targeted. She spoke of black students who said they didn’t want to go to Platte County High School any longer because they didn’t like being called the N-word.
Mathews said current students at Platte County High School said they have told the administrators but nothing gets changed and nothing is going to change.
She asked that the administration address racism and stop turning a blind eye.
Mathews also said this is an ongoing issue and that a student wearing a hijab (a veil worn by some Muslim women) had also been bullied. She said the district needs to stand against hate and discrimination and implement change.
“Today I stand before you not only as a mother but a voice for every student that has been silent,” Mathews said. “Today I want to put you on notice that I will not stop advocating and I will not be silent. There must be a change because my voice is powered by the tears your students have cried, including my baby. First you start by implementing policy that specifically addresses racism, then you require every employee on your payroll who sees something to say something.”
She asked board members to take a moment to realize how they would feel if it was their child, their niece or nephew or their grandchild being bullied and what steps they would take to ensure their safety.
“Now I’m asking you to stand with me and support every student,” Mathews said. “Stand against hate and discrimination. You have to show these students that you stand behind them. You have to make it OK for them to walk through the halls of the schools with their heads held high. That’s not happening right now. You have to make it uncomfortable for bigotry to exist. You cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this. You are responsible for the mental health of these children who are traumatized by these events daily.”
She said that she’s reached out to students encouraging them to bring her names and dates and she will keep records of what happens in schools.
Angela Knudsen was the last speaker. She began by saying that she knew amazing teachers in the schools that have made her kids awesome. But she said it was the noose incident in May that got her concerned about uniting people to fix these problems.
Her professional experience for 23 years has been in learning and development, inclusivity and diversity and employee development.
“Only with all of our views together will we feel the best environment for our students,” Knudsen said. “It’s the process, not the people that break down. It was a statement sent to us at the beginning of the school year finally to talk about the incident in May and that it was not a hate crime at the high school. I would like to know what objective criteria deemed that not a hate crime. I think that should be possible to attain. We should hear after-action reviews. We need to fully implement an inclusion program. I think unconscious bias should be added to your training and development.”
She also believes there needs to be student whistleblower protection to give them safety and protection, not punishment. She said schools also need diversity committees.
Speakers were reminded that the board could not respond to their comments during the meeting. But that they would follow up with the speakers within seven days.
Dr. Alicia Wilson, director of academic services, presented a key process update on the district’s curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development. She stressed the importance of helping students achieve at high levels and ensuring that staff were equipped with knowledge and skills. She spoke of the need to find what’s working in education and ways to improve by tighter monitoring of curriculum and an improved understanding of essential curriculum.
“We should be assessing what we’re teaching,” Wilson said.
She gave a test to board members on the challenges to dyslexic students by asking them to write down phrases with their non-dominant hands. She spoke of the need to ensure learning strategies for all learners.
The annual performance report is still being updated. The district continues to perform above the state average in statewide assessments with the exception of Algebra 2.
The district performed above state and global averages on seven out of 10 AP exams in 2019.
There was sustained high achievement in English Language Arts, performing above the state average in all levels.
Eighth-grade MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) students who did not take Algebra 1 or Geometry performed above the state average.
Individualized Education Program students reported an MPI above the state average in English Language Arts.
While district attendance had a slight increase from 2018 to 2019, district attendance still remains a point of concern and opportunity for growth.
MAP results show there are inconsistencies in student performance from third to eighth grade in English Language Arts and math, but the district will continue to utilize the improvement team process to maintain or improve student outcomes.
The district continues to perform slightly above the state average in ACT (2018) and they are awaiting 2019 results.
The graduation rate has taken a slight decrease but has a positive trend over the last four years.
Foreign exchange students were introduced. Sabrina Mandelli and Francesco Baldini, two foreign exchange students from Italy and one foreign exchange student from Denmark, Julie Djernis Nielsen spoke on their experiences at Platte County High School. They all commented on the things they really loved about being in the community and going to school at Platte County High School. They all agreed that school spirit was one of their favorite things. They love football games, getting better with the English language and living the American dream. The two Italian students agreed that one of the things they don’t like is Olive Garden.
Platte County High School student Sabrina White will be the first foreign exchange student from the high school to go to another country. The sophomore is going to Japan in March.
The district was given positive financial news at the meeting. Mike Parnell with the Missouri School Board Association presented a rebate of $5119.46 to Platte County R3 School District.
Jay Harris, executive director of operations and facilities, along with Devin Klish from Navitas, LLC., provided an update on energy performance, management, and utility review to the board. In the third year of the energy performance contract, the annual utility cost savings ($415,250 is exceeding the projection by approximately $89,000. PCR-3’s energy management efforts were recently recognized by the Association of Energy Engineers as Region IV’s Institutional Energy Management winner for accomplishments in developing, organizing, managing, and implementing an outstanding program.
SCHIVIR Me Timbers Staff Recognition was given to Shawna Modlin, process coordinator for the district. She was recognized for her visionary leadership in supporting individual students to set them up for success in their learning.
Closed session
In closed session during the board meeting a number of personnel moves were approved.
Resignations: Michele Stoway, second grade teacher at Siegrist; Linda Storey, SPED teacher at Pathfinder; John Sipes, middle school assistant football coach; Christopher Maag, paraprofessional at Platte City Middle School; Chelsea Davenport, building administrative assistant at Barry School; Daniel Young, custodian at Platte City Middle School.
Retirements: Sheila Percival, kindergarten teacher at Siegrist; Stacy Burress, middle school science teacher at Platte City Middle School; Kimberly Brammer, school psychologist; Linda Denton, school psychologist.
Hiring: Carmen Hunter, custodian at Siegrist; Joyce McCardie, custodian at Platte County High School; Shelly Sayre, Platte County High School office supervisor; Jonie Martin, paraprofessional.