Board wants to encourage early notices of retirements and other departures

Coming up with an incentive for faculty to announce their pending retirement as early – and a disincentive for those resigning late – was a topic of discussion Tuesday during the Webb City R-7 School Board’s regular monthly meeting.

Superintendent Brenten Byrd said it’s important to know which positions are going to be open in order to hire the best job replacements available.

Hiring has become so competitive he said Joplin hired 20 teachers early last year without even knowing which positions would be open.

The board authorized Byrd to discuss options, such as buying back sick days as an incentive and perhaps a late-departure fee, with the salary and welfare committee of the Webb City Community Teachers Association.

Speaking of announcing early, Dusty Allen is good example. The board accepted his retirement letter, effective July 1, 2025. Allen is completing his 32-year career (31 with the district) as principal of Eugene Field Elementary School. It was noted that he has used only one sick day – and that was an emergency procedure on a Friday afternoon.

Both incumbent board members and two others file as April candidates

Tuesday happened to be the first day of the candidate filing period for the April 8 general election. Byrd reported that both incumbents, Stephen Crane and Dan McGrew, filed for reelection on the first day.

Also filing on the first day, but not against Crane and McGrew, were Austin Simpson and Scott Smith. They are seeking to finish the final year of the three-year term vacated by Jeanne Newby.

The filing period will end on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Long-range facilities planning

In advance of the board’s Jan. 23 special meeting to discuss short- and long-term facilities, former superintendent Tony Rossetti introduced himself and Becky Esrock as a team with Stifel Financial Corp. to keep the board updated on their bonding capacity.

Esrock is Stifel’s director of public finance. Rossetti has been with Stifel for five months and is also an educational consultant with the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence.

Rossetti asked board members to come up with questions prior to their Jan. 23 meeting regarding how big a bond issue they could request of voters without a tax increase.

Esrock said she and Rossetti also monitor the district’s outstanding debt with an eye on financing options.

Legislative advocacy platform approved

The board approved a legislative platform for the next session of the Missouri General Assembly, as presented by Byrd.

He and Jason Woodmansee, board president, are planning several trips to Jefferson City during the session, including on the first day, Jan. 8.

Byrd said it is important for legislators to hear from public schools in southwest Missouri. On some visits, he said he hopes to show community support with advocates other than educators.

He characterized the platform as a statement that “we’re here to protect our teachers and our kids. It’s not political.”

In other action, the board:

• Approved the annual audit report, which Byrd noted had “zero findings.”

• Scheduled the Webb City Schools Foundation and Distinguished Citizen Banquet for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4.

• Was informed that the MAP Banquet will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 3.

• Formally recognized former board members Jeanne Newby and Lisa Robinson for their many years of service.