Grandview C-4 School Report Winter 2020-21

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SCHOOL REPORT

WINTER 2020-21

GRANDVIEW C-4 SCHOOL DISTRICT

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6

VOTE APRIL 6, BOND AND TAX LEVY KNOW THE FACTS

"Educational Excellence, Unlimited Potential" DISTRICT CHAMPS!

GHS FOOTBALL HAS HISTORIC SEASON AMIDST A PANDEMIC Page 8

PLUS PLUS

POINTS OF PRIDE POINTS OF Page 10 PRIDE Page 5

CONTENTS

FEATURES

GHS Football Has Historic Season Page 8-9

GHS First Virtual Play Page 10

SUPERINTENDENT'S LETTER

Page 3

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The Board President's Letter Page 4

the SCHOOL REPORT Magazine Published and paid for by GC-4 School District Public Relations Contact Info: Sheba Clarke GC-4 Public Relations Coordinator sheba.clarke@grandviewc4.net The School Report magazine is published two times a year. It is distributed to approximately 17,348 households and businesses within the Grandview and Martin City zipcode and displayed on the district’s website. It is the official communication tool for parents, students, staff and patrons of Grandview Schools. Any information, content and photos in this publication are property of the Grandview C-4 School District and are only to be used with permission of the GC-4 Public Relations Department.

Grandview C-4 Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and there shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, national origin, age or disability. The school district is committed to providing appropriate educational services for children with disabilities in compliance with the Individuals of Disabilities Act. The district is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

BOND INFO

GC-4 Bond and Tax Levy Ballot Question Fact Sheet Page 6-7

PRIDE POINTS

Page 5

SCHOOL REPORT 2

Superintendent's

Letter

"2020-2021" 2020. This number will forever be etched into the memories of all of us, and not always for a positive reason. Last year, I wrote in the Winter edition of the School Report about how 2020 always sounded more science fiction than reality.

Unfortunately, it has lived up to that description. I am a glass ½ full person and so I continually look at these distinct challenges as opportunities as well.

After a summer of tremendous outrage over social injustice and a fall that showed continued increases in virus rates across the globe, we entered into 2021 with a tragic event at our nation’s capital. Like many of you, I was saddened, angry, and confused about how this could happen in our country, and immediately thought about how our children are always watching. However, I believe that within the tragedy that we witnessed at the Capitol, there is an opportunity for all of us to learn from our past mistakes. I believe that schools must continue to empower and engage our students with opportunities to seek peaceful solutions to the challenges of our local, national, and global community.

Our students are watching how all of us respond to this opportunity and I am hopeful that we will show them what true leadership looks like.

GC-4 Board of Education Leonard Greene, President Monica Terry, Vice President Amy Blankenship, Member Chuck Cornforth, Member Dawn Foy, Member Damon Greene, Member Don Kessinger, Member GC-4 Administration Dr. Kenny Rodrequez, Superintendent Ann Cook, Assistant Superintendent Operations and Finance Dr. Joana King, Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction Lori DeAnda, Assistant Superintendent Human Resource Development

www.grandviewc4.net

The past 10 months have been tumultuous for sure, but still continue to highlight amazing stories throughout our school community. We have seen our District employees go above and beyond to make sure that our students and families have what they need, academically as well as socially and emotionally. Yes, we have all had to endure many unprecedented challenges; but if we continue to work together, we will ensure we are preparing our students to be responsible, open-minded critical thinkers that will be lifelong learners who support their local communities. We must continually look backward to learn from the past, but be forward-thinking to ensure we are making the community around us a better place for all. This spring will see many opportunities for the Grandview C-4 School District. In April, the District will place on the ballot a $45 million dollar bond as well as a $.60 cent levy increase. The bond will be the largest in our history and will be a No Tax Increase Bond issue. This will allow the District to provide the level of quality facilities that our neighboring communities have seen.

The levy increase will be the first for the District in more than 15 years and will allow the District to provide the highest quality of educational services possible while also continuing to attract and retain the highest quality teachers and staff possible.

I remain excited about the future of the Grandview C-4 School District and am continually proud to be the Superintendent. Thank you for your support and for allowing us the opportunity to educate the next generation of leaders.

-Dr. Kenny Rodrequez Superintendent of Grandview C-4 Schools

SCHOOL REPORT 3 SCHOOL REPORT 3

BOARD

PRESIDENT'S

LETTER

"We are invested in the future of our children and thank you for your continued belief and support of the district."

LEONARD GREENE Board of Education President

Wow, what a year 2020 has been. We have recently seen some of the darkest times in American history. This is a time for reflection and learning. I truly hope that you make time to sit down with your students, family and friends to have ongoing, serious, unfiltered and meaningful conversations. The social unrest has reached new levels that are causing shockwaves across the country. Our children are not immune and have questions that need to be addressed. This is the time for us to come together as families and community to work toward solutions for all, not just a few. Our children know and model this, in many cases, better than we do. Let us learn from one another and move forward together.

I am pleased to say that as a district we have made great strides to provide support, not only for the children, but our community throughout this pandemic. It has been, and continues to be, a rough, new and challenging road that we travel. I commend and appreciate all of those out on the front lines with our children; parents, extended family, teachers, healthcare workers, and all of our staff. They are the true heroes of today. This is by no means an easy job. The work that's put into creating virtual classrooms, and efforts behind the scenes to support our students’ learning, are often not recognized. So “thank you” to our administration, teachers and support staff for recognizing, addressing and taking care of the issues that have arisen.

We are invested in the future of our children and we're grateful for your continued belief and support of the District. We know that the new learning environment can be challenging for students, parents and families. Your efforts are acknowledged as well, thank you!

During the last few months, we have had quite a few awesome events take place; Grandview High School had its first virtual play, receiving amazing reviews and the football team earned the District title! Our students are so talented and creative, please continue to support them with your time and words of encouragement.

I will be forever grateful for the opportunities that I have been given to serve this community as a member of this school board. I have dedicated myself to giving back to my community as a part of my everyday life. I can and do say with pride, WE ARE GRANDVIEW!

Sincerely, Leonard C. Greene SCHOOL REPORT 4

POINTS OF PRIDE Grandview H.S. Football Team Wins District Championship The Bulldogs beat Lincoln Prep on November 13 to secure the District Championship title. They went on to play Smithville Friday, November 20 in the quarterfinals and lost 38-0. They ended the season with a 6-6 record.

Kansas City Chiefs Recognize Grandview High School Football Progam The Grandview High School football program was recognized by the Kansas City Chiefs. Former Head Coach Jeremie Picard was given the KC Chiefs High School Coach of the Week award at practice after the Bulldogs earned the District Championship title.

Grandview High School Puts on Its First Virtual Play ‘She Kills Monsters’ Distance learning is bringing out a more creative side of teachers and students when it comes to connecting, teaching and learning. GHS Theatre teacher Molly Mokler and her students worked hard to bring the community their first virtual play 'She Kills Monsters.'

Area Superintendents Nominate Dr. Kenny Rodrequez for Pearce Award The Greater Kansas City School Administrator Association nominated Superintendent Dr. Kenny Rodrequez for the Pearce Award. The Pearce Award is presented each year to an outstanding Missouri Superintendent of Schools. The recipient receives a $500 cash award and a $500 scholarship to a student in the recipients' school district. Each Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) District selects a nominee for the award. Dr. Rodequez is one of 8 nominated in the State.

SCHOOL REPORT 5

K I D S

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QUESTION 1 AND 2

FACT SHEET

Question 1 and Question 2 are proposals designed to provide long term financial stability for the Grandview C-4 School District by balancing the budget, maintaining the ability to pay teachers a competitive salary, and enabling the district to continue its program of keeping buildings well maintained with up-to-date learning spaces.

WHAT ARE QUESTION 1 AND QUESTION 2?

Q1 Question 1 seeks to create and maintain a competitive salary and benefits package that is imperative to recruit and retain quality personnel.

Salaries and benefits account for approximately 80% of the operating budget. The remaining 20% is comprised of goods and services that, in general, will continue to experience increased costs in the coming years.

Q2 Question 2 is a no tax rate increase bond issue for $45-million.

The funds will be used for the purpose of providing funds for various improvements which include: Grandview High School’s (GHS) industrial technology area, GHS Bulldog Stadium visitor side renovation, GHS cafeteria remodel, District fine arts area renovations; Complete district athletic facility improvements; Remodel restrooms and complete a new gym and fine arts addition to the Martin City school; Install new windows at Grandview Middle School and Meadowmere Elementary; Complete playground improvements; Renovate locker rooms at all middle and high school sites; (to the extent funds are available) complete HVAC improvements, camera system replacement, card key access system installation, roofing repairs and replacement, hallway and floor and ceiling improvements plus other small projects (such as musical instrument purchase) and improvements to the existing facilities of the District

BALLOT LANGUAGE

Q1 Shall the Board of Education of the Consolidated School District No. 4 of Jackson County, Missouri, be authorized to increase the operating tax levy by $0.6000 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for the purpose of attracting and retaining quality certified and support staff, and meeting additional operating expenses?

(If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the District is estimated to increase by $0.6000 from $4.3057 currently, to $4.9057 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for the 2021 Tax Year and can be applied to the assessed valuation each year thereafter.)

YES NO

WHY ARE QUESTION 1 AND QUESTION 2 ON THE BALLOT?

Based on a three-year forecast, the future financial health of the district is dependent on either an increase in revenues or a reduction in expenses. Property taxes and State Aid are the largest sources of revenue for the district.

The district is not experiencing a significant amount of new construction, and we are limited in the tax revenue increase that is allowed on existing properties.

The pandemic resulted in a reduction in State Aid last year and the beginning of this year. While State Aid may be restored by the end of the current year, we do not anticipate sizable increases for the foreseeable future.

A competitive salary and benefits package is imperative to recruit and retain quality personnel. The ongoing increases that will preserve our current competitive position exceed the anticipated increases in revenues.

Salaries and benefits account for approximately 80% of the operating budget.

The remaining 20% is comprised of the cost of goods and services that will continue to increase in the coming years.

It’s been 17 years since the district has asked taxpayers for an increase. In 2004, district taxpayers approved a tax levy increase. Through sound fiscal practices, we have maximized the use of that increase to stabilize district finances well beyond the years that were initially projected.

Q2 Shall the Board of Education of the Consolidated School District No. 4 of Jackson County, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of Forty-Five Million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the purpose of providing funds without limitation for various improvements to the high school industrial technology area, stadium visitor side renovation, cafeteria remodel, fine arts area renovations; complete athletic facility improvements; remodel restrooms and complete a new gym and fine arts addition to the Martin City School; install new windows at Grandview Middle School and Meadowmere Elementary; complete playground improvements; renovate locker rooms at all secondary sites; to the extent funds are available, complete HVAC improvements, camera system replacement, card key access system installation, roofing repairs and replacement, hallway and floor and ceiling improvements plus other small projects (such as musical instrument purchase) and improvements to the existing facilities of the District; and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at $1.0500 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.

YES NO SCHOOL REPORT 6

K eep I mproving D istrict S chools

WHAT WILL QUESTION 1 COST HOMEOWNERS?

HOME VALUE

CURRENT ANNUAL COST

.60 CENT INCREASE ANNUAL COST

AN ANNUAL INCREASE OF

$70,000

$573

$652

$79

$90,000

$736

$839

$103

$110,000

$900

$1025

$125

$130,000

$1064

$1212

$148

$150,000

$1227

$1398

$171

$170,000

$1391

$1585

$194

$1554

$1771

$217

$210,000

$1718

$1957

$239

$230,000

$1882

$2144

$262

$250,000

$2045

$2330

$285

$2454

$2796

$342

$190,000

$300,000

WILL QUESTION 2 RAISE MY TAXES?

Question 2 will not raise taxes. It is a no tax increase bond issue.

SCHOOL REPORT 7

DISTRICT "THE BIGGEST TAKE AWAY WAS THE DETERMINATION AND THE FIGHT THE YOUNG MEN SHOWED THIS SEASON. IT WAS NOT EASY AND THERE WERE A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS, BUT NO ONE EVER GAVE UP."

NICHOLAS FRANK, GHS ASSISTANT COACH

CHAMPS!!

The football season may have started out uncertain due to the ongoing challenges brought on by the pandemic, but it didn’t finish that way. The Bulldogs brought home the first District Championship title since 2005 to Grandview High School.

"Winning the district championship during the pandemic is even more rewarding than winning it during a regular season. Keeping up with all of the policy changes, making sure people are safe and adapting to the “new normal” is difficult, which makes the accomplishments even more satisfying and something to be proud of," said Nicholas Frank, GHS Assistant Coach.

The Bulldogs beat Lincoln Prep on November 13 to secure the District Championship title.

They lost in the quarterfinals the following weekend to Smithville High School.

"I would sum the season up as a great step to where we want to be as a program and a success because of the district championship. We view the season as a major accomplishment for the school and the team. There were a lot of individual awards and accomplishments for the guys as well, which is always something to be proud of, " said Frank.

The Grandview High School football program was recognized by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Former Head Coach, Jeremie Picard, was given the KC Chiefs High School Coach of the week award at practice while the Bulldogs were preparing for the quarterfinal game.

They ended the season with a 6-6 record and plenty of lessons they will take with them off the field.

"The biggest take away was the determination and the fight the young men showed this season. It was not easy and there were a lot of ups and downs, but no one ever gave up. We are proud to bounce back after the losses we had this season," said Frank.

SCHOOL REPORT 9

AMIDST PANDEMIC

GHS THEATRE PERSISTS Grandview High School Students Break a Leg with First Virtual Play!

Distance learning is bringing out a more creative side of teachers and students when it comes to connecting, teaching and learning. GHS Theatre teacher Molly Mokler and her students worked hard for months this fall to prepare for their first virtual play 'She Kills Monsters.'

“I think if you would have told us a year ago that we wouldn’t be able to have a live show, we would have assumed that we wouldn’t be able to have a program because that‘s such an important tenet of theatre, “ said Mokler.

Mokler discovered the play ‘She Kills Monsters’ after the playwright rewrote it to be performed in a zoom setting. She says the play gave students the opportunity to get creative with sets built in their bedrooms.

“We had to talk about framing and getting the right camera angle with their computer. We talked about what was in the background and that gave students the unique opportunity to build their own sets. We had conversations like what would your character have on their bedroom wall,” said Mokler.

The play tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge. It’s described as a high-octane dramatic comedy.

Mokler says the virtual play gave her and the students the chance to be unique. The crew created animated action sequences with a green screen and a little help from local graphic artists. She says the experiences provided the opportunity for student-to-student connection as well as teacher-to-student connection.

“There is something so powerful in the art-form that no matter the situation we are going to find a way to perform.”

SCHOOL REPORT 10

Dr. Michelle Butler Principal

Dr. VaShawn Smith Principal

Dr. Jennifer Harris Principal

Grandview High School

Grandview Middle School

Martin City K-8 School

Building Info: 816-316-5800 2300 High Grove Road Grandview, MO. 64030

Building Info: 816-316-5600 12650 Manchester Avenue Grandview, MO. 64030

Building Info: 816-316-5700 201 East 133rd Street Kansas City, MO. 64145

Marcy Simon Principal

Samantha Dane Principal

Kelly Nash Principal

Conn-West Elementary

Belvidere Elementary

Butcher-Greene Elementary

Building Info: 816-316-5225 1100 High Grove Road Grandview, MO. 64030

Building Info: 816-316-5300 15010 White Avenue Grandview, MO. 64030

Building Info: 816-316-5400 5302 E. 140th Street Grandview, MO. 64030

Stephen Fielder Principal

Venita Thurman Principal

Meadowmere Elementary

CAIR (Center for Alternative Instructional Resources)

Building Info: 816-316-5525 7010 E. 136th Street Grandview, MO. 64030

Building Info: 816-316-5150 1001 Main Street Grandview, MO. 64030

Twitter ............ www.twitter.com/grandviewcsd4 Parent Portal.....parentportal.grandviewc4.net

Stephanie Bradley Principal High Grove Early Childhood Building Info: 816-316-5500 2500 High Grove Road Grandview, MO. 64030

Central Office 13015 10th Street Grandview, MO 64030 Phone: 816.316.5000 Fax: 816.316.5050

Web............ www.grandviewc4.net Facebook ....... www.facebook.com/grandviewcsd4

Board of Education Grandview C-4 Schools 13015 10th Street Grandview, MO 64030

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