School Board Hosting Info Session for Candidates

Kearney School District’s Board of Education will be hosting an informational session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 at the central office for individuals who are interested in running as candidates for the Board in the April 2025 municipal election.

All members of the public are welcome to attend. Please inform BOE Secretary Becky Burkemper by emailing burkemperb@ksdr1.net or calling (816) 628-4116 before the close of business on Monday, Nov. 11 if you plan to attend.

This session is designed to provide useful guidance for those who may want to serve on the school board. Topics will include information about board elections and the roles and responsibilities of the school board members.

Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins on Dec. 10 and ends on Dec. 31, 2024, for the municipal election that will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Visit the Missouri Secretary of State’s website to learn more.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Masters Honored with Hometown Hero Award

The public education team at Kearney School District has long recognized that Lead Social Worker Meeghan Masters is extraordinary; now that distinction is being recognized by a prominent organization that focuses on supporting families across the nation.

Meeghan Masters with Nic Vasquez

Modern Woodmen of America has selected Mrs. Masters for its Hometown Hero Award. The honor was announced by Modern Woodmen Financial Representative Nicolas Vasquez during a surprise event with dozens of her family members, co-workers and friends yesterday afternoon at the KSD central office.

“Since I started working as a social worker for KSD, I’ve made it my mission to help ensure that every child can have the same kind of experiences and opportunities at school as my children have,” Masters said. “I’m so grateful to Modern Woodmen for this award because it affirms and supports that mission that we are all trying to achieve as a team. This is amazing.”

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial services society headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois. The society’s Hometown Hero program provides an opportunity to honor an individual or volunteer group for their outstanding service to the community or an act of bravery. The award aligns with the organization’s commitment to support social, educational and volunteer activities that identify and meet local needs.

“I cannot think of a person in our Bulldog community who is more deserving of this award,” said Mr. Vasquez, who also serves as a member of the KSD Board of Education. “Meeghan embodies the true spirit of selfless service that is an example for us all.”

As part of the award, Modern Woodmen will make a $100 charitable donation to the organization or deserving individual of Masters’ choice.

Masters became KSD’s first social worker in October 2015. Since then, the program has expanded to include two other full-time social workers and her elevation as leader of that team.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

School District Invites Community to Boundary Process Open House

Kearney School District will be hosting an informational open house for members of the public as part of the Elementary School Boundary Process from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28; the location will be announced as details are finalized.

Kearney School District is in the process of evaluating the attendance boundaries for each elementary school this fall in order to help ensure that we operate effectively and efficiently with our resources. This process was initiated in September as the district’s Prop B bond capital improvement projects near completion and with new residential developments planned.

The open house will be an opportunity for KSD parents/guardians, employees and community members to:

- Review the proposed changes to KSD's elementary school attendance boundaries

- Talk about the proposals with members of the Elementary School Boundary Team

- Provide your feedback before the process is finalized

This process is likely to impact at least some of KSD stakeholders. Before any major boundary changes, the district is first allowing key stakeholders to ask questions, express concerns and provide their insights during the Elementary School Boundary Team meetings.

The Elementary School Boundary Team is currently reviewing demographic factors like projected enrollment growth and new residential developments, establishing decision-making criteria and generating proposed boundary options. Over the next several weeks, the team will engage the community to seek feedback, refine its recommendations, and eventually present a plan for approval by our Board of Education.

The team is comprised of 17 parents/guardians with children enrolled in Kearney School District. That group includes four KSD employees. They were selected by an administrative steering committee after completing an interest form.

Community members are encouraged to visit www.bit.ly/ksd-boundary-process for more information and updates as the process continues.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

School District Seeks Public Input with Annual Survey

Kearney School District parents/guardians, students, employees and community members have the opportunity to provide valuable feedback by completing the 2024 KSD Annual Survey.

“Responsive Leadership & Community Engagement” is one of the four central pillars of the district’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan. The annual survey is one of the most important methods used by the district to fulfill the goals included in that plan, according to Superintendent Emily Miller.

Dr. Emily Miller

“We must facilitate stakeholder engagement and empower student voices if we are going to achieve our mission to provide exemplary educational experiences in a safe and supportive learning environment,” Dr. Miller said. “The responses we get from this survey will help us achieve that goal.”

This survey will be active until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. All survey submissions will be kept anonymous.

The results will be compiled and analyzed by district administrators and then shared with the Board of Education and stakeholders. An executive summary with key insights will be posted this winter on the Kearney School District website.

Visit ksdr1.net/survey for a link to complete this year’s annual survey.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Kearney Schools Receive Unfounded Threats

The Kearney School District was among many in the metro area that received threats or anonymous tips of threats this week. An investigation by Kearney Police and school officials determined any threat made to schools this week to be unfounded.

The Kearney School District received an anonymous tip on Wednesday, September 11, through the state’s Courage2Report system. The threat concerned a possible threat involving one of the schools.

School Resource Officer Adam Kirkland, law enforcement and administrators conducted a thorough investigation after the tip was reported. They determined the threat to be unfounded. Classes at Kearney schools were held as usual, but with a heightened police presence.

In an unrelated incident, a man who had multiple warrants was stopped and arrested by the Clay County Sheriff's Office at Dogwood Elementary School on Thursday, September 12.

A deputy ran the man's plates and was alerted he had outstanding warrants. The deputy stopped the man, and he pulled into the parking lot of Dogwood Elementary. The man said he had a student at the school but quickly admitted he lied.

The man had warrants for non-violent offenses.

The Kearney School District encourages parents and guardians to speak with their students about the seriousness of school safety. If parents or students become aware of information about a concern or threat, the best course of action is to report that directly to the school or the district. Anonymous tips can be shared using the Scholastic Crime Stoppers program by calling (816) 474-TIPS or visiting KCCrimeStoppers.com.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.