Excelsior Springs School Board Prepares for New Year with Projects, Programs, and Planning

Excelsior Springs, Mo. (July 8, 2025) – From summer construction to innovative high school programs, Excelsior Springs school leaders are setting the stage for a dynamic school year. At the July 8 meeting, the Board of Education heard from district administrators about new initiatives focused on student flexibility, school safety, and strategic planning, all designed to strengthen education and community engagement.

MSBA Video Highlights Policy Changes Ahead of New School Year

The board viewed the latest Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) video report, which outlined several significant legislative updates that will impact district policy as the 2025-26 school year approaches.

Susan Goldhammer, MSBA’s Chief Labor, Law, and Policy Officer, emphasized two major areas of change. First, Senate Bill 68 imposes a statewide ban on student use of personal communication devices, including cell phones, from bell to bell during the instructional day. The ban includes lunch and passing periods and will take effect Aug. 28.

Many districts are already in partial compliance through MSBA’s standard policy JD-R, which prohibits device use during instructional times. A more detailed policy update that includes legal exceptions is expected soon.

Second, districts will now be required to permit homeschooled, virtual, and voucher-funded students residing in the district to participate in athletics, fine arts, and co-curricular activities, even if the student is not enrolled in the public school.

Goldhammer urged school leaders to stay current with policy updates to remain in legal compliance, noting that the volume of updates in 2025 may exceed the usual number due to a busy legislative session.

The report also spotlighted Shelley Mantel of the Mountain View-Birch Tree School District, who was sworn in as MSBA president. Mantel, emphasizing “servant leadership,” encouraged board members to inspire and lead with heart.

Bullimore Outlines Capital Projects, Safety Plans, and Strategic Goals

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS — Superintendent Mark Bullimore, who officially began his tenure on July 1, delivered his first report to the Board of Education during its July 8 meeting, offering updates on summer construction projects, safety enhancements, and long-term planning.

Bullimore opened with gratitude for the board’s support and his leadership team’s efforts during the transition. “I’m excited to help lead our district, our students, and our staff,” he said.

Among the district’s ongoing capital projects, Bullimore highlighted wall covering installations at Elkhorn Elementary and Cornerstone Elementary. These additions aim to reduce wear and tear in high-traffic areas and reflect lessons learned from prior facility upgrades.

Repaving work at the high school parking lot is progressing, though unanticipated structural issues are requiring more extensive repairs than originally planned. The district expects to spend around $50,000 for emergency milling and resurfacing, which will be reflected in a forthcoming budget revision.

On the safety front, Bullimore shared that Police Chief Greg Dull has requested that marijuana tax revenue be used to fund a fourth School Resource Officer (SRO) for the district. If approved, this would further strengthen the district’s commitment to school safety, although any implementation could take up to a year.

Bullimore also celebrated the success of the district’s summer school program, which featured high enrollment, community-based learning experiences, and a boost in ADA (Average Daily Attendance) funding. A full report is expected at the August board meeting.

Looking ahead, Bullimore announced a two-day administrative “boot camp” focused on leadership development and strategic visioning, followed by a legal seminar on Aug. 1. He also proposed board work sessions on long-range financial planning and the development of a new Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP), to be facilitated by the Cambrian Group this fall.

Finally, Bullimore acknowledged new legislation restricting student use of personal communication devices during the school day. The district is awaiting the final policy language and plans to inform families before the start of the school year.

District to Pilot Missouri Flex Program for High School Students

To better serve nontraditional learners, Excelsior Springs High School will pilot the Missouri Flex Program during the upcoming school year, announced Assistant Superintendent Dr. Melissa Miller.

The Flex Program, established through Missouri legislation in 2009, provides juniors and seniors with an alternative path to graduation by allowing them to attend school part-time while working or gaining real-world experience through internships. Unlike the Missouri Options program, which prepares students for the HiSET exam, the Flex Program awards credits through personalized coursework aligned with students’ jobs or independent learning goals.

“This is for a very specific student,” Miller explained. “It’s not for those who are simply credit-deficient or disengaged from school; it’s for those who need flexibility to pursue work or personal goals while still earning a diploma.”

To qualify, students must be referred by a principal or counselor, maintain 95% attendance, and have no suspensions. The district plans to launch the program with a small pilot group of two to three students, supervised by Assistant High School Principal Rick Schwab.

The initiative comes with minimal cost to the district and full ADA (Average Daily Attendance) funding for enrolled students, even while they are off-site. Schwab will coordinate with job sites and monitor student progress, ensuring that their experiences meet educational standards.

Board members commended the program for its potential to meet the diverse needs of students and suggested possible future expansions, particularly if enrollment increases and additional funding becomes available.

Miller also noted that other districts such as Blue Springs, Independence, and Joplin have implemented successful versions of the program, and she sees similar promise for Excelsior Springs.

“This isn’t a catch-all solution,” Miller added, “but it’s one more way we can support kids who need a different kind of path to succeed.”

Schools Set to Welcome Staff, Students for New Year

Dr. Bullimore announced important dates for back-to-school events during the July 8 Board of Education meeting, inviting board members to attend upcoming activities welcoming new teachers and energizing returning staff.

New teacher orientation will take place Aug. 11–14, with a special breakfast scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 8 a.m. at the Montgomery event venue. The event provides new educators with an opportunity to meet district leaders and board members in a casual setting before starting a comprehensive onboarding program.

Convocation for all district staff is set for Friday, Aug. 15, beginning with breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., followed by a formal welcome, recognition of staff achievements, and opening remarks in the Performing Arts Center.

“We’d love to have you all there,” Bullimore told board members. “The staff always appreciates your support.”

Staff professional development sessions are scheduled for Aug. 18–19, and the first day of school for students will be Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Dr. Bullimore praised the district’s efforts to revamp new teacher training, noting a new focus on practical teaching strategies and classroom readiness. “We’re reimagining the experience to better support teachers from day one,” he said.

Board Schedules Strategic Planning Session for October 7

The board unanimously approved a strategic planning work session for Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m., marking the first step toward developing a new Strategic Plan and Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) for the 2025–2026 school year.

Dr. Bullimore recommended the session, which will be led by the Cambrian Group, to introduce board members to the Cambridge model of strategic planning. The presentation will outline the scope of the process, including the roles of the board, district staff, and subcommittees that would help shape future goals.

“Several districts similar in size to ours, like Harrisonville and Platte County, have used this model and speak very highly of it,” Bullimore said. “This session will give us the opportunity to determine if it’s a good fit for Excelsior Springs.”

The October 7 meeting allows the board to potentially take formal action at its regular October board meeting if it chooses to move forward with the Cambrian Group.

The Excelsior Springs Board of Education typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Room 8 of the Support Services Building, located at 113 Line Street. Those interested in learning more about the board can visit the district website by clicking here.