R-VII board hears strong APR growth

The West Plains R-VII school board reviewed results from the Missouri Annual Performance Report (APR), showing strong growth across all schools in the district. The APR serves as an accountability measure for all schools, ensuring they are performing and growing at an appropriate rate and level. The report is based on multiple factors, with two primary components: Performance and Continuous Improvement. Tiffany Young presented the information the board, pointing out significant jumps across the district, commenting that lower scores in previous years allowed for ample, “room to grow.” Now that the growth has happened, improvements are still the goal, but there is less room to grow. 

 

In recent years, West Plains Schools has implemented targeted initiatives to strengthen student learning, support teachers, and build a foundation for ongoing growth. These efforts are paying off — reflected in the district's impressive APR increases across all buildings.

 

APR Growth from 2024 to 2025: West Plains R-VII School District: 15.7%, South Fork Elementary School: 14.1%, West Plains Elementary School: 20.6%, West Plains Middle School: 16.9%, and West Plains High School: 27.5%.

 

In this month’s student spotlight, Jennifer Shipley and students from the fourth grade leadership team talked about their experience, and showed a video in which members of the team defined what they think about leadership. 

 

Five members of the community addressed the board about comments made online by member Jodi Purgason. See the front page for the coverage of these comments. 

 

In items for action, the board approved filing dates for candidate filing for the April school board election. Interested candidates may file to run for office from December 9 through 30. 

 

The district will lease a parking lot across from the sports complex for student parking, the board decided. The parking lot is owned by the city of West Plains. Matthew Orchard told the board taking over the parking will give the district greater control over student safety. 

 

The board also approved a list of surplus property including two vehicles, three spools of electric wire, and a metal brake.

 

In other actions, the board approval program evaluations, the CSIP update, a Special Education local compliance plan, MSBA policy updates, and reimbursement of travel expenses and other bills. 

 

In other discussion, the board members discussed their experiences at the MSBA conference and took no action on an organ donation curriculum. 

 

In personnel decisions, the board hired:  Matthew Orchard - Deputy Superintendent and Keeli Holden - Elementary Teacher,  Courtney Clark – Paraprofessional, Jordan Letterman - WPHS Head Girls Tennis Coach and asst. boys’ tennis coach, Melissa Thompson – Paraprofessional, Alison Jones - Substitute Bus Driver, Shawnee Pauly – Paraprofessional, Radis Smith - Full Time Bus Driver, and custodians Ezra Grantham, Aldrick Drennen, and Cody Willbanks. 

 

The board transferred Nathan Wages - SOMO Tech Welding Inst. to SOMO Tech. Evening Welding Inst., Emily Jennings - WPMS 6th Grade ELA to WPMS 6th Grade Mathematics, Marc Hubbell - ZPA Instructor to WPMS Paraprofessional, and Brenton Bush - Paraprofessional to ZPA Instructor. 

 

Volunteers Jule Stewart and Shelley Martin were approved. 

 

The board accepted resignations from Elias Woodard - Custodian (10/28/2025), Kasey Brooks – Paraprofessional, Christopher Rosenbum - Full Time Bus Driver (11/21/2025), Heidi Schneider - WPHS Head Girls Tennis Coach, Brandi Hunt - Paraprofessional (11/10/2025), Samantha Stiner - Paraprofessional (11/7/2025), Devin Dewitt - Custodian (11/6/25), Thayden Moore – Custodian, Raymond Leonard - Custodian (11/14/25), Shawnee Pauly – Paraprofessional, and Gavin Hurst - Custodian (11/28/25).

 

The board approved retirements of Martha Williams - WPES Music Teacher, Scott Heidy - SOMO Tech. Commercial & Advertising Art Teacher, and Christy Heidy - SOMO Tech. Health Science Teacher.

The next meeting will be December 16, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at the High School Library.