MVBT School Board clarifies class rankings policy

The 2026-2027 school year is fast approaching and the Mountain View-Birch Tree R-III School District Board of Education has been busy prepping for the upcoming school year.

 

The board met on Thursday, July 23 and approved numerous items including student meal prices, policy, and staff. One item on the agenda, which has circulated through several meetings, was the approval of Policy IKC: Class Rankings.

 

Lanna Tharp, Superintendent of the MV-BT School District explained why the board approved the policy change. "Working with the Missouri School Boards' Association (MSBA), the Board determined that portions of the previous policy could be interpreted in different ways and saw an opportunity to provide greater clarity and consistency for students and families. We sincerely appreciate the parents, students, and community members who attended board meetings and shared their perspectives throughout this process. Their input helped us strengthen this policy.

 

During the review process, the Board also discussed whether Liberty High School should move away from recognizing a valedictorian and salutatorian. After careful consideration, the Board determined that these honors have long been a valued tradition at Liberty High School and should continue as an important way to recognize exceptional academic achievement. The revised policy clearly defines eligibility requirements, establishes consistent weighted GPA calculations and tie-breaking procedures, expands academic recognition through Top 10% and Cum Laude honors, and provides clear guidance for implementation. The board believes these updates create a policy that is easier to understand, more consistent, and better recognizes the academic achievements of our students."

 

A full description of the policy can be found on the district's website under Polices and Notices.

 

Items approved during the meeting

- Minutes of June 18 regular board meeting

- Payment of bills in the amount of $462,477.40

- Payment of $103.89 to Brown's Farm & Garden for supply

- Payment of $435.00 to Lois Wood for supply

- Contract with Navitas

- Year End Budget amendments for 2025-2026 school year

- Final Budget for the 2026-2027 school year

- Tax Rate Hearing set for August 20, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. with regular board meeting immediately to follow

- Date set for the Board/Admin Retreat for policy and procedure training for August 7, 2026 at Josh Robert's cabin

- Occupational Therapy Services Agreement with Ozarks Healthcare for the 2026-2027 school year

- Contract with New Day Counseling for the 2026-2027 school year

- 2026-2027 Liberty High School, Liberty Middle School, and MV-BT Elementary Student Handbooks

- Meal prices with the cost of student breakfast to $1.95 and student lunch to $3.15 for the 2026-2027 school year

 

Items approved during closed session

- Resignation from Cynthia Ray, Custodian effective June 30, 2026; and Kristy Osborn, SE Para effective July 5, 2026

- Employ Darla Bell, Para; Diane Hood, Para; and Mackenzie Phillips, Daycare employee for the 2026-2027 school year

- Certified substitute list minus Tammy Honeycutt for the 2026-2027 school year

- Meranda Benton, Amber Bradshaw, Paul Campbell, Beth Carpenter, Janie Davis, Kristen Brooks, Sydney Fisher, and Mason Vandevort to the certified substitute list for the 2026-2027 school year pending completion of paperwork

- Add Tonie Noble, Terri Orchard, Candra Smith, Tammy Honeycutt to the certified substitute list for the 2026-2027 school year

- Non-certified substitute list for the 2026-2027 school year

- Volunteers pending paperwork for the 2026-2027 school year: Brodie Collins, Lyndsey Crouse, Justin French, Starla French, Heidi Hulvey, Kalie Isaacs, Ashley Otwell, Joshua Pruett, Morgan Renegar, Brittany Smith, Cynthia Summers, Jeremy Tharp, T. Allen Tharp, Becky Wood, Shelly Mantel, and Bill Altermatt

- Add Hilary Honeycutt, Jeremy Wood, and Lois Wood to the volunteer list for the 2026-2027 school year

- Add Karen Wilbanks to the non-certified substitute list for the 2026-2027 school year