Fox C-6 Board Weighs Federal Funding, Testing Changes as New School Year Approaches
The Fox C-6 Board of Education spent much of its August 4 meeting looking ahead to a new school year while confronting uncertainty over federal education funding and proposed changes to Missouri’s testing and school accountability system.
Superintendent Dr. Paul Fregeau told the board that the state’s proposed A through F school report card remains in development. According to Fregeau, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has submitted guidelines for review by the governor’s team before the proposal moves to the State Board of Education.
Fregeau said district leaders are concerned about the timeline for processing data and the possibility that state assessment windows could be moved earlier in the school year. He also updated the board on discussions surrounding Missouri’s school foundation formula, including a possible approach that would blend property values with a measure of local income.
Federal Funding Uncertainty
The district’s federal programs presentation raised another concern.
Kim Loomis, director of federal programs and human resources, told the board Fox C-6 has about $1.7 million available through Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV programs for the current fiscal year, not including approximately $111,000 in separate federal grant funding being used for counseling and support following last spring’s tornadoes.
Loomis said current federal budget provisions do not include Title II, Title III, and Title IV funding beyond this fiscal year, which could mean a loss of roughly $500,000 for the district if those programs are not restored.
Those programs currently support teacher and administrator professional development, services for English language learners, student wellness, technology, and other programs. Fox C-6 has 10 English language learner teachers, with one position funded through Title III and the remaining nine paid by the district.
Loomis also emphasized the importance of families completing free and reduced meal applications. The information is used for more than meal eligibility and can help determine whether schools qualify for federal Title I resources. Six Fox C-6 schools qualify for Title I this year, with Lone Dell Elementary added as a targeted school.
State Testing Timeline Draws Concern
Testing was another major topic.
Dr. Alisha Conley, director of assessment and college and career readiness, presented the district’s 2026 to 2027 assessment plan, which includes a move to i-Ready benchmark testing for reading and mathematics in kindergarten through 10th grade.
The board approved the plan, but the calendar remains partly unsettled because the state has not released final testing dates. Conley said Missouri testing has traditionally run from April into mid May, while proposed changes could shorten the window and end testing in April.
Board members questioned whether moving the testing period earlier would reduce instructional time available before students are assessed. Conley agreed that an earlier deadline could affect curriculum pacing and the district’s ability to cover all standards before testing.
Staff Survey and Proposition M Projects
The board also approved a $7,600 agreement with CESO Communications to administer the district’s 2027 staff culture and climate survey. Board members said participation has fallen below the level they want and expressed hope that using an outside company will increase employees’ confidence in the anonymity of their responses.
CESO will also create index scores that allow the district to compare results over time and measure whether efforts to improve workplace concerns are working.
In Proposition M business, the board selected Incite Design Studio as the architectural design firm for upcoming projects. District officials said 13 firms responded to the request for qualifications, with five selected for interviews before Incite was recommended.
The work is expected to focus heavily on building systems, safety and security, including improvements involving HVAC, roofing, entrances, cameras, and other needs across facilities of varying ages.
The board also approved a contract with Accurate Paving for asphalt replacement at Sherwood Elementary, Rockport Elementary, and Fox Athletic Drive, as well as Home Service Oil Company as the district’s fuel supplier.
Student Conduct Policy Moves Forward
A proposed student conduct policy also received its first reading. The change would add “physically aggressive behavior” as a disciplinary category, giving administrators another option for incidents that may not rise to the level of a fight or assault. The policy is scheduled to return for a second reading and possible adoption at the August 18 board meeting.
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