Women’s basketball team from 1980s to receive Hall of Fame nod

By Murray Bishoff/Special to the Cassville Democrat

The Purdy school board approved its audit and reviewed teaching strategies at its November meeting. 

Much of the meeting was spent with Steve Harner, from The CPA Group in Monett, presenting the district audit for the past school year. The audit was accepted as presented. 

Superintendent Travis Graham reported the Missouri State Board of Education approved the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education budget for fiscal year 2026-27, seeking funding restoration that would impact the Purdy district. That plan goes to the Office of Administration for review, citing actions that include the phase-out of one-time federal funds and mandatory items where the state fell short in its 2025-26 budget. 

The proposal includes a $219.2 million request to increase funding for the Foundation Formula, with $51.6 million for charter schools and $33.5 million for implementing a 169-day school calendar approved by the General Assembly early this year. The state board wants to see $32.4 million in transportation aid, restoring cut funding and bringing reimbursement levels to the statutory 75 percent level. The ongoing shortfall in Early Childhood special education funding, shortfalls in rising special education costs, and more money for new safety mandates were addressed in the proposal. 

Officials also reported the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame will honor the Purdy women’s basketball team from the 1980-1982 seasons at its winter sports luncheon on Dec. 16 at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield. 

Purdy board members were notified filing dates for the April 7 election begin on Dec. 9. Three seats, presently held by David Young, Nathan Lamp, and Levi Roden, will be open. The school office will be open from 3-5 p.m. on Dec. 30 for final filings. 

Graham reported on the district’s Thanksgiving break scheduled for the last week in November. No classes were held Dec. 1, as a scheduled professional development day for teachers took place. Semester finals at the high school are slated for Dec. 17 and 18. The crowning of Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas will take place at the assembly on Dec. 19, after which classes will adjourn following a half-day. Christmas break will run Dec. 22 to Jan. 2, followed by another professional development day on Jan. 5. 

Graham shared the form used by administrators for observing teachers. It called for evaluation on content knowledge, engaging subject matter with students, curriculum implementation, using instructional strategies to promote critical thinking, and using cooperative and independent learning strategies for individuals and small groups. Each area included ways to evaluate teacher performance. 

The district’s 4-Core Focus strategy was also shared with board members as a working tool to identify gaps in the district’s curriculum. The goal, Graham noted, was to put appropriate resources in place to improve student performance. 

In personnel action, the board accepted the retirement letters of Jason Webb, high school social studies teacher; Melissa Hayslip, who taught English language learners at seventh and eighth grades and the reading success program; and Marsha Williams, administrative assistant to the superintendent. The board hired Juana Ramiez-Salas as a custodian, replacing Stephanie Lee, who resigned. 

Principal Julie Dalton presented an update on expanding vocabulary at the elementary school. A chart showed in first and second grades, students learned 800+ new words a year, or two new words a day. At third and fourth grades, students learn 2,000 to 3,000 new words a year, or six to eight a day. Independent reading, Dalton noted, helps increase the number. 

Kindergarten teacher Janie Cunningham offered a video on training in LETRS (language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling) and went on to explain her idea of dressing up like Fancy Nancy and reading a book to classes to introduce “fancy words” on Fridays. Staff began the strategy in November with third graders receiving an enthusiastic reception, and have since expanded it to kindergarten through fourth grades. 

For the high school, Graham reported on foster student-driven learning and ways to measure three state standards. He noted the state principals associations have invited state legislators to visit the school on Dec. 2 as part of the statewide Principal for a Day effort. 

In student achievement, Purdy’s Courtney Patterson finished 67th out of 173 runners at the state cross-country meet. Freshman Alison Logan earned a place on the Southwest Missouri District Honor Band. 

The board cancelled its December meeting and will next meet on Jan. 15, 2026.