School board reviews improvement strategies

By Murray Bishoff Special to the Cassville Democrat

The Purdy school board has extended the contract of Superintendent Travis Graham and approved waiving tuition for new students who lived beyond the district’s borders. 

Board members extended Graham’s contract through the 2028-29 school year, keeping him committed for three years. They also approved raising Graham’s base pay by 2.66% with the addition of a family plan insurance, and continuing the relocation stipend for another year. 

The board also hired Brandice Shores as a middle school English language learner teacher for the 2026-27 school year. 

The board agreed to waive out-of-district tuition for two students seeking enrollment as long as families provided transportation to and from school, and that the students followed the student handbook. Neither student had attended Purdy previously. 

There will be change coming to the Board of Education in the April 7 election. Four candidates filed for the three open seats. Incumbents David Young and Nathan Lamp filed for re-election. Also running are Kaley Thigpen and David Wormington. It will be the first election in Purdy in two years. 

Graham reported the Missouri Association of School Administrators planned a legislative review of bills under consideration by the Missouri General Assembly and initiatives pushed by Gov. Mike Kehoe. One called for requiring 70% of elementary school assignments to use pen and paper. State Rep. Tricia Byrnes. R-Wentzville, the bill’s sponsor, argued digital instruction had lowered literacy rates. The bill also mandates teaching cursive writing and limiting digital instruction. 

Graham pledged to keep board members versed on the latest proposals to improve advocacy for the district. 

A report on the district’s showing on the state’s Annual Performance Review has been delayed while Graham contests some of the numbers in the report. He anticipated making his review at the February board meeting. 

In the elementary school report, Principal Julie Dalton noted math teacher Nicole Crouthamel has provided Tier 3 intervention to students below grade level for third through sixth graders. Crouthamel provided an example of a student who could not count or write numbers, and within a week he could count to 100 and recognize patterns. She was also working on teaching how to tell time from an analog clock. 

The January professional development session focused on standard-base reference and grading practice training from STEP-UP. Dalton also reviewed the student Christmas program and staff celebration. The Care To Learn program recognized Donna Terry and Dyanna Yarbro as top donors. Others were identified for their dedication. The Parents As Teachers program extended a special thanks to the First Free Will Baptist Church of Purdy for sponsoring the December book giveaway. 

Graham, as interim high school principal, recounted the Hall of Fame induction luncheon for the high school girls basketball team from 1980 to 1982. 

Purdy will host the boys district basketball tournament on February 24, 26 and 28.

Ongoing work by staff has focused on identifying gaps in curriculum and instruction to put appropriate resources in place to improve student performance. Graham cited standards referenced grading that focuses on clearly defined learning standards, rather than averaging points from assignments, behavior, or extra credit. He noted, “Overall, Standards-Referenced Grading provides more meaningful feedback, promotes equity, and helps high school students better understand and improve their learning.”

Graham added the new structure of the SOAR hour has enabled teachers in core subjects to work with students in smaller settings, allowing tutoring-style interventions.