LINN — After two years dominated by major construction, financial planning, an operating levy, and employee compensation, Linn R-2 is shifting its attention from building the district to measuring what happens inside its classrooms.

“Academic student achievement is our number one goal this year,” said Superintendent Bob James during the Sept. 17 Board of Education meeting. “We’re going to at least give as much energy to instruction and academics as we give all the others combined.”

The shift was evident throughout the meeting as Elementary Principal Cammie Otto and Middle/High School Principal Garrett Haslag outlined early-year results, areas of concern, and plans designed to produce measurable academic growth.

Otto characterized the beginning of the year as unusually strong.

“We’ve had the best start this school year that we have had in all my years,” said Otto, crediting staff planning and preparation for improvements already visible in the building.

She said faculty and family climate surveys also produced positive results, with most staff members reporting they feel supported and families responding favorably to communication, student comfort, and staff expectations.

“Of particular note, I also notice in classrooms, our teachers are having the highest expectations of our kids that they have had,” said Otto. “And not only that, they’re really following through with those expectations, and the kids know that.”

Otto also pointed to encouraging academic results, including third-grade performance above preliminary state averages in the areas presented to the board and some of the highest percentages of students scoring proficient or advanced during her tenure.

“We did see some of our highest percentages in proficient and advanced this year since I’ve been there,” said Otto. “That shows that we’re headed in the right direction.”

At the same time, she said the elementary school continues to examine where improvement is needed rather than treating stronger numbers as an endpoint.

“We’re also going to continue to add more rigor and critical thinking to our lessons in all content areas,” said Otto.

That work includes examining depth-of-knowledge levels, breaking Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) results down by item and state specifications, strengthening literacy instruction, establishing K-5 reading-block essentials, adding resources in the primary grades, and continuing to adjust Response to Intervention based on student data.

Otto said the district will maintain a particularly strong Tier I instructional focus in kindergarten through second grade to send stronger readers into the upper elementary grades.

Teachers are also making greater use of cooperative learning, another longstanding building goal.

“There are so many opportunities to respond for students,” said Otto. “There are so many cooperative learning activities built into every lesson that I’ve been in.”

Administrative responsibilities were rearranged this year to allow Otto and other administrators to spend more time in classrooms, both to support teachers and address smaller student behavior concerns before they become larger problems. Otto said she expected to have spent at least 30 minutes in every classroom by the end of that week.

“I will tell you, in the three years prior to this year, I have not had the opportunity to do that,” said Otto.

Asked about collaboration between fifth- and sixth-grade teachers, Otto said greater vertical teaming remains a goal, but she wants curriculum and instructional practices more firmly established within the individual buildings first. She acknowledged fifth and sixth grades have been among the more challenging areas academically.

The elementary school reported enrollment of 280 students in preschool through fifth grade. Otto said that figure is down from the beginning of last year, although much of the decline occurred gradually through transfers and students moving to homeschool rather than in a single summer drop.

Haslag, who arrived shortly before the school year began, likewise praised staff for getting the middle/high school ready despite the transition.

“They did a phenomenal job making sure we were ready to rock and roll to start the year,” said Haslag.

The middle/high school reported enrollment of 333 students, compared with 322 at the same point last year.

Haslag said he has been encouraged by the atmosphere in the building but was considerably less satisfied with portions of the district’s academic performance.

“This is lower than it should be,” said Haslag while reviewing middle and high school MAP and End-of-Course (EOC) performance. “I have no doubt in my mind this is lower than where it should be.”

He also pointed to individual subjects and grades with strong results, saying those performances demonstrate Linn students are capable of succeeding at a high level.

The 2026-27 Middle/High School Building Improvement Plan establishes three primary goals, beginning with increasing the number of students scoring proficient or advanced on EOC exams by 3% in each tested subject area, or improving a cohort’s performance by at least 3% from its previous content exam.

Strategies include professional development focused on test preparation, PLC data teams, greater use of IXL diagnostics, mock testing, collaboration with teachers in high-performing schools, an EOC rewards trip, student focus groups, and incorporating testing fundamentals into Wildcat Time.

Haslag said one of the most significant changes will be collecting usable achievement information throughout the school year rather than waiting until state testing is completed.

Students will take diagnostic assessments repeatedly, allowing teachers and administrators to track the same priority standards and determine whether students are making progress while there is still time to change instruction.

“We can make actual data meetings and actually be an instructional leader in the middle of the year, as opposed to meeting and getting our EOCs back or our MAP back at the end of the year,” said Haslag.

If students are not showing growth, he said the response cannot simply be to continue doing the same thing.

“We’re not going to sit there and just watch data be stagnant,” said Haslag. “What is the plan?”

Haslag also wants students involved in answering that question. He plans to develop a student advisory council representing a broad cross-section of the school rather than limiting participation to traditional student leaders or top-performing students.

“I want different kids from different backgrounds,” said Haslag, explaining that students with varying academic performance, behavior, and attendance can provide administrators with a better picture of the entire school.

One role for the group will be helping administrators determine how to increase student motivation for state testing.

“What do you guys want to see? How can we motivate you guys to come in and try to test?” Haslag asked.

He suggested academic achievement can be treated more like other activities in which students naturally want their school to succeed.

“We want to go win every basketball game,” said Haslag. “How do we want to go win this?”

The second MS/HS improvement goal targets ACT performance. The formal plan lists Linn’s average at 19.06 and calls for raising it to at least 20.

Haslag said the district currently does not offer a dedicated ACT preparation class, has not provided teachers with significant ACT-specific professional development, and has not made enough instructional use of Pre-ACT results.

Proposed changes include adding an ACT prep class to the 2027-28 schedule, expanding test-preparation resources, using Pre-ACT data more intentionally, aligning curriculum with ACT content, providing teacher training, and creating incentives and recognition for high scores.

“We should be highlighting and celebrating those kids,” said Haslag, adding that stronger ACT performance can translate directly into college financial assistance. He used his own family as an example, noting that although he was an athlete, his sister’s academic performance resulted in considerably more college financial assistance.

The third building goal focuses on staff culture. By May, the school hopes to increase positive responses on its annual staff climate survey by 15%, reduce staff absences by 10% excluding approved long-term leave, and have at least 80% of employees report feeling respected, supported, and connected to colleagues.

Proposed strategies include quarterly anonymous climate surveys, staff recognition, protected planning time, wellness opportunities, a Sunshine Committee, peer observations, and regular opportunities for employees to speak informally with the principal.

“While we’re trying to raise achievement expectations, we still have to have a culture that people want to be in,” said Haslag.

James said the district’s emerging academic emphasis will also shape a new Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP). The existing plan is in its third year, and he asked board members to consider narrowing the next version to a smaller number of goals that can be measured and reported regularly.

“I think we’re ready for the specificity,” said James.

Rather than maintaining a long list of objectives because they fit state requirements, James suggested identifying perhaps three to five priorities and returning to the board regularly with evidence showing whether progress is occurring.

The board later approved the district’s annual Professional Development Plan, which James said is intentionally structured as a process rather than a fixed list of training activities so professional development can change in response to student data and emerging needs.

R-2’s increased emphasis on achievement also comes as Missouri prepares to introduce a new A-F grading system for public schools and districts.

The State Board of Education approved the A-F School and District Grading Framework on Sept. 15, two days before the R-2 meeting. The new system will use measures including academic achievement, student growth, college- and career-readiness indicators, and graduation rates while remaining an addition to, rather than a replacement for, Missouri’s existing accountability system.

“The State Board of Education has moved forward with the A-F accountability framework,” said James. “There’ll be some adjustment across the state.”

The first grades will be calculated using 2024-25 data, with the framework being piloted before public release.

James then turned to what he described as a potentially more immediate concern for R-2: state funding.

The State Board approved its fiscal year 2028 budget request but directed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to hold its foundation-formula request at the current-year level. DESE calculated that amount at approximately $270 million less than what would be required to fully fund the formula.

James characterized the difference during the meeting as “almost $300 million” and sharply criticized the decision.

“In my opinion, that’s dereliction of duty to recommend to fund less than what you know is necessary,” said James.

He contrasted the funding outlook with rising district personnel costs and said he anticipates only limited growth in formula funding.

“That’s just preposterous,” said James.

James projected a state adequacy target of approximately $6,400 next year and said the funding situation will require the district to be cautious.

“We will not thrive,” said James. “We’ll have to survive.”

He nevertheless found what he called a “sparkling gray lining” in the situation: major construction is winding down, giving administrators fewer outside demands competing with the district’s academic work.

“We don’t have a lot of construction or anything,” said James. “We don’t have a lot to do outside of just focusing on what’s happening in classrooms and student achievement and academics.”

That focus is already showing up in administrative practice. James said he and Otto had begun classroom calibration walkthroughs earlier than ever before and planned to continue them monthly, with similar work beginning with Haslag.

Board Vice President Alfred Brandt, returning to the state funding discussion, noted he had read quite a bit about the shortfall.

“I know it matters from a perception standpoint, but is it going to make a difference because they were going to cut us anyway?” Brandt asked.

Board President Mark Baker noted that requesting the full amount would not necessarily have resulted in the legislature funding it.

“I think it’ll have the same effect as our operating levy being voted down a couple of times,” said James. “Instead of leaving the responsibility to the Appropriations Committee and the governor, they took the hit for them. Quite honestly, they’re appointed, and it’ll never make much difference in their lives, but the damage will be done. It’s demoralizing.”

Baker then asked how the district’s construction projects were progressing.

James said the projects originally promised through the bond issue are essentially complete, aside from punch-list and repair work.

“We’ve delivered all of that,” he said.

R-2 originally projected approximately $600,000 in investment earnings from unused bond proceeds. James said those earnings had reached approximately $840,000 and that he plans to pull the money back because the district has exceeded its investment goal.

The remaining major expenditure is replacement of 19 of 23 older HVAC units in the existing middle school, which James estimated at approximately $500,000. He said the district remains on schedule to complete remaining work by July 16, 2027.

Board member Jamie Bish said the district should make a concerted effort to show the public what was promised, what was completed, and what additional work became possible through favorable bids and investment earnings.

“We heard, we listened, and we were conscious of our spending,” said Bish. “Part of me is wondering too: what are our next goals? What are the next things the community wants from us?”

Bish specifically mentioned restrooms in the Dome as an area she would like to see considered in future planning.

James agreed those areas need attention but cautioned against moving immediately into another major facilities initiative after the community supported both the bond issue and, more recently, the district’s operating levy.

“I worry about asking too much too soon,” said James.

In other business, the district’s preliminary financial audit produced positive news. James said auditors completed on-site work in approximately two and a half hours and complimented district staff for continuing to improve the organization and preparation of financial records.

“We just get better every single year,” James said the principal auditor told district officials.

No significant audit findings are anticipated, although the results remain preliminary until the final audit is completed. James hopes to present the finished report to the board in November.

James also explained why the district’s reported year-end fund balance landed at approximately 27.4% rather than the roughly 29% he had projected. A federal Title reimbursement normally requested before June 30 was instead submitted after the fiscal year ended, moving the revenue into the new fiscal year. James said the district would have finished at approximately 29.2% had the payment arrived before June 30.

The board also began the first of three readings on 23 policy and regulation updates recommended by Missouri Consultants for Education. The package includes changes involving credit-card controls, bank reconciliations, nondiscrimination, web accessibility, discipline, student allergy response, personnel matters, federal procurement, and other operational requirements. Second and third readings are expected in October and November.

Board members also discussed an upcoming transition in the elementary office. The lead elementary secretary has indicated plans to retire, and accumulated leave could move her departure as early as January. The district plans to post the position near the end of September, seek a hiring recommendation in October, and, if possible, have the replacement begin around Thanksgiving to allow several weeks of cross-training.

The board also selected Lock’s Mill Propane at $1.34 per gallon. The company offered to hold the price for three years, and the board approved the arrangement with renewal for the following two years contingent upon continued satisfactory service and product quality.

With the construction work largely behind the district and the academic plans beginning to take shape, James said the administrative emphasis will remain on what happens inside classrooms.

“We will be all-in on student achievement,” said James.