2007 Outstanding Rural School Board
North Platte R-I School District
Launch the media gallery 1 playerLike most rural schools, the North Platte Board of Education members not only serve the school district, but various other leadership roles such as firemen, church deacon, city council member, and state committee member. While not all of the members have children in school, ALL are very active in attending and supporting school activities.
The "Agenda"of the North Platte School Board? What is best for the children of the North Platte School District. For you see, the board members have a personal and vested interest in the schools and are proud of the district's accomplishments. Most of the members of the board are North Platte graduates having children and/or grandchildren who attend or have attended school at North Platte.
These individuals are best described as "professional associates and friends." They are recognized by members of the community for their energy, integrity, and diligence. They work as a team, setting district goals and policies, supporting site-based management, gathering input from patrons, and taking a personal interest in the success of their school district.
The North Platte's district goals are broad, realistic, and lofty. The school board members maintain high expectations of the administrators, teachers, staff and students. Through their support over the years, academically, the district has received the highest performance rating in each of the MSIP cycles. In the second cycle, North Platte was one of 28 districts to achieve the Accredited with Distinction in Performance. In the third cycle, the district was one of 35 districts to receive Distinction in Performance all five years. We know that this type of success does not happen by accident but is the result of everyone doing his/her job. In this case, the board set the expectations and allowed everyone else to do their job.
This board is recognized for the implementation of two special programs. The first -- to help school organizations. It is known as the "matching funds" program. The district will match an organization's donation to the school to fulfill a need. Under this program, the Elementary and Junior High PTA's have been able to purchase computers to use in the instructional process: the Music Boosters have purchased instruments and uniforms; the Athletic Boosters have been able to purchase equipment and uniforms. The second is to help parents/students. The Board started the North Platte Foundation, a program to raise funds so that scholarships can be given to students each year. The board has also supported tuition reimbursement for high school students taking college courses.
Whether it is participating in a fundraiser, building playground equipment, or making repairs, all the board members take an active part in helping. It is this work ethic that serves as a foundation of trust between the board and the community making the North Platte Board of Education deserving of the honor as the Outstanding Missouri Rural Board of Education for 2007.