The West Plains R-VII School District Board of Education met for its regular open session on May 20. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a special Student Spotlight recognizing Lauren Stewart and Kyle Martinez, the 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively. Both students reflected on their time as Zizzers and the impact of their educational journey.
Several staffing changes were approved, including new hires, transfers, resignations, and sponsorship appointments across the district. A key highlight was the approval of updated salary schedules for the 2025-2026 school year. Superintendent Dr. Wesley Davis introduced a revised longevity stipend for certified staff, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on years of service. Dr. Davis emphasized the importance of retaining experienced educators and expressed gratitude for the board’s support.
Much of the meeting focused on the 2025-2026 budget discussion, with projected expenses of $36 million and revenue of $34.5 million. Dr. Davis outlined several planned capital projects, including improvements at Zizzer Stadium, WPHS, WPMS, and other district facilities. Rising costs in insurance and utilities were also addressed, along with pending grants and funding allocations.
The board approved contracts for athletic training services (awarded to PTSC of West Plains) and special education-related services (awarded to Ozarks Healthcare Rehabilitation Services). District administrators gave updates from all buildings and departments, including successful spring events, MAP testing completion, curriculum developments, and summer school preparations. Notably, West Plains High School graduated 283 seniors, and SoMoTech celebrated dozens of program completions and certifications.
In his report, Dr. Davis provided encouraging financial updates and reviewed state-level developments, including a new Missouri education funding task force. He also announced that the district will no longer provide ECSE services to out-of-district students due to staffing shortages. Student board member Emma Arnold delivered her final report, expressing appreciation for her role and the opportunity to be part of the board’s work.
The meeting concluded with remarks from Dr. Davis and President Tyree praising the recent end-of-year awards ceremony, particularly highlighting the exceptional food prepared by the FFA students and advisors. The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the West Plains High School Library.
