A Resolution to Honor Dallas DeWeese as Missouri’s 2025 Milken Educator
MNEA Member, Dallas DeWeese of Hollister Middle School (Hollister NEA) was recognized and honored at the State Board for being selected as the 2025 Milken Educator for Missouri. DeWeese was honored with resolutions to honor him as Missouri’s Milken Educator for 2025. The award was announced at an all school assembly at Hollister Middle School in December 2024. The award came with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize and “powerful professional development opportunities” with the Milken Educator Network.MNEA congratulates Dallas DeWeese for this prestigious, national award!
Hickman Mills C-1 Appeals MSIP Classification Status
The powers and duties of the State Board (161.092 RSMo) include the “classification of] the public schools of the state, subject to limitations provided by law…” and a school’s classification remains unless the State Board rules otherwise. Pursuant to 5 CSR 20-100.125 (7), Hickman Mills Superintendent, Dr. Yaw Obeng, Hickman Mills District Board President, Irene Kendrick, and Hickman Mills Assistant Superintendent, Katie Roe, presented their appeal to the state board of education to reclassify Hickman Mills accreditation status from “Provisionally Accredited” to “Accredited”.
Hickman Mills gave a thorough, clear, and compelling case to showcase the improvements and quality within their school district; however, because their APR results have not consistently–over multiple school years–been above the 70% threshold, their status will remain (MSIP Comprehensive Guide, 50).
“The Missouri NEA supports effective and fair school accountability systems. The Association believes that these systems must promote student excellence and growth that reflect meaningful, high-quality learning and ensure that the best teaching practices are supported and utilized. The Association also believes schools targeted with academic sanctions or any other form of takeover must have access to a formal appeals process” (A-4).
- Consideration of Rulemaking to Amend 5 CSR 20-400.440: Procedures and Standards for Approval and Accreditation of Professional Educator Preparation Programs in Missouri
Dr. Paul Katnik and Dr. Daryl Fridley from Educator Quality at DESE presented the proposed rulemaking amendment to bolster the procedures and standards for Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) in Missouri. This detail within the rule will add clarity to the rigor that Missouri expects from the institutions that prepare educators. The Association supports the rule amendment.
Governmental Affairs Update
Perry Gorrell, Chief of Government Relations, discussed a range of education legislation activity from the current legislative session. This included topics from Safe School environments to slight calendar changes to recovery high schools. The topics that generated the most conversation and inquiries from the state board included those that had to do with Open Enrollment (SB 215, SB 70, and HB 711) and the Education Freedom Act (SB 360), which would support local control and reduce the state's heavy emphasis on standardized testing.The Association supports the Education Freedom Act and opposes all current Open Enrollment legislation.
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MNEA believes that every student and educator deserve the best experience possible in schools. That is why we are the only educational organization that is consistently present at every meeting of DESE, the state board of education, and the Missouri Legislature. We are your eyes and ears where decisions are being made about your schools.
The next meeting of the Missouri State Board of Education will be held on April 8, 2025, in Jefferson City, Missouri. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org.
The monthly State Board Report is also available in podcast form at MNEA Connects. Listen on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Podbean, or Spotify.