Aug. 28, 2025

Superintendent Comments

In his Superintendent Comments at the Aug. 28, 2025, Board of Education meeting, Dr. Curtis Cain shared the following updates:

Before we begin tonight, you’ll notice that our flags are flying at half-staff outside the Administrative Annex here – and around the Rockwood School District – in honor of the victims of yesterday’s shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all who were affected by this act.
At our last meeting, the Board voted to place Proposition S on the Nov. 4 ballot. Prop S is a $0.45 levy increase proposal aimed at recruiting and retaining quality teachers and staff by providing salaries that are competitive with other local school districts and expanding health care benefits to more employees, including bus drivers, classroom assistants and all secretaries. Prop S would also enhance safety and security across the district by hiring additional school safety officers. For more information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Prop S, visit rsdmo.info/PropSFAQ.
I had the privilege of sitting in on a summative presentation prepared by two of our Partners in Education summer interns. The PIE Summer Internship program places students in a career area of their interest in the summer leading into their senior year of high school, providing them with career exploration opportunities and allowing them to gain practical, real-world experience. The final presentation is their capstone project at the end of the internship experience, in which they review what they learned over the summer and how they hope to use this experience moving forward. PIE summer interns are required to work at least 75 hours with their community business partner over the course of the summer. These two students – Marquette High’s Ishita Shah and Lafayette High’s Pardhu Konakandla – each logged more than 294 hours with their business partner, BookstoBorrow.
On the first day of school, I was honored to join members of the Green Pines Elementary community, Board of Education directors and Wildwood Mayor Joe Garritano at the grand opening of the new Green Pines playground. After some formalities and a ribbon-cutting, we got to the real reason for the day: unleashing the students onto their new playground. The slides, swings and other assorted structures are already being put to good use. I want to extend a special thank you to the construction crews and our Facilities team for managing a number of needed improvements all over the district this summer, including more than $13 million of work funded by Prop 3. Facilities personnel are already hard at work meeting with building and district administrators to determine our priority projects for next summer and beyond.
Last Monday was a great day in Rockwood, as school communities all over the district celebrated the first day of the 2025-2026 school year. Students, staff, families and community members showed their excitement for another great year in Rockwood, and I want to thank everybody for their part in helping us get off to a fantastic start. Here are some scenes from the first day at Green Pines and Pond elementary schools, Rockwood Valley and Wildwood middle schools and Eureka High.

To view Dr. Cain's entire Superintendent Comments from the meeting, click here.

Patron Comments

There were no patron comments at last night's meeting.

Agenda Items

Proclamation: National Suicide Prevention Month - Board members proclaimed the month of September 2025 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in the Rockwood School District. During this month, the district will promote awareness surrounding each of the suicide prevention resources available to us and our community. View the proclamation.

Procurement Cards Update - The Board approved the management of the FY26 P-Card program. Purchasing Coordinator Brenda Kirchhoefer provided an update to the Board about the district's use of P-cards and how that resulted in a rebate of more than $125,000 this past school year. The annual review ensures the district is fiscally responsible with purchase card processes, controls and reporting. Read the update.

Board Discussion

Communications Program Update - Board members and Cabinet members heard an update in regard to the Rockwood Communications program. Chief Communications Officer Mary LaPak presented program data and results involving stories produced, social media engagement, webpage visits and more. Rockwood Communications is responsible for telling the district’s stories while also providing clear, current and effective communication with all Rockwood employees, parents, students and members of the community. Read the update.

Communications, Outreach and Public Engagement Committee Update - The Rockwood Board of Education established the Communications, Outreach and Public Engagement (COPE) Committee to improve school board communication. Members of COPE provided an update from the last meeting on Aug. 26, 2025. For more information, visit the COPE Committee website.

Board Agenda Management Software - BoardDocs, the current board agenda management system, will not be an option for renewal this year due to Diligent phasing out this software program. Board secretary Janet Sadowski provided information regarding the migration to their new software program, Diligent Community, for discussion and questions.

Review of September 11, 2025 Board of Education Meeting Date - Board members and Cabinet members reviewed the September 11, 2025 Board of Education meeting date. View the planning calendar.

**Board meeting agendas are available to view the Saturday before regularly scheduled Board meetings on BoardDocs.**