The National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) awarded one of four 2020 Innovations in State Government Awards to Missouri, the state’s first time receiving the award. Missouri was recognized for its distinctiveness and innovation in the “Personnel Best Practices” category for its professional development transformation. Criteria included program innovation, transferability to other state governments, […]
Tag: commissioner
Missouri education official calls substitute teacher shortage a crisis
Missouri schools continue to struggle with having enough teachers available to educate kids in traditional classrooms this year. The Show-Me State has had a chronic problem with teacher shortages, but COVID-19 has made the can of worms open even more. Missouri has about 70,000 pre-K through 12 teachers instructing roughly 900,000 public school students. Many […]
Grundy County Commission awards HVAC bid; COVID-19 funds approved for five entities
The Grundy County Commission on Tuesday morning, November 10th approved a bid for HVAC work at the courthouse. Wilson Heating and Cooling submitted the only bid for work. The project will include three two-stage 96% efficiency natural gas furnaces, an exhaust flue, a supply line, ductwork, and labor at $20,221. This system will replace the […]
November 9 – 13 designated as Registered Apprenticeship Appreciation & Awareness Week
Governor Mike Parson recognized the importance of Registered Apprenticeship Programs with a proclamation to officially set apart the week of November 9-13, 2020, as Registered Apprenticeship Appreciation & Awareness Week, to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week. Now in its sixth year, National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration that gives businesses, communities, and educators the […]
Voter turnout in 2020 presidential election was 76.2% in Grundy County compared to 71% in 2016
Balloting for the general election in Grundy County was heavier than it was four years ago in terms of the percentage who voted, but it was nearly the same on the headcount. Including those who voted in person Tuesday, plus those who voted in advance via an absentee or mail-in ballot, a total of 4,467 […]
Northern Missouri election results for November 3, 2020
Grundy County experienced a 76 percent voter turnout in yesterday’s general election – favoring Republicans in their races and each of the unopposed Republican candidates for countywide offices. Donald Trump received 81 percent of the presidential vote from Grundy County while Joseph Biden had 18 percent of the vote. Also receiving huge majority support in […]
Election Preview: Candidates running unopposed in many northern Missouri counties; other seats hotly contested
While five Green Hills counties do not have any head to head races in the general election today, there are contests to be decided in four area counties, plus for an area state representative seats and one for state senate. Candidates are unopposed for county-wide offices in Grundy, Mercer, Harrison, Putnam, and Sullivan counties. Also […]
Missouri Election Day FAQ: What you need to know to make sure your vote counts
(Missouri Independent) – Across Missouri, local election officials have received 628,395 mail-in and absentee ballots, according to the Secretary of State’s Oct. 27 report. Already, that’s more than twice the total absentee ballots counted in the November 2016 election. While many Missourians have already voted by mail or in-person absentee, many more will head out […]
Student loan default rate continues to decrease in Missouri
According to the U.S. Department of Education, Missouri’s three-year loan default rate decreased two-tenths of a percent, keeping Missouri’s rate lower than many of its neighboring states and on par with the national rate. Missouri’s student loan default rate dropped from 9.9 percent to 9.7 percent. The national rate decreased from 10.1 percent to 9.7 […]
Missouri ranks in top 3 in 2020 Digital States Survey; receives “Grade A” for data-driven government
Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri has been recognized as a national leader in digital technology best practices. The Center for Digital Government (CDG) released its 2020 Digital States Survey, which showed that Missouri received a grade of “A,” one of the top grades among all 50 states. The grade A demonstrates very strong innovation […]
Grundy County Commission approves snow removal bid; participates in conference call regarding design of 911 system
The Grundy County Commission on Tuesday, October 27th approved a bid for snow removal and Coronavirus Relief Fund allocations. Chris and Danny Gott will provide snow removal services at the courthouse, prosecuting attorney’s office, and law enforcement center. The bid included $500 per occasion of snow removal and $125 when the ice melt application is solely […]
EPA to make announcement on herbicide today
Farmers might learn Tuesday what they can and cannot do with dicamba next growing season. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is planning an afternoon announcement in Georgia, with the state’s ag commissioner, and Farm Bureau’s Zippy DuVall. A senior communications official with the EPA tells Brownfield he can’t be specific, but “it’ll pertain to a herbicide […]
Missouri sends initial shipment of COVID-19 antigen tests to schools statewide
State officials began shipping thousands of antigen test kits to public and private schools across the state today. Nearly 330 districts/schools applied to participate in Missouri’s BinaxNOW Antigen Testing Program for K-12 Institutions, requesting a total of nearly 583,000 test kits for use among symptomatic students and school personnel. These minimally invasive nasal swab tests […]
Missouri Medicaid expansion: Will it bust the budget or pay for itself?
(Missouri Independent) – When Missouri voters approved Medicaid expansion in August, they were told by the ballot language that the price tag was unknown, with possible costs at $200 million stated alongside $1 billion in potential savings. What is known for certain is that about 250,000 Missourians will become eligible for coverage next year — […]
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announces new office of early learning
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced during the regularly scheduled State Board of Education meeting the creation of an Office of Early Learning. This change is part of DESE’s ongoing focus on early learning and early literacy, one of the department’s four priority areas in the Show-Me Success strategic plan. Earlier this year, DESE […]
Audio: 67 veterans at Missouri veterans homes have died from COVID-19, since September 1
Another 11 veterans living in Missouri veterans homes have died due to COVID-19 in the past week, bringing the total number of deaths to 67 since September 1. Missourinet followed-up Tuesday with the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC), on the number of deaths since September, broken down by facility. The Missouri Veterans Commission reports 29 […]
Missouri continues to lead nation in Registered Apprenticeship efforts
For the second year in a row, Missouri ranks second in the nation for completed apprenticeships. Missouri saw 3,388 Registered Apprenticeships completed in FY 2020, more than any other state except California. Missouri currently has more than 13,560 active apprenticeships, participating in 489 registered programs. Through Registered Apprenticeships, workers obtain on-the-job training through a paid […]
Grundy County Commission tables approval of snow removal bids; ten firms announce interest in designing 911 system
The Grundy County Commission on Tuesday morning, October 20th tabled approval of snow removal bids until further details can be acquired from the two parties who submitted bids. Chris and Danny Gott’s bid included $500 for snow removal and ice melt application at the courthouse, prosecuting attorney’s office, and law enforcement center as well as […]
Remedial education changes show continued improvement to student success
Remedial education rates continue to decline at Missouri’s public colleges and universities, potentially reducing the amount of time and money it takes for many students to earn a degree. The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development recently published its Annual Report on the Condition of College and Career Readiness, showing the number of […]
Grundy County Commission approves COVID-19 relief funds for three organizations; commission participates in virtual meeting
The Grundy County Commission approved Coronavirus Relief Fund allocations for three entities the morning of Tuesday, October 13th. The Grundy County Senior Tax Board was approved for $1,152.62 for COVID-19-related expenses. A pre-approval was granted for $2,800 for HVAC air purifiers at the North 65 Center. Laredo R-7 was approved for $6,395.75 in funding. Presiding […]