Fresh start for Jefferson City school district with new board leadership

Monday marked a fresh start for the Jefferson City school district as new leadership settled in.

The new school board president Jon Ruth laid out a clear vision for the district at Monday night’s meeting, a year after unrest in the district.

Ruth is a no-nonsense kind of man, right out of the gate Monday night addressing the district’s biggest problems; discipline at schools and backing teachers to the ever growing space problem.

He even went as far as to say getting a new East Elementary school to voters was was a top priority.

New school board members Michael Couty and Pam Murray were sworn into office.

The two ran on bringing transparency back to the district and alleviating space issues like the ones at East Elementary.

Newly elected president Ruth said he sees the same urgency.

“I think it makes sense to start with an East School discussion.”

Ruth said it’s a top priority and one that might have to be taken to voters before a new high school.

He said there’s just one issue that needs to get under control immediately.

“It’s time for the board to double down on our approach to discipline. An orderly classroom is essential to learning. Our mandate and our belief that all kids are entitled to a quality education starts with order in the classroom,” said Ruth.

Making sure teachers and administrators know they have the board’s backing is now job one.

Ruth said until it’s under control, it’s going to become a familiar topic at the district office.

“That’s going to be a theme in every meeting, a status check, how are we doing? Are there areas for improvement and an opportunity to hear from the community.”

We fup to a closed meeting we told you about last Friday,