Committees

Formed by the Board of Education and the Superintendent in 1952, the CAC mission is to facilitate communication, advise and partner with the R-7 Board of Education, Superintendent and community to ensure a successful and innovative school system that maximizes each student's potential. The CAC takes direction from the Board of Education and makes recommendations to the Board of Education. The group meets at least twice annually.

• CAC Steering Charter
• CAC Charter

For more information about the CAC, please reach out to communications@lsr7.net.

SEPT. 2, 2025 MINUTES

Welcome & Activity

Co-chairs Elaine Bluml and Stephen Hill welcomed attendees, celebrated the group’s 2025 bond work, and led an icebreaker.

Bond Project Updates

Associate Superintendent of Operations Dr. Steve Shelton shared timelines and budgets for all bond projects and initial renderings for the Aerospace Academy, PLMS, and GWE/HGE projects (similar designs expected).

Prop C Update

Superintendent Dr. Buck noted the prior Board passed a resolution to place Prop C on the April 2026 ballot. The current Board will vote on it in December.

Elementary School Planning

Dr. Buck reminded members that the LSE/WVE PrAT formed by the Board last school year has recommended not consolidating. Per the Jan. 16 Board resolution, the CAC will now recommend how to allocate available funds for an additional elementary school:

• Sept. 30: Facilities presentation on LSE, WVE, and PLE projects with updated budgets.
• Oct. 28: CAC decision on whether funds can support an additional elementary (LSE, WVE, PLE), and if so where to direct them to.

Funding Update

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Chad Hertzog and Dr. Buck provided local, state, and federal funding updates.

Membership Audit

Elaine Bluml and Katy Bergen (Public Relations) announced a membership audit to assess stakeholder representation, last done in 2021. Members completed a form; we will continue to distribute this form at meetings this year to collect all members data. Data will be reviewed later at a 2026 meeting.
 

Welcome & Introductions

Co-chairs Elaine Bluml and Stephen Hill welcomed attendees. Elaine Bluml provided a recap of the Sept. 2 meeting and reiterated the CAC’s next charge: to prioritize improvements for additional elementaries with remaining bond funds as available. She shared that Dr. Buck has requested rank-order prioritization of what the district should tackle first, second, third etc. with remaining bond funds knowing that costs could be under or over what our original estimates were last year. Katy Bergen reminded members that the Steering Committee is collecting information about the schools each CAC member represents so that the group can analyze its membership against its charge for broad-based diverse membership next semester.

Bond Presentation - Additional Elementaries

Dr. Buck provided a recap of CFMP and CAC work, including priorities emphasized by the CFMP, as well as committee feedback indicating preferences for completing fewer projects with more scope over more projects with less scope. He reviewed original ballot language and bond projects. He shared the final recommendation of the LSE/WVE process action team, which determined 26 to 5 not to recommend consolidation for the two schools. He shared that while the district originally estimated about $28.7 million in remaining bond funds for an additional elementary, that final sum could be higher or lower based on final project costs and other economic factors, precipitating the need for prioritizing possible projects (LSE, WVE or PLE or a different proposal). Kyle Gorrell provided presentations outlining original CFMP priorities and project overviews for Lee’s Summit Elementary ($16.7m), Westview Elementary ($25.9m) and Pleasant Lea Elementary ($28m) improvements. The presentation included updated budget estimates.

Questions and Answers

Dr. Buck and Kyle Gorrell answered questions about projects and processes.

Table Discussions + Share Outs

Stephen Hill led the group in reflection individually and in small groups before the CAC engaged in larger shareouts. Committee feedback centered on requests for more data including enrollment projections and building capacity data. The group emphasized the importance of equity and maximizing student impact. The group also weighed funding one full renovation in line with CFMP’s “fewer, bigger projects” approach or assessing the feasibility of dividing resources among multiple schools.

The district collected all sentiment and questions and will create packets of information responsive to CAC needs and questions for committee review ahead of decision-making at the Oct. 28 meeting.
 

Overview of Charge Regarding Bond Presentation – Additional Elementaries

Co-Chair Elaine Bluml reviewed the charge of the committee related to recommending the use of additional 2025 bond funds to support an elementary project following the decision not to consolidate Lee’s Summit Elementary and Westview Elementary. She shared that remaining funds are estimated to be roughly $28 million, though the exact amount may vary. The CAC was asked to rank the potential elementary projects in the order they believe they should be prioritized should additional funds become available. She shared that the meeting agenda had been developed by the Steering Committee in response to feedback members had previously provided requesting time to process data, engage in small- and large-group discussion, and provide input privately and without pressure.

Data Processing

Members began the evening by processing the data and materials provided in advance. In table groups, they discussed which information stood out, what was most surprising, and what data they felt was most important for the committee to consider. Each table recorded its key points on chart paper, which were then displayed for a gallery walk. Members spent time reviewing other tables’ insights before reconvening as a large group.

Reflection Discussion

The group shared perspectives in an open forum and then participated in a “Get Up, Stand Up, Pair Up” activity to exchange ideas with individuals from other tables.

Decision-Making

Each member received a ballot and privately ranked the potential elementary projects according to how they believed the district should prioritize them with the available funds. Ballots were collected and counted, and the results were shared publicly in real-time.

Results

• Pleasant Lea was ranked first by 28 voters with an average rank of 1.29
• Westview was ranked second by 28 voters with an average rank of 1.93
• Lee’s Summit Elementary was ranked third by 28 voters with an average rank of 2.77.
• 22 out of 28 voters ranked PLE as their first choice.
• 19 out of 28 voters ranked the schools in this order: PLE, WVE, LSE.
   

Welcome/Legislative Breakfast Recap 

• Co-chairs Elaine Bluml and Stephen Hill recognized the CAC’s role in the district’s successful Prop C election.
• Co-chairs facilitated a discussion of the March 2026 legislative breakfast. Conversation included ideas for soliciting greater turnout from elected officials, including putting CAC members names on the invite, considering timing of March event, personal outreach from CAC members.

Data Membership Review 

• Executive Director of Public Relations Katy Bergen reviewed membership data from Fall 2025 surveying to inform a group discussion about ensuring CAC membership is aligned to its charters commitment to including a representative group. 
• The group discussed additional data it would like in a future study: including break down of the ages of the students of active parents, as well as information about members who are also LSR7 alumni.
• The group reviewed elementary school representation, including schools or areas not represented by active members.
• The group talked tentatively about recruitment ideas (recruitment during election season, preview meeting ahead of a study cycle, Parent Academy graduates) with the understanding that this conversation will be picked up in the next school year.

Student Walkouts Policy 

• Dr. Buck engaged the CAC in dialogue and discussion about district consideration of a student walkout policy.
• CAC members reviewed a preliminary draft based on stakeholder feedback following several student walkouts in the 2025-26 school year and discussed things to include and things to change or that were missing.

The mission of the Business Roundtable is to foster productive relationships and strong partnerships between the LSR7 School District, the business community and local and state leaders.

For more information about the Business Roundtable, reach out to communications @lsr7.net.

Parent Dignity Team: To engage parents of LSR7 students in collective conversation about dignity, belonging and inclusion in our school system. Hosted by the Assistant Superintendent of Equity & Student Services and held 3x a year.

Community Dignity Meetings: To facilitate dialogue and collective thinking around dignity, belonging and inclusion topics in the Lee’s Summit community. Held 3x a year in the evenings.

The inaugural Fall 2022 Parent Academy cohort consisted of dedicated parents representing 20 schools who gave their time and energy to participating in four fall sessions to engage with LSR7 leaders about district operations, academics and strategic planning. Parents “graduated” and were recognized at a Board of Education meeting.

Partners in Education connects the business community to the classroom, providing interactive opportunities for students to see the relevance and application of the curriculum they are learning to the business world. The district currently has partnerships with more than 300 businesses. Our partners provide guest speakers, host field trips, offer internships and showcase career experiences in all kinds of ways for our students.

The Career and Technical Education department hosts Career Pathway Advisory meetings each year. Advisory teams are made up of people who work in business, industry, professional and technical careers.  The mission is to connect the education community with the people who want to share their expertise in a particular area. Advisory teams are a group of interested citizens who advise the school on various phases of a program improvement plan specific to a career-related area.