Education Archives

Central High School Scholar Bowl team prepares for MSHSAA competition

March 26, 2025 12:00 pm Leah Rainwater

The Central High School Scholar Bowl team is preparing to compete against other schools in MSHSAA tournaments.

SJSD looks to implement “Portrait of a Graduate” for 2025-2026 school year

March 28, 2025 12:28 pm Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) – The St. Joseph School District is looking to use a new method to prioritize and teach the qualities defining future SJSD graduates. A survey was sent out by SJSD, seeking community input in November to get opinions from various stakeholders on the different qualities a SJSD graduate should possess.

MWSU president speaks at Public Affairs Coffee event

March 27, 2025 11:50 am Leah Rainwater

MWSU president, Elizabeth Kennedy spoke at a Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Coffee event.

Summer camp offered for young inventors

March 26, 2025 3:13 pm Jess DeHaven

Families can sign kids up now for a summer camp aimed at sparking their curiosity.

Choral Experience set for first performance

March 26, 2025 4:04 pm Jess DeHaven

A new choral group in St. Joseph is making plans for its debut concert.

Northwest Missouri Republican Club hosts school board forum

March 20, 2025 10:00 pm Leah Rainwater

Candidates (from left to right) Jennifer Kerns, Brian Kirk, Kim Miller, James Mrkvicka, Kenneth Reeder and Cassandra Veale participate in a Missouri State Teacher’s Association candidate forum at the Troester Media Center.

Prop 2 key to success: South Side votes

March 26, 2025 1:28 pm Leah Rainwater

With the Prop 2 bond measure suggesting a new high school to be built on the Southside, it’s now up to voters to decide the measure’s fate.

SJSD School Board approves new administrators

March 25, 2025 6:29 pm Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Amid end-of-year staffing changes, the St. Joseph School District Board of Education has approved the appointments of four new administrators. Tabitha Kieser will serve as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, taking over from Stacia Studer. Kieser began her career with SJSD in 2012, and has spent time

All Majors Career Fair benefits Missouri Western students

March 25, 2025 4:01 pm Ashley Luthans

An event at Missouri Western State University is giving students a leg up on their future.

School Board candidate Ken Reeder ‘doesn’t quit’ when it comes to taxpayers

March 25, 2025 4:28 pm Leah Rainwater

News-Press NOW’s Leah Rainwater, left, interviews SJSD School Board candidate Kenneth Reeder.

SJSD Board of Education recognizes Benton Basketball players at March meeting

March 24, 2025 10:52 pm Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District Board of Education gathered for its March meeting on Monday night. Numerous recognitions were in store for those in the district during the meeting, including congratulations for the Benton boys and girls basketball teams taking second place in their state competition over the weekend. Other recognitions consist of

Missouri Western cinema department gets boost with grant

March 23, 2025 4:05 pm Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A new grant and a project are bringing excitement to the cinema program at Missouri Western State University. Toby Lawrence, associate professor of cinema at Missouri Western, said a staff addition and being awarded a MoExcel grant are changing the department’s approach while also upgrading equipment. “From that grant,

SJSD ‘aiming for amenities’ to help further education at new high schools

March 20, 2025 2:37 pm Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — With a school bond proposition that asks St. Joseph taxpayers to pay more, some may wonder what they’re getting for their money. As the St. Joseph School District looks to build two new high schools, with the first one set for construction somewhere south of Highway 36, the 60-cent boost in the

‘It’s all about the kids’: BOE candidate Kim Miller runs for second term

March 18, 2025 5:53 pm Leah Rainwater

News-Press NOW’s Leah Rainwater, left, interviews school board member and candidate Kim Miller, right.

Lobina joining Missouri Western in workforce development role

March 18, 2025 11:31 am Jess DeHaven

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Workforce development efforts at Missouri Western State University are getting a boost with the addition of a new staff member. Rebecca Lobina is the university’s new director of workforce development. Lobina, currently continuing professional education director at Northwest Missouri State and the regional director of the Missouri Small Business Development

Maysville man to join regents board at NorthwestMaysville man to join regents board at Northwest

March 17, 2025 4:08 pm Jess DeHaven

MARYVILLE, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A new member is joining the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents. Steve Black, of Maysville, was appointed to the board by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Black is a cattle and grain farmer and business consultant. He previously worked at Johnson Controls, Inc., where served as vice president of air distribution

Atchison Superintendent takes new position in Kansas Department of Education

March 14, 2025 3:30 pm Leah Rainwater

Dr. Renee Nugent is the the Superintendent of Atchison USD 409 and the 2025 Kansas Superintendent of the year. Nugent has been named the deputy commissioner of the Kansas State Department of Education’s division of learning services.

SJSD officials break down costs behind school bond issue

March 13, 2025 5:00 pm Leah Rainwater

St. Joseph School Board Vice President Mike Moore, left, School Board President LaTonya Williams, center, and SJSD Superintendent Gabe Edgar, right, explain the logistics behind Proposition 2.

With 25 campuses, SJSD looks to update school feeds with long-range plan

March 16, 2025 3:00 pm Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District’s long-range plan includes right-sizing and reconfiguring its 25 campuses. While working on its two-high-school model, the district has an idea for which buildings it wants to continue to utilize for students throughout St. Joseph. The way the model is structured depends on the passing of

InspireU celebrates visitor milestones in first quarter

March 14, 2025 5:00 pm Kendra Simpson

The InspireU Discovery Center has welcomed nearly 22,000 visitors in its first quarter and looks forward to welcoming even more as spring break arrives.

Maryville superintendent placed on leave

March 12, 2025 10:38 pm Leah Rainwater

MARYVILLE, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Maryville R-II School District announced its superintendent, Logan Lightfoot, has been placed on administrative leave. Maryville R-II School District Board of Education President Josh McKim said Lightfoot has been on administrative leave since Monday, Feb. 24. A hearing is scheduled for Lightfoot on Thursday, March 20, at the district’s

Board candidates speak at Chamber forum

March 12, 2025 10:32 pm Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — School board candidates voiced their opinions on subjects ranging from a move to two high schools to improving school attendance at a St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce forum on Wednesday morning. All six candidates were in attendance and answered questions about important topics affecting the St. Joseph School District. A hot

BOE candidate Cassandra Veale brings big ideas to the table

March 11, 2025 4:15 pm Leah Rainwater

News-Press NOW’s Leah Rainwater (left) and SJSD School Board Candidate Cassandra Veale (right) talk about Veale’s interests in running for School Board.

School board talks salary schedules early learning center boundaries and CSIP

March 10, 2025 8:29 pm Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School Board discussed salary preparations for the upcoming school year and new Early Learning Center boundaries. Proposed salary schedules for the 2025-2026 school year where discussed before heading to the agenda to be approved or denied by the School Board on Monday, March 24. The schedules

Hillyard Technical Center and FlyTech partner to elevate aviation education

March 10, 2025 8:27 pm Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Students at Hillyard Technical Center to be offered hands-on, simulated flight experiences. In a new, strategic partnership, Hillyard Technical Center and FlyTech Pilot Academy will provide immersive, in-motion flight experiences through a full-motion fight simulator. This opportunity comes to students through the guidance of Hillyard’s faculty and FlyTech Certified Instructors. The integration of

United Way’s Reading Adventure wraps up in St. Joseph

March 7, 2025 4:11 pm Ashley Luthans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The United Way of Greater St. Joseph hosted their final Reading Adventure event on Friday.

Buchanan County Farm Bureau teaches area elementary schools

March 7, 2025 11:30 am Jenna Wilson

Young kids are introduced to the importance of agriculture through book reading by the Buchanan County Farm Bureau Friday morning.

Celebrating women in education; how they’ve guided SJSD to where it’s at today

March 5, 2025 7:37 pm Leah Rainwater

News-Press Now’s Leah Rainwater (left) speaks to Melody Smith (right), the St. Joseph School District’s first female superintendent.

Natalie Linthicum takes first place in regional spelling bee

March 1, 2025 4:34 pm Kendra Simpson

Linthicum couldn’t contain her excitement after being declared the champion of the Northwest Missouri Regional Spelling Bee.

School board candidate James Mrkvicka is ramping up community involvement

March 4, 2025 7:36 pm Leah Rainwater

St. Joseph School Board candidate, James Mrkvicka talks about why he’s running for the board.