Jason Adams for FHSD

10/28/2026

10/25/2026

This week, I, along with Sara, Sarah, and Kevin attended the MSBA (Missouri School Board's Association) annual conference. This event provides insights to what is going on in the world of public education in Missouri, as well as a host of sessions for participants to choose to increase their learning to be better boardmembers.

I wanted to share the sessions I attended and some takeaways I found interesting:

Our 1st General Session included an incredibly motiviational presentation from John O'Leary, who as a child suffered burns on 100% of his body and had a 1% chance of survival. His story of overcoming this tragedy, and his journey inspired the movie, 'Soul on Fire'. One of the stand out parts of his presentation, was his music teacher coming to his house every day to teach him how to play piano even though he suffered terrible damage to his hands, and on the first day as she sat next to him on the piano, said 'This is going to be hard but we will do this together'.

One of the sessions I attended, broke down leadership both at the district and board level to three questions: 'Is your behavior leading to more kids learning/acheivement?', 'Are your habits leading to more kids learning/acheivement?', and 'Is your leadership impacting learning/acheivement?'. I like to think I do these three things, but it was a reminder to ensure that my behaviors, habits, and leadship are focused correctly.

Our 2nd General Sessions included a motiviational speech by Willie Sparks, who reminded everyone to treat students 'like the future versions of themselves', and the importance of teamwork while serving on the Board.

Finally, Sara Dillard - Director, Francis Howell Board of Education and I were elected in April as the two MSBA delegates for FHSD, which allowed us to represent the District to vote on advoacy initiatives brought forward by MO school districts MSBA either supports or opposes. We got to hang out with Tonya Roth and Kat Byrd, delegates and Boardmembers from our neighbors at Fort Zumwalt during this event.

Finally, this event reminded every attending Board member why we do what we do: Ensuring ALL students succeed.

The sessions I attended outside the general sessions:

* Ensuring Equitable, Safe, and Joyful Opportunities in School and Beyond the Bell: A Board Member's Mission
* From the Boardroom to the Classroom: Ensuring Every Decision Supports Student Learning
* Leading without doing the Superintendent's job
* School Safety: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
* Legislative Preview

10/24/2026

Go, Knights!!!

10/24/2026

Congratulations to FH High’s Cheerleading Team for their back-to-back State Championship!

10/19/2026

Happy Fall Break, everyone!

I hope you all have a relaxing and fun week off.

To our year round staff who are working this week, thank you for what you are doing in your respective departments and buildings to get ready for next quarter, and I hope you find the time to take your deserved break too.

10/16/2026

This week has been a very hard week to be a board member. There’s a lot of people out there that are understandably asking for a solution to a problem that shouldn’t exist, asking for us to provide anything in terms of what is being done. What can be done. Why isn’t it being done. We also have people questioning the district’s and board’s support of our staff. I don’t blame any of them/you. It’s a simple ask, and yet, it’s not.

There’s a lot of I wish I could tell you, but I can only offer you these.

1: Go to ChatGPT and enter ‘Assume I am a board member for a K-12 public school in Missouri. There is a page posting lies, misinformation, and personal details about teachers and staff members, and threatening to release more if the district doesn’t abide by a list of demands that revolve around their political and cultural beliefs. What can I do that is legal and within the power of a board member and school district to stop this behavior?’

2: Show your support of EVERY staff member, every day. Even those who you don’t think needs it. Reply back to your kid’s teacher’s email saying ‘thanks for the information’. Offer to volunteer if you can. Ask your Principals what they can suggest to bring support to their building. Whatever your ‘way’ is, show it.

3: Please stop sharing the posts. Please stop sharing screenshots. Please stop bringing attention towards the hate. No matter what your positive intentions are, the more exposure it gets, however it’s done, more people see it and the cycle will keep continuing. The same goes for sharing and spreading rumors you hear from someone who heard it from a friend. If you have concerns about what your kid said they heard, call the school. Don’t post it on Facebook.

99.99% of you are amazing people who care about our schools and our staff and want what’s best for our District. Don’t let the 0.01% be the talking point.

10/12/2026

On this month’s agenda, you’ll notice there is an action item to excuse me from the November and December meetings. I intend to provide the context during the meeting, but I also wanted to share it here for those who can’t attend or watch the meeting.

As many of you know, I work for the City of O’Fallon, and our fiscal year runs from January to December. In October, each department presents its budget to the Council, where members may have questions or simply take notes. I’ll actually be coming directly from this meeting to the Board meeting.

Normally, there are two Council meetings a month, but in November and December, they are combined into one, typically held on the third Thursday of the month, which happens to be the same day as the Board meeting. During the November meeting, the Council has the opportunity to bring up specific budget items for further discussion, which I’ll need to attend.

At the December meeting, the Council will officially approve the budget, but there’s always the possibility of last-minute questions or requests regarding my department’s budget. As the IT Director, I need to be present to address anything that may come up.

While I can’t attend these meetings, I will still be reviewing the agendas as usual and asking questions if needed. I’ll also be watching the meetings the following day and following up with the Board on anything I may have missed.

Finally, there are other meetings and events I’ll still be attending, so you’ll still see me around.

10/11/2026

***This post has been locked due to it evolving into back and forth attacks. No comments have been removed.***

The October meeting agenda should be released on Monday. If you would like to discuss any items on the agenda or have anything else you’d like to discuss, I will be at Spencer Road library, Study Room C on Wednesday from 6-7pm, and would love to talk to you! Normally, I hold these meetings on Tuesdays, but I will be attending a PTO meeting on Tuesday this week.

If you are unable to attend, but would still like to get in touch, please leave a comment on this post and I will respond throughout the week.

Other Board members may also attend this meeting, and depending on the concerns raised, I may direct you to the appropriate person or department that is best able to assist.
Please know that prior to a Board decision, I speak as one of seven Board members and will share my own views and opinions. Once the Board has considered an issue and a vote has been taken, however, I will respect, honor, and support the decision of the Board as a whole.

10/10/2026

Today’s Black Cat Coffee Cafe Project had a great turn out and the service was exemplary! Thanks for everyone who came out to support this organization and its staff.