In Missouri, local school districts like Brunswick R-II, Keytesville R-III, Northwestern R-I, and Salisbury R-IV are shining examples of what’s possible when educators focus on kids, not bureaucracy. Yet, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is dragging them—and our students—down with its heavy-handed, test-obsessed centralized control. DESE’s dismal statewide results stand in stark contrast to the resilience of our local schools, proving that the real failure lies not with our teachers, but with a top-down system that stifles innovation and progress. It’s time for Governor Mike Kehoe and the Missouri General Assembly to abolish DESE and let local districts lead the way.
Local Triumphs Amid Statewide Failure
Our local schools are defying the odds. The 2024 Annual Performance Reports (APRs) tell the story: Brunswick R-II scored 90.6% (174/192 points), Salisbury R-IV hit 90.3% (177/196), Northwestern R-I reached 92.8% (156/168), and Keytesville R-III earned a solid 80.4% (132/164). These districts excel in graduation rates—100% for Brunswick, Salisbury, and Keytesville—and in fostering career readiness, with Salisbury and Brunswick both scoring perfect marks in college and career assessments. Their Continuous Improvement scores are near-perfect too, with Brunswick and Northwestern at 100% and Keytesville at 98.3%.
These achievements reflect the grit ...
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