Nixa schools program named in state Top 3

Nixa Public Schools' early childhood program was named one of the top three in the state by the Missouri School Boards' Association, according to a Nixa schools news release.

Of the three finalists, one will be named Early Childhood Education Program of the Year at the Oct. 21-24 MSBA conference held at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, according to the MSBA Web site.

The other two finalists weren't named in the Nixa release, and MSBA officials could not be reached before deadline.

MSBA chooses the top three in the category based on four criteria: support of child development; innovation; involvement with parents, families and the community; and commitment and leadership in the field, according to the news release.

"Nixa Public Schools values and supports high quality preschool programs," Debby Lawson, Nixa's assistant superintendent of elementary education, said in the release. "It is the district’s belief that the preschool experience prepares young students to be successful and is an essential first step in a child’s education."

The recognition and award is given by the MSBA's educational foundation FutureBuilders, the release said.

Columbia-based MSBA is a private, nonprofit association that supports Missouri school districts by providing information, training and support, according to its Web site.[[In-content Ad]]