EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – John Ruddy praised the Excelsior Springs School District for the Alternative Methods of Instruction-Extended, or AMI-X, plan to teach students during the coronavirus pandemic. Ruddy is one of two Department of Elementary and Secondary Education state supervisors of instruction serving Region B. His territory includes schools in Clay County, DESE information states. Assistant Superintendent Aerin O’Dell spoke with Ruddy about the plan the morning of Dec. 14, she told the Board of Education that night during its meeting via Zoom. The meeting followed state requirements for school districts to give reports on the progress of AMI-X plans and efforts they are making to teach students, O’Dell said. Ruddy “was very impressed” with how the district is working with students with individualized education programs, O’Dell said. Specifically, he liked the district’s use of paraprofessionals to contact parents to be “proactive about making sure that there aren’t any concerns…