- Unified School District 232
- Schedule & Agendas
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Meeting Notifications
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Note: Meeting Memos on this webpage are unofficial summaries of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Education. The official minutes of a school board meeting are formally approved by the board at the following regularly scheduled meeting.
Schedule
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Regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Education
Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Board of Education, unless otherwise noted.
USD 232 Board of Education
35200 W. 91st Street
De Soto, KS 66018
Phone: 913-667-6200Meetings will be live streamed via the district's YouTube channel.
- February 7, 2022
- March 7
- April 4
- May 2
- June 6
- July 11
- August 1
- September 12
- October 3
- November 7
- December 5
- January 9, 2023
21-22 Agendas
21-22 Minutes
Meeting Memos
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June 6, 2022
Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held June 6, 2022.
ACTION ITEMS:
Agenda/Consent Agenda. The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda with the following changes:
- Addition of an agenda item for GOOD NEWS/Student Recognition.
- Removal of check number 58569 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.
- Removal of Consent Agenda item “H. Accept a donation from William Fletcher/Kansas Land Management in the amount of $1,000,00 to Lexington Trails Middle School for the Panther Prowl Fundraiser” for approval separately.
Amended 2021-22 USD 232 Budget. Julie Stucky, Director of Finance/Treasurer, informed the Board that the budget is being amended to add a Virtual Fund in order to receive virtual state aid. She said it was also amended to increase budget authority in the General Fund, Bilingual Fund and Special Education Fund; however, the state audit has been received since republication and the district will not be getting additional state aid in these funds. The Board approved the 2021-22 Amended Budget.
2022 Technology Managed Services Renewal. Brandon Riffel, Director of Technology, provided the Board with background information on an agreement the district entered into with k12itc for managed technology services in 2012 and renewed in 2016. He said the decision to outsource technology services was in response to increasing financial costs and human resource demands. Staff turnover and the cost of employing highly qualified technicians for the specific needs were some of the challenges at that time. The framework of the agreement allowed the district to better control costs, greatly improve professional services, and upgrade certain technology hardware and equipment. The Board approved a five-year renewal with k12itc at a rate of $2,215,800 annually.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Potential Addition to Mize Elementary School. Steve Deghand, Assistant Superintendent of Facilities & Operations, explained to the Board that Mize Elementary houses one of the district’s three center-based programs. He said the school has been able to accommodate this program with unused classrooms, but with increased enrollment the school is needing those classrooms. Mize Elementary is an ideal location for one of the center-based programs because the school is more centrally located compared to other schools. Mr. Deghand said one option the administration has been looking into is to add space to Mize Elementary by using remaining bond funds. He shared a concept drawing that shows where an addition could be made to the school. With no objection from board members on this project, Mr. Deghand said HTK Architects can begin the design process and he may be able to have bids for the Board to consider in the Fall.
Legislative Update. Superintendent Harwood provided the Board an update on Senate and House Bills that were passed and signed into law during the 2022 Legislative Session.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, July 11, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.
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May 2, 2022
Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held May 2, 2022.
ACTION ITEMS:
Agenda/Consent Agenda. The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda with the following change:
- Removal of check number 58209 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.
Social Studies Materials Adoption. Michelle Hite, Director of Elementary Curriculum & Instruction/Accreditation, and Dr. Joe Kelly, Director of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction/Title Programs, presented board members with timelines for the process used to arrive at recommended social studies resources for all grade levels. A list of recommended resources for elementary, middle school and high school classrooms were recommended for adoption. They also shared details about the Parent Information Night that was held on April 28th to make the recommended resources and information available for parents to review. Following their report, the Board approved adoption of the recommended Social Studies resources.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Legislative Update. Superintendent Harwood provided the Board an update on completed legislation relating to schools. He also shared information on the Kansas K-12 Budget and Policy.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, June 6, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.
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April 4, 2022
Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held April 4, 2022.
ACTION ITEMS:
Agenda/Consent Agenda. The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda with the following change:
- Addition of item “D. Naming of DHS Softball Field” under “VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS.”
Auditor RFP. Julie Stucky, Director of Finance, shared results of a Request for Proposals for an accounting firm to conduct the school district’s annual, independent fiscal audit. The Board accepted the low bid from Varney & Associates.
Land Purchase. Steve Deghand, Assistant Superintendent of Facilities & Operations, told the Board that in 2018 district patrons passed a bond issue that included 39 projects. He said at this point the district is just about finished with all of the projects. Mr. Deghand then explained that $5 million in bond funds were set aside for the purchase of land for future schools. He shared the process the administration uses to identify where the district needed to look for land. He then presented the Board with an offer to purchase approximately 150 acres near 127th and Waverly Road in Olathe and said the estimated purchase price is $1.65 million, just under $11,000 per acre. Superintendent Harwood explained that the land was advertised as 150.7 acres, but until it is surveyed the exact size of the property is not known. While it will be several years before the property is needed, it speaks to the long-term planning that is necessary to be prepared for future needs. The Board approved moving forward with a contract with B & C Land and Cattle Company, LLC, for the purchase of approximately 150 acres at 30400 W. 127th Street, Olathe in the amount of $10,951.22 per acre.
Construction Management Contract Reassignment. Steve Deghand said the district entered into a contract with Manning Construction in 2012 and has a good working relationship with the construction company up to this point. He said last week owner Tom Manning called to announce he is planning to retire and has decided to sell his company to the Russell Group out of Iowa. Mr. Deghand said there will not be any change in project manager or site superintendent, and commitment to finishing remaining bond projects will remain. He said the only change will be ownership of the company. The Board took action to give Manning Construction consent to assign the school district’s current Construction Management Agreement to the Russell Group, Inc. of Davenport, Iowa.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Social Studies Materials. Michelle Hite, Director of Elementary Curriculum & Instruction/Accreditation, gave the Board an update on the elementary Social Studies adoption process and Dr. Joe Kelly, Director of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction/Title Programs, gave the Board an update on the secondary Social Studies adoption process.
Kansas Education Systems Accreditation/Outside Visiting Team Update. Michelle Hite gave the Board a Kansas Education Systems Accreditation end of cycle report. She noted that the school district has reached the end of the 5-year accreditation process and will be fully accredited once the recommendation from the Outside Visiting Team is approved by the State Board of Education.
Legislative Update. Superintendent Harwood gave the Board an update on Senate Bills that have been passed in the Kansas legislature that could have an impact on public schools. He also shared status of School Finance legislation.
Naming of DHS Softball Field. Board member Bill Fletcher asked administration to look into the possibility of naming the new softball field at De Soto High School in honor of a deceased, former employee. Superintendent Harwood said the administration would gather more information and report back to the Board at a future meeting.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, May 2, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.
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March 7, 2022
Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held March 7, 2022.
ACTION ITEMS:
Agenda/Consent Agenda. The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda with the following changes:
- Removal of check numbers 57769, 57832 and 57904 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.
COVID Leave. Carrie Handy, Executive Director of Elementary Education, and Brian Schwanz, Executive Director of Secondary Education, presented the Board with additional data pertaining to COVID-19 leave for employees. They shared historical information regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), board action relating to FFCRA, board action related to employee accrued leave and uncharged leave, data on staff COVID-19 isolations, costs for uncharged leave staff have taken since 1/5/22, and data the De Soto Teachers’ Association collected on staff member absences to care for dependents due to COVID-19. No action was taken by the school board on this agenda item.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Communicable Disease Mitigation Protocols. Superintendent Harwood gave the Board an update that included Mitigation Protocols the district has in place and the following COVID Metrics: USD 232 Cases by Building – The number of student exclusions for recommended isolation and quarantine for the past four weeks broken down by school building, Student Attendance – The Average Daily Attendance (ADA) for the weeks of August 15th through February in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years, and Absences – COVID-19 Case Rate Comparison for the weeks of August 16th through February 26th. He spoke about the voluntary curbside Test to Stay program taking place at Cedar Trails Exploration Center and noted that while it will continue on weekdays, school is in session, the hours are being shortened to 7:00 am – 7:45 am due to a significant decrease in the number of requests for testing. He also pointed out that after dropping to a low of 70.2% in the second week of January, the substitute teacher fill rate had returned to 98.6%.
Legislative Update. Superintendent Harwood gave the Board an update on House and Senate Bills that could have an impact on public schools.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, April 4, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.
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February 7, 2022
Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held February 7, 2022.
ACTION ITEMS:
Agenda/Consent Agenda. The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda with the following changes:
- Move Communicable Disease Mitigation Protocols from an FYI Report to an Action Item.
- Removal of check number 57651 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.
COVID Leave MOU with DTA. The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding between USD 232 and the De Soto Teacher’s Association that provides for five (5) days additional leave for COVID-19 isolations. After discussion, the Board directed the administration to develop another proposal for consideration that would provide COVID leave to care for dependents.
Early Childhood Schedule Change and Peer Fees Adjustment. The Board received a report from Andrea West, Principal of Cedar Trails Exploration Center, on the USD 232 Early Childhood Program and approved the requested schedule change and peer fees adjustment.
De Soto/Sunflower Redevelopment District – TIF. The Board approved a Residential TIF Project Plan Agreement between USD 232 and Sunflower Redevelopment, LLC. Alvie Cater, Assistant Superintendent of Administration & Communications, explained that the agreement provides the Board of Education the right to review any redevelopment projects that contain residential development components and determine if there is an adverse impact on the school district. An adverse impact is defined as an increase in student enrollment that would require additional school facilities. If there is an adverse impact, Sunflower Redevelopment, LLC, will withdraw the residential components from the redevelopment project unless both parties agree to a solution to mitigate the adverse impact on the district.
Communicable Disease Mitigation Protocols. This agenda item was moved to Action so the Board could review previous action taken with regard to student mask use and take action if it was necessary. After discussion, it was determined no action was necessary at this time.
DISCUSSION ITEM:
Diversity and Engagement. Alvie Cater and Dr. Joe Kelly, Director of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction/Title Programs, gave the board an update regarding Diversity and Engagement, a subject the district has been considering for the last three years. This topic is listed on on District Goals as strategy no. 7 and is related to the district’s focus on relationships.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, March 7, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.
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