Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held September 11, 2023.

ACTION ITEMS:

Revenue Neutral Tax Rate Hearing

The Board held a public hearing to provide patrons an opportunity to speak to the Board regarding the district’s proposal to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate.  No comments were made.  The Board unanimously adopted the Resolution by roll call vote to Exceed the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate.

2023-24 Budget Hearing

The Board held a public hearing to provide patrons an opportunity to speak to the Board regarding the proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year.  No comments were made.

Agenda/Consent Agenda
The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda with the following changes:

• Removal of check number 62311 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.

Needs Assessment

The state required needs assessment was established by the Kansas Legislature as part of House Bill 2567 in 2022.  Superintendent Gibson noted that assessment data and narratives are provided at the district level and for each school building in the Needs Assessment formal document, which was provided to board members in advance.   He summarized Needs Assessment with a brief review of the following essential questions:  1) Barriers that must be overcome for each student to achieve grade level proficiency on assessments, 2) Budget actions that should be taken to address and remove those barriers, 3) Amount of time estimated it will take for each student to achieve grade level proficiency on the state assessments, if the budget actions were implemented. The Board took action and approved the needs assessments as part of the fiscal budget process.

LOB Percentage Resolution

The Board adopted a Resolution to set the Local Option Budget (LOB) at 33% for the 2023-24 school year.   Although voters already approved authorization, state statute now requires the Board to adopt a new Resolution each year.

2023-2024 USD 232 Budget

The Board approved the proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year after considering available information, including needs assessments.

DISCUSSION ITEM:

Open Enrollment Policy Required by Kansas Statutue 

A new law passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2022 contains a provision known as Open Enrollment. This legislation amends school enrollment statutes to require all school districts in the state to allow Open Enrollment for nonresident students beginning in the 2024-25 school year.  Alvie Cater, Assistant Superintendent of Administration & Communications, presented the Board with information about the process, what is required by the Board, and a timeline.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, October 2, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.

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Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held August 7, 2023.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda/Consent Agenda
The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda with the following changes:

• President Spaulding added “for an October 2023 appointment and June 2024 appointment” at the end of Consent Agenda item “F. Approve Superintendent Gibson to teach as an adjunct professor”.
• Bill Fletcher asked to remove Consent Agenda item “E. Approve district membership to United School Administrators (USA) – Professional Learning Network for the 2023-2024 school year in the amount of $8,800.00” for discussion.  He also asked for removal of check number 61971 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.

After discussion, the board approved district membership to United School Administrators (USA) – Professional Learning Network for the 2023-2024 school year in the amount of $8,800.00.

Budget Presentation.   Superintendent Gibson shared the following USD 232 Budget information:  Funding Facts for Fiscal Year (FY) ’24, Enrollment History (2010-11 – 2023-24), Base State Aid Per Pupil (BSAPP) History (2000 – 2024), Assessed Valuation (2010-11 – 2023-24), Pots of Money – Budgeted:  General Fund – BSAPP, Local Option Budget (LOB), Bond & Interest, KPERS, Food Service, Cost of Living, Capital Outlay, Federal Funds (Title/ESSER), Special Assessment and Other, Mill Rates/ property tax rates from 1993-94 to 2023-24, Mill Rates (property taxes) broken down by fund, a Comparison of FY ’24 to FY ’23 for the “Big 3” Operational Funds:  General Fund Max Authority, Supplemental General Fund (LOB) Max Authority and Cost of Living Authority and a Summary of Adjustments in FY ’23 compared to FY ’24.  Board members were given an opportunity to ask questions and then approved Budget & Revenue Neutral Rate Notice of Hearings Publication.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

District Goals.  Superintendent Gibson Presented the board with the objectives, strategies and action steps that are in place for the following goals in the 2023-2024 school year: 

• Achievement – Improve achievement for all students while reducing the achievement disparities of various disaggregated groups.
• Buildng Budgets – Maximize district resources and provide high quality facilities to enhance educational programs.
• Community Engagement – Work proactively with the community to improve educational programs.

Portrait of a Graduate.  Dr. Joe Kelly, Director of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction/Title Programs, and Dr. Cindy Swartz, Career & Technical Education Coordinator, shared information on the Real World Learning initiative and a grant from the Kauffman Foundation to increase opportunities for students to earn “Market Value Assets”.  They explained how a committee of staff members met to discuss the traits that each graduate of USD 232 should possess and said the traits would then be combined and communicated through a visual representation, known as a “Portrait of a Graduate”.  The committee agreed upon the content of the visual, and tasked a group of USD 232 students to submit designs for review. Dr. Gail Holder, Principal of Mill Valley High School, then joined Dr. Kelly and Dr. Swartz to introduce Mill Valley student Regan Roberts whose design was chosen for the Board of Education to consider.   

Exit and Stay Survey Information.  Brian Schwanz, Executive Director of Secondary Education, and Carrie Handy, Executive Director of Elementary Education, presented the board with data collected through the Human Resources Department’s Stay and Exit surveys that were conducted during the 2022-2023 school year.  They also shared employment data for the 2023-2024 school year.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, September 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.

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Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held July 10, 2023.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda/Consent Agenda.  The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda with the following change:

• Removal of check number 61811 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.

2023-2024 Organizational Items.  The Board approved the 2023-2024 Organizational Items as presented by Superintendent Gibson.

Revenue Neutral Tax Rate and Budgeting Process.  Julie Stucky, Director of Finance, reminded the Board that during the 2021 Legislative session Kansas added a Revenue Neutral Tax Rate calculation and changed several school district budget dates and procedures.  She said that prior to July 20th each year, the district must notify the County Clerk if the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate will be exceeded.  The tax rates submitted in July set the maximum tax rates allowed for that tax year.  She said that since mill levy rates are not finalized until September it is necessary for the Board to approve the maximum rates anticipated and noted that after a public hearing in September the final tax rates will be approved.  The Board approved its intention to exceed the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate.

Professional Negotiated Agreement for 2023-24.  Alvie Cater, Assistant Superintendent of Administration & Communications, said that as of Friday, July 7, members of the Teacher’s Association ratified the tentative agreement.    He then summarized the district compensation package noting that it adds $2,500.00 on the base, allows for horizontal and vertical movement on the salary schedule, and has an average salary increase of approximately 6.31%.  The total teacher compensation package, including benefits, represents an increase of 7.07%.   The Board approved the Professional Negotiated Agreement for the 2023-24 school year. 

Compensation Packages for Employees not covered by the PNA.  Carrie Handy, Executive Director of Elementary Education, and Brian Schwanz, Executive Director of Secondary Education, reviewed the proposed salary and benefits packages for classified staff, related and health services staff and administrative staff.  The Board approved the compensation packages for these employees not covered by the Professional Negotiated Agreement as presented.

Mill Creek Middle School Start Time/End Time.  The Board approved shifting the start and end of the school day at Mill Creek Middle School by five minutes, from 7:55 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. to 7:50 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  The reason for this recommendation is to address a bus transportation issue that emerged this past school year with some elementary buses arriving late, primarily at Belmont and Mize elementary schools at dismissal.  This issue occurred after buses had completed secondary school bus routes for Mill Creek.   The change will only affect Mill Creek Middle School.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Transitional Items.  Superintendent Gibson shared a Superintendent Entry Plan with the board that shows tasks he has or will complete between April and the Fall of 2023.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, August 7, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.

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Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held June 5, 2023.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda/Consent Agenda

Board member Bill Fletcher declared a conflict of interest and asked that check number 61611 included in Consent Agenda item B “Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate approval. The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda as amended.  They then approved payment to Kansas Land Management with check number 61611 in the amount of $16,080.00.

Mill Creek/Lexington Trails Middle School Boundary Proposal

At the April 2023 Board of Education meeting, information about current and projected district and school enrollment was presented.  As part of that presentation, it was discussed that Mill Creek Middle School would reach its functional capacity as soon as the 2024-25 school year.  The increased enrollment is due to new residential construction in the Mill Creek attendance area.  The district has ample capacity at Lexington Trails to accommodate growth in middle school enrollment.  The Board approved a proposal from the administration to change the boundary between Mill Creek and Lexington Trails middle schools so that planned new construction in Western Lenexa would attend Lexington Trails, thus alleviating capacity issues at Mill Creek.

Property & Liability Insurance Renewal

The Board accepted a proposal from EMC Insurance Companies in the amount of $863,513.00 annually for Property, General Liability, Educators Legal Liability, Auto, Umbrella and Cyber Protection insurance coverages for USD 232 beginning July 1, 2023.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Orchestra

On March 24^th a survey was sent to parents of USD 232 students enrolled in grades Kindergarten through 12^th grade in all the district’s school buildings to gauge interest in adding Orchestra to the Fine Arts Program.  The district received 512 responses.  Brian Schwanz, Executive Director of Secondary Education, presented the Board with results of the survey and a timeline for implementation of the program should the Board choose to move forward.  

District Goals - 2022-2023 Update

During the last seven years, the Board of Education has approved District Goals to help direct the work of district staff.   The 2022-23 District Goals marked the first year of the new five-year cycle with the Kansas Education Accreditation System (KESA).  Superintendent Harwood reviewed progress made during the 2022-2023 school year on strategies defined under the three district goals:  Achievement, Buildings & Budgets and Community Engagement.

Next Meeting:

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, July 10, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.

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Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held May 1, 2023.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda/Consent Agenda

The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda as presented.  

Acquisition of Property

The Board approved a Real Estate Contract for the purchase of approximately 38.35 acres at the southeast corner of 83^rd Street and Cedar Niles Road, Lenexa, Kansas, in the amount of $1,435,000.00.

DISCUSSION ITEM: 

Legislative Update

Superintendent Harwood shared an updated on the current work of the Kansas Legislature.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, June 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.

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