Schedule & Agendas

Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held March 3, 2025. More information about specific items is available in the published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda/Consent Agenda

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

• Removal of check numbers 242500881 - 882 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.

Amplify CKLA Elementary English Language Arts (ELA) Resource Adoption

Dr. Joe Kelly, Director of Curriculum, was joined by Cheyenne Zwahlen, Building Coordinator at Mize Elementary, Maygan Howard, Building Coordinator at Horizon Elementary, and Mindy Leas, 2nd Grade Teacher at Clear Creek Elementary, to give the Board an overview of the process the district utilized to arrive at a recommendation for a new Elementary English Language Arts (ELA) Resource Adoption.  The district used a multi-year approach to identify a resource that began in 2019.  The staff summarized the goal of the 38-member committee (consisting of classroom teachers, reading specialists, principals, building coordinators, special education teachers and district Instructional specialists) assembled for this adoption, the ELA adoption process and timeline, results in choice of resource, and details on the recommended resource Amplify CKLA.

The Board approved the Amplify CKLA Elementary English Language Arts Resource that will be used over the next seven years.

School year calendar for 2024-25 and emergency closure days

Alvie Cater asked the board to consider adjusting the current school year calendar, specifically making a change to Monday, April 21st, which is currently a scheduled day off, by reclaiming this day as a regular school day for all students and staff. He said this school year calendar was planned with six emergency closure days and as of March 3rd seven have been used.  The district is still slightly above the required minimum number of hours for student contact time; however, there is not enough reserve time built into the calendar that would allow the district to respond to another unforeseen circumstance. Mr. Cater noted that by reclaiming this day it would give the district additional instructional time with students and a little over 1.5 days in reserve.   

In addition to this request, Mr. Cater asked the Board to authorize the superintendent to take additional action, if necessary, to respond to unforeseen circumstances between now and the end of the current school year.  He noted that on the official 2024-25 school year calendar that was adopted by the board, at the very bottom, it says that April 21st and May 23rd are identified as potential make-up days, if needed.    

The Board approved amending the 2024-25 school year calendar by changing Monday, April 21, to a regular school day.   The Board further authorized the Superintendent of Schools to make any additional adjustments to the current school year calendar as may be necessary to respond to unforeseen circumstances.

Countryside building and resolution of intent to dispose of said building 

Alvie Cater said the administration believes it may be in the best interest of the district to dispose of Countryside (a former school building) at some point in the future.   The 72-year old building had been used for storage.   Mr. Cater said there is not a specific timeframe to dispose of the building, and there is not a formal offer to acquire it; but, before the Board of Education can do anything with the building it must go through the process known as First Right of Refusal with the Kansas Legislature, as required by a new law.  He said the Board is asked to adopt a Resolution of its intent to dispose of the building.   

There are two parcels owned by the district which are connected.  This resolution only pertains to Parcel 1 that has the physical building located on it.  Mr. Cater said that once the Board adopts this Resolution, within 30 days the district will send written notice to the House of Representatives and the Senate. Because the legislature is currently in session, it will have 45 days to decide if the state wants to exercise its right to purchase the building by passing a concurrent resolution.   If the legislature takes no action the process is completed and the Board of Education will be free to make the best decision regarding the property in the future.

The Board adopted a Resolution of the Board’s intent to dispose of the building known as Countryside and to submit written notice to the Kansas Legislature within 30 days as prescribed by law.      

DISCUSSION ITEM:

Legislative Update

Superintendent Gibson shared a Kansas legislative timeline for the current session.   He then reviewed the status of a number of bills introduced during this session that could have an impact on schools in Kansas.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, April 7, 2025, 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 February 3, 2025. More information about specific items is available in the published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda/Consent Agenda
The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda.

Fiscal Year 2024 Audit

Julie Stucky, Director of Finance, said that Varney & Associates completed the district’s audit in November, did not find anything significant, and gave clean opinions on internal control and compliance. It is a clean audit.  There were no statutory violations.   The Board approved the audit.   

 DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 Student Enrollment Analysis and Projections

Representatives from RSP, Rob Schwarz and Lucy Crum, provided an updated student enrollment analysis and projections to the Board.   They shared enrollment and demographics data, growth and development trends within the district, student enrollment projections for five and ten years, along with next steps for consideration.  Board members were given an opportunity to ask questions.    

Flint Meadows residential project in De Soto 

Steve Harder, Flint Development, and Joe Oakes, Polsinelli Law Firm, shared information about the proposed Flint Meadows East residential project in De Soto and the request for incentives with the creation of a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID).  This project is on 78 acres across from the Panasonic Energy plant.  It will bring approximately 226 single-family homes and 110 townhomes, to be developed over multiple phases. Flint Development plans to petition the City of De Soto to establish a 15-year RHID to capture 75% of the incremental increases in real property taxes; used to reimburse the cost for construction of access roads and interior residential infrastructure.

Countryside property owned by school district

Alvie Cater shared history on two parcels of property the district owns south of K-10, adjacent to Lexington Avenue and 103rd Street, north of Panasonic Energy and east of Clearview Village.   Parcel 1 is 9.52 acres and contains the building known as Countryside, which was constructed in 1953 by the federal government as East Sunflower Grade School.   Parcel 2 is 10.5 acres with no buildings.    In 1952 Parcel 1 was deeded to Common School District No. 31.  In 1960 Parcel 2 was deeded to Common School District No. 31.   Following unification of school districts at the state level, ownership of both parcels was transferred to USD 232.  Mr. Cater said that H Sub for Senate Bill 113, that was passed during the 2023 legislative session, details a new procedure required for the Board of Education prior to the sale of a district building, ultimately giving the state the right of first refusal to purchase said building.   He gave the board details on steps that would need to be taken in the event the Board determines – in the future – to sell the Countryside building. The new requirements only apply to Parcel 1.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, March 3, 2025, 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 January 7, 2025. More information about specific items is available in the published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS:

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

• Removal of check numbers 242500652 - 653 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.

Agreement with City of De Soto for Student Public Art Display

The Board approved an agreement with the City of De Soto for a public art display to be designed, engineered and constructed by students at Cedar Trails Exploration Center.   Mill Valley High School Junior Zachary Chang shared a Design Brief with details on the project, project highlights and a timeline.  He also shared three design concepts.   The De Soto Arts Council will be responsible for choosing the design to be constructed.  

BOE Organizational Items

K.S.A. 72-1133 requires boards of education to elect the board president and vice president at the first meeting on or after the second Monday in January of each year or at a later meeting date during the calendar year if so determined by the board at that first meeting.  With the adoption of a Resolution to Establish Election of School Board Officers, the Board will elect its school board president and vice-president at its first meeting of the Board of Education in July 2025.   The Board also approved a regular meeting schedule for February 2025 through January 2026 and board member representation on district committees.

Legislative Priorities 

The Board approved legislative priorities (with a focus on school funding, school safety and supports and governance) for 2025 that were presented in draft form by Dr. Cory Gibson, Superintendent.  These are topics that may come before the legislature that could have a direct or indirect impact on public schools.  The purpose of legislative priorities is for the board to communicate with legislators about issues that are of particular interest to the district.

 

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, February 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.

Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held December 2, 2024. More information about specific items is available in the published agenda.

ACTION ITEM:

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

• Removal of check numbers 242500540 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.

DISCUSSION ITEM:

Strategic Plan Update

Superintendent Gibson said that since the Board approved the themes for the district’s strategic plan, T.O.R.C.H. (Teaching & Learning, Operations & Planning, Recruitment & Retention, Curriculum & Results, Healthy & Thriving), five taskforce committees consisting of over 70 people have worked for the past few months establishing a vision for continuous improvement within each of the areas, along with draft goals and possible action steps.  He shared slides showing the overarching goal, thematic goals (T.O.R.C.H.), supportive goals and examples for next steps.   In conclusion, he informed the Board that work is ongoing to establish and implement action plans.  

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, January 6, 2024, 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 November 4, 2024. More information about specific items is available in the published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS:

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

·         Removal of check numbers 242500430-431 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.

Orchestra Program Proposal

The Board approved an Orchestra Program Proposal that was presented by Adelyn Soellner, Chief of Academics.   With the approval, Step 0 will be implemented with the start of second semester.   This step provides for a before/after school Orchestra teacher for high school and middle school students.  Step 1 will be considered as part of the budget planning process for the 2025-26 school year.   This step would provide 1 FTE Orchestra teacher to travel between the three district middle schools.  

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 

Student Achievement Data

Adelyn Soellner presented the Board with background information on the Kansas Assessment Program (KAP), explained Performance Categories, Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4, and shared assessment results in English Language Arts and Math for grades 3-8 and 10, comparing district scores to the state average for levels 2-4 and levels 3-4.

 

Career Pathways Guide

Adelyn Soellner explained the Kansas Career and Technical Education and the National Career Clusters Framework. The district provides opportunities in seven Career Industries (1. Business, 2. Family & Consumer Sciences, 3. Public Services, 4. Media & Technology, 5. Health, 6. Design, Production & Repair; and, 7. Agriculture).  Within each industry the district has courses in 12 Career Clusters and 19 Career Pathways.    Mrs. Soelllner presented the Board with a Career & Technical Education Pathways Guide that is intended to help students and parents visualize and understand all the options available to students, which will also help staff advise students. The district is examining current pathways and will develop proposals to add courses to meet student’s needs. 

 

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, December 2, 2024, 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 October 7, 2024. More information about specific items is available in the published agenda.

ACTION ITEM

Agenda/Consent Agenda

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

• Removal of check numbers 242500303-305 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.

DISCUSSION ITEM

Storm damage update

Brian Schwanz, Chief of Operations, gave the board an update on repairs being made to various structures across the district, particularly at the Mill Valley High School campus following an EF1 tornado on May 19, 2024. Mr. Schwanz also updated the Board on the hail damage insurance process related to a hailstorm on March 13, 2024.

Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, November 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.

 

Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held September 9, 2024. Links to the documents presented are available on the Board Agenda.

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, by roll call vote, a resolution expressing the property taxation policy of USD 232 De Soto with respect to exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for financing the annual budget for 2024-2025.

2024-25 Budget Hearing

The Board held a public hearing to provide patrons an opportunity to speak to the Board regarding the proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year.  No comments were made.

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

·         Removal of check number 242500178 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for approval separately.

LOB Percentage Resolution

The Board adopted a Resolution to set the Local Option Budget (LOB) at 33% for the 2024-25 school year.   Although voters already approved authorization, state statute now requires the Board to adopt a new Resolution each year.

2024-2025 USD 232 Budget

The Board approved the proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year after considering available information, including the building needs assessment and state assessment data.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Clearview Village Redevelopment Presentation

David Rhodes with Wheatland Investments Group, owner of Clearview Village, shared information with the Board of Education about redevelopment plans for the residential housing complex located across the street from the new Panasonic Energy plant. The developer plans to seek a reinvestment housing incentive district tax incentive through the City of De Soto to help pay for the redevelopment.

Tax incentives:  guidelines to review proposals  

Alvie Cater shared information with the board that explains two specific tax incentives available to municipalities and counties in Kansas:  tax increment financing and reinvestment housing incentive districts.  He also reviewed prepared guidelines for Board consideration as it relates to the school district’s review process for such tax incentive proposals.

 

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, October 7, 2024, 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 5, 2024. Links to the documents presented are available on the Board Agenda.

Discussion Items

Energy Conservation Program.  Brian Schawnz, Chief of Operation, introduced Brian Rodkey, District Energy Manager, who gave the board an update on the district's energy conservation program.  Mr. Rodkey talked about cost avoidance and shared energy conservation efforts, fiscal year to date (7/23 - 4/24) utility costs, average daily costs/usage, and total cost avoidance from 2012-2024, which totals more than $7.2 million

10-Year Capital Outlay Plan.   Brian Schwanz shared the district's current 10-year Capital Outlay Plan with the board.   The Capital Outlay Plan covers items from facilities, maintenance, athletic equipment, music instruments, concrete, asphalt, paint, carpet, HVAC units, turf replacement, track resurfacing, technology, fleet vehicles, etc.   Mr. Schwanz shared an established timeline the district uses for replacement of these items, noting that the goal is to plan for expenses without having deferred maintenance.

Needs Assessment.  Adelyn Soellner, Chief of Academics, presented the board with a needs assessment completed for each attendance center in the district for the 2024-25 school year.  She reviewed the Kansas State Department of Education Needs Assessment 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; and, 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.  She also talked about topics, concepts, and areas of content in which certified staff requested professional training to improve student achievement.   

Action Items

Agenda/Consent Agenda
The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda.

Strategic Plan/District Goals [TORCH].   The Board approved the framework for the 2024 – 2029 TORCH Strategic Plan.   TORCH stands for Teaching & Learning, Operations & Planning, Recruitment & Retention, Curriculum & Results and Healthy & Thriving. This fall, district teams will establish goals and action plans for each category and will provide an update to the board.

Budget Presentation/Budget & Revenue Neutral Rate Notice of Hearings Publication.  Superintendent Gibson gave a high-level overview of the USD 232 fiscal budget.   He talked about budget alignment (aligning resources with the needs assessment and the strategic plan),  and shared the following slides:   Funding Facts in fiscal year '24, the USD 232 Headcount, Base State Aid Per Pupil (BSAPP) compared to BSAPP adjusted per inflation from 2000 to 2025, USD 232 Assessed Valuation 2010 - 2025, Pots of Money - Budgeted:  General Fund - BSAPP, Local Option Budget (LOB), Cost of Living, Capital Outlay, Food Service, KPERS, Bond & Interest, Special Assessment, Federal Funds (Title/ESSER) and other,  Mill Rates from 1993 - 2024, Mill Rates (Property Taxes) in 2023, 2024 and budgeted for 2025, a Comparison of  FY '24 to FY '25 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 Budget Adjustments in FY '24 compared to FY '25.  Board members were given an opportunity to ask questions and then approved Budget & Revenue Neutral Rate Notice of Hearings Publication. Dr. Gibson noted that the district’s proposed mill levy (tax rate) will be the lowest rate in at least 31 years.

 

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, September 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.  The Revenue Neutral Rate and Budget Hearings will begin at 5:50 p.m. in the same location on September 9, 2024.

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Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held June 3, 2024.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda and Consent Agenda
The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda.

Professional Negotiated Agreement with De Soto Teachers’ Association for 2024-25 school year

The Board approved the Professional Negotiated Agreement (PNA) with De Soto Teachers’ Association for the 2024-25 school year.  Licensed employees under the PNA will see an average increase of 6.32% with step movement.   Individual increases will vary dependent on the employee’s placement on the salary schedule.  Any horizontal movement for which employees may be eligible will be on top of the average increase.  For supplemental positions and related salary schedule, the increase includes step movement plus salary enhancements of 5%.  The entire compensation package, including items such as column movement, taxes, and health insurance, is a total increase exceeding 8%.

Compensation for Employees outside the Professional Negotiated Agreement

The Board approved compensation for employees that are outside the Professional Negotiated Agreement.  The average increase for those employees will be at least 6.3%, or higher for certain hard-to-fill positions.   Additionally, all hourly positions will have a starting hourly rate of $15 or higher.  The entire compensation package for classified employees is also estimated to exceed 8%. 

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

The district’s bond counsel, David Arteberry with Stifel, and bond advisor, Shelby Exposito with Gilmore & Bell, shared information and answered questions related to lease-purchase agreements and potential tax liability issues related to advertising as a primary source of funding.  These topics are connected to a request from Mill Valley High School and its football booster club to consider entering into a lease-purchase agreement for a video board at the school’s track and field.    

 

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, July 1, 2024, 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 1, 2024.

Organizational Decisions

As part of its annual organizational process, the Board elected members to serve as President and Vice President of the Board of Education for the 2024-25 school year. Stephanie Makalous was elected to serve as President and Brandi Jonasson was elected to serve as Vice President.

Action Items

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

• Removal of check number 232400478 from Consent Agenda item “B. Approve payment of bills and transfer of funds” for separate approval.

2024-2025 Organizational Items.   The Board approved the 2024-2025 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 amended the budgeting process for school districts and added a Revenue Neutral Tax Rate calculation. The legislature also amended 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 Board intends to exceed the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate.  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 considered for approval. The Board took action and approved its intention to exceed the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, August 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.

Unofficial summary of the Board of Education meeting held May 6, 2024.

Action Items

The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda.

School Resource Officer Program Agreements with the City of Shawnee, City of Lenexa, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office

The Board approved SRO Agreements with the City of Shawnee, City of Lenexa and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.  Rob Moser, Coordinator of Safety & Transportation, shared with the board that the main reason for the price increase for SROs is that the district increased the SRO at Mill Creek Middle School and Cedar Trails Exploration Campus from part-time to full-time.   He noted that Shawnee and Lenexa have requested two-year agreements, while the county has requested a three-year agreement.

Discussion Items

Arbor Ridge Residential Development

Representatives for the developer, Oddo Development, shared plans with the Board for a proposed residential project that would include a request to the City of De Soto to create a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID).

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, June 3, 2024, 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 April 1, 2024.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda and Consent Agenda 
The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda.

Determining Capacity for Enrollment of Nonresident Students
The Board adopted the student enrollment projections and the number of seats available for the enrollment of nonresident students as presented for the 2024-25 school year. 

Alvie Cater, Assistant Superintendent of Administration & Communications, said that the Kansas Legislature passed a bill during the 2022 legislative session, which was signed into law, amending school enrollment statutes to require all school districts in the state to allow for the enrollment of nonresident students, if space is available, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.   He talked about numerous variables related to enrollment projections and staffing patterns that were given consideration.  He presented board members with a table showing projections for 2024-25 broken down by building (Projection and Functional Capacity) and a table showing available seats for nonresident students in 2024-25, broken down by building and grade level.   It was determined there are a total of 34 seats available in grades 1-5 and 8.

Publication for Notice of Hearing on Amending the 2023-2024 Budget
The Board approved publication of the Notice of Hearing to amend the 2023-2024 budget and scheduled the hearing on May 6, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

Julie Stucky, Director of Finance, informed the board that after the Kansas State Department of Education audit was completed the district is able to utilize an additional $59,717.00 in At-Risk funding.  In order to receive the additional funds, the Board is required to hold a hearing to amend the 2023-24 budget, specifically the General and At-Risk Funds.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Legislative Update
Superintendent Gibson shared a Kansas legislative timeline for the current session.  He reviewed the status of a number of bills introduced during this session that could have an impact on schools in Kansas.

Mill Valley High School Video Board Proposal
Joel Applebee, Mill Valley Head Football Coach, and Bob Purdell, Daktronics, presented a proposal regarding a Daktronics video board for the school’s stadium.  This is a project spearheaded by the Mill Valley Football Booster Club, Jag Pac.  They talked about sponsorship and advertising opportunities that would pay for the project. They also shared how the video board can play a role in providing learning opportunities for students.  Included in the agreement with Daktronics is a school curriculum to help guide students to gain/learn real world experiences in event production and management.  They also spoke about how the video board can become a source of revenue for the school and district. The Board asked administration and the booster club to gather more information.   

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, May 6, 2024, 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 March 4, 2024.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda and Consent Agenda
The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda.

2024-25 Middle School Course Schedule
The Board approved an adjustment to the middle school course schedule with the start of the 2024-25 school year. 

Dr. Joe Kelly, Director of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction/Title Programs, was joined by middle school principals Jennifer Smith, Monticello Trails, Clark McCracken, Lexington Trails, Andrew Legler, Mill Creek, and teachers Leigh Ann James, English Language Arts and Tier 2 at Monticello Trails, Jesse Smith, Physical Education at Lexington Trails and Carly Hughes, Math Interventionist and Tier 3 Math Support at all three district middle schools, to present the board with the proposed course scheduling framework for the district’s middle schools that was developed by the Middle School Course Scheduling Task Force.  The framework includes eight course periods (five Core classes and three Exploratory classes), lunch periods, and an intervention period at the end of the day.   Each teacher will have one individual and one collaborative plan time per day, but the specific time of those plan periods will vary by teacher, course, grade level and building, as well as by the availability of staff shared between buildings.    

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Orchestra
Brian Schwanz, Executive Director of Secondary Education, informed the Board that musical teachers are in full support of an orchestra program.   He shared space requirements and space limitations, noting the space where instruments would be stored would need to be conditioned with humidity control.  It was also noted he has already had conversations with incoming Chief of Academics, Adalyn Soellner, about implementing an orchestra program. District administration will take a next step of investigating implementation options for the Board to consider.

Strategic Planning
Superintendent Gibson shared a draft timeline and process for creating the district’s next strategic plan aligned with new accreditation goals.  He reviewed five themes discovered through his Listening Tour (Financial/Human Resources, Curriculum & Instructional Support, Communication & Collaboration, Mental Health & Behavior Support, and Professional Development) and shared information on the next state accreditation cycle (KESA 2.0) and its connection to the 2024 strategic plan.  

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, April 1, 2024, 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 February 5, 2024.

ACTION ITEM:

Agenda and Consent Agenda
The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Enrollment Analysis

Representatives from RSP, Rob Swartz and Lucy Crum, provided an updated enrollment analysis to the Board.  They shared enrollment and demographics data, growth and development trends within the district, student enrollment projections for five and ten years, along with next steps for consideration.

Legislative Update

Superintendent Gibson shared a Kansas legislative timeline for the current session. He also reviewed a list of bills introduced during this session that could have an impact on schools in Kansas.

Mid-Year Fiscal Update

Superintendent Gibson and Julie Stucky, Director of Finance, presented the board with a mid-year fiscal update. They showed the various funds, the budgeting process and timeline, mid-year revenue to date, and budget authority remaining for fiscal year 2024. They also shared fiscal considerations for 2024 and 2025, and revenues and expenditures to date in comparison to fiscal year 2023.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, March 4, 2024, 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 December 4, 2023.

ACTION ITEMS:

Agenda/Consent Agenda
The Board approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda.

New Board Policy, JBCC - Enrollment of Nonresident Students, and changes to Board Policy JBC - Enrollment

The Board passed a Resolution for adopting policy regarding enrollment of nonresident students and approved revisions to current board policy for enrollment.  

Sale of 2.35 Acres of District Property

The Board approved sale of 2.35 acres of district property, known as Viscek Estate – Lot 1, located generally at 83^rd Street and Cedar Niles Road to Charles P. Viscek in the amount of $87,933.50 and authorized the President of the Board to sign all documents necessary to effectuate the transaction.   This property is part of approximately 38.35 acres the Board approved for purchase on May 1, 2023, in the City of Lenexa to be the site of a future elementary school.   The site included an old farm house, constructed in 1910, on its northeast corner.   The district originally planned to demolish the old house, but the previous owner, Mr. Viscek, expressed a desire to buy the home back as it has been in his family for many years.   To facilitate the purchase and to avoid delays in closing, the district proceeded with a process with the City of Lenexa to plat the property into two lots, with the intent to sell the 2-acre house lot back to Mr. Viscek.

Graduation Requirements
The Board approved recommended graduation requirement changes in order to align with new state credit requirements. Changes include STEM Elective, General Elective, Financial Literacy and Post-Secondary Assets.

DISCUSSION ITEM:

Update regarding CENTEGIX CrisisAlert School Safety Solution

Rob Moser, Coordinator of Safety & Transportation, provided the Board with an update on implementation of the CrisisAlert School Safety Solution by Centegix.  He said installation of the equipment took place over the summer of 2023 with training sessions being held during the three weeks leading up to the start of the 2023-24 school year.  He then talked about site testing and shared use data, followed by a demonstration of the alert system.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, January 8, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at the Board of Education / Administrative Office.

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