001All right, we will go ahead and call the meeting to order. The first item on our agenda is reports from the board advisory committees and we only have one and that's finance and operation which I believe Jeremy McFaden is going to deliver. The Finance and Operations Board Advisory Committee met on June 5th at 7:30 a.m. in the Board of Education room. Representatives from Homes Murphy presented an update on the 2026 health insurance RFP. Sid Cumberland, risk and safety manager, presented the 2526 property casualty and workers comp renewal policies. Jake Slobodnik, executive director of operations, and Jason Gillum, director of business operations, presented the bids and contracts, uh, as shown below. Kyle Hayden, deputy superintendent, presented the board advisory proposed board advisory committee changes. The next committee meeting will be July 17th. Thank you, Jeremy. And
002now the superintendent report. Right. So, as Kyle pulls this up, it's been a busy uh just because school's been out for a couple weeks, we've still had a lot going on. And so, want to highlight some of the Maybe you think I'd figure that out. There we go. Um, Blue Valley celebrated the class of 2025 with graduation ceremonies and celebrations. For the first time in my tenure, we did have to do one of them inside at Blue Valley West. So, shout out to the Blue Valley West team and the whole graduation team led by Matt Ortman and and Dr. Collier for getting us organized and ready to go inside. But that was a great weekend for Blue Valley. U schools received the 2025 best communities for music education award uh from the National Association of
003Music Merchants Foundation, one of only four in Kansas. highlights the amazing music programs that we have in our schools K through 12. Um, Blue Valley students left their mark on our newest middle school that's under construction during the tapping out ceremony. It's a long-standing tradition um that celebrates the placement of the final structural beam. Uh we got to sign it. Several of us were there and got to sign it. These students helped in some info sessions to get feedback from students and so thanks to Jake for coordinating this, but that was a special um afternoon as well. Our latest uh BV unmuted uh podcast is out. Uh we did approve a new strategic plan, but we highlighted the work we've done over the course of the last five years. And thanks to Dr. Collier, Dr.
004Kelly Wessel from HR, and Jake Sabbatnik for um being there to discuss the work that we've done. Um you know, school was out on a Friday and the following Monday was Memorial Day, so we were on vacation. Uh Tuesday teachers had to wrap up and then by Wednesday they were back to work. Uh so administrators and summer and teachers were there for summer leadership diving into collaboration and learning tied to the district's next strategic plan setting goals for their buildings. Um June recognition dates, we just have one highlighted here. Junth is a national holiday. So the district will be closed that day. Uh Molly Mahoney was named the Blue Valley School's Health Excellence Award honore for the spring semester. So congratulations to that Timber Creek employee. Um Harmony Middles Michelle Sutton was honored as the
005Holocaust Educator of the Year by the Midwest Center of Holocaust Education. That could not be more fitting. Michelle retired this year um but has helped countless students and the White Rose essay that happens every spring. Um lots of students from of hers uh have been a part of that. Uh Blue Valley North's Juan Okon was named the Blue Blue Casey Sporting Samaritan for the month of June. So congratulations to Juan. The communications department, you just uh heard about that earlier, won two national level awards from the National School Public Relations Association. So congratulations to them. Some perfect ACTs. Um, look at all of those students who earned a perfect ACT as well as a student from Blue Valley High who got a perfect SAT. Not as many students take the SAT, so we don't often
006get to acknowledge that, but um, congratulations to these students. Um, here are some blue star awards for Starlight Theater. So, congratulations to Northwest uh, and Southwest students who received those awards and scholarship. um National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Um this continues. These are 13 of our seniors out of the 41 who are National Merit finalists um earned these these National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarships. So congratulations to them. Uh Grant Warren, who we recognized earlier, uh was first placed nationally in two Business Professionals of America events. I didn't realize he was only a sophomore, so you might see Grant back here for a couple more years, but congratulations to Grant. Um, Olivia Wang earned first place in the Congressional Art Competition. Her work will be on display in the Capitol in Washington DC. I don't know. Are
007you going to Washington? Oh, no. If you're going to Washington DC and are in the capital, look for it. Um, our very own Maggie Roberts, you may recognize that last name. Um, Mr. Scott Roberts daughter earned fl first place in the digital illustration category at the 2025 e magazine media festival. Maggie just graduated. Blue Valley West uh won the boys uh state tennis meet in 6A and then um it was obvious that they had won when you look at this. Anish won the singles. He was the champion state champion and then um they also had the doubles state champion. Blue Valley North girls swim and dive won the 6A state championship, the team's second straight state title. So, congratulations to the Mustangs. Um, here are all the state title winners in swim and dive 6A.
008And keep in mind, these are not placeholders. These are the people who won, who got first place. So, congratulations to all of these uh young ladies. And then we have 5A because Blue Valley Southwest is in 5A. And again, congratulations to these um winners as well. And then the track and field. Um this is the first time I've been to the track and field state championships. I've been to everything else multiple times and this is my first um go at that this year and it is quite something. Um but we had a very successful meet. So you can see some state meet records. uh Blue Valley North, Aubrey Brown. Dileia Gregory not only had a state meet record, but she has the fastest time in Quaca history um in the 400 meter. Then you can
009see the 4x400 uh from Blue Valley North. I got to watch Dylan Cross win the 5A pole vault and then Emma Bomb from Blue Valley West uh who again won the 1600 meters. And then in 6A state golf championship, uh, Blue Valley North's Brady Rap won the individual state title. So, congratulations to him. And I think the runner up actually was a Blue Valley High student as well. And then Aiden Luther, who is an alumni, a graduate of Blue Valley North, uh, will represent Team USA at the Mabaya Games um, on their eight member weightlifting team. So, congratulations to Aiden. And that highlights the the many great things that we've done. I do have some comments, too. Do you want me to make them now or at the end? Um I think now, well, I
010think now, but we were going to make some comments first if that's okay. Yep. Before you um because I do think now is the appropriate time. This is Tanya's last board meeting. Um after 29 years 26 years in education which is 29 years in education 26 years here 36 in education 3 36 in education. Oh my gosh. So 20 No, you look 36. Um, but I just wanted to give everybody a chance before we get deep into our board meeting and um, get a little less celebratory than we are feeling right now to um, say a few words. And which end do you want me to start at, Jod or Clay? Clay is a list maker. So, wow. Um, Tanya, dang. I I feel like I'm being cheated a little bit just having a short
011tenure on the board with you. Um, I have learned so much from you and I feel like there's so much more I know I could learn from you. Um, it has been an absolute privilege to go around and visit all 30 of our buildings with you over the past year and a half. Um, that has just been a phenomenal opportunity to watch how you interact with administration, with teachers, and with the students most importantly, and how they react to you. And the fact that you walk into a building and it's not a big deal because you're in there so often and they all know you and they all love you, it's just We have been so very blessed and we are going to uh we're going to miss you. I'm going to miss you and
012thank you. Thank you, Patrick. Thank you, Tanya. It's a um certainly a a great opportunity for you to move forward, but for us, it's obviously um you know, you've you've been what Blue Valley is over the last 29 years or 27 years. Um, you know, the last 10, you've been front and center in all the programs that were put together and the successes of all the students and and the high schools and the and the um middle schools and elementary schools. And so, you've given your life uh to this organization and um you know, the contributions have made great differences in in the lives of all the kids uh that that you've uh touched over the last 27 years. And so, um, you know, while I've only been here about 10 years, um, you know,
013I've seen all the great work and the great things that that you've accomplished with kids and you I can remember going through tours like like Clay said and walking in into rooms in some of the elementary schools and, you know, there's there's one kid with a pair of scissors and another one with a glue stick and another one with a candy bar and the other one with glitter um, throwing it up in the air and, you know, how you get a child from from first grade or kindergarten to um 12th grade and and beyond is is an amazing feat. And you know, it obviously takes a team. And it's part of that team that you've put together over the years to help uh all those kids accomplish what they want to accomplish. And so I
014I can't think um you know, of of a better superintendent for us to have um from you know, the beginning of your career through today. Uh, and so, um, I can't thank you enough for for all that you've done and all the time and effort you've given. There have been some some great times and there have been some challenges. Um, but at the end of the day, you stuck in there and so I think ultimately um, your contributions have been enormous and and it'll be certainly hard for for those who come after to fill those shoes. Um, and so um, by all means um, you know, don't be a stranger. I hope I can keep it together. Um, they say the heart of the person defines who they are. You have a pure kind heart
015because when I was making a transition from business to education, I need to do research. I didn't work in a school. I was in corporate. I called the Blue Valley School District because I was in a curriculum and instruction class and I told the uh the admin that I need to talk to someone in uh curriculum and instruction. So, they patched me into your line and um I got your voicemail and I threw everything but the kitchen sink. I said, you know, I'm in uh Slooh's doctoral program. My grandson goes to Blue Valley and my son graduated cuz I'm like she doesn't know who I am so why would she help me? So I threw everything but the kitchen sink in there. You called me back for like within five minutes. You sight on scene
016had never met me or anything and you said hello is this Sonia? I said yes. She said, you said, "I will help you with what with whatever you need because I graduated from the same program that you're in right now." I met with you. You opened up all the doors for Blue Valley for every department. You said, "Now, what classes do you have?" And you set it up with every department head for the classes that I was going to have in the future. I got a chance to sit down and talk with them. And that was a pivotal point in my life because I didn't know where to go to do my research. So you will always have a place in my heart because of that. You answered a call of help sight unseen had
017never met me, seen me or anything, but you were willing to help. And that's why I say the the heart of a person actually defines who they are. So I'm going to miss you. Mr. Kessinger, I hope I hold it together. And uh Sonia, thank you for uh mentioning heart because that's the second thing I had on my list. And uh being known for having a good strong heart, it's a pretty good thing to be known for. Uh the first note I made was the student first. I've always been amazed that if there's ever an opportunity to go support and to see our students in whatever activity it is, you're there. It's uh it's beautiful to watch. And uh I've already told you before that um when an opening came up and uh I was
018asked would you consider being running for the school board? I said I know Tanya and I want to be there for her. She's always there for the community and I am so glad that I've been able to be here for you. Um you've got a great mind as well as a heart, you know. So far, you know what? You would flunk in the Wizard of Oz because you've got the brains, you've got courage, and you've got a heart. Uh, extremely devoted and you work without an agenda, and you're willing to make the hard decisions. No more snow days. And, uh, our community is so much better because of you. Thank you, Jim. Um, just a couple couple quick comments. Um the so the um I met Kanye a few times during the when I was
019running for school board, but first time we spent some time was Katie Bowers and I went up to some dumb meeting that KSSP had um to introduce us to things and Tanya like came and sat with us and went through it and thought she does not get paid enough to sit through this meeting like multiple times every four years or every two years with new school board members. members, but it was contrasted with um we had a school board member from uh another school board that she had just won her election and um she was really clueless. She hadn't had any contact with the school administration or any of the other school board members. She really didn't she was out of sorts. She didn't she really didn't know what her role or place was. And
020um so you sometimes you can um take for granted um what smooth operations, you know, what can happen in smooth operations and what happens in clunky operations. And so I I appreciated that from the very beginning that um you know just the attention to that kind of detail. The the other thing that I I would say because Tanya started under difficult circumstances because it was COVID and she like got you know signed up for the job and then COVID happened and then she got handed the job to start and um and then academic performance really suffered and we were already going through kind of national changes with um academic performance uh na you know just statewide nationwide because of cell phones and everything else that that um impacts education and and learning. And the school
021district really has done a very um just a notably um excellent job at responding to those challenges and and getting back up to um and really moving in a in a positive trajectory. And I think it's like the very first decision we made that Gina and I and um the first board meeting we were at was like we had to vote on this I Ready and I was sitting here and Tanya was there and I was like this sounds kind of hokey to me and I leaned over to Tina goes this like the good thing this is like a bet your bet the company type of decision that um that the educational services group was making and it was on math and it's really proven to be a very successful full um roll out and
022implementation and the math scores have really improved and I think we're seeing some of the same um foundational benefits and in reading and English at the younger ages. And so I I applaud you because it's not easy to move a Titanic in the positive direction and and um you know sometimes change means people get ticked off and they don't like it and but you know that's what you have to do to move an organization forward. So, I appreciate uh those things that you've accomplished in your tenure here. Well, I you know, I echo my board mates here on on many of the things they've said. Um having met Tanya um when I was a you know, parent uh attending board advisory committees and I remember specifically you in charge of CNI and I I even
023think Iris wasn't in school yet. So, I would drag her to all of these meetings and and um but I remember how some of the decisions we were able to make in these um board advisory committees and how you led um the discussion, the dialogue, the tasks at hand um really made an impression on me. I think we did some amazing work and I'm very proud of the decisions that we came to and then and then um handed to the board. So, um I I guess you know I I probably used you as a mentor in many ways. Um so I you know having that relationship, being more involved, being encouraged to be involved in this district um was uh tremendous and you know brought me to where I am today. whether it be good
024or bad for my board mates here. But um I really feel as though um you know you helped me continue I'm pointing at Jim. I don't know why I could point anybody. Um I really feel as though you you helped me grow in my role as a parent, a patron, and as a board member. So um thank you. Thank you, Jody. So, um, all of the same themes throughout. You know, for me, what has struck me is how fiercely loyal you are to your leadership team and your staff. Um, you always have their backs. Um, which is it's which is really great in a um a leadership role. I know I appreciate that. I'm sure they all appreciate that as well. Um you're but but still collaborative like let's come up with a solution that
025that honors everybody and um you know like Clay said we walk through the buildings and you know everybody's kids, everybody's mom, everybody's cousin, everybody's spouse like I mean it's it's amazing the family that's in all of our buildings but that you you also know all of them. Um which is fantastic. But what really struck me the most was at your retirement, the principal that spoke and I can't remember her name, Kathleen, and she talked about how you were the one she called, how she would in good times she you'd be the first one she wanted to call, but also in hard times, you were one of the first ones she called. And I'm I may cry here, but um you know with everything happened this spring in our community um you were the first person
026I called and I couldn't think of anybody else to call because I knew you would know what to say and how to help me process through it and also understood the impact it was going to have on our community in general. And I was so worried about that. So, thank you. I'm gonna miss you. I rarely write out my comments, but I did for tonight. I did when I met with the A team as well because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it together. So, I've been a part of the Blue Valley School District for 26 years, 36 years in education, but 26 of them have been here. And I have loved every single job I've had. I started as a Blue Valley High School counselor, was an assistant principal at both Blue
027Valley High School and Blue Valley West, was the director of counseling for the district, was the principal at Blue Valley North, was the executive director of curriculum and instruction, was an assistant superintendent where I got to supervise some schools, I was the deputy superintendent and superintendent. I'm proud of the work I was a part of in each of these jobs. When people ask me what my greatest accomplishment has been, I could certainly speak to the academic success our students have had. We saw that this morning when we talked about the the success that they've had. I could talk about the additional um CTE programs that we've added. I could talk about the social emotional supports or the special education um work that we've done. Um I could talk about the bonds that we've passed or
028the security upgrades that we've made in our buildings. And all of those are very important and I am very proud of those. But none of that would be possible without the amazing staff we've hired or retained. I hope that's my legacy. I am so proud of the Blue Valley staff and how hard they work to make more to make sure that the 22,000 students have what they need each and every day. Thank you to the board of education um that I've had the honor of working with and there's a lot of you. Uh Tom Mitchell, Amy Tying, Michelle Benjamin, Mike Sites, Patrick Hurley, Stacy Oinger Varhall, and Cindy Bowling hired me. But then I've had the additional opportunity to work with Jodie Deetsz, Katie Bowers, Jim McMullen, Gina Knap, Jan Kessinger, Sonia Evans, and Clay
029Nori. I appreciate the confidence that you placed in me when I was hired in January of 2019, but I have felt support and teamwork as we worked through many challenges since that time. Being a board member is often a thankless job. And I don't think I knew that before I sat in this seat. It's a volunteer job that Blue Valley has been blessed with having amazing amazing community volunteers who do it because they want strong public schools. Our schools are better because of what each board member brings to this table. Thank you also to the administrators sitting over here on the side. I could not have done this job without them. They are the unsung heroes. They are the future of Blue Valley and the future is strong because of them. I also want to
030thank the 3,500 staff that I have the privilege of serving alongside because what happens in our schools each and every day wouldn't happen without each of them. Thank you to our community. We are always stronger when we work together. And I've said repeatedly that what makes Blue Valley so special is that we have amazing staff. You you'll hear me say that over and over. We have great parents who support um our schools, but we also have a community uh who passes bonds, who wants to support our schools, and we work together. I have no doubt that will continue. You know, I have known Dr. Chapman for many years, and when I think of who I would pick to succeed me, she is at the top of the list. The board did their job exceptionally well,
031so I'm very proud of you for doing that. She is the right hire at the right time. And with the Blue Valley staff sitting over here and those in the building along with our community and parents, I have no doubt that Blue Valley is poised for greatness and will continue to exceed succeed. I will miss the students and the staff and cheering them on in the classroom or at events. People have joked they're not really sure what I'm going to do with my evenings and weekends, but I think I'll figure it out. Um, but I'm still going to be doing that. I'm just going to be cheering them on from a different seat now as a community patron because I'm not going anywhere. Thank you, Blue Valley. It has been my honor and privilege to
032serve this community and I will always be on team Blue Valley cheering you on for many years to come. [Applause] All right. Are we adjourned or no? Right. May I have a motion, please, to approve the regular board of education meeting agenda? Okay. We need to This is the regular agenda. Okay. So, I'll move that the board of education approves the June 9th, 2025 regular board of education meeting agenda as published. Motion by Jody, second by Jan. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. The next item is the consent agenda. Uh, I would like to pull the YMCA of Greater Kansas City contract from the consent agenda, um, item D and bids and contracts and vote on it separately. It will automatically become agenda item
033M and then I can I have a motion to approve the amended consent agenda? I move the board of education approve the June 9, 2025 consent agenda as amended. Motion by Clay, second by Jody. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. All right, on to new business. We have lots of contracts um tonight. Lots of Jake time. Ready to start? Got a long list here. First item is to approve the STR construction agreement for the new weight room at Blue Valley High. Um, no concerns here with the dollar amount. It's in line with what we're expecting. Anticipated construction, should you approve this, will be August of 25 until August of 26. This is very similar to all the other weight rooms we've been doing
034in the district. And I should note this is part of the 2023 bond. Happy to answer any questions. How many more weight rooms do we have? Um, this one and then Blue Valley Southwest. Okay, thanks. I will comment. Sorry. And West down the road. Yeah. So, this is only the second one we're doing. This is our third. So, we've done Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, and now Blue Valley High. And then we'll come back for Southwest and West. Okay. And I will say that Northwest is very much enjoying their new weight room this summer. And I'm sure North is also. Yeah, they're fantastic. They're Yeah, it's fun to walk in and see the the students beaming with with joy. Yeah. Do I have a motion? I move that the board of education approve the
035Stro Construction Company, Inc. contract. Second. Motion by Jim, second by Clay. Any further discussion? Seeing none. All in favor, raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. Okay, moving on. It we have an agreement with Universal Construction Company. This is for Blue Valley North athletic field improvements. We've already done the turf uh baseball and softball fields. This is to relocate the practice field because we had to place the softball field in that location. We knew this was coming. We just had to make sure the timing was right with the athletics and activities at that site. So, no concerns here. We've done a lot of work with Universal and recommend this project for approval. Do I have a motion? I move the board of education approve the Universal Construction Company, Inc. contract. Motion by
036Patrick, second by Jody. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor, raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. Okay. The next item is an agreement with Circadia Construction. This is for safety glass installations at seven of our elementary schools with plans in the future to come to our other elementary schools. Shout out to Dan Carney, our director of safety and security. He works each year to um receive a safe and secure schools grant. So that grant pays for half of the cost here and then it's a matching grant. So we pay for the other cost. This is part of the 2023 bond initiative as well. And happy to answer any questions. Do I have a motion? I move the board of education approve the Circadia construction contract. Second. Motion by Clay, second
037by Jody. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor, raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. Moving right along. Item D, approve the BSN sports contract. This is a contract with BSN for all of our high school sports apparel jerseys. Um, we we've been working as a district to purchase jerseys and equipment or in apparel so that we get a greater discount as opposed to each school coming up with different contracts. Um, so this does save the district some money. It's funded through capital outlay activity funds and some family funding. So, um, happy to answer any questions. And just to be clear, this is on a rotation. Yes. That the district has set up in order to Yes. I don't know that I know that rotation, but that is part of the
038Yeah, that is part of it. Right. I have a motion. I move the board of education approve the BSN sports contract. Motion by Patrick. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Clay. Any further discussion? Seeing none, raise your right hand. All in favor, raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. Okay. Item E, approve the World Fuel Services Carter Energy contract. This is for all the fuel used throughout the district, primarily busing. So, this is gasoline and diesel. Um, this is an agreement we've we've had in place for several years. This is a renewal and on a rotation as well. Drew, do I have a motion? I move that the board of education approve the World Fuel Services uh Carter Energy contract. Second motion by Jody, second by Clay. Any further discussion?
039Question. I should have asked you this morning is is I see Carter Energy's kind of got a monopoly in this area. I'm wondering if how frequently you able to get competitive bids on this. How frequently? Yeah, sorry. Sorry, I should have given you some heads up. I brought this up here just in case. Jim, to answer your question, I don't know that I know this is year three of five and so every five years we would go back out for an RFP. So we didn't go back out and solicit this. They've been performing. Um so in five, I guess this is year three. So in your three, four, five, and then we would go back out to for an RFP. And then when with this fuel um contract, so it runs on Durham's buses, but
040they they is that a pass through or do do we pay for it directly and then they load it into I don't know. We pay for that and it's stored at our storage tanks at our facilities at North Transportation and South Transportation. Okay. Yep. Okay. Thanks. Do I have a Oh, I have a motion and a second. I don't remember who it was though. Anna, did you get it? Okay. Uh, all in favor raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes. 70. Next item. Okay. Item F. This is with MC Electric and Core Electric. Really two different contracts here. We did an RFP recently. request for proposal. MC Electric is a return um electrical company. Core Electric is new, so you'll see a little bit of a difference in in contract prices. MC Electric,
041million-doll annual expenditure that's anticipated. Core Electric, we have a $100,000 proposal or or agreement with them. Um no concerns here, but this is um annual work that has to occur in order to keep our our facilities functioning. Do I have a motion? I move that the board of education approve the MC electric SRS Enterprises DBA Core Electric contract. Second motion by Jim, second by Jody. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. Synetic Technologies. Okay. Item G is actually two contracts as well. Synthetic Technologies and Textile Tech cycle solutions. This was an RFP for computer and device repair services for all devices throughout the district. This would be year one of three. So, this is a new RFP and $450,000 with each. Um, happy to
042answer any questions or Brian Daly is here as well if there's anything I can't answer. Do I have a motion? I move the board of education approve the Snatch Technologies and Tech Cycle Solutions LLC contract. Motion by Patrick. Do I have a second? Second by Jan. Any further discussion? So, um I'm just stating that I'm not going to vote in favor of this contract. It's It's not that I don't think con, you know, computers in our district should be repaired, and I'm I think it's probably a sensible contract given the technology uh deployment that we have. I just um going to be consistent with my prior votes to vote against these big contracts until we rethink um our uh technology deployment with students and and the way we go about doing that. So, I've said
043it on a lot of occasions, so I won't repeat it further, but anyway, that's why I'm withholding my support. Thank you, Jim. We have a motion on the table by Patrick and second by Jan. Any other further discussion? All those in favor, raise your hand or say I opposed. Oh, okay. Motion passes 61. Sorry, Patrick, I couldn't see your motion. Um, all right. On to approve the risk strategies. Uh, one more H before that one. Uh, Amazon business contract. So, this is an annual agreement um for up to $1.5 million in spending with Amazon. This is a district-wide agreement in place and and shout out to our business operations team. They recognize that by doing so we can get discounted pricing based on bulk pricing and rather than having contracts or no contracts purchases all
044throughout the district through various groups. So um this is again an annual expenditure with Amazon. Happy to answer any questions. So what do we buy with this? Oh my gosh. Anything? Everything. I mean some classroom supplies. I mean you name it. Related operations. Yeah. Yeah. Do I have a motion? I move the board of educa education approve the Amazon business contract. Motion by Patrick, second by Jan. Any further discussion? See none. All in favor, raise right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. Okay. Now item I, risk strategies contract. This is an agreement for property insurance renewal of $1.59 million. We did have another proposal that came in at $2.2 million. Sid Cumberland has done a fantastic job of of ensuring that this is a good value for the district. To give you an idea,
045this ensures $1.2 billion dollar of property that the district has. So, um, happy to answer any questions that I can. Do I have a motion? Is is this comprehensive? This is property insurance comprehensive. And so I mean it covers all of our properties, correct? There's nothing correct that we own property-wise that this does not cover. 100%. This also includes cyber, right? That's different. So this is just property insurance. Finance and operations committee. We did go through several other insurance portions. Cyber, drone, um a gamut of them. This is just property insurance. Okay. Just because this is above 500 grand, right? Okay. And this just covers damage to property, right? Correct. Yeah. And there's different deductibles. So there's a wind and hail deductible. Um and then everything else basically that's covered. So flood, fire, other disasters.
046I I will comment. We so Sid went over this on on uh at finance meeting, but this has gone up precipitously, you know, in the last five years, but it really is just kind of tracked replacement cost. I'm assuming that's correct. Driving the the the premium higher. Absolutely. Yeah. The value of our properties doesn't seem to be going down. It keeps going up, right? Yeah. Okay. So, it's based off the assessed value of the property, correct? Okay. Do I have a motion? I move that the board of education approve uh risk strategies company contract. Second. Motion by Jim, second by Patrick. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. Thank you, Jake. Okay. So, our next item is board of education advisory committees. So, we
047discussed this this morning. Yeah. Do you want me to have Kyle pull up the Yeah, Kyle, will you pull up the document? So the as he's pulling that up. So the discussion has been surrounding um dissolving the current committees that we have in place and reducing it to three committees that really better fit our strategic plan. Um it will encompass finance and operations in one which is a merging of facilities committee along with the finance committee and will continue its regular cadence that it's had in the past. Um an academics and activities committee that encompasses curriculum and instruction and student activities. And then finally one that's titled community which considers health and well-being DEI and then communications is kind of intermingled into all three of them really but mostly well all three of them. So
048it um and those two will continue the cadence that they've had normally meeting six times a year. So, um I believe the agenda item for tonight is to formally dissolve our current board advisory committees and approve the implementation of the new committees. And if I could add to Yes. Um you are correct. Um, in addition, um, beefing up these committees and and expanding them to add more patrons, um, so for more patron voices, possibly more students um, into these opportunities. So, um, yeah, it yeah, just kind of fine-tuning the three that are up there right now. finance, uh, finance and operations, academics and activities, and community would be the three. Um, we would be, if the board approves these this evening, we would be prepared to, um, start communicating as early as tomorrow or the
049next day with current patrons who are on those committees to make sure they know and make sure that they want to transition to this new committee. Um and then we would u once we've done that we will communicate out to the general public that these are open for um applications. Okay. Any other comments about the changing committee structure? Do we do we have a deadline? What's the timeline on um you know communicating with the current and then what are we going to give it three weeks four weeks and then opening it up or how are we looking at that? We we typically well we talked about make giving our current people a couple of weeks because they may be on vacation or not able to look at this. Um and then once we've heard back
050from them uh then opening it up to the community. So I would say two to three weeks I would agree with you need we need to give our current people back. And typically we appoint people to our committees in August. Is that right? Or do we try to do it in July? I can't remember. In July, we've done finance and operations, but um that we've done August, we've done September, we've done October. Um I mean, it's sometimes it we don't have enough people and so we'll just keep going until we fill it. Okay? And that truly is up to the board. There is no limit. So you you can add more people to those committees. Okay? So more information upon approval, more information will be on the website for community members to apply, read about
051the new committees. Uh similar timing of last year, the last many years as far as appointments go. Yep. So it's just a change in Yep. We do try to have at least a decent size committee established by by the first meeting in September. Yes. Ideally, because it comes really fast. Ideally, you appoint them in August. Y and they'll continue to be two-year. Yep. terms. Two-year terms. Okay. Anybody else? Otherwise, I'll take a motion to dissolve the current committees. So, we're basically getting rid of six, keeping one, and adding two. Yes. So, you'll have three total. Yep. I move that the board of education dissolve the following board advisory committees. Communications, facility planning, curriculum and instruction, health and well-being, student activities, and DEI. Second. Motion by Jim, second by Patrick. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all
052in favor raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. And for approval of the new committees, I move the board of education approve the following three board advisory committees, finance, operations, academics and activities and community. Do I have a second? Second. Motion by Patrick, second by Jim. Any further discussion? See none. All in favor raise your right hand or say I. Motion passes 70. Next business item is the naming of the Swidak soccer field and Kyle Hayden is going to come up and um walk you through a a request that the board got several months ago and um the process that we followed which includes a following of board policy. So that's correct. So, back in December, uh you all were received an email from um six former Blue Valley North soccer players
053um that played there in the time frame of 1990 to 1992 as far as their graduating years. But, um so the request was to uh honor their former coach uh Rick Prible um who's a longtime uh coach both at Blue Valley North and Blue Valley Northwest. He actually started the program at both schools. uh when they opened um multiple state championships at both schools, national recognitions. Um easy to to see that he was u very successful coach just looking at the stats and the record books and all that. Um the process for uh when we have a request like that is we have board policy that we follow. Um I was a chair of a committee that we assembled. It include um building principles at both Blue Valley North and Blue Valley Northwest, a parent
054from both Blue Valley North and Blue Valley Northwest uh along with Matt Ortman uh and myself. So um we met. It was actually a pretty quick meeting um because everybody on the committee um besides myself had an association actually with coach Pribble uh either directly um and had spent time around him or knew him personally or um had a significant other that uh knew him well and spoke very highly of him. So um so our recommendation is um to name the soccer field at Swidak which is shared by Blue Valley North and Blue Valley Northwest the Rick Prible Field. Um this would align with prior decisions that the board of education has made around naming of fields andor um courts or swimming pools. Um, uh, Greg House was a a former coach at Blue Valley
055North in the swimming team and that pool is named after him. Uh, Rick Taylor was a former basketball coach at Blue Valley High School and the court is named for him. So, we haven't named stadiums uh, which is what the request was originally um, but we have named fields um, and courts and um, swimming pools. So, a couple things I want to add is that the according to policy, the principles need to be on there. So, that's why they were on there. And you use the parents who are on the student activities committee. Correct. Correct. So, we didn't go out and plant people is what I'm just trying to say is that we really tried to to use people who were already involved. And then finally, I did know Rick. Um Rick was a fabulous
056coach. Obviously, you can tell that, but he was an even better English teacher. Um, I think students would say life-changing English teacher. He's those that you come back from college and you say, "Wow, like I can read and write at college and graduate level because of Mr. Purple." So, um, I just wanted to share that. Will there be a ceremony to mark the Yes. So, it's a good question. Um, just as h just so happens that the first um soccer game of the season is Blue Valley North against Blue Valley Northwest. Um, obviously at that stadium, so it aligns perfectly. Um, I think the game is like August 30th or 31st or something like that. Um, so it's right out of the shoot. Um, it's always a pretty intense game and so I think there'll
057be a good crowd and there'll be a lot of alumni that return and and uh watch him watch him be honored. And he coached he coached both boys and girls in his career. Do I have a motion? I move that the board of education approve naming the Swidak soccer field. the Rick Primo field. Second motion by Jim, second by Clay. Any further discussion? See none. All in favor raise your right hand or say I motion passes 70. It is our honor to be able to approve that. Okay. Okay, the next item on our agenda is the election of school board officers. Uh, will the board clerk please read the list of nominees received for the board of education president role? Good evening. Jan Kessinger is the sole nominee for the position of the president of
058the board of education. Are there any additional nominations? With no changes, please complete the ballot in front of you by writing your name and the candidates's name. Your balance will then be collected, read out loud, and tallied. Jim McMullen for Jan Kessinger. Jan Kessinger for Jan Kessinger. Gina Knap for Jan Kessinger. Dr. Sonia Evans for Jan Kessinger. Clay Nori for Jan Kessinger. Patrick Hurley for Jan Kessinger and Jod Deetsz for Jan Kessinger. Jan Kessinger will serve as the president of the board of education effective July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Congratulations, Jan. [Applause] Will the board clerk please read the list of nominees received for the role of board of education vice president? The nominees for the board of education vice pres president position are Dr. Sonia Evans and Clay Nori. Are there any
059additions or deletions to this list? with no changes. Please make take a moment to complete your ballot. Jim McMullen for Clay Nori. Jod Deetsz for Sonia Evans. Jan Kessinger for Clay Nori. Gina Nat for Clay Nori. Dr. Sonia Evans for Sonia Evans. Clay Nori for Clay Nori. Patrick Hurley for Dr. Sonia Evans. Clay Nori will serve as the vice president of the board of education effective July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Congratulations, Clay. [Applause] You just a motion on the YMCA. Yeah, I'm looking for a motion to approve the YMCA uh Greater Kansas City contract. Do we have a summary on that at all? I can I can tell you what we learned in finance the other day. Okay. Oh, Jake. Yeah, I'm happy to give you a brief summary. So, this is a
060revenue contract, but to be clear, it's not the district making money off of the YMCA. We believe the YMCA program is fantastic. This is the cost as a pass through for things like utility usage, custodial services, um just what it takes to utilize our facilities. There's no revenue generation here other than pass through of of expected costs. But to be clear, they pay us. Correct. And it's like a half million bucks. Yeah, we're in it's 534,715.50 cents estimated. Yeah. Oh, I move that the board of education approve the YMCA of greater Kansas City contract. Second. Who was a second? Is that you, Patrick? Clay. Motion by Jody, seconded by Clay. Uh, all in favor of the board of education approving the YMCA Greater Kansas City contract, raise your hand or say I. Passes 6. Okay.
061The last item on our agenda tonight is board member comments. We will start this time at the other and with Jody. Do you have anything further for tonight? Jim. Jim. No. Sonia. No. Clay. Um, I do want to just acknowledge and thank our speakers tonight, especially uh the young student that came in here to speak. that was very brave of him and um uh just wanted to acknowledge that express my gratitude. I just want to congratulate um all of our graduates. We did host our graduation since our last meeting and they were fantastic like Sonia said Tanya said, excuse me. Um so congratulations. I know they're all going to do great things for our community. Um any Any other business tonight, Tanya? Thank you. We are return.