001This evening I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. I'd like to welcome everyone that is here with us this evening and anyone that might be watching us from their from their home. Uh welcome to our February meeting. Our first item will be uh item 1.04. We need to make an amendment, please. >> I move to amend the agenda to remove item 8.08. >> Could I get a second, please? >> Second. >> Okay. Okay. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> Amendment passes. Thank you very much. All right. Item 1.05, the adoption of tonight's agenda. >> I move to approve the agenda
002as amended. >> Second. >> All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> Okay. The agenda has been adopted. Item 2.01, the superintendent report. Dr. Buck. >> Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, everyone. Glad to see a full room and a full hallway out there. So, I want to make sure we get them in here quickly. Um, first off, congratulations to Dr. Christy Barger. Um, she has been selected as the assistant superintendent of the year for the greater Kansas City region and welld deserved. Um, we are excited to share that uh that as of today, all LSR7 schools have earned the hearts safe school designation. This work was initiated in response to school safety legislation and completed through a valued partnership with our children's Mercy Hospital and Project ADOM.
003District is now fully compliant for the next school year when it's required. But we're we're compliant much much earlier than that. So kudos to everyone who worked hard to make that happen. Congratulations to Lee Summit High School 9th grader Phoenix for earning runnerup honors at the Kansas City Regional Poetry Out Loud competition. Uh he competed or Phoenix competed on Valentine's Day. So congratulations on that. Um congratulations to our own Amy Taylor. Um Amy was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Intellectual Freedom Award from the Missouri Association of School Librarians. She'll actually get formally uh recognized on April 20th down at Lake of the Ozarks. Um congratulations to Prairie View Elementary Principal Amy Finneald. She was surprised a little bit earlier this month for being named the administrator of the year by the Greater Kansas
004City Counselors Association. A lot of recognitions going around and welld deserved. So congratulations to Amy. Lee Summit West educator Rhonda Ireland is our February learning for life award winner. So kudos to her. It was fun to uh interrupt her IB quiz. Kids were excited to get a few more minutes to think about their quiz as we honored row for that. Um, congratulations to Lee Summit West FBLA. Um, this is an impressive number. Their accomplishments in district 4 led to 44 of them heading to state competition in April. So, good luck to all of them. Uh, Lee Summit West cheerleaders on a a they made the trip all the way down to nationals in Texas and Dallas. Um, of course, I told them you can go, but you may be staying extra days because it was
005the ice storm after they got there. So, they beat the ice storm. They did have to stay a few extra nights and come back on Tuesday instead of coming back on Sunday, but they won two national championships. So, congratulations to intermediate co-ed varsity crowd leading and intermediate varsity crowd leading. So, congratulations to both of them. They were very cute sending me selfies afterwards saying thanks for letting us go. Um, we're excited to share the district has been recognized for the fourth straight year as one of Kansas City Business Journal's healthiest employers of 2026. I know Sarah McMillan's back here and there's some other folks that work with Sarah that do do a lot of work to make that happen. Um, few updates. If you have a child turning five before August 1st, it's time to
006start thinking about kindergarten. And we do have kindergarten kickoff next Thursday at every elementary location starting at 5:00 p.m. If you have a child uh turning four by August 1st, you can also sign up if you're interested in our preK program. Um, so please uh see our website if you want to know more information about those. Um, and then we last I would say we have our our next dinner with the board. It'll be March 4th just across the parking lot at Lee Summit North. Um, it'll be from 6:30 to 7:45 and we'll provide free pizza if you come join us to have a conversation about Prop C. So, um, that concludes my superintendence report. >> Thank you very much. All right. Our first school spotlight this evening is Underwood Elementary. My name is Dr.
007Shereice Swearington. This is some of our student council representatives. They are going to give you an overview of what it looks like they do. We've got our student council reps um here, Miss Bryant and Miss Whipple, as well as Miss Kubak who's in there. She is good evening members of the board of education, superintendent, and guests. Thank you for having us tonight. My name is Lizzie and we are proud members of student council at Underwood Elementary. Tonight we are excited to share some of the special programs that make our school a great place to learn and grow. Our school believes in helping others, which is why our school partnered with Lee Summit North High School to participate in the adopt a soldier program. Together, we ship 210 pounds of donated items to the men and
008women serving in the armed forces. Participating in our annual Veterans Day celebration, we learn leadership skills like public speaking, teamwork, and responsibility. One of our favorite events each year is candy cane sales. We sell candy canes for 50 cents and use the money to buy Christmas gifts for the residents at Addington Place Care Center. During the holiday season, we spread cheer by singing Christmas songs and passing out presents to the residents. This special tradition allows us to give back to the community while bringing smiles, joy, and connection to others. It's one of our favorite events of the year because it reminds us how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. The simple of caring of caring food drive is a meaningful way to give back to the community. This year, our school collected
009over 1,400 items to donate to Lee Summit Social Services. We learned the importance of teamwork, service, and helping others in need. As part of Unite the Summit Day of Giving, we participated in a handson community service experience at Lee Summit Social Services. We helped clean the warehouse and inventory, the food in the pantry. This event taught us that even kids can make a big difference. Thank you for supporting our school and listening to our voices. We are proud to be student council leaders at Underwood Elementary. [applause] All right. We have also had the privilege to nominate a volunteer of the year for Underwood Elementary and for us that is Mr. Damen Cooper. So, if he would like to come up here and receive this plaque, I would love to tell you all the fantastic things
010about him [applause] >> when you're good at what you do. >> So, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Damian as the kids call him, um he's really made a profound impact on Underwood. He spends every Wednesday with a group of fifth grade boys supporting and encouraging him. But really, the reason that we chose him was because he does more than just work with those students. He's a listening ear, a support, and he continues to think of ways to connect Underwood to the community, and we are very grateful for him. [applause] Okay, our secondary spotlight tonight is East Trails Middle School. I can just use this. Oh my gosh. All right. Well, I'm I'm Whitney Morhead. I'm the principal at East Trails Middle School and we are super um grateful to be able to showcase our robotics team this
011evening and really um highlight their accomplishments, growth within the program and their coaches. So, I'm going to turn it over um to Mr. Dumbler, one of our coaches. >> Hi, my name is Robert Dumbler. Um this is we have four Bisonbot teams. Um we have two seventh and eighth grade teams and two sixth grade teams. Um and so I'm going to turn it over to our four presenters here. Our first one is Connor Nance. Um and he's a sixth grader. >> We are the Bison Bots of East Trails Middle School. The team started four years ago when ETMS opened. The first two years we had two teams with 26 teams team members. In year three, we added an all sixth grade team, taking our number of team members to 42. In our fourth year, we
012added a second sixth grade team that took our total number of bison bot members to 54. So, this year has been very fun for me because we got to build the robots and just code them and drive them around. I am James Linbury and I'll be talking about our fun and the life of a seventh grader in robotics. In our first robotic year, robotics years when the school first opened, green and silver funds by computers to better optimize coding. In our 2024 years, 2025, Bison Blots back one got $800 to buy a kit robot and a new control hub. 2025 to 2026, three out of the four teams got uh money from a grant. Bison Bots Silver got $800 for a 3D printer. Bison Bots Green got storage containers for robot parts. Bison Bots Black
013too got a camera and teleometry pods. Uh we also do Culver's nights, Chipotle nights, and as a seventh grader, um the school has really well optimized when and how long our robotics uh meets last. Uh at the end of every practice, I have 30 minutes, then I go to archery. It's super well optimized. I really recommend it. It's just Amazing. It teaches me so many skills. It teaches me teamwork building. And even if you're not good at building a robot, you can still sort parts. You can use We could use you in the presentation and like me, you could design things. >> Good afternoon. My name is Zachary Fletcher. I'm in eighth grade and I'd like to talk to you a little bit about our teams. There are 194 teams in the Missouri Kansas City
014region. Um this year in our league KC East, there are six true middle school teams. Five of which are from the Elixir 7 school district. One of those being from Campbell and one being from our school East Trails. In the KC area, there are seven middle school teams. The other two are from Kansas. So ETM and then there are 15 true middle school teams in the Missouri and Kansas City region. So in total, ETMS is 27% of all middle school teams in the Missouri Kansas City region. I have greatly enjoyed being a part of this seven 27% over the last three years because of the skills I learned not only in mechanics but also in communication and leadership that I will have for the rest of my life. I also love the fact that we
015get to solve problems and tinker with fun challenges every day. and I would definitely recommend our program to any student who has a passion for challenging themselves. >> Hi, my name is Lily and >> Wait, will Lily, wait just a second. Can we get a round of applause for our robotics team, please? Thank you. [applause] And we're um actually really excited to celebrate um a volunteer at East Trails who has um been a consistent presence at our robotics events. And we're going to actually turn that over to Lily Holm to um share a little bit about our volunteer of the year. This volunteer has helped the Bison Robotics teams the last two years. He has only missed one practice when he was sick and felt bad about missing it since right before an event last
016year. He learned a new programming language to help sixth grade the sixth grade team. He has spent many hours outside of robotics at home to learn new things to show the students during practice. Our volunteer of the year this year is my dad, Congol. [applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you. We are so grateful for all the things that you've done for our robotics team and [applause] >> [applause] >> Okay, there we go. test. >> Oh, I took it back to my spot. All right, our next item up is 4.01 public comment. Mr. Haley, >> we appreciate your attendance and your willingness to speak to the board. Please remember that the board does not respond to public comments during the meeting, but may ask clarifying questions. Your comments will be noted by the board and administration
017and if appropriate, we will discuss further action with the superintendent. Only those who have signed up prior to the meeting will be allowed to address the board. Pursuant to board policy BDDH, we will be limiting all comments to no more than seven people with a limit of three minutes each. You may not transfer any of your time to other speakers. Your allotted three minutes will be counted down on the screen. Please conclude your comments when the timer expires. Your comments must align with the subject described in your written request to speak and must directly relate to the business or operations of the district. Your comments may not discuss individual employees or students in the district, regardless of whether your comments speak of them in a positive or negative light. Any such comments should be directed
018to the superintendent who will then determine if further action is needed. Because the board does not and cannot impose age-based restrictions on who attends or views board meetings and because children of all ages frequently do attend board meetings, comments may not include obscinities or sexually explicit content. Furthermore, comments may not include threats of physical or emotional harm or threaten in any way the safety of others. We also remind all those in the audience that the board policy BDDH prohibits the use of signs or audible responses. This includes applause, cheers, or jeers. If you are in the audience and wish to respond in some way to a public comment, you may contact the board or superintendent after the meeting. Your comments must be directed only to the board because the purpose of public comment is to
019bring something to the attention of the board. You may not speak to or interact in any way with any other person in the audience. When your name is called, go to the podium and clearly state your name and the organization you represent, if any. Micah BB check everybody hear me? Okay. Good evening. My name is Micah BBE. I'm a parent in this district. On Friday, February 20th, students walked out at Lee Summit High School and across the district and the way that leadership handled it put miners in unnecessary danger. Students ended up along 291, a hightra roadway during the school day. That is not student expression. That is a foreseeable safety risk and it's not theoretical. In another district, a student involved in a similar protest was hit by a car that happened. Which means
020this isn't about politics. This is about whether the adults in charge are willing to act like adults when kids do something reckless. Here's what I want to know. What exactly was the plan? Because what I heard was essentially, we don't want them leaving class. We'll count them absent and we won't follow them off campus. I'm going to say that again because it matters. We won't follow minors off campus. That is not a plan. That's opting out. That's leadership deciding in advance to surrender the safety perimeter and hope nothing bad happens. That's unacceptable. If you're responsible for students, you don't count them absent while they drift towards traffic. You intervene. You secure the campus. You put adults where the risk is. You coordinate with law enforcement if you need to. You do not sit back and
021let it unfold. Now, there's another part of this that should trouble every person in this room, regardless of politics. Students deface the American flag and hung it upside down. This is extreme. This is not normal walk out. That that is not harmless. That's a line getting crossed publicly, proudly, and with no apparent concern for what it represents to the community, to our veterans, and to families who have buried loved ones who have served, and to the basic idea that we can disagree without tearing down symbols that we all share. And here's the uncomfortable truth. Kids don't wake up one morning and suddenly decide that's acceptable out of nowhere. That kind of behavior grows in an environment where adults have normalized contempt, where outrage is celebrated, and where there's no meaningful boundary between education and activism.
022When the adults won't draw lines, the students will push past them. Accountability has to mean something here. I'm calling on this board to remove Principal Monkey. When students leave campus and end up in harm's way under school supervision, there have to be consequences. If the standard is no one gets held accountable unless a child is seriously injured, then the standard is broken. And I'm not here to argue first amendment law. Students can have opinions. That's fine. But the school has obligations. Safety, supervision, order, discipline, and when those fail, PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE. UNDERSTAND MY TIME. >> Tim Kramer, Jessica Jones. >> Good evening. My name is Jessica Jones. I'm a parent of three students. I want to thank for dinner. I attended to hear about >> Hey, can you uh get closer to to the microphone?
023We we are not hearing very well up here. I'm sorry. >> Is that better? >> Okay. Sorry. Um I just wanted share that. My only wish was maybe that next time it could be livereamed or recorded so that the um it could reach more audience. Um after attending the dinner with the board, I was shocked to find um that Lee Summit is ranked only 13 in starting teacher pay um not even being in the top third of the other 22 area districts. Um, equally shocking to me was that Lee Summit has the lowest tax rate compared to other surrounding large districts um and all districts in Jackson County. I just feel like we have a lot of room to improve there. Um, I know that opposition will say tax dollars have been mismanaged and there
024are funds that can be cut. Um, but that's simply not true. Uh, the district is already operating in a deficit. Um, the district is one of the largest employers in Lee Summit and operates multiple buildings. We need staff and administration um to run those to educate our kids. Um I feel like without passing Propsy, the district will have um to further the deficit and to be able to give any kind of raise. Um and to be honest, nobody wants a tax increase. Um but I feel like that we have to do this to remain competitive and if we don't prioritize our staff and show them that we value them, retention will be suffering. Um personally with the increase only $24 per $100,000 on property. It seems to be a low price tag um for taxpayers
025when the district can gain $4 million. Um for me and my family of five, that's about $100 total and that costs going out to dinner. So, I feel like it's an easy sacrifice that we can make to prove to our staff that um they're worth it. I would encourage um any and all stakeholders to attend the next dinner with the board um on March March 4th like Dr. Buck said um and to review all the information on the LSR7 uh website. After hearing um and reviewing all the data, I'm honestly not sure how anyone could say no to this um especially being an existing board member or a board candidate. Um, local taxes are the biggest and most reliable source of revenue for the district. And this isn't a new concept. And we've honestly been
026lucky that it's been so low compared to surrounding areas. And honestly, with the proposed increase, it will still be low comparatively. Um, it's time that we join the other 91% of districts in the state and pass Prop C for the greater good of our staff. Um, yes, >> Adriana PZ. Good evening. Can I Okay. Good evening. My name is Audriana PZ. I'm a parent of two LSR7 students and I'm here to speak about school safety. As a Chana who often doesn't get recognized as such, I feel a responsibility to speak to the very real threat many of our students and families face as immigration and customs enforcement officers continue to terrorize cities, neighborhoods, and schools across the country and right here across the KC metro area. I read a story in the Beacon recently about
027how our district continues to grow more diverse with the number of English language learners nearly doubling in the past few years, sharing data from the 2023 2024 school year, showing 550 active ELLL students and another 184 who recently learned English. That tells me there are potentially hundreds of students and family members living in our community who are likely living in fear. So, I'm here to ask the board and other district leaders how you're preparing for increased ICE presence in our community and on school grounds. No doubt all of you have seen what's been happening in Minneapolis and other cities. Teachers and administrators in Minneapolis have been speaking out about what they've learned from the attacks taking place in their communities and schools. And what I've heard over and over again is the importance of being
028prepared. I know growing numbers of people in our community have begun preparing for increasing numbers uh of ICE raids by attending community defense and rapid response trainings. These trainings are also being offered specifically to educators in hopes of helping them keep our kids safe while they're at school should I show up because we know that no district or school policy is going to stop a group of people of armed people who believe that they are above the law and who are emboldened by the current corrupt administration. I'm both sad and happy to see that many of our students understand the seriousness of what is happening, maybe even better than some adults. I have to say that while some people are quick to criticize the students who have been courageously protesting and speaking out about what's
029happening that I commend them for exercising their first amendment rights and for standing up for what is right. Our students will be on the right side of history. Will you? We have every reason to believe that there is a very real threat to our community here in LSR7 and I am urging you all to take it seriously and have a plan beyond just a single policy. Thank you. Okay, our next item is 5.01 board committee reports. Uh board member Haley, >> I attended dinner with the board, met members of the community and discussed Prop C and uh earlier this week I took part in the finance committee meeting. >> Thank you, Dr. Nickens. Um, I got to do some fun stuff mixed in with uh committee work, which of course is also fun. Um, I
030got to do the Kaufman get on the bus real world learning event at Union Station in KC at the end of January. It was really amazing to see um all the districts that are offering their um high school students lots of opportunities for um a variety of real world experiences. And LSR7 was was in there as well. Um, I attended uh I got to tag along with the superintendent's uh are you call it student rep board? >> The student board the board reps. >> Yeah. Um Dr. But gave them a tour of several highlights in the district and I got to go along to part of it. So that's the first time I've seen the um the aerospace hanger and the simulators, the flight simulators and um great group of kids visited um I do
031want to correct. I thought you were talking about the legislative day. That is the superintendent council. >> Superintendent Council. Those are the same kids, right? Oh, no. Okay. Okay. Um I got to visit uh Lee Summit North's yearbook class and listen to high schoolers present on their attempts to sell ads to uh community businesses. That is a real world a real world experience. um not only selling ads, approaching businesses, um raising money for the yearbook, but also then presenting to adults about that experience. I got to tour Sunset Valley. We've had two teamly summit meetings since the last school board, one on February 12th and one today. Um I'll let Dr. Johnson share more about that. But we um uh finished looking at our salary schedules and did a lot of work on team summit
032survey responses. Um attended dinner with the board. Please come to the next one. It's really good information. Um Dr. Herzog and Dr. Carlson do a great job of explaining a pretty complex thing, making it super understandable. If you don't know what it is and you don't know how you're going to vote, it'd be a great idea to come to the next one on March 4th. Um, and then we went to the capital yesterday with the um, Greater Kansas City School District Coalition. I did that all in the wrong order. It's CSDGKC. Yeah. [laughter] Um, we got to see six of our reps um, and talk to them about education legislation. five board members and Dr. Buck were able to go and I know that's it's hard for board members to rearrange their schedules for a
033whole day like that. So, I thought it was um a great experience. Thanks. >> Well, remember um Garrett, >> I got lost in my list. >> That's all right. Well, it's been a busy month. Um I'll try and make this as brief as I can. Um, so, uh, I am on the Lee Summit Educational Foundation, um, as a committee member and they I just want to remind everybody the Taste of Lee Summit, uh, is coming up March 7th and, uh, if you already have your tickets, I look forward to seeing you there. And if you haven't, it is a great, um, opportunity to give back to our school district. Lisa Educational Foundation does some great things with grants for our school district. Um, I know some sometimes students apply for these grants and teachers do
034and it's so rewarding for us to see them receive it and then also see how they're using their grant money. So, excuse me. Um, I also did some visits. I went to Bernard Campbell Middle School and Hawthorne Hill Elementary School. Um, and I have been um, there was a Lisa Educational Foundation advisory board that I attended at Pleasantly Elementary. Um, thank you to uh, principal Leslie Mott who gave us a tour to highlight the areas that have been updated through bond money. So, there was a sensory room that we had seen that um, it looked really nice. And then we also played a math game called Splat. So, that was a lot of fun just learning some quick math. Um, and then also to thank you to Amy Bolinger and Maggie Agnu for giving us
035a Lee Summit Educational Foundation uh funding highlight. Um, I also attended the Kaufman Real World event at Union Station in Kansas City. Uh, oh, and then there was a peak grant given um to Miss Kim Schaefer of Hawthorne Hill um where they had a war story uh teller dress the part and spoke like the part and she the kids were really excited and engaged in her storytelling. Um then I also went to the great beginning early education advisory board meeting. Um it turns out that they've applied some uh new ways of reaching families and getting uh more students in the great beginning early education program. Uh and I went I did attend a Lee Summit Cares meeting. I did go to the dinner with the board and attended the Lee Summit Economic Development uh council
036quarterly investors meeting. Um that was interesting to see um how different companies within the community have expanded our community with different buildings and different businesses uh and also um preparing for FIFA. I was trying to think what it was called. Um, also, uh, we attended a Zoom meeting that prepared us with legislative information for when we took our trip to Jefferson City. And today I went to a workforce alliance at, uh, a workforce alliance meeting at Hangar 2 where we did get to tour the aerospace academy program. Um, it's a really good program. the courses accelerate getting uh accelerate students being able to get their pilot's lights license and then also it shaves time and money off of their college. So, it was really interesting to to hear the speakers speak about um what their
037experience has been through um the aerospace academy program at our MIC or what is it UMC there? >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Dr. Johnson. >> So, excuse me. [clears throat] I attended uh the two teamly summit meetings uh like Dr. Nickens mentioned and during the first meeting we really um went through and kind of hashed out some of the details of what it would look like if Props Cy passed. So, the meeting is very effective in that way. in today's meeting actually was a heavy lift. They do a survey of the staff at the um in the district and we do take part in reading all of the comments. So I want people to know that those comments are read and even if everything is not actionable, they are listening and they are paying attention.
038So we did that today which again it was a heavy lift because a lot of is about people's feelings and you want to try to make everybody happy but that's a challenge sometimes. I did dinner with the board. I will be attending it again. And I would say for people who are thinking about coming, you should definitely come because Katie Bergen gives out pizza and you could take whole pizzas home to your family because there's so much leftover when we leave. So, please come and take one of Katie's pizzas. [laughter] And then I did attend um the legislative day with the cooperating school districts of Kansas City and got to talk to six legislators and see I've been to that building many times before, but it's just a beautiful building and it was a good
039place. There were a lot of different groups there advocating for um social services that are needed in our state including in Lee Summit and I just want to encourage people to get involved. There are a lot of bills out there that involve public education more than I think we think about and it's important to stay informed. Thank you. >> For member Dawson. >> Okay. I think uh I think you've already heard about almost every single thing I attended from my fellow board members because they were all there too. So, but I will briefly mention where I was. Um, I also attended the Lee Summit Cares board meeting and uh I just wanted to let you guys know that there's another youth wellness day coming up in April. Uh, it's going to be Sunday, April 19th
040down on Green Street in that beautiful new location and there's going to be a lot of really great activities. Um, so please spread the word. Um, everything that's going to go on there is free and there's going to be giveaways and activities and resources. Um, so, uh, please look into that. Um, and I also attended dinner with the board and I also encourage you, just as several other people have told you tonight to please, if you didn't already attend the one at Bernard Campbell, please come to the one at Lee Summit North on March 4th at 6:30 and eat some pizza with us. Um, uh, I attended the finance committee meeting, uh, with board member Haley, and as I do every month, I want to thank the staff for preparing all of that information for
041us. It's a great opportunity for me to learn about all of the contracts and uh, budget items that we're going to vote on tonight. Um so and just for anyone who's watching or listening um that is on YouTube and you can uh watch uh either live or uh asynchronously if you are interested in budget things. Um and then um I also attended yesterday's advocacy day and visited um with our legislators and uh yeah there's a lot to digest there. there's a lot of concerns for public education and a lot of us who care about um funding and protecting public education. So that was a it was a very eye openening day. >> Vice President Miller, >> thank you. >> Okay, I have committees and a little bit of fun too, but business roundt was um
042great this month. We really f Dr. Buck gave a presentation on on Prop C um dinner with the board and LSEDC event committee meeting, finance committee meeting as well. And then um some of the other things that that my other fellow board members did as well, the get on the bus um just wanting to recognize um Katie Wilson from Lee Summit North. She was um given an award at that event. So just proud to see Lee Summit school district represented well there. Um I also got a chance to talk to the Lee Summit High School BSU um group as well as go to the Negro League Baseball Museum with the LSSE second graders and fifth graders. And then today I got to read a book for their Black History Month program at Mason Elementary. Um,
043the last thing I want to say is, um, we just opened our student board rep applications for this year. Well, it'll be for next year. Um, and they are open until March 14th, 15th. March 15th. Um, so if you have a rising junior or senior, we encourage them to apply. It's been an incredible adventure for all those who are currently um serving in that capacity. And Dr. Buck and Katie have done a phenomenal job of um putting together a program that really encourages advocacy, leadership, and lots of um great skills about using student voice. So, thank you to Dr. Buck and Katie for all you guys have done. >> All right. Um so since our January meeting um I've attended business roundt, I've attended the government relations meeting. Um I've attended um a couple of
044MSBA webinars that kind of pertain to some of the things that on the board we're trying to kind of stay a breast of um with regards to some of those legislative items. um participated with there were five of us and Dr. Buck that participated yesterday in the greater Kansas City day and I'd like to give another shout out to Representative Kip Strickler for being the champion for these seminar seven students to be able to get college credit for their IB um scores. That's still pretty near and dear to my heart. So, I appreciate that and getting the opportunity to visit on the capital. It it was a wonderful day. I was it was great. I loved it. Um, I finished my elementary school tour. Compliments of Dr. Kenny. So, another shout out to her. I'm
045still very proud of that. I know she missed me today at 1:00. We didn't have a we didn't have a tour on the calendar today. I was busy doing laundry. Um, I also, as a side note, since we've gotten off the committee trail here a little bit this evening, I got to be a uh a guest speaker at a at a graduate class for aspiring administrators, people that we will be looking to maybe hire someday. Um, and they were, you know, the the component of working with the school board. So, actually, that was a lot of fun and I remember all the things that I loved about, you know, teaching. It was it was a great night. So, I'm still smiling over that. So anyway, um it's been a kind of a busy month and
046I think that the upcoming month for all of us is even busier. So we'll probably have more to tell you next next go round. So thank you very much. Um all right, we'll move on then to items for decision 6.01 to approve the transfer of funds, please. I move to approve the transfer of 4,85,93956 cents from the general fund to the special revenues fund. >> Second. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say I. >> I. >> All right. Motion passes. 6.02 to approve the treasur's report and payment of the bills. >> I move to approve the treasurer's report and the payment of the bills. >> Second. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> Motion passes. Okay. Very good. All right. Next up is
047our consent agenda. >> I move to approve the consent agenda items as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> All right. Consent agenda passes. Okay. Items for decision. Item 8.01, parameters resolution for series 2026 bonds. I move to approve the resolution authorizing the series 2026 bonds as presented. >> Second, >> Andy. All right. >> I had I'm sorry for >> you got to get Yeah, sorry. I didn't know. >> Um I had a question. Um so given the recent tax collection challenges in Jackson County um mentioned previously by administration what is the and this is probably this was mentioned earlier but what is the specific debt service reserve or cushion we are maintaining to ensure we don't have to raise the levy if
048collection rates drop further than projected >> but typically we so statutoily we can keep I should say statuto the state auditor recommends we keep a year in reserves and so we typically set our debt service levy in that range so we'll have a year in reserves uh to that there are times that we build up because you know we have a stagnant 87 cents that we collect each and every year sometimes that builds up reserves sometimes that drops below that number uh and when we do build up reserves above that one-year threshold we typically then come to the board with some type of request defecence. I can have a difficult time saying that to pay off debt early. Uh if that's the case, >> thank you. >> Okay, so we have a motion and a
049second. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. Okay, motion passes. Thank you. >> Item 8.02, the enterprise contract for some SUVs. Could I get a motion? >> I move that the board approve the purchase of two SUVs for on-road safety operations in the transportation department. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay. >> I'm sorry. I thought it was still on. My apologies. Go ahead, board member Garrett. >> Um, okay. So on this particular with the um models that we were looking for um the vehicle comparison profile for the 2026 fleet SUVs indicate that the district is option opting for the LT trim for both the Chevrolet, Tahoe, and Suburban models. According to the provided specifications, these LT models include premium luxury features such as leatherappointed seating. Uh [clears throat]
050um leather, yes, leather appointed seating, 10 speaker, Bose surround sound systems, heated steering wheels, and power folding third row seats. The quote shows that the acquisition cost for the LT trim is $4,854 higher per vehicle than the LSbased model. Which feature standard cloth seating and manual third rows given our priority on fiscal responsibility? Could you provide the specific operational or safety justification for selecting the luxury tier upgrades for our transportation safety fleet instead of the more cost-effective base models? So those um the differences, you know, as you know, they're standard um features, if you will, that come with each of those vehicles. Uh the leather seating, wear and tear, you know, students in and out, staff in and out. Um you know, we will use these vehicles on a regular basis, daily. Um there are
051times buses break down. We have to go out to those sites. Um sometimes with shop truck because they're broken down and we need to push them or tow them. Uh there are times we go out, we need to pick up students and so really it's about the wear and tear that third seat, that third row, more kids. You know, we can have up to max eight people in a vehicle. I believe those are probably seven, seven passenger uh in nature. And so really, it's about wear and tear in regards to those leather seats that we just get more mileage, if you will, out of those seats. And that third row and that throw third row gives us the ability to uh to carry more students. >> Okay. So, there's no like safety features attached to
052it. It's mainly the leather seating and the third row accessible. >> Um did was there any options without I can't remember if there were any options without like the heated seats and >> well, you know, >> heated steering wheel. >> We could we could request that, you know, but sometimes with those standard, you know, when you get the XT model or the XL model, it just that's just what comes with it. Okay. >> And so we just requested these different different models and looked at the features that there were a >> Okay. Thank you, >> Board Member Haley. >> Dr. Shelton, what's the expected life expectancy of these vehicles >> for for the district? >> Yeah, we we typically especially when we buy when we buy there are times we lease vehicles and we'll have
053a I'll say end of life lease, but when we buy them, we drive them. I mentioned the shop trucks earlier. One was bought in 2006, one was bought in 2014. Uh the vans we use currently at each of our high schools to transport uh our special needs programs, uh we've had those since 2008, 2009. So we will drive these a long time. >> Okay. Thank you very much, Dr. Shel. >> Yes, >> Board Member Dawson. >> Um yeah, I just wanted to chime in. I know you already answered board member Garrett's question, but yeah, it's to to try to customize and just get like two features like the ones that Dr. Shelton talked about. Um it would actually almost cost as much or more money than getting the standard package that the dealer offers. And
054so um I don't think uh it's an issue uh especially if you needed those two features. You you generally don't get to pick and choose and cherry pick which features you want. Um and also I do want to compliment the team. You guys saved $11,000 under the budget that you were expecting to pay. So, congratulations on that. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> Okay, motion passes. Thank you. Next up, 8.03, the Flynn Midwest contract. I move that the board approve a contract with Flynn Midwest for roofing replacement at Lee Summit Elementary and Summit Lakes Middle Schools. >> Second. >> Any questions? Okay, go right ahead. Board member Garrett. >> I was just wondering, are we um approving
055the track the contract now or at a later date because I didn't see the contract attached. the contract approval is is occurring now. Um it is not our standard practice to bring the contract the actual form to the board. Um it is a very lengthy drawn out process to get those contracts put together. I guess it's 50 pages of of information and typically the contractors like to they make sure the contract um is a is awarded by the board and then we we put it together. Uh the form that we use is um approved by our attorneys. We've had each different type of form um pre-reviewed and so we we fill in the blanks for the projects. >> Thank you. >> Member Miller or excuse me, Vice President Miller. >> Thank you. Um, I just
056wanted to say on on these that we've already discussed that all of these just are all available and discussed at the finance committee meeting in very great detail. So, I know there's been a lot of questions tonight and I just wanted to just make sure every board member is aware that you can come to the finance committee meeting and learn about all of these in detail instead of at the dis. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. So, we have a motion and a second and I don't see any more lights. So, all those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> Okay. Motion passes. 8.04. Harmon Construction contract. >> I move that the board approve a contract with Harmon Construction for casework and wall improvements at Prairie View Elementary School. Second.
057Okay. Um ah board member Haley. >> Yeah. I would just like to point out uh for vice president um mil um Erica that um the public doesn't get to attend the finance committee meeting. So I think it's for their benefit that we get to talk about these things. Uh just how we're spending their money. So I mean that's that's that's my position on that. So, I understand board members can attend the finance committee meeting, but members of the public don't have that same opportunity. >> Board member Garrett. >> Um, so, okay. So, with this particular contract with Housein Construction for the Lee Summit North HVAC project is um >> 8.04. >> Oh, wait. Okay, I must be on the wrong one. Okay, well, never mind. >> Board member Dawson, >> I just want to clarify
058about the finance committee meeting. There is a YouTube uh video of it, so people can watch uh the meeting. They can't ask questions, but they can watch um and so it it is available uh both live and afterwards. You can watch the recording. Okay, I have a motion and a second. Um, all those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. Okay, motion passes. The Houseman contract. >> I move that the board approve a contract with Houseman Construction for the construction of Greenwood Elementary. >> Second. >> We'll move Garrett. Again, this is just questions for the public um that they are made aware and for of our discussions that we have about these different items. Um it's called transparency. The bid from Houseman Construction for the Lee Summit North HVAC project
059is $ 8.4 million while Al Huber is 5.8 million. Um why is there a $2.6 million gap between these biders? Are there specific scope differences or exceptions in the low bid that we need to be aware of before awarding? >> I think we're on 8.05 which is by Greenwood Elementary. I'm so sorry. >> I'm sorry. I thought that's where we were at. Okay. >> Board member Haley. >> Thank you. Um I noticed on this and it's it's exciting that we're $4.3 million under budget. What are we going to do with that $4.3 million, Kyle? Well, [laughter] that's a great question. Um, if you'll remember, we started with a long list of needs at the beginning of the bond issue. And so, um, it will sit in reserve. Um, we will go back through a prioritization
060process and um, let uh, the board decide on some great things to do with kids with that money. >> That was a great question. [laughter] Okay. So, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I um item 8.06, the Insight Design Studio contract. >> I move the board approve a contract with Insight Design Studio for designing the Hazel Grove Elementary School project. >> Second. >> Bo member Haley. >> Yeah, I understand that. Um the uh design work that's being done on uh Greenwood is going to be able to be some of it's going to be transferable to the new Hazel Grove um grade school. So what's the cost savings look like on that Mr. Guerrero? >> Uh we will save approximately a million
061dollars uh when you compare the Greenwood design fee to Hazel. >> So we got an extra million bucks to go with the 4.3. >> That's correct. All right. >> What are we gonna do with all this money? >> That's correct. same answer. >> Okay, we have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> All right, motion passes. Thank you. Uh, item 8.07, Plan Source Benefits Administration. >> I move that the board approve the contract for Plan Source Benefits Administration, Inc. to provide a benefits administration technology platform. >> Second. board member Garrett. >> Thank you. Okay. So, with the plan source uh benefits administration and corp, the supporting documentation for the plan source feasible source procurement indicates that the district is moving to
062a direct contract to resolve ongoing service challenges experienced with the previous reseller. So, I understand the desire to avoid data migration disruptions. I have three specific fiscal concerns regarding the proposed contract. Um, my first question, the plan source order form explicitly states this order form is not cancelellable and that fees are not fees are not refundable. Given that our previous experience with this platform um reseller resulted in ongoing challenges affecting employee care, why is the district com committing, I'm sorry, to a 36-month term that lacks a standard termination for convenience clause. >> So the decision to move there's a question about why are we locking in with plan source direct. So our current our current situation is we have a reseller of Plan Source that we're utilizing and their services who we're not comfortable with.
063Plan Source Direct is a much larger corporation that can meet our our complexities of our benefits administration. So we felt it was important to continue to keep our data in the same system plan source and then utilize the services of Plan Source Direct. Why why we chose to enter into an agreement that was 36 months That's I believe the same agreement we entertained to with AntFarm with the ability to get out of it early, which is what we're doing with Antarm. >> Okay. So, it it's just a non-cancable and no refundable. We're just going to go with them. And >> the ser the payments to Anfarm are also not refundable. We paid them. We can't get that back. We're just ending it early. >> Okay. Um, thank you. And then my second question, the order
064form includes a onetime $35,000 implementation fee. Since the administration's response states that the district has already migrated all of our data and processes to the plan source platform, could you please clarify exactly what new work this $35,000 fee covers? >> That's building all of our our EDI files and payroll import files, everything that has to be done between the district, the data, the carriers. has to rebuild that. So our previous provider, Anfarm, was able to do that for us, but those aren't transferable over to a new company. So that's the process there. >> Okay. And then my last question, um, the contract includes a guaranteed 5% annual fee increase for the life of the term. Was this was this same escalator present in the 2024 reseller agreement? And did the district attempt to negotiate a
065flat fee structure in exchange for this long-term commitment? Yeah, we talked we we did work through that and the 5% increase we're comfortable with because most of this is going to be all of it is funded through our other carriers. So, we receive a funding source from all of our carriers that pays for our benefits administration system. So, we're able to negotiate those through the RFP process and ensure that we can meet the need the funding needs of this moving forward through nondist funds. >> All right. Thank you. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> All right, motion passes. Thank you very much. Okay, the last two things we have on here, we've got a building report from Highland
066Park Elementary and a building report from Summit Ridge and your written reports. Otherwise, this concludes the business of our February meeting. Thank you very much. Have a great evening.