001Okay, we're going to call to order the uh Monday, February 23rd schoolboard meeting. I would ask for an approval of the agenda with one slight modification. We're going to swap our two executive sessions. So, we're going to do 1.5 uh in place of 1.3. Um but can I get an approval of the agenda? I move the board of education approve the February 23rd, uh got on the wrong one agenda. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Buyers, >> yes. >> Blackwood. >> Yes. >> Franklin. >> Yes. >> Jones. >> Yes. >> Kimbell. Yes. >> Lancaster. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 70. >> Okay. So, we'll go into executive session. We'll do 1.5 first. And just as uh just to note to whoever reads the motion, Samurray is not here this evening. >> Okay.
002I move the board of education recess to executive session to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract to discuss negotiations pursuant to the exception for employer employee negotiations under coma with Dr. Janice Kersswift Superintendent Dr. Larry Engelick, deputy superintendent, and Kristen Ryan, assistant superintendent, invited to be present, and the board will return to open session in this room at 6:21 with no action to follow. >> I second. >> Gordon Ross, >> yes. >> Kimble, >> yes. >> Franklin, >> yes. >> Buyers, >> yes. >> Lancaster, >> yes. >> Jones, >> could you Blackwood? >> Yes. Motion passes 70. I have an idea though. >> We have returned from executive session with no action to follow. So now we're going to move on to our next executive session. Can I get a
003motion? I move to recess to executive session for the purposes of discussing potential litigation with legal counsel pursuant to the exception for matters which would be deemed privileged in the attorney client relationship under coma with Dr. Janice Kersswift superintendent Dr. Larry Engelick, Deputy Superintendent Kristen Ryan, Assistant Superintendent Lorie Stetham, Executive Director and Council Greg Goheen, invited to be present with the board to return to open session in this room at 6:53 with action to follow. >> Second Blackwood, >> yes. >> Kimbell, >> yes. >> Lancaster, >> yes. >> Gordon Ross, >> yes. >> Franklin, >> yes. Jones. >> Yes. Motion passes 7 0 I don't think I could miss that. It was a massage. I could definitely use some massage. We have returned from executive session with no action to follow. Um before we turn
004it over to Dr. Swift for the superintendent report. I'd like to acknowledge and welcome the KU students that we have with us this evening. Thank you for being here. We apologize for the riveting meeting that you've had to take notes on up until this point, but um thank you for being here and sticking with us. So, we appreciate that. So, with that, uh we'll turn it over to Dr. Swift. >> Very good. Thank you, uh, President Gordon Ross and members of the board and those who are joining us in person and by remote. Uh as we wrap up, it's hard to believe wrapping up February this week, we're really encouraged uh that at the heart of every one of our initiatives, our conversations, and our partnership is a strong commitment to ensuring that students are
005supported and challenged and wellprepared for what lies ahead. Uh in recent weeks, we've especially seen our community collaborate uh our student leadership and meaningful engagement across our schools. We do understand that many in our Lawrence community are navigating a very ta challenging time. Some may be experiencing heightened anxiety following events uh that have occurred in our city over this past week. We want to offer our reassurance that we will continue to work together to ensure that our schools are safe, that our students and families feel supported, and that our students benefit from secure and safe and supportive learning environments. That is our northstar. We will also continue to partner with our community organizations in support of our students and families as well. uh this past week. Lots going on in the city. Uh we were
006so delighted our team uh I'm sorry I wasn't personally able to but our team was able to be a part of the state of the city leadership event last week hosted by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. It was really valuable to hear updates on city priorities. Um in my written report there is a link. So, if like me you may have missed it, uh you can hear the entire address at that link. Uh it was great to hear an update on city priorities, including economic development, housing initiatives, and infrastructure investments. All of these things directly intersect with our students, our schools, our families. We know that strong schools and strong cities are interconnected. As housing, workforce development, and community safety remain priorities across Lawrence, our partnership with city leadership continues to be essential. I appreciate
007the work of the board in partnering uh with the city and I also appreciate the opportunity that I and my team have to partner with the city. We are grateful for the collaborative spirit that defines Lawrence and for shared commitments that support our children and families. Uh on that same kind of note, uh over this past week, members of our team were part of a collaborative retreat with the Lawrence Found Schools Foundation board. The session uh that we uh were a part of this past week focused on strategic alignment, long-term fundraising priorities, and continued partnership opportunities directly benefiting students and staff. very grateful for Dena Johnston and for the members of the foundation board who remain mission focused and are strategically planning based on input solicited from members of the district team. I appreciate present
008board president Gordon Ross who attended to share his insights and perspectives and multiple representatives from our district team and building principles also who were members and participants in this conversation and a very valuable day with the Lawrence Schools Foundation board. Uh together we continue to identify ways to innovate so that we may invest in classroom resources, educator excellence, and student experiences and districtwide initiatives that move Lawrence public schools forward. Um uh one of the most commonly requested items across our schools really is about snacks and food insecurity that our students experience. We hear this every day from our school teams. So we're really grateful to Lauren Schools Foundation for its support to our students. Recently, the ESC support center staff members joined foundation leaders and dozens of community volunteers. You can see here what this
009room looked like on that day as more than 12 pallets of snacks and meal items were delivered. Volunteers stepped in to sort, count, and organize. and they are are working to ensure that every school is stocked and ready for students who may need extra nourishment during the school day. These small steps can make a significant difference for our students to remain focused and engaged and ready to learn. I really appreciate local volunteers and the Rotarians who will distribute all of these snack items to school locations this week. In addition, volunteers assembled 185 backpacks for the grant-f funed backpack meal program. Each backpack is filled with that meal that's ready to prepare at home. uh spaghetti and shelf stable meatballs, canned vegetables, mac and cheese, granola bars, soup, cereal cup cups, and shelf stable milk. These
010meals will help provide for our students who need additional nourishment, maybe to take home on the weekend. And we are also gearing up to provide for families ahead of spring break coming up in just two and a half weeks. Also very excited to hear about Hillrest Elementary that hosted its third annual career day as a part of its avid learning strategy. Community professionals representing construction and finance, fashion design, public service, technology and skilled trades join classrooms to share their career journeys. Students took ownership of their learning that day by engaging in career pathway research prior to the event. One fourth grade student in Cara Parker's class shared, "I didn't even know about some of these jobs before today." So, Career Day at Hillrest directly supports our district commitment to AVID, which focuses on building college,
011career, and life readiness skills for students. Really grateful to all of our community members who came out to tell the story of their own careers and share their experiences with our students. Um, AP Day at the Capitol. I was really delighted to see this on social media. Free State High School students participated in AP day at the Kansas State Capital. They joined their peers from across the state to highlight the impact of advanced placement programs. Students met with state legislators and shared their own personal stories of how AP coursework strengthens confidence, critical thinking, and college career readiness. The experience also offered a hands-on opportunity to observe the legislative process. And we recently, I didn't get it written in here, but I just want to share that we recently looked at data with Dr. Cola Maya
012that suggests that above 35% of all of our uh high school students are either enrolled in a KU blueprint course or an AP course, one or more courses. That is a difference maker for our students. Um we were really delighted to hear about our community connections at Pinkney students. A group of students traveled and represented Lawrence at Advocacy Day hosted by the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities. The students spoke directly with legislators about the Kentucky Intellectual Developmental Disability Waiver Weight List and other issues that directly impact canons with disabilities. really proud of these students for demonstrating leadership and compassion and representing voices beyond their own voices with our legislators. Each of these experience are opportunities for our students not only to learn about government and policy but also to interject their own voices and participate
013in the process bringing their own perspectives in an impactful way. I won't say as much about this because I know President Gordon Ross was actually there today. Um, but we were really delighted to share that at West Middle School today, staff and community volunteers helped to facilitate reality U, which is an interactive program designed to bring a bit of reality for students through a 75 interactive 75 minute interactive and engaging personal finance simulation. So students imagine their life as 26 year olds and they complete an online lifestyle survey. This information is used then to create unique and individualized future scenario and I'll just tease that. President Gordon Ross will share more shortly. Um steam in action. We're really delighted to see Team Steam Robotics, an afterchool high school robotics program of more than 50 Lawrence
014students, recently visited fourth graders at Woodlon Elementary School to inspire the next generation of innovators. The high school students shared their process by showcasing their collaboration, design, build, and programming skills. Student presenters also gave the fourth graders a chance to test drive their robots. One Lego built creation featured a controllable arm capable of dragging small objects which it demonstrated on some scissors and a rubber band. Another robot was operated wirelessly with a game controller that students each took turns passing around to their classmates. The team steam program provides students with opportunities to build, code, and problem solve while also developing leadership skills through experiences just like this one. Uh very delighted to hear the report from Saturday of the Lawrence High School Intertribal Club and Native American Student Services who hosted their annual pow-wow on
015Saturday. It was a powerful celebration of culture, heritage, and community. Students and family and community members gathered to honor native traditions through dance, music, and shared storytelling. A special highlight, and you can see him there on the middle photo, was to see Lawrence High School student Lewis as the head man dancer at the event. I want to give a shout out to Heidi Woods, Lawrence High School Intertribal Club sponsor, and to everyone who made it out to the LHS Intertribal Club Powell. Many thanks to David Favre, Shayla Chickaway, and all of the NAS community for organizing this event. Free State Lawrence High School and Laurate High School and Lawrence High School City Showdown was a soldout event on Friday evening. Um, between the basketball teams and it resulted in an overflowing gymnasium and all the
016community rooting on the Chesy Lions squaring off against the Firebirds. The varsity outcomes were hard-fought victories by Lawrence High School on the girls side and by the Free State High School Firebirds on the boys side. We're also very grateful for the halftime presentation during the boys varsity game of a donation of $15,000 by Trudy Credit Union. The money will be split between the two high schools and is earmarked to support sports nutrition stations. They're called the Trudy Fuel Zone, and they help to provide our student athletes with the fuel they need to perform, recover, and succeed through their competitive seasons. As the winter sports season winds down, I would like to note that basketball postseason begins next week with regional substate competition followed by state state quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals played at Witchaw State University
017March 10 through 14. Also, the state tournament for boys and girls bowling takes place in Derby, Kansas on March 4th. And then, boys and girls wrestling state tournament takes place this weekend, February 27th and 28th at Advent Health Sports Park in Bluehawk in Overland Park. Last weekend, the boys swimming and diving season concluded with 6A state meet held at Shaunie Mission Aquatic Center. The Free State Firebirds were led by junior Anderson Baitman, who earned all state honors with a sixth place finish in the 50-yard freestyle and a third place finish in the 100yard freestyle. Free State High School finished 12th overall in the swimming and diving championships. Other top 20 finishers for Free State were Sam Ba placed sixth in the 100 fly. Sophomore Gavin Mintosh sixth place in one meter diving. Ewan Campbell finished
01816th in the 100 backstroke. Senior Owen Carnegie 18th place in 200yard freestyle, ninth place in the 400yard freestyle relay, 10th place in the 200yard freestyle relay, and 15th place in the 200yard medley relay. Lawrence High School finished 19th overall at the state meet and they were led by senior Alex Oral who placed ninth in the hundredyard breast stroke breast stroke and 10th in the hundredyard butterfly. He was joined by Kale Ward as a fellow top 20 finisher placing 19th in one meter diving. Just a big shout out and congratulations to our boys, swimmers, and divers. And all the best to all of our winter sports athletes, student athletes, as they close out their competitive seasons in the next few weeks. We have really enjoyed being out on our winter conversations. There is still time to
019share your feedback and your input on our work as we move forward in the district. I really have enjoyed our conversations recently at Hillrest and at Woodlon Elementary uh members on a winter night when folks have many other competing demands just to see a really robust group around a library table and folks really deeply engaging. It's been a wonderful experience. the number one uh affirming feedback has been uh just a recognition of the steps we've taken since last winters or last fall's conversation. And then there have also been important conversations about areas we can improve uh specifically uh staff recruitment and retention and compensation. something the board talks a lot about and our work is focused on that. Um and also uh some improvement to areas of our district website. So we are seeing those
020patterns and look forward to a March presentation where we'll share all of that data out. District leaders were also out at Billy Mills Middle School last week and uh they've also been out on several student focus group and student group conversations. We have engaged with student groups so far at Lawrence Virtual School, Lawrence College and Career Academy, Lawrence High School, West Middle School. Uh we will continue those conversations with students uh over this coming week and this week's stops are at Southwest Middle School and Free State High School. I really want to thank all the students and parents and community members who've been a part of the conversation and want to encourage you. There's still time through the remainder of this month for you uh to participate. Just go right on our website. You'll see
021it right when you open the front page. Now, this Wednesday is a day we've all been looking forward to. Uh this is a human resource team, uh a group hosting a big group, a prospective teachers and leaders interested in future positions in Lawrence Public Schools. I think my report this afternoon is that we're up to 40 plus reservations for this event. Uh our participants will begin with a driving tour of the district. Uh they will have a lunch to connect and meet. I'll have the great opportunity to greet them over lunch here uh at the ESC and then they'll end their day with live same day interviews right on the spot and we hope to get some folks uh on contract by the end of the day. So, we just appreciate everyone who's reached out
022to us to reserve uh a spot on the bus for Wednesday morning. really excited about that event. You may have already heard, we're so excited about the announcement that the Algerian national team has selected Lawrence as its base camp community during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This international spotlight presents a unique opportunity for our Lawrence public students and schools. In the months ahead, we look forward to exploring educational and cultural connections that celebrate global learning, language, and cross-cultural understanding. I want to give a shout out to Jake Potter and other members of our team who are working with these uh soccer teams to make sure that we're getting experiences out of this for our students that will reinforce uh the preparation of our students to be a graduates who are comfortable in a global setting
023and that they are confident in their place in an interconnected world. Uh more information will be shared as we get closer uh to this 2026 event in our continuing work to ensure communication, transparency, and ease of access to information. I just wanted to show that on our website, both under the superintendent tab and under the board of education tab, we continue to work to organize critical information about the district in very prominent locations. So, you can go on there now and you can see in the lower right hand corner that our annual reports are all posted there. So if you have interest in the data around uh any number of topics that we report out on, these are our equity reports, ourformational reports. I just want to highlight where those annual reports can be viewed
024on our website. So uh we do this work together and we know that great things are possible when schools and communities move forward together. I'm really excited about the amazing work underway across our district for future planning and for partnership with our community. We want to thank everyone for their continued partnership in support. We have 10,000 reasons that cross our door every morning uh to do this work together. And those are our beautiful students. Thank you for your work to serve and to support them. staff. It is an honor to serve the Lawrence public schools and to share the superintendent report this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Swift. um for the uh report of the president of the board. Um on Wednesday, February 11th, I had a facilities committee meeting. And I will
025just admit right now um that I had probably the best set of notes that I have ever taken for that committee meeting that then got thrown away. So I don't have them. And then um Shannon knew that I had those notes. So Shannon doesn't have notes either. So, it was a great meeting and we talked about a lot of wonderful projects in the district and that is the update on the facilities committee meeting. Um, on Thursday, February 12th, I attended uh the Jay-Hawk Rotary because the Lawrence Schools Foundation was honored as the 2025 uh featured community partner and received a $10,000 donation to the IAN fund. And Dina did a fantastic job of presenting on behalf of the foundation. Uh Tuesday, February 17th, I had the privilege to read in Miss Ashley Smith's class at
026Quail Run. And then later that day, I spoke at the school's foundation uh retreat. Friday, February 10th, I got to go and spend some time at Hillrest as part of their career day uh with uh three different classes of fifth graders. Um and then today, I spent most of my day at at West at um Reality U. And I just wanted to talk about that a little bit. So, reality U came to West today as as part of a grant from the foundation and Dr. Smith kind of kind of set it up a little bit. So, students imagine their life as a 26-year-old and they start by doing a a lifestyle survey and they take into account the students GPA and then they ask them some questions and and they tell the students to be
027honest about um do they arrive to school on time? Do they have any absences? Do they turn their homework in on time? Do they participate? Do they have any extracurriculars? Things like that. And those questions then um narrow or widen the number uh what occupations they can pick and then they pick an occupation and then they can say that they want to be married. They can say whether they want a pet. They can say how many if they want kids, how many kids they can have. Um they do cap them at no more than three kids. Apparently somebody complained that they couldn't put in 14 children at 26. Um but they do cap them at at at three kids. And then um today and oh and it also gives them um a credit score and
028um and all sorts of things. And then today um they were given um this this information and it gave them a monthly income, credit card debt, student loan information, marital status, family status. Um if they were married a lot of times it was two students. Sometimes if the numbers didn't work, it was one student who who had dual income because their spouse was away on a business trip, but they still had to act like they were married. Um, and then there were 12 different stations that they went to that represent services or products that adults typically deal with on a monthly basis. So, housing, transportation, utilities, insurance, child care, student loans, food, clothes and hair, phone and fund, emergency fund and investments, unexpected life events, and help. I need more money. And students have an
029opportunity to learn how their decisions impact the bottom line as they try to to make decisions that won't result in their check register falling below zero. Sometimes they would have to go and make a purchase and then come back later and return it. So, if they if they went to the vehicle and bought the Hellcat first and then went and found out that they couldn't now afford housing, they would go back and have to trade that car in for the Honda Civic or the beat up old truck, which was also an option. Um, and and and they would do that and it was a fantastic opportunity to watch these these kids interact. Um, I think probably my favorite interaction was I was at the unexpected life event table and there was a chart of unexpected
030life events. They would roll three six-sided die. They would they would add it up and that was their unexpected life life event. And so I had a married couple in front of me. Um, the the the girl rolled, the the boy rolled. Um, and she got $50 for her birthday. He got an unexpected dental co-pay of $50. And just because of my personality, I looked and said, "Oh, so he stole your birthday money." And went and had dental work done. And if she did not just glare at him and then walk off without him because he stole her birthday money. Um, my wife also helped and she was at the housing table and had three young gentlemen come up and say that they were going to all live together and and have shared housing. So,
031she worked through the options with them. And it wasn't until the very end that she found out that two of them were single, but one of them was married with two children. And she tried to explain to this young man that his wife would not want to live with his two buddies in a house. and they were like, "No, it'll be fine. Like, we'll help babysit." And she's like, "That's not how the world works." So, it was it was situations like this all day long. Um, one of the goals of Reality U is that schools don't have to pay for this program, but that it is funded through community support because the outcome of this is a benefit of the community. And so after today, um I plan to explore how to get in h
032how to um get into all of our secondary schools going forward because this is just at west. Um Kristen Polon also volunteered and uh this morning and she and I had some conversations about how we can make that happen. So for my part, um I'll be talking to Dena and the foundation about how we can find some sustainable community donors. um she's going to work through the chamber and do the same thing to see what we can do to make this happen at all six secondary schools for next year and going forward because they do this for both eighth graders and 10th graders. They repeat the same thing at 10th grade. Um, and he talked about how in schools where he's been doing this long enough, he likes to have seniors who did it as
033eighth graders come back and volunteer with the eighth graders and talk to them about what would they have done different as eighth graders now that they're getting ready to graduate. And so it's a great great program. Uh, lastly, just a couple items on consent. Uh, we have a free state uh, press box. Um, we're correcting some uh problems from Walder Water infiltration over the years uh from the original construction. Uh, we did bids back in September and didn't uh receive bids that fell within the budget. So, we reissued uh bids uh and got uh bids that actually fell within the budget. So, we'll accept a bid of 390 $390,500. uh middle school theater. We issued uh bids for safety updates um for this back in May and received no bids due to the price of
034steel. So, we reissued bids again in January and and are accepting a bid of $522,100. And then playground equipment uh purchasing age appropriate playground equipment for preschool expansion for Deerfield and Prairie Park not to exceed $114,363. Um, lastly, I would also like to echo the statement of Dr. Swift. Um, as board president and as as as a board, we are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment to all of our students and families and working with our community partners to make that happen. So, with that, um, we'll move to public education, legislative, and state board update. >> Thank you. Um, I have some things to share this evening because this week was turnaround. So, for those who don't follow the legislative session, uh, what that means is we've reached the halfway mark of this
035year's legislative session, um, turnaround means that any bill that originates in one house has to come out of committee and be passed on the floor and sent over to the other side of the rotunda. So if with a few exceptions for things like tax bills and the budget, if it doesn't cross over this last week, it's kind of done for the session. So I have an update on some things that are done for the session and some things that moved forward and what the big discussions are likely to be um starting this week uh through the rest of the session. Um even though it's the halfway mark, we really only have about three real solid weeks of work left um before they do this all again at the last week of March. And then uh
036they're scheduled to have their first adjournment on March 27th. And then they will have about a week off before they come back for the veto session. So even though it's halfway, really they have about three to three and a half weeks to do the rest of the substantive work um in committee and work and get things ready to go on the floor. Um, so, uh, first off, uh, as I'm sure, uh, many, if not all of my board colleagues know, um, the legislature did override Governor Kelly's veto of Senate Bill 244 this past week. Um, that bill does apply to all public buildings in the state of Kansas. Um and uh I know that there are different uh groups uh preparing guidance uh to public entities about how to comply with this bill. Um it
037goes into effect the secretary of state has said this Thursday, February 26th, barring a lastm minute court filing or stay. Um it is expected. Most of the people talking about this have said they think this is going to end up in court. So, what that looks like, we don't know because no actions have been filed, at least not as of the time I checked the news this afternoon. Um, so that will be um uh uh out there. Um, I do I do believe for board members who are interested that there will start to be um uh learning sessions uh about this from different organizations. So, just keep an eye out if you want an update to see what what different groups are saying. Uh there may be opportunities to do that in the next week
038or so. Um the biggest bill that was worked on the House floor this week was the cell phone ban bill. Um I think when I reported on this a couple weeks ago, they had they had worked it in committee and it's now called, this is the actual name, House Sub for sub for Senate Bill 281. So I'm just going to call it 281 for short. Um it has gone through multiple revisions in committee and back and it's gone back and forth. Um uh applied to private schools, didn't apply to private schools. Now it applies to accredited private schools and public schools. Um it started out requiring districts to uh purchase yonder bags or lockers to store student electronic devices in. in its current form as it passed the House floor. It says phones must be
039uh turned off and locked or stowed away. So that would um encompass the policy that we have adopted for our school district. That being said, this is the version that came out of the House. It has to go over to the Senate. uh we didn't know for sure whether the Senate would uh vote on it right away or put it into conference committee because of the procedural things they were doing. That's why it has such a weird name. It was a Senate bill that had already passed the Senate. Long story short, the Senate President said, "No, this bill is enough different. I'm sending it back to committee." So, it will likely get a hearing in the Senate Education Committee sometime in the next couple of weeks. Um, I think it will be very helpful for
040interested uh uh community members, parents, board members to weigh in on this bill uh because it still has some significant restrictions on things like studentto staff communication. For example, it in its current form, it prohibits phone calls or text messages from uh staff to students. and it also puts some significant limits on social media usage. Um, it was amended on the House floor to allow use of email programs and district approved communication platforms which likely includes parent square, but it's it's a concern that the language in the bill is somewhat unclear um on on some of those things. So, there's definitely some uh some additional advocacy uh to do around that bill. Um, the other big bill that passed the House, and I think this one didn't really get a as much attention as maybe
041it needed to, is House Bill 2451. It is a bill that is uh that applies to ballot issues and expenditure of public funds by public agencies. Um the practical effect of this bill on school districts is that it would criminalize uh advocacy and basically in minor errors in communication by district staff or schoolboard members around bond issues. Um and the language is so broad and so vague that it likely will have significant chilling effect on uh communication when districts pursue bond issues. So, um, that one did pass the House. It's on its way to the Senate. Um, it would be helpful for folks to pay attention to that one as well. Um, some other bills that moved out of the House, uh, the bill, House Bill 2593 that allows the attorney general to overturn a
042local board's decision about hiring uh, legal counsel on contingency fee contracts. Uh, that one did pass. Um, there's a bill that passed in the Senate. The Senate really was very quiet this week on the education front. Although there's a long list of bills that were blessed, which means they will continue on and there's some there's some things in that uh list of bills that are of concern. But there was a bill that did pass the Senate on food additives and school nutrition programs. Individual states are trying to move forward in spaces that the FDA has not on banning certain food additives and food dyes. and they have said in the ingredients and products you use in reimburseable meals in your district um within the next uh year you will need to stop using those food
043dyes and additives. So having to come up with new um new uh items to source for the uh for our school meals program. It does not apply to vending machines, alle cart items or uh the food that students sell as fundraisers in the in the uh concession stands at our events, but it only applies to those reimbursible meals. Um that one is going to be headed over to the House for further consideration. Um so let's see some things that are on the agenda in the Senate next week that also passed the House. Uh uh the voucher bill, House Bill 2468, has a hearing in Senate Education on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the deadline for testimony on that was last Friday. Um it still it still is helpful to email your legislators um and the legislators on the
044committee. Even if you don't submit uh testimony, um there's a bill being heard in the Senate on ABA providers and classrooms on Wednesday. And on Thursday, there's a interesting bill where they're going to try to tell the state board that they can't use the cut scores that they passed for our current state assessments, and they want them to go back and use the cut scores for the old state assessment >> on the on the >> on the new test. >> Yeah. So, that one's an interesting one. Um big picture, I think the most important other thing that hasn't moved and hasn't changed a lot in the last two weeks is the picture around special education funding. So neither the House nor the Senate did any budget work over the last couple weeks on the floor.
045There the budgets are still in committee as it stands right now. Uh the House position is only 10 million new dollars for special ed. The Senate position is 5 million new dollars. And to put that in the big picture, state law requires that uh special education be funded at 92% of excess cost. Uh we are $226 million short of that this year. And if these budget proposals go forward, the percent of excess cost funded next year would only be about 65%. Um, if you do the math on that shortfall right now, this current school year, it works out to about $1,000 off the base for every student in the state of Kansas. So that means that school districts are transferring $1,000 of their general fund or local property tax dollars to backfill the shortfall in
046special education funding, which effectively cuts the funds that are available for every student in the state of Kansas. And um maybe even more alarmingly um given the focus of the legislature on reducing local property taxes, right now across the state, districts are having to spend 39% of all the local property taxes that they collect for their supplemental general fund. So not the 20 mills that we send to the state, but what we collect and keep locally. 39% of that is being used to pay for mandated special education services. So that tells you a lot about what's really driving the property tax conversation um locally as it relates to school budgets. Um so there is still an opportunity to influence this this conversation. Um and if it is something that concerns you, I definitely uh encourage
047you to reach out to lawmakers on that one. Um so that that kind of summarizes turnaround. there. There's uh I won't go into it, but if you want to know the other bills that are live still, I'm happy to share that information. Um the good news, there's at least three bills that I've talked about before that died um at turnaround. Uh we will not be moving local elections. Um we will not be manding mandating potty training for kindergarteners and the bill about school-based mental health services did not make it uh through turnaround, so that one died. Now the caution there is that sometimes bills that don't that die the policies in them reappear in other places. So you do have to watch out for that but it is encouraging that those were not prioritized um
048in the process this last week. Um last thing I wanted to share there was a state board of education meeting on the 10th and 11th of February right after we met last time and related to the special education funding issue. Um, I think that it is the strongest statement I have heard coming from our state education commissioner so far about the worsening statewide shortfall in special education funding. Um, and this is what a quote from what he said to the state board on the 10th of February. Uh, that shortfall is a crisis in every one of the schools. It affects each student whether they are special education or not. the gap is significantly harming the education of each child. I can't be more specific than that. Um, so the fact that he has started talking
049about this massive transfer of dollars from general education to special education as a crisis in the state of Kansas, I think is really significant and I wanted to make sure that you all knew about that. So, um, and with that, I think I've covered, uh, what I needed to cover this evening. Thank you for, uh, the time to share, and I, um, I appreciate the opportunity. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right, Bob, we'll start with you for board committees. >> Um, actually, none of my committees have met since the last meeting. >> Carol, >> uh, let's see. Uh, none of my committees have met, but I will wait for a board commentary. >> Okay, Yolanda, committees. >> Kelly. All right. Same. >> Well, Matt, you want to start with board commentary and come back?
050>> Sure. Um, not much to report. I uh was grateful to to meet up with Phil over at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School and Denise at Prairie Park Elementary School. Walk around, get to lay the land, hear about the great things that are happening in those two buildings over the last couple of weeks. Um, look forward to attending some events coming up that I'll talk about next time. >> Perfect. >> You just heard what I've been busy doing the last couple of weeks. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um, yeah. Uh, sorry I've been out sick uh the last few meetings. That bug is out running around rampant everywhere and it finally made it to my home. Um, again, yeah, none of my committee snap. I want to make sure that the community as well
051as the board know of some things that are going on. Um, one, we do have a new um, place that is out giving out uh, open up a food pantry in our community. Um, it is Praise Temple Church on the corner of 7th in Connecticut. They have a food pantry that they've opened up every Saturday, third Saturday. Um, you can sign up by calling their number at 7857490985. Uh, no later than the Wednesday before that Saturday. Um, this will be I want to say their second third month doing the pantry. And on yesterday, well, no, last Saturday the 21st, they had an overwhelming um response of uh a lot of KU volunteers came down and helped and they had over 40 volunteers come and help give out food and carry boxes and stuff to people's
052cars. So, I did let them know that I will mention that during uh my part in the board meeting. Also, uh, Southwest Middle School has a play coming up this Thursday and Friday at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. called Something Rotten Jr. Uh, they also will have a Renaissance themed concession stand as well. So, um, I'm definitely going to, um, take some time out of my uh, ever busy schedule and attend one of these sessions that they're having because I definitely want to see that. I kind of miss a lot of the plays that has been going on. Uh Free State has their new debate uh coming up March the 13th and 14th and they're looking for volunteers to sign up. Um on that Friday is from 3 to 6:00 p.m. and
053that Saturday is all day. They don't require you to sign up for the entire day, but they are asking for board members to at least sign up for one session. I did it over the summer. It was uh definitely an interesting thing. Um, I should have had more coffee because during the middle of the debate it sound like the Charlie Brown characters. So then I had to judge them and I was like, what did they even talk about? They talk so fast and so I didn't know. Yeah, but it was very it was like watching two lawyers fight over kids or something. So it was pretty good. Um, also remind the board that um the June the Pride parade is Saturday, June the 6th. Our arrival time is between 8:00 and 10:00 um for that
054Saturday and the parade starts at 11:00 a.m. They are definitely excited for us to attend again this year. Um and the Junth parade is Saturday, June the 20th. Uh and the arrival time is between 8 and 10, but they will give us more information on what our entry numbers are and the fees have been taken care of for us. So that's awesome as well. And then the uh company that made our t-shirts is gonna make us a dual t-shirt for both parades. So um I will get with Matt to get your t-shirt size, but um they're going to make us a one t-shirt dash for both parades. So nice. >> We're definitely looking forward to that. I told them we got a lot of good responses from our pride t-shirts and uh they actually took
055wind up taking personal orders from the pride t-shirts that they made for us. So, um, they're looking forward to providing more t-shirts for the board. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, let's see. Uh, this is Carol, and I would just like to make a a public plea for folks to consider making a donation to the USD497 school nutrition meal support fund. The total amount raised so far for the $60,000 goal is $1,932. So, if you have a moment or some extra time, just make a please make a consideration to make a donation to chip away at that goal. Uh, the other announcement that I have is I would like to thank Miss Barnett's uh Lawrence High School orchestra for coming to my husband's place of work on Friday, February 13th. And um it was a
056nice surprise for him. It was just a a small gesture of what I could do for my husband. It was our 30th anniversary. We actually met in high school. So, was our that's how we celebrate our 30th and um yeah, I just wanted to and I can't wait to see how much money was raised for their orchestra. We are so lucky to have a fine arts program such as the Lawrence High School and Free State Orchestra program. And if you're so inclined, they are always looking for monetary donations to continue the good work that they do. Thank you. And for me, I don't have much other than I did have the opportunity to attend the uh the intertribal pow at Lawrence High School on actually it was last Saturday evening. >> Awesome. >> Okay, Bob,
057do we have any retirements? >> Oh, yes. >> Okay. The board would like to thank the following people for their years of dedication and services service to the Lawrence public schools. Cheryl Fowler for 32 years, James Ortiz for 34 years, and Virginia Long for 12 years. Congratulations on your retirement. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we're going to move on to the consent agenda. Consent agenda items are those that are considered routine and are adopted by one motion unless any board member or the superintendent requests that an item be removed. The item items removed are voted on separately. Can I get a motion for the consent agenda? >> Uh Mr. President, before we do that, we need to remove item 2.2 from the consent agenda, please. >> I thought it would we not just remove it
058in the motion. Um, we can do it that way >> if that's how you would like for it to be done. >> That's how I thought it was going to be done. So, >> is that okay? Um, is that can I is that I I heard somebody start to make the motion. I'm sorry. >> Okay. All right. Um, I move that the board of education approve all the items listed on the consent agenda with the exception of item 2.2, which will not be voted on. >> I second. Jones, >> yes. >> Franklin, >> yes. >> Blackwood, >> yes. >> Gordon Ross, >> yes. >> Kimble, >> yes. >> Buyers, >> yes. >> Lancaster, >> yes. >> Motion passes 70. >> All right. Thank you. And Dr. Swift, do we have any announcements? >> I believe
059we're all good, Mr. President. >> Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. Second. All those in favor? >> I I All right. Hold your peace solution.