July 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM - July Regular Board Meeting

Public Content:  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.

Public Content:  There is no further business before the 2024-2025 board of education, the president may declare it adjourned.

Public Content:  In order that the board may focus the majority of its time upon those items which deal with the educational endeavors of the school district and/or policy level decisions, but with recognition of its legal requirement to be
responsible for those aspects of governance and management required by statute and regulation, the board will consider the approval of a number of routine items listed on the consent agenda with a consolidated motion. Board members have the opportunity to review these items prior to each meeting and specific questions can be answered at that time. Any board member who wishes to discuss one of the items on the consent agenda may request it be scheduled as a discussion item and it will be discussed during its regularly scheduled time on the agenda.

Public Content:  Bills, Minutes, Transfers. As a matter of technicality, the approval of the June 2025 bills is the responsibility of the 2024-2025 board of education. Since the board did not meet in late June for that purpose, it is recommended that the 2025-2026 board convene to approve the bills and minutes for June.

Listed below are the amounts transferred to other funds in 2024-2025. Authority to make these transfers was provided to the superintendent at the June meeting. The board is asked to approve this summary, so the auditor knows the board was knowledgeable of the inter-fund transfers for 2024-25. The amounts below reflect the total transfer for the fiscal year.

FROM	TO		AMOUNT	REASON
General	11	4YR At Risk	$        70,000.00	Per KS Acct. Guidelines/Beg Balance
General	13	K-12 At Risk	$      989,881.00	Per KSDE Instructions/Beg Balance
General	14	Bilingual	$          5,000.00	Per KS Acct. Guidelines/Beg Balance
General	24	Food Service	$        90,000.00	Per KS Acct. Guidelines/Beg Balance
General	26	Professional Dev.	$        30,000.00	Per KS Acct. Guidelines/Beg Balance
General	30	Special Education	$  1,332,608.00	Per KSDE Instructions
General	34	Vocational	$      159,928.66	Per KS Acct. Guidelines/Beg Balance
Supplemental General	13	K-12 At Risk	$      240,946.00	Per KSDE Instructions
Supplemental General	14	Bilingual	$          2,362.00	Per KSDE Instructions
Supplemental General	30	Special Education	$      434,122.00	Per KSDE Instructions

It should be noted that in 2024-2025 all interest revenue was placed in capital outlay. 

Tabled Items. Additionally, if any items were tabled in 2024-2025 for an unspecified period, those items must be lifted from the table at this time; otherwise, they die with the adjournment of the 2024-2025 board. A review of the minutes of 2024-2025 did not reveal items that have been tabled without final action.

Public Content: 

NEW HIRE/CONTRACT RENEWALS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Bear, Whitney	244 Paraprofessional	BES	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Berry, Ashley	245 Paraprofessional	LeRoy/Gridley	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Carrasco, Brenda	244 Paraprofessional	BES	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Chatfield, Bradley	Asst. Cross Country Coach	BHS/BMS	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Copeland, Chanda	245 Paraprofessional	LeRoy/Gridley	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Ferguson, Jerome	243 Paraprofessional	LHS	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Hegwald, Sydney	244 Paraprofessional	BES	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Herr, Jerrid	Mechanic	USD #244	7/2/2025	New Hire
Hull, Carly	244 Paraprofessional	BES	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Knowles, Nevaeh	243 Paraprofessional	WES	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Over, Dirk	Asst. Basketball - Boys	BMS	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Sloyer, Jeff	Asst. Football	BMS	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
Wilson, Madeline	Concessions	BMS	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	New Hire
TRANSFERS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Guptil, Derie	Instructional Aide to Assistive Tech. Para	BES	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	Transfer
Kuhlmann, Keegan	Paraprofessional to Groundskeeper	BES to USD #244	7/1/2025	Transfer
Lawson, Christina	Paraprofessional to 6th Grade Teacher	BMS	Beg. of  2025/2026 SY	Transfer
RESIGNATIONS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Birk, Derek	Head Softball Coach	BHS	6/9/2025	Resignation
Hegwald, Myranda	245 Paraprofessional	LeRoy/Gridley	6/13/2025	Resignation
TERMINATIONS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
BOE APPROVED and WITHDRAWL
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS

Public Content:  K.S.A. 72-8202c and 72-8202d require the appointment of the Board Clerk to serve at the pleasure of the board. Traditionally, the reappointment to these positions has occurred at the July meeting.  Christy Hess is recommended as Board Clerk.

Public Content: 

APPOINTMENT	POSITION
Freedom of Information Officer	Board Clerk
Truancy Officers	Buildings Principals, Assistant Principal, Superintendent
Suspension/Expulsion Officers	Building Principals, Assistant Principal, Superintendent and those appointed by Superintendent.
Determining Officer	Board Clerk
Alternate Determining Officer	Special Education Secretary
Hearing Officer	Superintendent
Title I Program Representative	Elementary School Principal and Board Clerk
Impact Aid Representative	Board Clerk
Other Federal Programs	Superintendent or his appointee
KPERS Representative	Payroll Clerk
Activity Account Treasurer	BHS Assistant Principal/Activities Director
School Attorney	Tom Robrahn
Official Newspaper	The Coffey County Republican
Compliance Coordinator for Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA and Section 504	Superintendent or his appointee
Homeless Coordinator	Superintendent or his appointee
Auditor	Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, PA
Investment Transactions	Board Clerk

Public Content:  For many years, gate receipts and miscellaneous money collected at the building level for building activities were accounted for in the building activity fund.  An Attorney General’s opinion in 1994 indicated that that practice was not legal and indicated that all such receipts should be handled in the school district’s general fund.  After this ruling, the Legislature provided that, if the board directed, the accounting for activity receipts could be maintained at the building level if designated by the board.  It is recommended the board continue to allow activity fund accounting to continue at the building level. See Resolution 2025-8 through Resolution 2025-12.

Public Content:  The state provides additional funding to schools that serve four-year-old children who may be considered "at-risk" under the state’s definition.  Formal approval of the continuation of this program in 2025-2026 is requested.

Public Content:  STUDENT FEES
BURLINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FEES
 

	Based on Free/Reduced Meal Status
	PAID	FREE	REDUCED
Instructional Fee - K through 4th Grades	$ 50.00	$ 0.00	$ 25.00
Preschool Fees **	$ 150.00 per mo.	$ 0.00	$ 0.00

**Preschool fees are not applicable for pre-k students who qualify for special education services.


BURLINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL FEES
 

	Based on Free/Reduced Meal Status
	PAID	FREE	REDUCED
Instructional Fee - 5th and 6th Grades	$ 50.00	$ 0.00	$ 25.00
Instructional Fee - 7th and 8th Grades	$ 70.00	$ 0.00	$ 35.00

BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL FEES
 

	HIGH SCHOOL FEES ARE NOT WAIVED
	PAID	FREE	REDUCED
Instructional Fee - 9th through 12th Grades	$ 80.00	$ 80.00	$ 80.00
Class Dues (grades 9 through 11 only)	$ 20.00	$ 20.00	$ 20.00

Calculator Fee @ BMS - $17.00

Fall Activity Passes:
Family - $70
Couple - $40
Single - $20

Winter Activity Passes:
Family - $125
Couple - $70
Single - $40

Public Content: 

USD No. 244 2025-2026 MEAL PRICES
During the 2025-2026 school year, families are responsible for ALL meal charges unless your family qualifies for free school nutrition beneftits.  Please complete an Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals to determine your eligibility.
Burlington Elementary School	BREAKFAST	REDUCED BREAKFAST	2nd BREAKFAST	LUNCH	REDUCED LUNCH	Extra Milk	Extra Juice	Extra Portion
BES Student Meal Prices	$           2.25	$              0.30	$           3.00	$            3.50	$        0.40	$        0.60	$       0.40	N/A
5 days	$         11.25	$              1.50	$         15.00	$          17.50	$        2.00	$        3.00	$       2.00	N/A
1 month (aprox. 20 days)	$         45.00	$              6.00	$         60.00	$          70.00	$        8.00	$      12.00	$       8.00	N/A
1 quarter ( aprox. 40 days)	$         90.00	$            12.00	$       120.00	$        140.00	$     16.00	$      24.00	$    16.00	N/A
1 semester (aprox. 80 days)	$      180.00	$            24.00	$       240.00	$        280.00	$     32.00	$      48.00	$    32.00	N/A
1 year (166 days)	$      373.50	$            49.80	$       498.00	$        581.00	$     66.40	$      99.60	$    66.40	N/A
Burlington Middle School	BREAKFAST	REDUCED BREAKFAST	2nd BREAKFAST	LUNCH	REDUCED LUNCH	Extra Milk	Extra Juice	Extra Portion
BMS Student Meal Prices	$           2.35	$              0.30	$           3.00	$            3.55	$        0.40	$        0.60	$       0.40	N/A
5 days	$         11.75	$              1.50	$         15.00	$          17.75	$        2.00	$        3.00	$       2.00	N/A
1 month (aprox. 20 days)	$         47.00	$              6.00	$         60.00	$          71.00	$        8.00	$      12.00	$       8.00	N/A
1 quarter ( aprox. 40 days)	$         94.00	$            12.00	$       120.00	$        142.00	$     16.00	$      24.00	$    16.00	N/A
1 semester (aprox. 80 days)	$      188.00	$            24.00	$       240.00	$        284.00	$     32.00	$      48.00	$    32.00	N/A
1 year (166 days)	$      390.10	$            49.80	$       498.00	$        589.30	$     66.40	$      99.60	$    66.40	N/A
Burlington High School	BREAKFAST	REDUCED BREAKFAST	2nd BREAKFAST	LUNCH	REDUCED LUNCH	Extra Milk	Extra Juice	Extra Portion
BHS Student Meal Prices	$           2.50	$              0.30	$           3.00	$            3.65	$        0.40	$        0.60	$       0.50	$       1.50
5 days	$         12.50	$              1.50	$         15.00	$          18.25	$        2.00	$        3.00	$       2.50	$       7.50
1 month (aprox. 20 days)	$         50.00	$              6.00	$         60.00	$          73.00	$        8.00	$      12.00	$    10.00	$    30.00
1 quarter ( aprox. 40 days)	$      100.00	$            12.00	$       120.00	$        146.00	$     16.00	$      24.00	$    20.00	$    60.00
1 semester (aprox. 80 days)	$      200.00	$            24.00	$       240.00	$        292.00	$     32.00	$      48.00	$    40.00	$  120.00
1 year (166 days)	$      415.00	$            49.80	$       498.00	$        605.90	$     66.40	$      99.60	$    83.00	$  249.00
ADULT MEAL PRICES	BREAKFAST	LUNCH
Burlington Elementary School	$           3.00	$              5.00
Burlington Middle School	$           3.00	$              5.00
Burlington High School	$           3.00	$              5.00
*Extra Portion	N/A	$              1.50

Public Content:  REFUND POLICY FOR FEES
 

• For students who enroll prior to the start of the academic school year the following rules apply:

• 100% refund for students who enroll and pay fees but do not attend.
• 75% refund from the start of school to August 31^st.
• 50% refund from September 1^st to 30^th.
• No refund after October 1^st.

 

• For students who enroll after September 1^st the following rules apply:

• 100% refund before the first day of attendance.
• 75% refund within the first 10 days of attendance.
• 50% refund within the first month of attendance.
• No refunds after the first month of attendance.

 

• All inactive meal account balances will be refunded over $5.00.

 

• All inactive 21^st CCLC after-school program balances will be refunded over $5.00.

District staff should complete the District Refund Form and send it to the Board Clerk.

INSTRUCTIONAL FEES

If a student enrolls mid-year, discounted fees are applied to accounts.  These are outlined below:

ENROLLMENT PERIOD	FEES OWED
August to October 31st	100% of Fees
November to December 31st	75% of Fees
January 1st to March 8th	50% of Fees
March 9th to May 31st	25% of Fees

As part of the Child Nutrition and Wellness policies, students could potentially be in carry-over status for the first 30 food service operating days of the school year.  Students who are in carry-over status are eligible to receive free/reduced instructional fees for grades K through 8 (all other fees apply and must be paid). Families who are eligible for carry-over status are encouraged to re-apply for benefits annually and before the end of the of the carry-over period by completing an Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals in order to avoid a lapse in potential benefits.

Annual verification is part of the Child Nutrition and Wellness regulations.  If a family is selected for verification and their free or reduced status is changed based on that determination, their status for free or reduced textbooks will not change.
 

Public Content:  K.S.A. 9-1401 et. seq. governs the safekeeping, depositing and investing of public funds by public corporations. These statutes require that the Board of Education designate those institutions that will be used as depositories of
district funds. 
 

USD 244 Operations	Citizens State Bank
Elementary School Activities	Central National Bank
Middle School Activities	Central National Bank
High School Activities	Central National Bank
Central Office Stores Account	Central National Bank
BHS Athletics	First National Bank
BMS Athletics	Central National Bank

Public Content:  Idle funds have traditionally been bid between financial institutions with home or branch offices in the school district or invested in the state’s municipal investment pool. This practice is recommended to continue. Financial institutions recommended are listed below:

District Investments
Citizens State Bank
Farmers State Bank
First National Bank of Kansas
Central National Bank
Kansas State Municipal Investment Pool

Idle funds are invested in accordance with administrative regulation DFE. Regulation DFE also designates the superintendent, treasurer or other board appointee as the individual responsible for the investment of idle funds. Past practice of the district is that the clerk invests idle funds. This practice is also recommended to continue. New legislation was passed in the last hour of the 2014 Legislative session that requires the state keep the 20.000 mills that is appropriated annually. The state is going to call these district funds ‘state aid’. We will have to request these funds each month. All the interest that the district used to make from January to June will be collected by the state and not the district. 

 K.S.A 9-1402 and 1403 require all invested moneys be pledged at 100% with safekeeping receipts except that the board may designate peak periods where the pledge may not be less than 50%. Should an investing institution fail during a peak period, the school district may only recoup the amount of the safekeeping pledge; therefore, it is recommended the board require 100% pledging of securities without designation of peak periods. Regulation DFE require 100 percent pledging which is recommended to continue.

Public Content:  The past practice of the board has been to establish petty cash accounts on an annual basis.  K.S.A. 72-1177 limits the petty cash account for each building/center at $1,500.00.  This amount is reconciled and expenditures are processed through board bills on a monthly basis. 

It is recommended the board authorize petty cash accounts for each  the administrative office of $1,500.00 and for the 21st Century program for $500.00 for 2025-2026.  See Resolution 2025-3 and Resolution
2025-4.

Public Content:  The Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are those principles that are uniformly accepted and recommended by professionals in the accounting trade.  It has been the past practice of the district to request that GAAP be waived in the accounting of this school district, since the district operates under the Cash Basis Law of Kansas.  By waiving these stringent requirements, our bookkeeping and accounting system may be completed in accordance with state regulations, and as a result, the yearly audit may be completed in accordance with the recommendations of the State Department of Education and the Kansas State Auditor's Office as opposed to the requirements of GAAP.  The additional cost of a GAAP audit would also be prohibitive.  (Effective January 1, 2004, the GAAP waiver no longer needs to be sent to the Director of Accounts and Reports for the State of Kansas.  Even though
it need not be sent in, it must still occur to remain compliant with Kansas Law.)  See Resolution 2025-2.

Public Content:  K.S.A. 72-1138 requires the board to indicate the regular meeting dates and times at the July meeting.  The past practice of this district is to meet on the second Monday of each month.  See Resolution 2025-7.

Listed below are the recommended meeting dates, locations, and times for 2025-2026.

All meetings will be held at the administration office and begin at 7:00 p.m.

*Linkage meetings with groups to be identified by the board at the upcoming retreat will be scheduled in conjunction with the meeting.  The linkage will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 6:50 p.m.  A meal will be provided at approximately 5:45 p.m.   

DATE	LOCATION	TIME
Monday, July 14, 2025	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, August 11, 2025	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, September 8, 2025	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, October 13, 2025	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, November 10, 2025	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, December 8, 2025	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, January 12, 2026	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, February 9, 2026	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, March 9, 2026	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, April 13, 2026	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, May 11, 2026	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, June 8, 2026	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.
Monday, July 13, 2026	Administrative Office	7:00 P.M.

In addition to declaring the date, time and place for regular meetings, K.S.A. 72-8205 also allows the board the
opportunity to specify that any regular meeting may be adjourned to another time and place.  If the board elects to
include this in the motion, the board may then exercise the option of holding an adjourned meeting as opposed to a
special meeting in the event that the agenda is not completed during the regular meeting.

Public Content:  The state allows schools to count time in days or hours of instruction. Under the "day plan" schools are required to have 186 days of instruction.  Under the "hour plan" schools are required to provide 1116 hours of instruction (186 x 6 = 1116).  Since our day is longer than six hours we can meet the state requirement with less than 186 days of instruction. That is our only option since our contract with teachers is less than 186 days.  It is recommended the board approve the "hour plan" option for 2025-2026.

Public Content:  The 2025-2026 calendar was adopted by the board at the February 10, 2025 regular meeting. The calendar, as approved, also includes one date (April 6, 2026) commonly referred to as a "snow day". It is recommended that the board formally approve this date and two more days (August 21 and 22) as scheduled make-up dates.  In the event school is dismissed due to inclement weather and these dates are made up, the state will ‘forgive’ the additional day(s) of absence(s) if the dates are designated as a make-up dates at the beginning of the year.  While so designated, we will be in session on the 21st and 22nd, but will not utilize the April 6th date for school until and unless we fall below the 1,116 hour minimum required by the state.

This is a formality and ensures that we will have leeway if we have another severe winter.

Public Content:  The district must annually determine a rate of pay for mileage to pay its employees and/or vendors for school related activities performed in their own vehicle. (i.e.- many of our COOP employees drive their own vehicles to IEP meetings, teaching sessions in other districts, mandatory state meetings, etc.). I recommend we use a rate of $.65 cents
per mile to pay our employees for services rendered in their own vehicles. This is a $ .10 increase from the previous year.  We have not increased the mileage rate since the 2021-2022 school year. 
 

State Reimbursement Rate: 70 cents
26-A-002 (Supersedes: 25-A-008) FY 2026 Private Mileage Rates (Issued July 1, 2025)
Source: FY 2026 | Informational Messages and Circulars | Kansas Department of Administration (ks.gov)
Effective July 1, 2025, per the requirements of KSA 75-3203a, the Department of Administration has published the privately owned vehicle maximum mileage reimbursement rate for FY 2026 at $0.70 per mile.  (Up 3.0 cents from 2025)

Is a district required to pay the state’s mileage reimbursement rate for privately-owned vehicles?
Answer: No, a local board of education can decide to reimburse teachers/parents at a rate other than the state rate. If the mileage rate your district reimburses exceeds the federal mileage rate, there are tax consequences. 

Federa Reimbursement Rate: 70 cents
Effective Jan 1, 2025: The federal privately-owned vehicle mileage reimbursement rate increased to 70 cents per mile. 
Source:IRS increases the standard mileage rate for business use in 2025; key rate increases 3 cents to 70 cents per mile | Internal Revenue Service

Mileage reimbursement rates are posted on the School Finance homepage under https://www.ksde.gov/Agency/Fiscal-and-Administrative-Services/School-Finance/Guidelines-and-Manuals
 

Public Content:  The shortage of teachers is noticeably felt in the ranks of available substitutes.  In order to continue to attract substitutes to our district, we must be at a marketable rate of pay for those services.  In 2019-20 the district increased pay for substitute teaching at $90.00 for a whole day, $70 for 3/4 day, $50 for a 1/2 day, and $25 for a 1/4 of a day.  In 2022-2023 we increased the daily rate to $100 for a whole day, $75 for 3/4 day, $50 for a 1/2 day, and $25 for a 1/4 of a day.
I do not believe this is a competitive rate and believe we should increase the daily substitute rate of pay to $150 for the 2025-2026 school year. $150 for a whole day, $112.50 for $3/4 day, $75 for 1/2 day, and $37.50 for a 1/4 day.  

Public Content:  Classified substitutes have been difficult to secure, and we have reached a critical shortage of persons willing to fill these roles. We recommend the following pay for substitute Paras, food service workers, bus drivers, and custodians.
           
Para subs - $13.25 per hour 
Food Service subs - $12.00 per hour 
Bus Driver sub - $20.38 per route 
Activity Bus Driver sub - $16.00 per hour
Custodian sub - $12.00 per hour

Public Content:  This year I am recommending that the fees for building usage remain at $25 per hour (to cover preparations and/or clean up after events) and $100 per hour for use of the football field/track for the 2025-2026 school year.

Public Content:  Each year the board must approve the destruction of records by the clerk of the board pursuant to K.S.A. 72-1629 and K.S.A. 72-1630. The board office must keep at least five years of financial documents on hand and items older than that can be destroyed. The board is asked to approve this resolution. See Resolution 2025-5.

Public Content:  This is the final year of a five-year grant cycle.  The grant amount for the 2025-2026 school year is $69,076.00. However, the state received notification on June 30, 2025 that the US Department of Education was delaying some Title funding (including the 21st Century grant money) to review programs.  
Districts were advised on Wednesday (7/9/2025) that we should expect a percentage (30 to 50%) of the full grant amount using state-wide 21st CCLC carry-over funds to start the school year. 
Even though we are not guaranteed the full amount, I recommend that we approve the grant funds in the event they are released at a later date.

Public Content:  The revised PDC handbook for the 2025-2026 school year is included below.

Public Content:  KASB recommends the board approve the home rule resolution each year at the July organizational meeting. It is recommended the board approve this resolution. See Resolution 2025-13.

Public Content:  The Board of Education is the elected body responsible to the people for the operation of its public schools. While the board is responsible, the board is only able to assume this responsibility during the time that the board is in active session. Individual board members have no more governing authority than do any other citizens; only when four or
more board members vote during open session of a legally constituted meeting is the decision of the board legal and binding.

In order to provide for the continued operation of the school district in the absence of board meetings, the board adopts policies. These policies are the principles by which a course of action for the district is established. These policies are the voice of the board and are utilized by the administration to supervise the day-to-day operation of the district between the meetings of the board.

As the voice of the board, the importance of board policies cannot be understated. It is only through board policy or direct vote of the board that changes may be made in the school system.

Throughout the year the board takes action on items that could be construed to set a precedent for the district.  At the beginning of each fiscal year, the board rescinds all policy statements found in the minutes and reverts to only those policies written in the policy books of the district. By performing this action, any precedents that may have been set by board action are removed.  See Resolution 2025-6.

Public Content:  The Board of Education wishes to be responsive to the community and welcomes patrons at all meetings.  Requests to speak may be made when the board president asks if any visitors have items to bring to the attention of the board. Speakers are asked to limit their remarks to five (5) minutes or less and groups with the same special interest may be asked to appoint a spokesperson. 

Public Content:  A "Thank You" note was received from Peggy Chaffain and family for the donation in memory of Jill Chaffain Brozek (Peggy's daughter) to a memorial scholarship fund in Jill's name.

A "Thank You" note was received from Dirk Over for the Teacher Appreciation Week gifts.

A "Thank You" note was received from FBLA in appreciation for the support they received from the district and Board of Education.

Public Content:  Board members may share information at this time.

Public Content:  In the past the board and superintendent have agreed upon four ground rules to govern the working relationship between them. It is recommended that an annual review of the ground rules at the organizational meeting take place to ensure they are still relevant and workable.

1. NO SURPRISES. Neither board members nor the superintendent will present information or action items at board meetings without first communicating with the board and superintendent.

2. DISTINCTION OF DUTIES: Policy vs. Administration. The board will govern the district through the adoption of board policies. The administration will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the school system within the scope of those policies.

 3. CHAIN OF COMMAND. Both the board and administration will recognize the chain of command. While there will be occasions when members of the public contact board members directly, it is most beneficial if concerns and complaints are directed to the staff who are responsible for the operation and supervision of the program where the concern exists.

4. EVALUATION: Formal and Informal. The board will evaluate the superintendent on a formal basis not less than one time annually. Informal evaluation and feedback will occur on a continuous basis with all board members.

As the board reviews these ground rules, they can be summarized into one word - communication. By establishing and maintaining open communication between the board and superintendent, effective governance of the school district will occur.

Board members are asked to consider these rules. If they are acceptable, the board will be asked to adopt them. If, on the other hand, the board wishes to develop different ground rules, please bring your suggestions with you to the meeting.

As the board's employee, I will work to follow the rules the board establishes. In the event that I do not follow the rules, the board should call my attention to that fact. On the other hand, if a board member does not observe the rules, the board, not the superintendent, needs to note that fact. As an employee of the board, I do not feel it is my place to provide oversight and supervision to the board concerning the rules they have adopted.
 

Public Content:  Board Goals:
At this organizational meeting of the board, the members are asked to identify any goals they wish to see the board, administration and staff pursue in the upcoming year. After discussion of the goals, any that meet with the consensus of the board will be summarized and submitted for board review and approval at the August meeting or at the upcoming board retreat as the board best determines. Board members are asked to consider any goals they wish to see addressed prior to the meeting and be ready to share them at that time.

Board Retreat:
The purpose of the retreat has been to continue to clarify the board’s Results policies as well as other policy statements, consider enrollment trends and revenues in the district, discuss facilities and future growth, and any other issues that are relevant to the governance of the district.

 Results Policies:
No recommended changes to the Results Policies or the performance measures were noted. The Results performance measures will continue to be reviewed, as well as the reporting cycle, and if changes would be beneficial to provide reports in a meaningful time frame for the board. The administrative team is proposing to use administrators to present the data to the BOE. The graphs and narratives will be condensed in a format that may be used with the staff. 

Other Issues:
Develop long-range plans to maintain our fleet, facilities, infrastructure, and grounds that enhance the learning process. Such topics will include, but not be limited to, curriculum, technology, energy efficiencies, maintenance schedules/plans, fleet rotation, capital outlay funding, etc.

The board will be asked at the meeting to suggest other issues that should be discussed at the 2025-2026 retreat.

Board members are asked to review their calendars and be prepared to discuss a date(s) for the 2025-2026 retreat.

Does the board have a preference on the format (Friday, Saturday morning, before/after board meeting, evening(s)?

 Do board members have a preferred date(s) for the retreat? (Please bring your calendars to the meeting. Traditionally, the retreat has been in late August/early September.)

 Administrative Targets:
In addition to board goals, the board is invited to suggest targets for the administration for 2025-2026. So that the board is aware, the focus of administrative efforts in the upcoming year will be to address the following areas:

• Continue to update our curriculum, assessments and teaching resources.
• Begin the new accreditation cycle regulations.
• Continue to discuss and implement new strategies to meet the 21st Century learner and earner.
• Working with staff, parents and students to establish/reestablish motivation and involvement in school activities on the part of our student body.
• Continue to develop the MTSS processes that will regularly monitor student progress and generate data for use in improving instruction.
• Continue to work with all administrators to emphasize the "team" approach to problem-solving and district management.
• Continue to challenge our staff to utilize and embrace technology to enhance learning for students.
• Continue to plan for transition in both teaching and administrative positions in the district in recognition of the fact that our staff is well experienced and approaching eligibility for retirement.
• Continue to work to develop a professional learning community program that addresses the individual learning styles of the staff.
• Continue to help staff grow and develop their job skills through conversations, evaluations, and trainings.
• Continue to work on our facility improvements at all district buildings.
• Continue to emphasize the Chain of Command to address concerns in the district. 

Any suggestions the board has for the administrative team will be considered as job targets are developed for 2025-2026.
 

Public Content:  Preliminary work has begun on the 2025-2026 budget.  If the board wishes to provide input and guidance concerning the following areas that is different from the information presented, it is requested that the board indicate the changes it wishes so that the budget can be developed in accordance with the desires of the board.
 
Administration of the Budget. 
Unless the board has another suggestion for effective administration of the budget, the board will provide broad overview and guidance of budget priorities, monthly approval of expenditures and transfers, and establishment of a maximum mill levy or budget limit for any budget which may have a levy established by the board.  Monthly board approval of bills and transfers will continue as required by Kansas Statute. The superintendent will be responsible for verifying the need and accuracy of all expenditures brought before the board for approval except for board member expenses.  Vouchers submitted by board members will be placed before the board for payment without comment or question.  If any such voucher is to be questioned, the question will be initiated by the board.
 
Personal Note:
Under the current funding formula for the General Fund, all school districts are required to levy 20.000 mills.  If that levy exceeds the allowable expenditures for the fund as established by the Legislative funding formula, the excess collection must be forfeited to the state at the end of the fiscal year.  Burlington USD 244 is the only district in Kansas that has had to forfeit excess collections every year since this funding plan was established in 1992. During the 2015 Legislative session the legislators decided to keep the 20.000 mills instead of sending it to the districts like in the past. Each district had to request the funds each month from state.  The same will hold true for 2025-2026. 
  
According to the district valuation certified by the County Clerk on July 1, 2025, the assessed valuation for our district will increase $557,742,374 to $597,865,863 which is a 6.7 percent increase.  
 

SCHOOL YEAR	ESTIMATED	ACTUAL
2012-2013	$ 358,295,804.00	$ 362,506,535.00
2013-2014	$ 358,048,209.00	$ 387,131,217.00
2014-2015	$ 397,850,753.00	N/A
2015-2016	$ 445,734,157.00	$ 445,824,000.00
2016-2017	$ 445,926,284.00	$ 449,996,595.00
2017-2018	$ 476,424,608.00	$ 476,599,405.00
2018-2019	$ 492,056,273.00	$ 479,293,401.00
2019-2020	$ 483,488,339.00	$ 483,488,339.00
2020-2021	$ 509,238,975.00	$ 513,347,611.00
2021-2022	$ 558,947,646.00	$ 562,974,182.00
2022-2023	$ 586,689,397.00	$ 586,820,047.00
2023-2024	$ 546,071,929.00	$ 546,186,174.00
2024-2025	$ 557,542,306.00	$ 557,742,374.00
2025-2026	$ 597,865,863.00	TBD

   
*The final valuation for 2025-2026 will be provided to us November 1, 2025.
 
As board members are aware, the mill levy, valuation and taxes raised are controlled by the simple formula of:
                                    Taxes raised = Mill Levy  x  Valuation
 
As can be easily seen, if the valuation decreases and the levy stays the same, the taxes will decrease by the same percentage as the valuation.  If the valuation decreases and the taxes need to stay the same, the levy must be increased.  This discussion is provided to help board members understand the recommendations for the various budgets of the district that will have tax levies associated with them.
 
General Fund Budget.  As stated earlier, the levy for the General Fund is established by the Legislature.  In 2025-2026 it will remain at 20.000 mills.  Unless the board indicates otherwise, the General Fund budget will be developed to fully utilize the budget authority granted to the school district by the state.  Since the General Fund mill levy is established by the Legislature, it will be the same regardless of whether the full budget is utilized or not.  There is no advantage to the students of our school district not to accept the maximum budget allowed by the state.  The impact of the increased valuation will not affect the General Fund budget but may increase the amount we are required to forfeit to the state at the end of the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
 
Supplemental General Fund/Local Option Budget.  When the finance plan of 1992 was enacted, the Legislature created a provision for districts to supplement their General Fund expenditures through the creation of a "local option budget" (LOB).  As originally enacted, this budget was capped at 25 percent of the General Fund; in other words, if a district had a $5,000,000 General Fund budget, the maximum LOB could be $1,250,000.  As indicated originally by the Legislature, the plan was to ‘phase out’ the local option budget as the Legislature increased the funding for the General Fund.
 
However, the Legislature did not increase funding for schools in the years following 1992 at a level that matched inflation, nor did it financially provide for increased state and federal mandates.  Instead of phasing out the local option budget, more and more schools began to rely upon it to meet the funding requirements of schools.  As many schools approached and reached the 25 percent spending cap, the Legislative response in 2006-07 was to raise that cap to 30 percent.  For 2008-09, the cap remained at 30 percent.  (There were two bills passed in the 2007 Legislature.  One provided for a 32% cap and the other a 31% cap but both require an election at that time.  Both bills may face constitutional challenges and the timing of an election appears to prohibit the use except in certain ‘special’ districts, most of which are in the Kansas City metro area.  At the time, the 2006-07 cap of 30 percent was previously the prudent option.)
 
Since 2007-08 the USD 244 LOB has been 30 percent of the general fund. The State Board of Education has recently determined that the state LOB average has increased to 31 percent.  In the 2021-2022 school year, a 31 percent local option budget was put in place.  The state average slightly increased to 31.6 percent for the LOB for the 2023-2024 school year.  The state average increased again for the 2024-2025 school year to 32.0 percent. The 2025-2026 state average has increased to 32.3 percent.  However, it is my recommendation that the board consider adopting the maximum state local option budget of 33 percent for the 2025-2026 school year. This level is necessary to continue to fund the staff and programs already in place in the district.  A portion of the salary increase authorized by the board, increasing costs of utilities, the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel, as well as other expenses will need to come from the local option budget. 
 
Due to our high valuation, the district does not receive any state aid for the local option budget.  Even though we do not receive state aid, we are still fortunate in that most districts can use a rule of thumb of 0.6 mill of levy for each percent of local option budget.  Last year our 32 percent local option budget had a levy of 4.667 mills.  The 2025-2026 levy will be determined as we complete the budget.
 
Capital Outlay Budget.  The board is aware that the cash reserves we have had in the Capital Outlay Fund have been expended for a variety of capital improvement projects.  The actual ending balance on June 30 was $2,737966.97.  While the board might look at the above amount and question the need to levy additional funds given that balance, board members are asked to recognize that the list of capital projects more than exceeds the balance.  In the 2022-2023 school year the board approved field turf projects at Wildcat Stadium, Wildcat Baseball Field, and Ladycat Softball Field. We utilized 1 million dollars to pay for these projects.  The total cost of the projects was approximately 3.2 million dollars. 2.2 million dollars of the project was financed through a lease-purchase agreement with our four local banks.  Previously the board has tried to maintain a minimum of $2,000,000 in the fund.   In 2024-2025 we requested the addition of 1.000 mills for 3 years for the BHS Vo-Ag Shop addition.  As a result of the turf and Vo-Ag projects, we are just over the $2,000,000 carry-over to begin the 2025-2026 school year.  The first half of the 2025-2026 tax collection will be received in January and the second half in June of next year.  Because we don’t realize the revenue in the fund until midway and at the end of the current year we try to have at least a year’s worth of revenue in the fund as carryover. 
 
For 2025-2026, 4.000 mills need to be used to repair and replace equipment for grounds, facilities, fleet, technology, etc. In the last several years we have used the levies for plant and equipment upkeep (3.120 mills) and (.880 mills) for technology (hardware, software, and 1-1 laptop project) are recommended to continue.  The 4.000 mills will be necessary to meet the continued needs of equipment and facilities repairs/replacement, vehicle purchases, security measures, technology infrastructure, and repairs that received board approval in the past.  In addition, we will continue to levy 1.000 mills for 2 more years specifically for the BHS Welding Shop addition/renovation.  With the renovation and the continued facility and equipment replacement and maintenance, I am recommending we continue 5.000 mills for the next two years. 
 
The district’s oldest facilities are the central office and the BELC which was built in 1922. The board will need to continue to help keep the public informed of our ‘behind the scenes’ needs. Most of the public sees the shiny areas that get lots of praise considering their age. However, we all know that we need to maintain our HVAC units, chillers, pumps, roofs, etc. to create an effective learning environment for students. It is also my recommendation that we continue to focus on purchasing equipment that will help the district become more energy efficient. This practice as well as the efforts from the staff to conserve where we can has made a big impact on the budget.
 
Last year, we were able to utilize some ESSER funds for technology improvements.  However, those funds were only available through September 2024.  We use approximately one-fourth of a mill to purchase laptop computers for our students at the high school, middle school, and 4th-grade class at the elementary school. This past year was the ninth full year to launch the one-to-one laptop initiative. The board heard from the students, staff, and parents how successful the project was for the students. We are excited to continue this movement to ‘keep our kids in the game’ as it relates to being competitive in a global job market.
 
If needed, the board can make changes to increase the maximum to 8.000 mills. Such a change would need to occur through the adoption of a resolution. Annually, the board approves the amount of mills the district will use in that particular school year.  The board and administration will continue to assess our future facility needs.
 
SUMMARY:
 In order that the budget is developed in accordance with board's wishes, the following recommendations are summarized below.  

2024-2025 Actual Levy	2025-2026 Proposed Levy	For	Reason
20.000 mills	20.000 mills	General Fund	Required by law
4.667	TBD	Supplemental Gen. Fund	33% Local Option Budget
5.00	5.000	Capital Outlay	Annual maint/equip upgrades
28.534	TBD	TOTAL

 
 
Recreation Commission Budgets.  It should be noted that while our district publishes the budgets for the Recreation Commission, the actual determination of need for these budgets is made by the Recreation Board of Directors.  Unless the USD 244 board indicates otherwise, the Recreation Commission budget will be published as submitted by the Recreation Commission.  The mill rate for the Recreation Commission is not considered a portion of any of the levies reported that are used by the school district.

 

Public Content:  BUTA - Article VII - Extra Compensation
Language change:
The Board shall pay 75% of summer school salary (Article VI Section A) per hour for curriculum work, accreditation work or in-service scheduled outside of the contract day.  For payment, the work must be pre-approved by the administration.

BUTA - Article IV - Section C - 3.
Language change:

1. Licensed personnel assigned by an administrator to instruct classes which includes an additional class (i.e. "doubling up of a class or covering a class during the teacher’s planning period) due to unavailability of instructors shall receive an additional $19.00 per class period.

Board and BUTA
Compensation:
Salary - base pay will increase to $45,000.00 ($1,800.00 added to every cell on the pay scale). This also includes both step and movement for staff members who can do so.
Supplemental - Concessions for both BHS and BMS - 1 person for each position - increased to 6%
Insurance - remains the same at $483.00
Hours and amount of work - remains the same.
 

Public Content:  The paraprofessional salary schedule is utilized in the placement of new paraprofessionals.  We believe we can attract more candidates by adding a  $1.00 to each step.   The base pay for a Paraprofessional without experience would be $15.25.

Public Content:  A board member needs to be appointed to the Governmental Relations Network. This group is sponsored by KASB and the individual will be responsible for keeping abreast of the legislative process. Based upon the discussion at the meeting, the board president may wish to make this appointment and have it confirmed by motion. 

Lucas Allen was appointed for the 2024-2025 school year.

Public Content:  We opened sealed bids for the John Deere 5200 tractor and implements on July 7th at 9:35 a.m. Richard Newkirk and Jesse Chadwick were present at the time of the opening.  

We received seven bids:

• Danny Hess - $5,200
• Joe Douglas - $2,561
• Jesse Long - $2,500
• Justin Noris - $1,555
• Bodie Ecton - $2,100
• Richard Newkirk - $3,251
• Jesse Chadwick - $3,100

Payment should be made to the district and the tractor removed from USD #44 property, no later than July 18th.

Public Content:  To accomplish its stated objectives, the Board will follow an annual agenda that schedules continuing review, monitoring, and refinement of Results, linkage meetings with various community and staff groups, monitoring of
policies, and activities to improve Board performance through education, enriched input, and deliberation. The potential agenda is listed below. The board is asked to reach a consensus on the annual agenda.

 The 2025-2026 Annual Agenda Planner is attached.

Public Content:  What portions of the meeting were especially meaningful to the board?

What portions could benefit from change or modification in the future to allow the board to retain its focus on board's results?