March 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM - March Regular 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:  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:  Minutes are submitted for any special, linkage or regular meeting that has taken place since the last regular meeting.

Public Content: 

NEW HIRE/CONTRACT RENEWALS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Burton, Dawson	Physical Education Teacher	BHS	8/4/2026	New
Davis, Cooper	Asst. Softball Coach	BHS	3/3/2026	New
Sleezer, Courtney	Asst. Track Coach	BMS	3/2/2026	New
TRANSFERS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Kuhlmann, Sage	5th Grade to Special Education Teacher	BMS	8/1/2026	Transfer
Van Patten, Addyson	Aide To Custodian	BELC to BHS	3/9/2026	Transfer
RESIGNATIONS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Nelson, Amy	Kitchen Manager	BES	3/6/2026	Resignation
TERMINATIONS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
BOE APPROVED and WITHDRAWL
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS

Public Content: 

DONATIONS
DONOR	AMOUNT/ITEM	DESIGNATION
Kevin and Lisa Mautz	$                             100.00	USD 244 Special Olympics Team
Arianne Seidl	$                             100.00	USD 244 Special Olympics Team
William and Judy Seidl	$                             100.00	USD 244 Special Olympics Team
Piero Bortolotti and Monica Zoppas	$                             100.00	FBLA

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:  Board members may share information at this time.

Public Content:  It has been difficult to maintain and recruit staff at the current pay rates of $10.50 per hour for BELC Aides and $12.00 per hour for BELC Instructors.

I am recommending that the board consider a $1.00 per hour increase for current BELC Aides and BELC Instructors, and increase the starting rate of pay to $11.50 per hour for Aides, and $13.00 per hour for Instructors.

The increase would not apply to substitutes or high school students.
 

Public Content:  It is time to renew our annual contract with the Curriculum Leadership Institute. Next year, the staff will be working on updating Social Studies, PE/Health, Fine Arts, Math, and Science curriculum and assessments. The board is asked to support the recommendation to continue our partnership with CLI for the 2026-2027 school year. Our cost for the 2026/27 school year is $19,975.00 (8.5 days) plus the potential of some per diem expenses. This is the same daily rate as last year.

Below are the per-day rates over the past nine years.  

YEAR	FEE
2018/2019	$       1,800.00
2019/2020	$       1,875.00
2020/2021	$       1,825.00
2021/2022	$       1,875.00
2022/2023	$       1,925.00
2023/2024	$       2,350.00
2024/2025	$       2,350.00
2025/2026	$       2,350.00
2026/2027	$       2,350.00

 

Public Content: 

The board has been a member of the Kansas Association of School Boards for many years. 

Dues for membership are based upon a formula that considers the General Fund and Supplemental General Fund budgets of the district.  The dues for 2026-2027 will be $10,972.52 (up $26.12 from last year).

YEAR	MEMBERSHIP FEE
2020/2021	$                    9,845.39
2021/2022	$                    9,825.05
2022/2023	$                    9,935.88
2023/2024	$                 10,943.38
2024/2025	$                 10,000.19
2025/2026	$                 10,946.40
2026/2027	$                 10,972.52

It is recommended the board approve membership in 2026-2027 as KASB represents the united voice of school boards in Kansas.  Additionally, the most frequently used service of the association by our district is the utilization of their school law specialists.  The explanation for that service immediately follows this item.  When the two fees are considered as a package, the value is still considered to be "worth it" considering the utilization of their legal specialists.

KASB also offers the KASB season pass.  This gives the board and staff unlimited registrations for the 2026-2027 school year.  Registration for a full-day seminar is typically $150.  This would be a one-time purchase of $1,750 for the board and staff to get unlimited registrations throughout the year for workshops (does not include the annual convention).  The district has spent the following on KASB workshops:

YEAR	REGISTRATION FEES
2019/2020	$                    1,520.00
2020/2021	$                    2,205.00
2021/2022	$                    1,450.00
2022/2023	$                       950.00
2023/2024	$                                 -
2024/2025	$                    1,150.00
2025/2026	$                    1,150.00

The board could add the season pass and potentially save money on workshops for the next school year.  If the board wants the season pass, it will be an additional $1,750 to the price listed in the motion. 

Public Content:  In addition to the basic membership services, school districts have an opportunity to join the Legal Assistance Fund.  While our district retains local counsel, membership in the Legal Assistance Fund is recommended as KASB attorneys are frequently contacted to provide legal advice on specific issues pertaining to school law.

YEAR	FEE
2020/2021	$  2,100.00
2021/2022	$  2,300.00
2022/2023	$  2,300.00
2023/2024	$  2,750.00
2024/2025	$  2,750.00
2025/2026	$  2,750.00
2026/2027	$  3,100.00

As a special "no surprises" note, the board should understand that membership in the Legal Assistance Fund entitles us to general telephone consultations and advice.  When/if we need a KASB attorney for a specific case or require service on-site, we do incur an additional charge.

Public Content:  TrustPoint Real Estate will be assisting the school district with the sale of tracts 1 through 6. The listing agreement is attached for your review.  Each tract is listed at $17,500.  TrustPoint will receive 6% of each sale. The Board is asked to approve the agreement with TrustPoint Real Estate.
 

Public Content:  The Board is asked to approve a 10-foot utility easement along the south boundary of the three USD #244-owned tracts that run along Martindale Street. 

The easement is granted for the purpose of constructing, installing, operating, inspecting, maintaining, repairing, replacing, upgrading, and removing public utilities and utility-related improvements, including but not limited to water lines, sanitary sewer lines, storm sewer lines, electric lines, gas lines, telecommunications and fiber optic lines, conduits, vaults, pedestals, meters, and appurtenances, together with the right of ingress and egress over Grantor's property as reasonably necessary to access the easement area.

The agreement is attached for your review.

Public Content:  We received one sealed bid from Aaron Skillman for the burning, spraying, and haying of the 17 acres north of the ball fields in the amount of $15 per acre for a total of $255.00 per year.

Mr. Skillman has recommended a 3 or 5-year lease agreement.

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?