June 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM - June Regular Meeting

Public Content: 

NEW HIRE/CONTRACT RENEWALS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Anderson, Jenny	Asst. Volleyball Coach	BMS	26/27 School Year	New
Burton, Dawson	Asst. Football Coach	BHS	6/1/2026	New
Carlson, Maycee	Aide	BELC	5/26/2026	New
Elliott, Kathleen	Asst. Track Coach	BMS	26/27 School Year	New
Fountain, Chessa	3rd Grade Teacher	BES	26/27 School Year	New
Parks, Stacie	Bus Driver	District	7/1/2026	New
TRANSFERS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Stice, Jessica	243 Para to 244 Tech. Paraprofessional	243 Waverly to BES	26/27 School Year	Transfer
RESIGNATIONS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Breshears, Alisha	244 Paraprofessional	BES	End of 2025/26 SY	Resignation
Buck, Lyla	Aide	BELC	5/29/2026	Resignation
Glover, Emma	243 Paraprofessional	Waverly ES	End of 2025/26 SY	Resignation
Sleezer, Courtney	Asst. Track Coach	BMS	End of 2025/26 SY	Resignation
Teufel, Brylea	244 Paraprofessional	BES	End of 2025/26 SY	Resignation
Whitworth, Charlie	Asst. Baseball Coach	BHS	End of 2025/26 SY	Resignation
TERMINATIONS/NON-RENEWALS
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS
Nolan, Amber	244 Paraprofessional	BES	6/30/2026	Non-Renewal
BOE APPROVED and WITHDRAWAL
NAME	ASSIGNMENT	BUILDING	EFFECTIVE DATE	STATUS

Public Content: 

DONATIONS
DONOR	AMOUNT/ITEM	DESIGNATION
Casey's - Loyalty Donation	$                               44.40	Burlington Elementary School
Coffey County Commissioners	$                         2,500.00	FBLA
Wade Thomsen	$                             200.00	FCCLA Nationals

Public Content:  The fiscal year will end on June 30.  Following the completion of the summer payrolls and bills, a number of transfers between funds will be necessary to properly close the books on the fiscal year.  While the board could establish a special meeting to review year-end expenses and transfers, it is recommended that the board direct the superintendent to transfer funds to meet the following priorities:

1. Complete the fiscal year in compliance with state laws and regulations governing school financial accounting.
2. Utilize 2025-2026 unused budget authority as necessary to provide for the district's needs for 2026-27.
3. Utilize remaining unencumbered discretionary funds to establish reasonable balances in ancillary funds that can be utilized for 2026-2027.

Public Content:  The Kansas State Department of Education has approved the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) packet for USD No. 244, Burlington for the summer of 2026 operations beginning in June, as indicated in the Sponsor and Site Application.

USD #244 is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
Meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows: 

SITE NAME	ADDRESS	DATES OF OPERATION	MEAL TYPE	SERVICE TIME	SITE SUPERVISOR
Burlington Elementary School	706 Niagara, Burlington, KS 66839	6/1/2026 to 7/23/2026	Breakfast	8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.	Melissa Carlson
Burlington Elementary School	706 Niagara, Burlington, KS 66839	6/1/2026 to 7/23/2026	Lunch	11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.	Melissa Carlson
*IMPORTANT*
All meals will be served Monday through Thursday.

Please note, all summer meals must be eaten on-site, there will be no "to-go" meals provided.

• Meals are to be eaten by children and not adults
• Enter through the East Playground Doors (Hug-and Go Doors)
• Children must be present at the beginning of meal service:
  • 8:00 a.m. for Breakfast
  • 11:30 a.m. for Lunch
• Children must leave the premises at the end of meal service:
  • 8:30 a.m. at the conclusion of the Breakfast service
  • 12:00 p.m. at the conclusion of the Lunch service

To see other service locations and times near you, visit https://cnw.ksde.gov/, click ‘Summer Food Service Program’ -> ‘Locate a Site Near You’ for the most up-to-date service information.

Public Content:  Food Service Program. Each year the district provides lunches, breakfasts, and snacks for the 21st Century students through the School Nutrition Program. A new Program Agreement for PY2027 is required. Some of the forms we are required to complete indicate that board approval of the program will occur. It is recommended the board approve the continued participation in this program to enable the district to recoup the costs through federal and state revenue sources.

Public Content:  The Coffey County Fiber Board is the group that has been responsible for the county-wide area network which provides interactive distance learning as well as data links between the schools, county offices, libraries, hospital, and to other agencies in other networks. Each of the entities is represented by a member from their respective organization for a two-year term. Traditionally, the board has appointed the superintendent to represent the district’s interests. USD 244 term is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2026. The board is asked to make an appointment to the Fiberboard.

Public Content:  In 2002, the board formally bid the service contract for HVAC maintenance and control systems upkeep.  Automated
Controls Systems was awarded the contract then and the district has continued to use their services for HVAC maintenance for the district facilities.  Approval of these contracts is recommended.  They are necessary not only to keep the control system operating at peak efficiency but to also provide the 'on site' expertise that finds problems during routine filter changes that enables us to make repairs before full system breakdown.  This is a five year contract that extends until June 30, 2030.  The board is just asked to approve the expenditures in the amount of $41,800 for the HVAC repair and maintenance and $29,000 for control systems preventative maintenance.

Public Content:  The board of education has developed a practice of inviting students and their parents to the board meeting to recognize them for placing in state competitions. 

Public Content:  In April, Burlington FCCLA members earned an impressive 2nd-place Silver rating in Parliamentary Procedure Level 3, demonstrating exceptional leadership, teamwork, and mastery of parliamentary law. This highly competitive event challenges students to effectively conduct an FCCLA business meeting while showcasing their knowledge of proper meeting procedures and organizational leadership skills. Their outstanding performance secured a coveted qualification for the National FCCLA Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., where they will compete against top FCCLA chapters from across the nation.

Sponsor Libby Johnson

ACTIVITY	STUDENT	EVENT	PLACE
FCCLA	Emma Bohannan	Parliamentary Procedure Level 3	2nd Silver
FCCLA	Mackenzie Krueger	Parliamentary Procedure Level 3	2nd Silver
FCCLA	Alonna Rodgers	Parliamentary Procedure Level 3	2nd Silver
FCCLA	Arnesia Williams	Parliamentary Procedure Level 3	2nd Silver
FCCLA	Sage Bell	Parliamentary Procedure Level 3	2nd Silver

Public Content:  The Burlington Forensics Team enjoyed an outstanding and memorable season, highlighted by an impressive 3rd-place team finish at the 2026 State Forensics Tournament. Demonstrating exceptional talent, preparation, and competitive excellence, several Wildcats also earned the honor of qualifying for the National Forensics Competition in Richmond, Virginia, where they will represent Burlington and compete against some of the nation's best students this summer.

Sponsor: Lillian Lingenfelter

ACTIVITY	STUDENT	EVENT	PLACE
Forensics	Sage Bell	Prose	1st
Forensics	Sage Bell	Program of Oral Interpretation	2nd
Forensics	Korryn Bolen	Prose	3rd
Forensics	Korryn Bolen	Informative	2nd
Forensics	Jule Rolf	Extemporaneous Speech	5th
Forensics	Jule Rolf	Impromptu	5th

Public Content:  The KidWind team achieved outstanding success at both the recent state tournament and the prestigious KidWind World Competition in Madison, Wisconsin, showcasing their innovation, teamwork, and dedication on the global stage.

Mr. Bruening will share a short video presentation.

Sponsors were Bryan Bruening and Cierra Harrison.

ACTIVITY	STUDENT	EVENT	PLACE
KidWind	Camryn Davis	Homebuilt Generator	1st
KidWind	Nevaeh Myers	Homebuilt Generator	1st
KidWind	Tate Sowder	Homebuilt Generator	1st
KidWind	Brandon Hazlett	Homebuilt Generator	1st
KidWind	Kash Handley	Homebuilt Generator	1st
KidWind	Payton Steward	Homebuilt Generator	1st
KidWind	Eli Grow	Homebuilt Generator	1st

 

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 Burlington Middle School staff for the treats, coffee, and tea provided during Teacher Appreciation Week.
 

Public Content:  I.  Eric Long from Spearscapes will talk about BES playgrounds and answer questions you may have. https://spearscapes.com/ is the link for their website.

II.  I have shared just a few of the personal messages I have received over the past few weeks as I end my decade of service as your superintendent.  The people I have worked with have been a "work family" for me over the past ten years.  I am so thankful for the impact I have had on people as well as the impact they have had on me over the years.  Here is hoping for even bigger and better things for the district in the future. 

GO CATS!!!  

Public Content: 
 

Public Content:  The following information is provided to update the board with respect to the issues/concerns before the district.

1. 2026-2027 Budget Planning.  Planning for the 2026-2027 budget has already begun.  It is believed that the development of the budget is an operational procedure — that is, the administration has in the past and will continue to develop and administer the budget.  It is believed that the role of the board is to set the limit of the budget and tax rates when flexibility in those limits exists.  While the 2026-2027 budget won’t be adopted until August or September 2026, the board is asked to consider the recommendations below so that there won’t be any surprises when the budget is developed, submitted for publication, and voted upon by the board. 

Key factors to the development of the budget:

• Base aid for student excellence (BASE) will increase from $5,615 to 5,778 in 2026-2027.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE), weighting and bilingual weighting will be based on the current year.
• Special Education funding will decrease in 2026-2027.  The estimated amount per special education categorical aid for teachers for the 2026-2027 school year is $28,250 (it was $29,450 for the 2025-2026 school year).
• LOB will be computed using the current year’s budget. 
• Four-year old at risk is the same as the prior year.  
• Property and Liability Insurance (does not include health) is predicted to increase by 5 to 10 percent, including workman’s compensation.  The district is due for a three-year renewal.  We will be sending the request for proposals in the near future for an October 2026 approval.
• Health insurance rates- We are waiting for this information and will know more in early June.
• Increasing costs in funds due to the economy (for example: food service, transportation, utilities, etc.).
• Title I, Title II, and Title IVA funds - Allocations for the 2026-2027 school year:
  • Title I = $11,601, a decrease of $9,389 from 2025-26
  • Title II = $17,301, an increase of $667 from 2025-26
  • Title IVA = $15,511, a decrease of $898 from 2025-26

2. Summary:
   In summary, there are three distinct recommendations for the board to consider.  While the ‘decision’ won’t occur until August or September 2026, when the budget is presented for adoption, members are asked to consider these recommendations.  If the board is unable to support them, please let the superintendent know so that the budget may be developed, and plans may occur that will receive the support of the board.  The three recommendations for 2026–2027 are as follows and have been phrased in terms of questions to elicit a measurement of board opinion:
   
   Recommendation 1:  Will the board continue to support the governance philosophy that the
   Superintendent is in charge of the development and administration of the budget within the budget limits established by the board?
   
   Recommendation 2:  Will the board support a Local Option Budget of up to 33 percent or the state average in 2026-2027? 
   
   Recommendation 3:  Will the board support a continuance of a minimum of the 4.000 mill levy in the
   Capital Outlay Fund for the purposes of maintaining and improving the physical plant and instructional
   equipment of the district?

Public Content: 

The revised 2026-2027 school calendar, approved by the Board of Education at its April meeting, designated September 21 as an in-service day. However, because September 20, commonly referred to as Count Day, falls on a Sunday in 2026, the official Count Day will be observed on Monday, September 21.

To accommodate this requirement, the in-service day has been moved to September 25th, and the calendar has been revised accordingly. The Board is asked to approve this calendar revision.

Public Content:  Rita Reed has served as a paraprofessional for 9 years. For the past nine years, she has been employed by the Coffey County Special Education Cooperative and assigned to the Lebo-Waverly School District. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to supporting students and staff within the district.
 

Public Content:  The Board is asked to consider accepting the resignation of Natalie Spagenberg, effective June 8, 2026. If approved, the Board may assess liquidated damages for late resignation in the amount of $2,500, in accordance with the 2025-2026 Negotiated Agreement.

The Board of Education may consider waiving this penalty upon receipt of a written letter from the employee outlining the circumstances related to the late resignation. The decision to waive the late resignation fee rests solely with the Board.

Public Content:  Our last meeting for negotiations was on May 21st.  All non-financial items have been tentatively agreed to. The next meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2026.

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?