Nov. 11, 2024 ~ The Olathe Board of Education met Nov. 7 for its regular meeting. Students from Meadow Lane Elementary School led the Pledge of Allegiance prior to the meeting agenda being approved.
Recognitions
- Ruth Ann Hackler, former Olathe teacher, 22-year member of the Olathe school board and 10-year member of the Kansas Association of School Boards, celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year is celebrated for her lifelong dedication to education.
- Johnson County Parks and Recreation provides a number of services to Olathe students, staff and families. Their out-of-school-time program provides families with a safe, enriching, fun place for students before or after school.
- National Merit semifinalists Wesley Janssen of Olathe East High School; Micah Augustine, Connor Chaffin, Ava Evans, Eston Garcia, Eugenie Kim, Alexander Pannier, Braden Pickard and Elijah Tamano of Olathe Northwest High School; Cody Schwindt of Olathe South High School; and Aidric Smith and Ethan Wolf of Olathe West High School were recognized by the board.
School Spotlight
Meadow Lane Elementary Principal Casey Welch shared some highlights of his school, which opened in 1953 with about 50 students and has grown to more than 340 students and nearly 50 staff. Students at Meadow Lane enjoy a variety of clubs and programs ranging from Chess Club and Cool Science Investigations to a home reading program and Breakfast & Books. State test scores for 2023-24 outpaced the state and district averages. Students learn the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports expectations for everything from their classroom to how to act during recess. Meadow Lane has several parent and community supporters to provide students with unique opportunities.
American Education Week, Nov. 18-22
Olathe National Education Association President Angie Powers spoke about districtwide plans to celebrate all who make a difference ensuring that every Olathe student is prepared for their future. Events include social media posts, inviting families to visit schools, writing notes of thanks to substitute educators, appreciation of classified staff by using the hashtag #WeLoveOurESPs on social media, and many other activities.
New Operations Service Center and Career and Technical Education Center
Dr. Jim McMullen, deputy superintendent of organizational operations, and Travis Palangi, executive director of facilities and operations, updated board members on progress at the new Operations Service Center and Career and Technical Education Center on north Rogers Road. The buildings are anticipated to open during the 2025-26 school year based on some unforeseen delays involving settling, replacing sanitary sewer lines, fixing interior concrete and rebuilding the elevator shaft of the original building.
Future tasks include naming the campus, working with staff on phased move-ins, working to improve the overall project schedule, and planning furniture, fixture and equipment needs. McMullen and Palangi recommended naming it the Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus (OPSIC).
In other business, the board:
- Held an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.
- Approved a consent agenda including meeting minutes, financial and accounts payable reports, human resources report, eight student trips, and name of the new Operations Service Center and Career and Technical Education Center campus.
- Approved the purchase of replacement custodial equipment. (Bond 2022)
- Approved the purchase of replacement commercial equipment used by the grounds crew. (capital outlay)
- Approved the purchase of choral risers and backrails for Arbor Creek, Bentwood, Briarwood, Cedar Creek, Meadow Lane, Tomahawk and Walnut Grove elementary schools, and adding backrails to Havencroft and Ridgeview’s risers. (capital outlay)
- Approved the purchase of replacement tables for the Olathe South commons area. (Bond 2022)
- Approved renewal of the annual Microsoft licensing agreement. (capital outlay)
- Approved renewal of the Learning AtoZ language arts subscription database. (English language learner instructional supplies and capital outlay funds)
- Approved renewal of the annual licensing for Follett Destiny software. (capital outlay)
- Approved renewal of the maintenance and support for the student data dashboard. (capital outlay)
- Accepted Bid Package 1 for the summer 2025 HVAC upgrade projects. (Bond 2022)
- Accepted Bid Package 2 for the summer 2025 roofing projects. (Bond 2022)
- Adopted the updated board policy JGFGB (Administering Medication During School Hours) and the new board policy JGFA (Student Misuse of Medication).
- Received information on future action items including choir robes for Olathe North, texts and instructional online materials for the general chemistry and honors chemistry courses, a student trip, security systems for the new Operations Service Center and Career and Technical Education Center, furniture for the high school medic center renovations, furniture for the new Innovation Campus, band uniforms for Olathe North, audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, civil engineering proposal for expanding the parking lot at Indian Creek Elementary School, lightning and weather detection system for the district athletic complexes, support and maintenance agreement for Cisco network systems, access switch replacement equipment, and six board policy updates.
- Received the monthly Bond 2022 update.
- Received the Head Start director’s monthly report.
- Received the monthly Learning Services department update.
- Held an executive session to consult with the district’s attorney.
- Held an executive session to discuss a student.
The complete agenda is available on the BoardDocs website.
