Sept. 5, 2024 ~ The Olathe Board of Education met Sept. 4 for its regular meeting. Cub Scout Pack 3412 from Ridgeview Elementary School led the Pledge of Allegiance prior to the meeting agenda being approved.
Recognitions
- Forty-three participants in the Volunteers Serving Schools program received 2023-24 Presidential Service Awards for their outstanding volunteerism. There were 32 Bronze Awards for 100-249 hours, nine Silver Awards for 250-499 hours, and two Gold Awards for more than 500 hours of service last school year. Volunteer Jan Wise received the President’s Volunteer Service Award Lifetime Achievement Award for completing more than 4,000 hours of volunteerism in the district.
- Truity Credit Union was recognized as a business partner supporting Olathe Public Schools Foundation fundraisers and partnering directly with Prairie Trail Middle School and Olathe Northwest High School.
- Westview Elementary School received the 2023 Challenge Award from the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force for outstanding achievement and uncommon accomplishments based on Kansas assessment results in math and reading.
- Several athletes brought home state championships this past spring. Irene Gettya of Olathe East High School won the swim and dive championship. Ian Quarles of Olathe North High School won in boys’ pole vault, and Elijah Madden of North was a two-time champion in the long jump and triple jump. Olathe West High School’s boys’ golf team won the state title. Olathe West’s boys’ track team won the 6A championship. Several West boys earned individual titles: Dayton Richardson in the 400-meter; Braeden Gillam, Bryce Austin, Dylan Velasco and Tevyn Gasaway won the 4x100 relay; and Gunnar Hornung, Isaac Shilling, Logan Montgomery and Owen Diediker took first in the 4x800 relay. Bree Newport of Olathe West won the 1,600-meter. Jasmine Stiede, Kolby Brown, Laynie Clements and Kalyn Willingham of West took first in the 4x800 relay. The Olathe South High School baseball team won the state title. Dylan Plath of South won the 800-meter in track. Olathe Northwest High School’s softball team and their girls’ track team won state championships. Val Galligan of Northwest won titles in shot put, discus and javelin.
School Spotlight
Dr. Brooke Brutto, principal of Ridgeview Elementary, shared many reasons why she, her staff and 249 students are proud of their school. They're proud of the diversity at Ridgeview, which includes 108 English language learners and students with various identified disabilities. Ridgeview Panthers have special programs in their school ranging from Jump Start and early childhood classes to a center-based resource program. Seven home languages are spoken by Ridgeview students, and 18 students are new to the United States this school year. Ridgeview staff promote learning expectations, student clubs and academic growth among the student body. The expectation matrix shows students how to be respectful, safe and a leader. Pawsitive Panther Fridays give staff a chance to nominate students for rewards based on the child’s behavior. Ridgeview involves its surrounding community in many ways, with Site Council, Family Fiesta, Winter Wonderland and other partnership activities. Business partners meet quarterly to learn how they can build upon already strong partnerships with staff and students. Of the 74 staff members, 30% have been at Ridgeview for at least 15 years.
Classified Staff Voice
Deputy Superintendent of Administration and Leadership Dr. Lachelle Sigg updated board members on how the Human Resources team has worked to gather input from classified staff, including through roundtable discussions. The district’s classified workforce includes more than 1,840 employees with varied duties and unique needs. Seven roundtable groups each met twice during the 2023-24 school year to explore five essential questions ranging from what the employees look forward to each workday to how the district can better support them in their work. Based on what Human Resources learned, the district has improved compensation, instituted paid time off, adjusted schedules, and continued roundtables into the new school year.
2023-24 Academic Data Review
Director of School Improvement and Assessments Dr. Julie Veatch gave an overview of academic data from the previous school year, including screening data, state assessments, and ACT data. In all, she touched on nearly a dozen different types of data. For each assessment, Veatch explained how often it is given and to what group of students. She also referenced growth areas.
For the ACT exam, Veatch noted the district average score continues to be higher than both the state and national averages but slipped a bit from the 2022-23 year to the 2023-24 school year.
Veatch said chronic absenteeism is a concern and will be discussed at the district’s fall Site Council from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30 at Olathe South High School. The public is welcome to learn about chronic absenteeism and how the district is looking at solutions to support all students.
In other business, the board:
- Approved a consent agenda including meeting minutes, financial and accounts payable reports, human resources report, and one student trip.
- Approved replacement cafeteria tables for Black Bob and Rolling Ridge elementary schools. (capital outlay)
- Approved renewal and upgrading of the district’s network traffic manager. (general fund)
- Approved the mechanical engineering consultant proposal for summer 2025 HVAC projects. (Bond 2022)
- Approved the roofing consultant proposal for professional services for the summer 2025 roofing construction projects. (Bond 2022)
- Approved change orders in excess of $20,000 for the new Operations Service Center and Career and Technical Education Center. (Bond 2022)
- Approved the renewal of imaging software to maintain critical district records and workflow processes. (capital outlay)
- Approved the additional architectural and engineering services for the new Operations Service Center and Career and Technical Education Center. (Bond 2022)
- Approved district committee assignments for board members for this school year.
- Approved individual school site council assignments for board members for this school year.
- Adopted a resolution calling for a local option budget percentage in the amount of 33% for the 2024-25 school year.
- Adopted the district’s 2024-25 budget.
- Approved the professional development plan for 2024-29.
- Adopted board policies for absences and excuses, and truancy; and retired board policies for attendance, excused absences, unexcused absence, absences for exceptional students, and truancy.
- Received information on future action items including student trips, board policy updates, and renewal of Microsoft licensing agreements.
- Received the written annual report from student health services.
- Received the Head Start director’s monthly report.
- Received the monthly Bond 2022 update.
- Received the monthly Learning Services department update.
- Held an executive session for the board to consult with the district’s attorney.
- Held an executive session for the board to discuss non-elected personnel.
The complete agenda is available on the BoardDocs website.
