Board Briefs
SM
May 2016
An informal report from Eudora Board of Education regular meetings
The following are highlights of discussion and action
from the board meeting on May 12, 2016.
CONSENT ITEMS. All items listed on the agenda were
approved without discussion.
STUDENT RECOGNITION. Eudora Middle School principal
Denise Kendall introduced Matthew Karten, who participated in
the Duke TIP Seventh Grade Talent Search by taking the ACT
exam. His peformance on the exam qualified him for state-level
recognition.
1:1 HANDBOOK POLICY. Steve Splichal shared draft
proposals for a handbook policy outlining expectations for
the 1:1 technology initiative at Eudora High School next year.
The policy development process has relied in large part on
experiences of other districts that already have implemented a
1:1. The board will consider a formal proposal when handbooks
are approved this summer.
DISTRICT FEE SCHEDULE. The board reviewed a draft
proposal for 2016-2017 student fees. A final proposal will be
considered and voted at the June 6 regular meeting of the board.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT. Steve Splichal began with an
update on the school finance lawsuit and what district leaders
might expect in the coming weeks and months. The Kansas
Supreme Court has told legislators that they must pass a
Constitutional law that equitably funds public schools no later
than June 30, or schools will be shut down on July 1. Steve
said that district leaders have been working on a plan, should a
shutdown occur, but he said he remains hopeful that a resolution
will be found in Topeka to avoid a shutdown.
Next, he shared an update on the employee stay interview
participation rates and said he will be reviewing results after it
closes on Tuesday, May 17. He will report aggregate results to
the board over the summer. Although employee responses are
not reviewed or reported individually, he suggested the board
consider possible third-party involvement in future years to
maintain the highest standard of confidentiality and validity.
Steve then shared that he had recently been contacted by
documentary filmmakers interested in telling the human side
of the school funding story in Kansas. If the district decides
to participate, the team would work in Eudora for much of the
2016-2017 school year.
The board rescheduled the June meeting for Monday, June
6 and was asked to keep in mind dates in the last week of June,
should a special meeting be needed. He concluded by reflecting
on the Applauding Excellence event, which attracted a record
crowd. He also thanked the Eudora NEA and Eudora Schools
Foundation for sponsorships to help make the event such a
success.
SPECIAL EDUCATION CO-OP. Mike Kelso reported that the
co-op is fully staffed for summer programs and for fall, but that
a summer shut-down from Topeka could pose a threat to federal
compliance for special education summer services. He also
expressed concerns about a change in the workers compensation
insurance for the co-op.
Want to know more about board business?
•Attend a board meeting! Meetings are open to the public and usually take place at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of
each month at West Resource Center. Check the calendar on www.eudoraschools.org to see the date of the next meeting.
•Go online! A full, searchable record of minutes and agendas is available online through BoardDocs. The Eudora section
of BoardDocs can be accessed from the district website under School Board > Meetings.