Board Briefs
SM
February 2016
An informal report from Eudora Board of Education regular meetings
The following are highlights of discussion and action
from the board meeting on Feb. 11, 2016.
CONSENT ITEMS. Most items listed on the agenda were
approved without discussion. Two others were approved
individually, after clarification and brief discussion.
EABSA PROPOSAL. A representative from the Eudora Amateur
Baseball and Softball Association presented details about a
proposal for the EABSA board to provide roofing of dugouts
at the elementary school and construct batting cages at West.
There would be no financial obligation to the school district. As
proposed, one batting cage would be built between the fields
at West where there currently is a sandbox. The board thanked
the EABSA and expressed their support for the proposed
improvements.
EHS REPORT. Ron Abel presented the annual report about
Eudora High School. He reflected on the implementation of
the Locus referral system for behavior and student support and
shared the improvements over previous systems. The most
common referrals at this time involve student attendance. Next
he reviewed statistics related to the ACT and ASPIRE tests and
commented on work being done to futher improve students’
preparation for college and career.
Ron then shared a proposal for changes in student use of the
Eudora Virtual Learning Center, which could allow greater use
of the online resources by more students. A copy of his report is
available on BoardDocs.
Later, Cara Kimberlin presented the EHS activity report,
sharing information about the participation and success
of students and sponsors. This report also is available on
BoardDocs.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT. Steve Splichal began his report
with a legislative update, focusing on the Gannon decision by
the Kansas Supreme Court that was released earlier in the day.
The decision addressed the equity complaint and mandated that
the Kansas Legislature ensure funding equity, as required by the
Constitution, no later than June 30.
Steve then updated the board on work with city leaders to
plan for community recreation facilities as the Nottingham
property is developed in the future. Next, he updated the board
on the EES/EMS principal position that is being created,
including feedback from employees and parents about the
priorities for this position and qualities of the person selected to
fill it. He said he believes people will be satisfied as they see the
position implemented in the coming year.
Following a review of plans for the board’s facility tour and
work session on Feb. 24, Steve reflected on the recent visit by
area teacher leaders participating in the Kansas Teacher of the
Year program and announced that Melanie McQueen and Bobbi
Hamman had been named Eudora’s honorees for next year.
EUDORA SCHOOLS FOUNDATION. Bryan Maring delivered
the Foundation report and shared three ways that people can help
earn dollars for the district through the purchases they already
make. Gene’s Heartland Foods receipts are collected in the store
and at Eudora Elementary and can be used to purchase materials
and equipment. Amazon Smile includes a designation to donate
a portion of any Amazon purchase to the Eudora Schools
Foundation at smile.amazon.com, and Dillons now offers Eudora
Schools Foundation as one of the choices that a customer can
designate through the community rewards program.
SPECIAL EDUCATION COOP. Lynn Reazin shared that the
coop board is using KASB to coordinate the special education
director search, which will include feedback opportunities for
employees and community members in Eudora, Baldwin and
Wellsville. She also explained potential office staffing changes to
better support the administrative needs of the coop.
2016-2017 DISTRICT CALENDAR. The board approved a
calendar for the next school year. The first half day of school for
grades 1-9 will be Tuesday, Aug. 16, and the last day of school
will be Friday, May 12. A copy of the calendar is available on
BoardDocs.
STUDENT TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE. Ron Long,
technology director, shared a proposal that would increase
student devices at all three schools. The board asked
Ron to gather additional teacher input and make a formal
recommendation for action at the Feb. 24 special board meeting.
DISTRICT SOFTWARE SYSTEMS. A presentation was made
by Ron Long, Amy Shanks, administrative services director, and
Jason Oehlert, finance director. They provided an overview of
needs and possible solutions to address the increasing demands
on such district systems as accounting, human resources, student
information and food service. The board asked them to continue
to research the options and prepare recommendations for a
possible request for bids.
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.