[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6341548,"mediaKeyId","2256794-07882b0fda425e6c66d8e65e127b0037","parentId",2256794,"title","Wichita board hears update on $450 million bond plan to replace aging schools, avoid $464 million in future maintenance","audioSeconds",1392,"startMs",5323000,"endMs",6715000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256794-07882b0fda425e6c66d8e65e127b0037&start=5323&end=6715","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256794-07882b0fda425e6c66d8e65e127b0037/thumbnail_5323000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6341548/Kansas/Wichita-board-hears-update-on-450-million-bond-plan-to-replace-aging-schools-avoid-464-million-in-future-maintenance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341548-934aa97b76d23880460fb3fe0095062f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775990839&Signature=LdVYPC1ebGa2kRVIDFAttcJs7nHsekBI4-IR4FEJaj1wdL7khGM8kb2XC5HncVOmxuwAxOl~jNc~PxtyK~oIb2PTUMhrPswAjRHhQmDQgNHWAGvHXDgPJLfRT667xKntMJwDHnacv6mPsQQWC3sEpmktYIY5Vh~lv7u0ScO9GKC0wb-oCINQRnJRc1LTMQ6ySwV6f0GW0eVshWKRsUYyK-5dL91V0OJrQURlks6X4TDCUtU95DJ3ro~g-88IvIM97hyUVFavK341FrASjayJlrOt91QBzwiYtYKtzz4Q5nkGMdvZU8gyMx791DYSv-KCeiWEDC-8H~yTotLavlLuLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wichita Public Schools","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Wichita Public Schools staff on Feb. 10 briefed the Board of Education on a proposed $450 million bond package that district leaders say would rebuild or renovate aging facilities without increasing the district's bond mill levy.

Luke Newman, director of facilities for USD 259, told the board \"our buildings are 60 years old on average,\" and described aging systems and deferred-maintenance needs that are not always visible to the public. Newman said the district projects about $464,000,000 in major maintenance needs over the next 10 years in buildings targeted for replacement and that the bond plan would reduce the district's facility condition index from 0.55 to 0.44 if implemented as proposed.

The district's communications director, Rachel Bell, said staff are running public open houses and a communications campaign in the run-up to the Feb. 25 vote. \"We do have several open houses. We timed these to coincide with parent teacher conferences,\" Bell said, and acknowledged weather could affect turnout this week.

Why it matters: district leaders said the bond would let the district replace buildings whose major systems have reached the end of their useful life, improve accessibility and security, and create more efficient campus footprints. Newman showed photos of a boiler component coated in thick sludge and of ramps and door hardware that do not meet today’s accessibility expectations to illustrate problems that routine custodial care cannot fix.

How the plan would work: staff described a phased schedule of architects and contractors already queued for work should voters approve the measure. The earliest building the district said could be ready for occupancy under the proposed timeline is targeted for fall 2026, with a larger group ready by fall 2027. Newman said some school closures the board has discussed would occur regardless of the bond's outcome but that timelines and options for students would change if the bond fails.

Public response: board members and public speakers at the meeting repeatedly tied building conditions to the bond discussion. Multiple teachers and union representatives urged a yes vote, describing leaky ceilings, classrooms that reached 59 degrees, plumbing failures and recurring power losses in older buildings.

Accountability and oversight: Newman and Bell described multiple oversight layers the district plans if the bond passes, including a community bond-oversight committee, a financial oversight group and a scoring process for any properties the district later sells as part of school closures. \"There'll be multiple layers of accountability and transparency,\" Newman said.

What did not change at the meeting: the board did not make a new bond decision at the Feb. 10 meeting; staff presented the plan and opened a question-and-answer period. District staff encouraged residents to use the district bond website (wpsbond@usd259.net and WPSBondUSD259.net) and posted a multi-page FAQ for voters.

Next steps: the board will continue community open houses this week and the bond measure will appear on the Feb. 25 ballot. District staff said they will begin contractor selection and other preparatory steps now so construction can start quickly if voters approve the bond.

Ending note: Newman framed the vote as a choice between continuing to operate older buildings with growing maintenance needs and taking a phased approach to rebuild and modernize school facilities without increasing the bond mill levy.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Wichita Public Schools staff on Feb. 10 briefed the Board of Education on a proposed $450 million bond package that district leaders say would rebuild or renovate aging facilities without increasing the district's bond mill levy.","taxTitle","Wichita, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",14489,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6341534,"Board approves consent agenda and three policy updates; votes at a glance from the Feb. 10 meeting",97,8066000,8163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256794-07882b0fda425e6c66d8e65e127b0037&start=8066&end=8163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256794-07882b0fda425e6c66d8e65e127b0037/thumbnail_8066000.jpg","/articles/6341534/Kansas/Board-approves-consent-agenda-and-three-policy-updates-votes-at-a-glance-from-the-Feb-10-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341534-07bf822beda5b49762180574c604dd3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775990839&Signature=Jyb2A4HLjXVhl~~IXJtXOFFwqIFpHy4NYVimGolLK1rK56znqPFjVC60tnNadH2QZL-urBojoTcLibMTotnLNKQke81vHCycpqk0XtqTO~c4gNeqknELiq3wHMhfMnFh1EhAoqFR4VssHyfZiK2iMovhtcWyOPTUxHh4IqKXCkFeE5V5rsBwo2QOwdEcmC4sOeShhW~nQ0rigL5h-E-zlkUmYKjzb3y9NlmeX9AMmNyBXMyaC1DuZoAZbXSElTGf~9SClTON5~lH0G0dnNcvbG0ZsJ20Wr3h~nXE6ea2rQuVzsv9HpWLHDcAuyzs5lh4Usa7kGkYCJ31H6ICU1x-hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 10 regular meeting the Wichita Board of Education took several formal actions by recorded motion.

Votes at a glance

- The board approved the consent agenda. Motion: \"accept the consent agenda items.\" Moved by Melody (board member); seconded by Julie. Vote: 7-0. Outcome: approved.

- The board adopted three policies in a grouped vote: nonresident enrollment and admission, magnet school program policy, and career and technical education program policy. Motion: moved by Stan; seconded by Julie. Vote: 7-0. Outcome: approved.

- The board adopted Board Policy P200 (Board of Education agendas and meetings) on a separate vote. Motion: moved by Diane; seconded by Stan. Vote: 7-0. Outcome: approved.

- The board approved adjournment. Motion: moved by Stan; seconded by Melody. Vote: 7-0. Outcome: approved.

Each motion was announced on the record and the clerk recorded the roll-call tallies as unanimous (seven in favor, none opposed). No individual board members were recorded as absent for any of these votes.

Ending: The board completed its consent and policy items with unanimous votes and moved on to the remainder of the agenda.","The Wichita Board of Education approved the consent agenda and adopted multiple board policies by unanimous votes on Feb. 10. The meeting recorded several formal motions and roll-call outcomes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6341538,"Parents, special-education professionals urge board to protect IDEA rights amid federal changes and warn against vouchers",198,1389000,1587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256794-07882b0fda425e6c66d8e65e127b0037&start=1389&end=1587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256794-07882b0fda425e6c66d8e65e127b0037/thumbnail_1389000.jpg","/articles/6341538/Kansas/Parents-special-education-professionals-urge-board-to-protect-IDEA-rights-amid-federal-changes-and-warn-against-vouchers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341538-6ca38f229a8e48018202f7c3e67fa304/orig.mp4?Expires=1775990839&Signature=f4In0XksI~~8PgltU5blunQfn6VW3ghFqMq5i3u~T6-qn73C3KP1O5Qa2J9O48Hofb5B5v66y0b3JsxpA1y5a12BVpZMcXHVrXwTsF9RRXEHucvBCvOTmvtZFDIz2-06Rh5OoCD3pkXBqm9ECZ~hHww8UWtObH-1edeE7njReQFeY1m4wIbARsFVIVe1r1NF0QyQFxaAJEG0VAjKUpkrrjdPBloNDmFt6gviXo73Sr3TDu8THAdx1laFfguI1CQz~lSPXBGAf9wxN-anyAN19xGvyjl6iBH4VWbp1Db23WA2azi5iKe8ZmcY4fs-yxbGM2QKF55~Vn5PiE5gEaGoTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-comment portion of the Feb. 10 board meeting a parent and special-education professional urged the Wichita Board of Education to protect students who receive special education services if federal policy shifts reduce protections or funding.

Brianna Maggard, who identified herself as a parent of three and a board-certified behavior analyst, told the board she is \"in both professionally and as a parent\" and described the workload and service needs of pre-K teachers who deliver IEP services, speech and occupational therapy and ESOL accommodations. Maggard said federal proposals to roll back the Department of Education’s role and expand private-school vouchers would endanger services that families rely on.

\"So how are we planning to come together to protect their rights under FAPE and IDEA?\" Maggard asked the board. She also warned of a lawsuit that, she said, Kansas had joined challenging Section 504’s protections; she urged the board and community to push back on any efforts that would reduce civil-rights protections for students with disabilities.

Ron Hobert, president of AFT Kansas and a USD 259 teacher, also urged support for the bond and for better working and learning conditions, recounting incidents of unsafe wiring and recurring power outages at his former school.

Why it matters: Maggard framed the issue as protecting federally guaranteed access to special education and related services, including differentiated instruction, speech-language services, occupational therapy and behavior intervention. She asked the board to consider the funding and policy responses needed at the state and local level should federal protections change.

Authorities referenced publicly: speakers mentioned IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as the statutory protections they rely on.

What the board did: the board did not take immediate policy action at the Feb. 10 meeting; these comments were recorded during the public-comment period for board members' consideration.

Ending: Maggard urged the board to \"fight for the kids that have their basic rights within our community and our public schools. They need us to fight for them.\"","A parent and board-certified behavior analyst told the Wichita Board of Education that proposed federal changes and voucher proposals threaten services for students with disabilities and urged the district and community to safeguard FAPE under IDEA and 504 protections.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6341543,"Wichita pilots 'purposeful play' in kindergarten, reports lower office referrals during recess",1913,3310000,5223000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256794-07882b0fda425e6c66d8e65e127b0037&start=3310&end=5223","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256794-07882b0fda425e6c66d8e65e127b0037/thumbnail_3310000.jpg","/articles/6341543/Kansas/Wichita-pilots-purposeful-play-in-kindergarten-reports-lower-office-referrals-during-recess","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341543-b48645d4aff2540beb17cb3e4a0c1513/orig.mp4?Expires=1775990839&Signature=egC1EIC2bc7H1Rz4okg3hcaep6zABSgmmq1gMyBTtE3yjXmebyeU6wlRg3AEWZ89JHfGFUB3y4cxf3WlxN7kyuAmUcnF6bN1TDxltSPv5Z6NHs7vqwD9Cp8ifiD4r1Fwx~ifm1i88YbB4lZnQRfA-yktN2oeZQR1Nn-sgE-Z8wQwRjIy78cVr2MSKrvdpxY85aNPkTLn4GalZZRESidYVvNze5ltPd0eXultx5bbxLslLmzm~wlxZYommQN9YgYE0P-l0PTRJ4Hv3LsNG767P0y~BdIK~htIMWJOJMA-b8s7Dweu8P2~2zzcWTB04~3jv-jdh23rdr6rinBOAD6uIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wichita Public Schools staff on Feb. 10 described two district pilots aimed at increasing play time for young children and tying that work to attendance, behavior and early literacy outcomes.

Amanda Sharshel, a district leader on the initiative, said the pilots focus on the left side of a play continuum—free, student-driven play designed to increase relationships, social skills and oral language. \"Free play or self directed is often heralded as the gold standard of play,\" Sharshel told the board.

Allison Renner, principal at Allen Elementary, described a recess pilot at Allen, Gammon and Woodman elementaries that reduced disciplinary office referrals during recess. \"Just this year alone we've had a 21.4% decrease in office referrals that have occurred during recess times,\" Renner said. District staff also reported a 19% reduction in kindergarten office referrals across the four pilot sites when comparing the first two quarters of this year to the same period last year.

How the pilots work: the kindergarten \"purposeful play\" pilot provides a 40-minute block of interest-driven activity once a day; the district says the core instructional minutes for kindergarten were adjusted from a combination of intervention blocks so the pilot does not reduce required ELA or math core minutes. The recess pilot reduces prescriptive playground rules in favor of supervision that emphasizes safety, problem solving and student agency.

Data and professional learning: Sharshel said the district reached an 84.26% completion rate on the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) this school year, a measure used to screen developmental readiness. District coaches and external play experts will provide professional learning as the pilot expands; the district plans to add 10 schools to the kindergarten pilot next year based on readiness and other factors.

Board members asked about comparative control-group data and longer-term academic outcomes; staff said academic measures take longer to show change and that observational checklists for oral language and behavior are being developed.

Next steps: the district will expand the pilot to 10 additional schools next year, continue to collect office-referral and observational data and provide professional learning for participating teachers and principals.

Ending: staff framed the initiative as an evidence-informed strategy to build social skills, attendance and early-language growth that supports longer-term academic goals.

","District leaders presented early results from a kindergarten 'purposeful play' pilot and a free-recess pilot; staff reported declines in office referrals and outlined a phased expansion to 10 additional schools next year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wichita board hears update on $450 million bond plan to replace aging schools, avoid $464 million in future maintenance

Board approves consent agenda and three policy updates; votes at a glance from the Feb. 10 meeting

Parents, special-education professionals urge board to protect IDEA rights amid federal changes and warn against vouchers

Wichita pilots 'purposeful play' in kindergarten, reports lower office referrals during recess