[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_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",6642950,"mediaKeyId","2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6","parentId",2532670,"title","USD 231 Board roundup: consent approvals, transportation letter of intent, wireless network purchase and personnel actions","audioSeconds",2697,"startMs",3694000,"endMs",6391000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6&start=3694&end=6391","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6/thumbnail_3694000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6642950/Kansas/USD-231-Board-roundup-consent-approvals-transportation-letter-of-intent-wireless-network-purchase-and-personnel-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642950-efe69e7aa69b69ecc264df91c53dae87/orig.mp4?Expires=1775043829&Signature=IxxEFe0ie~2kVRXBPHIkLsMbFG3UUPR~xKBkcX-MT4DU5FZtfdiH6BHeWa7fVBjYka6GE5e6HoNsDZwvwpIx4heUiYKkhaMMxKB9yj8EjLKS7mPRfEfBmCxvUnmOME5oD2TmUre4kt9tYxeAp7qWsYSQ6iyL5-02onap9xOFwXQb9sUt1OMxuwDGL-yW8Z0Gh6xaPLk-roAMafXQF1C25h1q89kP6BdELj77D~aXriAZANsVOykuLST32PWb6QwVxQBkYhRLucObAUcHfA1tyoMSkpEKWO7ggqezO5R4Br7c2WA7JPgmVk1xBdYezbyiN8G4zcVKb6SIxBpZH~CtMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gardner Edgerton USD 231","date","2025-03-11T03:35:53.217Z","article","The USD 231 Board of Education recorded multiple routine and substantive actions at its meeting.

Key approvals and actions

- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the Feb. 10 regular meeting, financial statements, Epic curricular resource (USD 231), KSB recommended policy updates, approval of contracts and purchases, memoranda of understanding approvals and claims. The consent agenda was approved by motion with no recorded opposition.

- Donations and gifts: District staff reported donations and in-kind gifts totaling $1,360 plus supplies from community businesses and organizations for multiple schools and student initiatives; the board thanked donors and accepted the report as part of routine business.

- Student transportation: The administration recommended First Student for pupil transportation. The district asked the board to approve a letter of intent at First Student’s request while final contract items (minor attorney contingencies) are completed; the board approved the letter of intent and the administration said a final contract will be brought back to the April 14, 2025 meeting (consent agenda anticipated).

- Fly on the Wall (book review): The board approved the book review committee recommendation to allow Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart for high school use (agenda item 10.1). The committee and a district librarian had recommended the title for high-school audiences.

- Snow-day calendar adjustments: District staff presented a plan to recover instructional hours lost to weather. Adjustments cited include converting planned half days (elementary May 9 and final high-school half-day finals) into full days to meet state-required hours, with most buildings remaining on a schedule that preserves graduations and teacher check-out time. The presentation was for awareness; no board vote was required.

- Wireless access network critical refresh: The board approved a recommended purchase of approximately 600 wireless access points and seven years of cloud management (Meraki/Cisco solution) to replace aging equipment districtwide; the quoted price discussed in the presentation was about $579,010.02 with E-rate eligibility expected to cover a portion of the cost. Board members discussed coverage at athletic facilities and classroom dead zones; staff noted E-rate can reimburse roughly 60% based on district free-and-reduced calculations.

- Personnel and contracts: The board approved personnel actions presented in executive session and approved returning administrator and technology staff contracts for 2025–26 as presented.

What the board tabled

- Therapeutic day school: After an extended discussion of staffing, site selection and timing — and concerns about the bond election’s impact on facilities planning — a motion to table consideration of the therapeutic day school was made and approved. The board directed additional committee review before reconsidering program approval.

How votes were recorded

Where the transcript recorded votes it showed motions carried with “none opposed.” The transcript did not provide a named roll-call for each motion in the public record included here; the administration noted some items will return on the consent agenda in April.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","USD 231 March BOE Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","USD 231’s Board of Education approved the consent agenda (including Epic curricular resource), authorized a transportation letter of intent, approved a wireless access network refresh, accepted donations and approved personnel and administrator contracts.","taxTitle","Gardner Edgerton, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",70094,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642954,"Board retains Epic digital library and approves 'Fly on the Wall' for high school reading",0,6418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6&start=6418&end=6418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6/thumbnail_6418000.jpg","/articles/6642954/Kansas/Board-retains-Epic-digital-library-and-approves-Fly-on-the-Wall-for-high-school-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642954-e3be8670b3d42a0fd6718460436a20fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775043829&Signature=KelAd9ZuO1TFnfBI6bNZGlfDAQ4mE-GD5aPNGCbCjcuky-rSDFE5gqowlM~wE01QD8sxFhZID7w7Q4g0FvdRJNe6HXH-kUsMoPqvmVHiXfNCwwQOKSimFpuHbscitAur0Ru834mvMYHPSTerHTkPdhyKw~l9VwK2B1bxVqc7TXO-cAtoM0A8dAt6ThL4vCIaAtzg~PYjR3XRCCi70j6sagfdPmpRMX9JlsoJdagvnown8GNlBR2Rr3wdFBN3qb1Qv5uJSzYU4M~T6tb~Fc3q5Zslv3TEslsJYiIihpSYMCxA0GoJ9GVcT69VtaSo0Co00uTcSCSlm42i6JHZi7NHQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The USD 231 Board of Education approved keeping the Epic Books digital library as a curricular resource for USD 231 and voted to approve the novel Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart for high school use following a book committee recommendation and public comment.

Amanda Bird, librarian at Gardner Edgerton High School, spoke during public comment in favor of retaining Epic Books, a digital library used in the district’s elementary ELA curriculum. Bird said Epic provides access to leveled, bilingual and audio titles, supports differentiated instruction, and is a cost-effective way to provide thousands of titles to students who may not have books at home. Bird urged the board to preserve Epic as a resource and cautioned against removing digital content that supports teachers and equitable access.

Bird also urged the board not to remove Fly on the Wall from the high school, arguing it is a coming-of-age novel that addresses self-identity, body image and adolescent challenges and that removing books because they make some people uncomfortable sets a precedent for broader censorship.

The book review committee presented its recommendation on Fly on the Wall; a board member described the committee’s work and recommended the book for high school. The board approved the committee recommendation and voted to retain Epic Books as part of the consent agenda. No board member recorded opposition during the votes reported in the transcript.

District staff and board members said parents retain the right to guide their own child’s reading choices, but committee and staff recommendations support the book’s availability at the high school level and the continued use of Epic Books in elementary curriculum planning.

No changes to library access were announced beyond the committee’s recommendation and the district’s vote to keep Epic Books in its curricular resources.","After public comment and a committee review, the USD 231 Board approved keeping Epic Books as a curricular resource in the district and voted to allow the novel Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart in high school classrooms/libraries.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642959,"Gardner Elementary staff express concern over principal selection after social media posts; board hears letter endorsing top candidate",802,6206000,7008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6&start=6206&end=7008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6/thumbnail_6206000.jpg","/articles/6642959/Kansas/Gardner-Elementary-staff-express-concern-over-principal-selection-after-social-media-posts-board-hears-letter-endorsing-top-candidate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642959-d2c8280d516ca263b39b90898d31402f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775043829&Signature=Re4eNkGzQHRoQLx-ybKwHwJMtHGgh0nvBJnyISsyqdZ~Q0rK14eTMyVSWcBx3CTNB1dCPARxoFhrB~7wFy9Jdt2uJGWAuXObp8G0T9Ihq~VNVuv5nqQbz30FLwnSkyVniuW5DTgv0H6Gbps2MHLmXgeriRLoOlkyjP3j2eHNo2kztdbS0Morcc11oDvOwBACkWByV0RDaJcCKPeqoM-8s2l0cCz2HAEnzy6njyGgiOD3239ZDWstzSKKYjhjSx6WZptn~d2~IDwoJmHgvfNE8Qw~FCCGrqWF30dL-FDKFdM2e0sB6vhgeu7kEn8Rez0ypXlopor7jfT3Z~pTDd9Ncg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A group of Gardner Elementary staff members told the USD 231 Board of Education they recommended a specific candidate for Gardner Elementary principal and are concerned outside social media posts may have discouraged the candidate from advancing in the hiring process.

Natalie Honus, a first-grade teacher and Gardner resident, read a letter from the majority of the interview committee describing the candidate as “composed, genuine” and experienced in special education, therapeutic settings and building-level leadership. The letter said staff valued the candidate’s stated commitment to being visible in hallways and classrooms and his community involvement ideas. Committee members said they believed the candidate would support the building’s Title I population and their specialized programs.

Honus told the board the staff committee feared that social media posts about the candidate may have negatively affected the hiring process and said those who criticized the candidate had not reviewed his resume, credentials or spoken with him. The letter stressed that staff voices, based on daily experience with students, should be weighed in the selection process and warned that disregarding those voices puts students’ interests at stake.

Board members thanked the staff for providing the letter and asked district officials to review any allegations about the hiring process, including claims related to quorum or procedural irregularities. The superintendent said he would look into the committee’s concerns.

No formal board action was taken during the meeting on the principal hiring matter; board members said they would review the committee letter and investigate any procedural complaints brought forward by staff members.","Gardner Elementary teachers delivered a letter to the USD 231 Board of Education endorsing a preferred principal candidate and said social media commentary may have influenced the candidate's decision not to proceed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642965,"Gardner Edgerton students press board over graduation cord restrictions; administration to convene review committee",3026,6003000,9029000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6&start=6003&end=9029","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6/thumbnail_6003000.jpg","/articles/6642965/Kansas/Gardner-Edgerton-students-press-board-over-graduation-cord-restrictions-administration-to-convene-review-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642965-945b1908a3ca948dfa29e2522076e657/orig.mp4?Expires=1775043829&Signature=nehva-jCJCD28mnA~OoiufDnMb3KyRi~i3Kvkh9QXcG8dysXvS8cblWal3ds3hQMnpf4L4eBCVUQEz8A8N~BrJykXnH7H25QXTSvk5j88tn7D~zo9OqgS9BnSTJ~84JCSpY36kp-hmOyjmz6QFJeOFC-0mU3mgQD65G5-zvMbvO4QFz0twIljI8Q7dYhr2oQlpnNlPXpTlBrYvVBhtqPZ~boh8I2nSbO5wEm9fsDu1k9h9Xr8gTI~5dDze7Xl3kqcXJFUxT2ZnaD3I8z2oRtPv5LU-Ty58T7MrRLfABhDVYIqZYd2DT78dFXeLJBsX4PwocfaRP5uHmaO3VVxRmSpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple students and student council representatives at the USD 231 Board of Education meeting urged the district to relax restrictions on who may wear cords at the Gardner Edgerton High School graduation ceremony.

Student speakers said cords represent meaningful accomplishments and identity. They criticized a policy that currently limits cords — they cited examples such as National Honor Society, military enlistment recognition and certain career-pathway cords — and described inconsistent communication from school administrators. One student said the administration had previously told students they could wear a Kansas Scholar cord but later reversed that guidance, calling the explanation “aesthetics” and “uniformity.”

Students and a school staff speaker proposed several alternatives: allow any earned cord with a cap on the number per graduate (one example given: a three-cord maximum used at other high schools), or formalize clear criteria in the student handbook. Several students said they were offered a compromise by the principal involving a committee review process; speakers described concern that the proposed committee review could become subjective if applications were filtered before approval.

Superintendent Brian Huff and board members said the high school is forming a committee to review cord requests and that the administration expects to begin receiving applications with an April cutoff (announcement referenced an April 1–April 15 window). Board members said they want criteria codified in the handbook and indicated they will review committee recommendations; one board member asked for the committee’s findings to be returned to the board for consideration. The board noted the awards night remains the broader recognition vehicle and that graduation has traditionally recognized a narrower set of honors.

District staff said the process aims to balance elevating specific awards while considering whether broader recognition is appropriate. The district confirmed the high school will accept cord requests for review and that notifications of committee decisions would be issued in mid-April.

No formal board action was taken on the cords policy at the meeting; board members encouraged continued dialogue between students, high school administration and the board.","Students and parents urged USD 231 to allow broader use of graduation cords at Gardner Edgerton High School. The board and administration said the high school will collect cord requests and a committee will review applications with deadlines in April.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642969,"USD 231 board tables therapeutic day school proposal for further review",1479,8707000,10186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6&start=8707&end=10186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532670-fe28b1796fa5b362e4140df5556bb0f6/thumbnail_8707000.jpg","/articles/6642969/Kansas/USD-231-board-tables-therapeutic-day-school-proposal-for-further-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642969-d575a5217a6b8d1b4e08ba0f084ffff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775043829&Signature=D~aja8lkbIDs3deHKSC~w1y3QvlLd7zkLsqtduUri5A45ozmVQpurQy4adgSb7OdQ1KfLrF6aXZFaVXRY4X3pO9aNgtdJ~sNL-qDWJQ~uPqVxIdnXP5e0QIn4LRdmnhe1n8Df6qLZZGy319pCHz0CnVFl95WpkF2ygTM0kMheTG8LNjiBgJ-6ktOnX2BomdRzsc2z2yivtP3jB2NXcgaKmNYy0GwATY9rSutwZ2UPFO6~JsF1iKSqrT5zZzrpND9xQSUK9gAb59OEnYXnZ1VM~Ld7mV5Ym1eW0Lq9GawfPHD3n~7ynDkugdbocDh96vLWdGIG0v8eyvqj99mOfeyXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The USD 231 Board of Education on a motion to table delayed a decision on whether to create a therapeutic day school, citing remaining questions about staffing, student safety, facility location and the district's upcoming bond vote.

The proposal, presented by Dan Pollet, coordinator of social and emotional learning, asked the board to decide first whether the district should pursue a therapeutic day school program. Pollet said program planning to date included research, enrollment and capacity estimates and proposed staffing models; he and Executive Director Carter were available to answer questions. Pollet described an initial enrollment target of only a “handful of students” for a fall startup — roughly three to five students — and emphasized individualized behavior plans and a small staff-to-student ratio to reduce incidents.

Board members pressed Pollet and other district staff on operational details. Questions included what behavioral plans specifically would require, how one-to-one support and crisis response would be staffed, whether administrators at any proposed host school could respond quickly enough, and whether building administrators would receive specialized training. District staff said each student would have an individualized behavior plan developed with family and staff and that a crisis-response team and administrator training were part of the proposal. The district said it prefers not to decide a site until the board first agrees to pursue the program.

Several board members said they supported the program goal — returning students to in-district schooling with wraparound supports — but raised concerns about the implementation timeline. Members noted outstanding committee questions, the risk of displacing students if the bond vote fails, and the desire for additional input from special education, finance and facilities committees. One board member proposed tabling the item to allow further committee review and to consider an implementation timeline aiming at the 2026–27 school year.

A motion to table the proposal until further consideration was made, seconded and approved. The board did not set a definitive date for reconsideration; board members said they expect additional work in the district’s Education Services, Special Education and Finance committees and suggested a small stakeholder work group could be convened to gather families, special education staff and finance representatives.

Pollet and district staff said they will continue to provide information to those committees and to the board as requested.

The board took no further action on the program at the meeting.","After extended questions about staffing, location and timing, the USD 231 Board of Education voted to table consideration of a proposed therapeutic day school and asked committees to continue review before any implementation decision.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

USD 231 Board roundup: consent approvals, transportation letter of intent, wireless network purchase and personnel actions

Board retains Epic digital library and approves 'Fly on the Wall' for high school reading

Gardner Elementary staff express concern over principal selection after social media posts; board hears letter endorsing top candidate

Gardner Edgerton students press board over graduation cord restrictions; administration to convene review committee

USD 231 board tables therapeutic day school proposal for further review