[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6607396,"mediaKeyId","2952913-59e52d077e3902a37bc8759cbadcbf24","parentId",2952913,"title","Shawnee Mission leaders propose new early childhood center at Catherine Carpenter site using remaining bond funds","audioSeconds",975,"startMs",1370000,"endMs",2345000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952913-59e52d077e3902a37bc8759cbadcbf24&start=1370&end=2345","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952913-59e52d077e3902a37bc8759cbadcbf24/thumbnail_1370000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607396/Kansas/Shawnee-Mission-leaders-propose-new-early-childhood-center-at-Catherine-Carpenter-site-using-remaining-bond-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607396-7c86eb9ca06cf9314bee45f07420f063/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946642&Signature=KhEZnw~tlWi9dg6IJIRxUJrQo7Ob9hGmgVHYPa2FpKlzsVlTJXb8hw3f0~rHIA6kgtqOKJmIPteUUgERIPm46XTPl1ecv6ZhZmgQjBw0xusccJLTyJF-aQ7hQlahpH9Ynmv3F4nIKK-pSFoY4A93jjemot5H4Om3Yrb5cQTjjcmARe~RHhmf6RXKXUh8NgrplR-WoVpLfb036bJ5ADXdRuMtp4KGHbLxS6j9bxKqL0RynSvmstFfdKwb-CyUJgChL57eYfVPEpTd6mVAIVBegbcMYPek50jsvHfbd3Bz8asrKiB8-Jhg7JZl-uu2wDKE-0P50jnPXycNczcQx5bY1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shawnee Mission School District","date","2025-04-10T22:11:01.54Z","article","Shawnee Mission Public Schools staff proposed creating a new centralized early childhood education center at the district's decommissioned Catherine Carpenter site, presenting the idea to the Finance and Facilities Committee on April 14.

The district's presentation said the center would be intentionally designed for early learners and would offer a continuum of classroom models (general, unified, integrated and specialized), wraparound care options with partners such as JCPRD and Y Care, screening and training spaces, and potential transportation between school-based pre-K sites and the centralized hub.

The proposal emerged as part of the district's strategic plan work (strategy 1.3.1) and an action team that began meeting in November to study marketing, facilities, equity and partnerships. Committee members were given a first look before full-board consideration. \"This is something brand new that you guys haven't heard from us on,\" the presenting staff member said during the meeting.

Why it matters: district staff cited research on the long-term benefits of high-quality early education (including higher graduation rates and reduced special-education costs) and said a purpose-built center could expand equitable access, provide a range of classroom models and make wraparound care more feasible for families who currently lack space at some school-based sites.

Details and next steps: the district told the committee that for the coming school year 21 of 34 elementary sites will have a pre-K classroom (15 general pre-K, 6 unified). The existing early childhood center at the Old Broadmoor building currently has 14 classrooms serving about 204 students (12 integrated classrooms, two specialized classrooms) and 41 peer placements, and operates on a four-day week.

District staff recommended the Catherine Carpenter site as the initial option for a new center and said bond proceeds and related interest/premium funds could cover a large share of upfront capital costs. Finance staff reported approximately $29.1 million remaining in bond funds before an estimated $2.2 million arbitrage payment; after that payment the presentation estimated roughly $26.9 million available. The presentation also noted an encumbered balance of about $15 million tied to ongoing projects and said bond premium and interest income helped generate the available funds.

Staff repeatedly cautioned that capacity, final cost and operational impacts remain to be determined. Designers would be engaged only after a formal board decision; capacity planning and operating-cost estimates would be completed during design. A committee member asked about operating costs and the presenter said initial operations could be covered at a relatively flat cost but that expansion over time would likely increase staffing and operating expenses and would be addressed in a later, more detailed report to the board.

Board reactions: board members and the appointee representing the Shawnee Mission East area, Melissa Rooker (Executive Director, Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund), expressed strong support for expanding early childhood access. Several members asked for clearer parent-facing materials describing how a centralized center would change day-to-day routines for families, particularly around transportation and wraparound care.

What was not decided: the presentation was a recommendation and an invitation for committee feedback ahead of a forthcoming report to the full board. The committee did not vote and no contract or design firm was authorized during the meeting. Staff said the plan would be brought to the board for further discussion and, if approved, would move to designer selection and capacity planning.

Next steps and timing: district staff said they will continue action-team work, refine model options (school-based five-day models vs. four-day centralized models), develop budget/operational estimates, and present a formal recommendation to the full board at a future meeting. Committee members were invited to bring questions to the board meeting the following Monday.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance and Facilities Committee Meeting April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Shawnee Mission Public Schools staff proposed creating a purpose-built early childhood education center at the district's decommissioned Catherine Carpenter site and said remaining bond proceeds and related premium/interest could fund much of the capital cost, though final capacity, design and operating costs remain to be determined.","taxTitle","Shawnee Mission Pub Sch, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",13093,"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},6607386,"District outlines available bond funds and legislative funding outlook; special education and mentor-teacher funding remain concerns",973,2381000,3354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952913-59e52d077e3902a37bc8759cbadcbf24&start=2381&end=3354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952913-59e52d077e3902a37bc8759cbadcbf24/thumbnail_2381000.jpg","/articles/6607386/Kansas/District-outlines-available-bond-funds-and-legislative-funding-outlook-special-education-and-mentor-teacher-funding-remain-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607386-68b79f8a14bd5ce71ce0d09507a43316/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946642&Signature=LqB6SsvZscWn9IQwz8QX2E8j-UrDqVOZLCSG1lSd8OsC2LFfRfSkRldIaGEWVdSDm4ICZ2OOAqmR9JDMZGXmgP8fI-9r32MrfUqvM4y3PeeL26S1Jg126kd5XvLlN4bss5d9Oz5-GlONF~MKfbI~RJS~Sx0XrXH7uGxujTER5sYpBEXei8EEYyOOLz8MnHXkdLQLAdJNZv3tz-55F38hsGbMAr76KpMdMF5cYMRpkQHNvjjprx79FCakVu3rBNvdFr~o4CpdOwcJIwsy8h-mcq2wrFIz5DI0EmOi0O4Q9aWnvA~SU6FZnVfXrbgV3umIUmGTw3wv9nqLQhqDnY7L7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shawnee Mission Public Schools finance staff told the Finance and Facilities Committee on April 14 that the district currently estimates about $29.1 million in remaining bond-related cash before an arbitrage reconciliation; after an estimated $2.2 million arbitrage payment the presentation calculated roughly $26.9 million available for capital priorities.

Finance staff explained the $29.1 million balance reflected bond premiums and interest income generated when the district sold bonds above par; the district expects to file a final arbitrage calculation when bond proceeds are spent and remit any required payment to the federal government. The presentation also noted approximately $15 million in funds already encumbered for ongoing projects.

On the state funding front, district and board members reporting from Topeka said the governor had signed the overall budget and that the legislature was working through line-item and conference committee steps in the veto session. Staff said the state adopted a base aid increase tied to a three-year CPI average (staff reported a working estimate of a 4.33% base increase, which they equated to roughly $5,611 per pupil in the presentation as a working figure), and that the Legislature restored $10 million in SPED funding in the adopted budget. The district estimated it would receive roughly $502,000 of that $10 million under the new allocation formula.

The committee was told that the state budget removed separate line-item funding for professional development, mentor-teacher programs and \"teacher excellence\" allocations; staff estimated the district's share of those cut items would have been about $105,000 previously and that the district would absorb most of the cost (presenters estimated continuing a mentor-teacher program at roughly $80,000 funded from operating funds). Board members flagged the removal as a policy concern and noted that mentor-teaching is tied to teacher licensure and professional growth.

Other changes discussed included a proposed statutory change restricting special-election dates for bond questions (affecting when mail-ballot bond elections may be conducted) and state-level property tax changes (the session eliminated a 1.5 statewide mill levy that funds state-run facilities, which staff said does not reduce local school district funding).

Board members discussed the district's special-education shortfall (finance staff put the district's net contribution to special education at roughly $20 million) and calculated that transferring that cost across the district's enrollment equates to approximately $720 per pupil. Committee members said that even with the state's $10 million allocation, district special-education costs are likely to outpace state additions and will remain a pressure on local budgets.

What was not decided: no budget votes or staffing decisions were made; staff said salary-and-benefit negotiations and final health-insurance renewal figures remain to be determined during May negotiations and are needed to finalize the operating budget.

Next steps: staff will complete the legislative and funding reconciliation once the veto session finishes, finalize projected health-insurance renewal numbers, and return budget drafts to the board at the April/May workshops and through the statutory budget-notice process this summer.","Finance staff reported roughly $29.1 million in remaining bond proceeds before an estimated $2.2 million arbitrage reconciliation, and discussed the state's recently adopted budget, which includes a $10 million SPED allocation but removed separate mentor-teacher and professional-development line items that the district will need to fund locally.",{"_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},6607391,"Tomahawk Elementary nears completion; district reports progress on turf, HVAC, LED and security rollouts",1084,458000,1542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952913-59e52d077e3902a37bc8759cbadcbf24&start=458&end=1542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952913-59e52d077e3902a37bc8759cbadcbf24/thumbnail_458000.jpg","/articles/6607391/Kansas/Tomahawk-Elementary-nears-completion-district-reports-progress-on-turf-HVAC-LED-and-security-rollouts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607391-0e510fa2aa16d7ad868d3d06dceed321/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946642&Signature=RpjUFGH-neATWuqi1Ex0Rb7GaNINVq8fsCx634pooNh1AmNEBVPlOaF-MVZplq3D9bXElw5oa9qfCZ-bOfQx88JoMyNLgR545x34VvthTl6-IPDbd-cG34Pk2cjC0rA1wjchEkSq7EMnXhLBqGx0RF8RsFaYfQmabS1TywXaqC9NOPV~9intqlkjJoKkPyBlXA5OFikyPTE55iAeZFFkjn77PwqQ7RIKFN4cQBtPIBbc87ekHrGgeJxPhpNFXHRaole4xvu8AS6F0fpTM7N7UG0hjqYaXUsM3vW3~voL5bJS1rM~BZFVevqLi6oiGCGc-91YJv~Wa-6aIrBDyLkpeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shawnee Mission Public Schools staff told the Finance and Facilities Committee on April 14 that construction of Tomahawk Elementary is nearing completion, several athletic turf projects would be finished this week, and districtwide facilities work (HVAC replacements, LED lighting, HVAC control upgrades) will continue through the summer.

Tomahawk Elementary: staff displayed exterior and interior photos and said crews have installed gym equipment, Tectum panels, painted surfaces and a recently completed gym floor; movable classroom casework, carpets and ceilings are in place on the first floor and second-floor work is progressing. The presentation said furniture moves are scheduled to begin July 1 and playground installation is scheduled for May.

Athletics and turf: the district reported the softball complex (four fields) and the Shawnee Mission South baseball infield turf package were in the final installation phase. The presentation said drain and grading work was completed earlier and the final rubber infill, fencing and sod installation would finish this week; staff said South would be accessible on Monday following work.

HVAC and controls: the committee heard that summer will include a substantial HVAC work schedule (chiller replacement at Northwest, rooftop-unit work at North, South and West, and HVAC repairs at several elementary sites). Staff described a five-year HVAC phase (Phase 5) and said the district maintains an inventory of units by model, serial number and age to prioritize replacements; one example given was a chiller replacement at Northwest (building originally built in 1969) with two new chillers planned. Staff said rooftop units generally have a 15'20 year life span depending on usage.

LED lighting and controls: the district is in year one of a three-year project to convert high schools to LED lighting (classrooms, hallways, exterior and parking lot lighting) and to upgrade web-based HVAC controls to allow remote access and more precise zone scheduling.

Security/badge rollout (Syntegix): staff reported the Syntegix system is being installed across the district. Badges and beacons are being tested and staff training is scheduled for April 21. An early tester triggered an alert successfully during training, staff said.

Costs and scheduling: staff said many of the HVAC and roofing projects are summer-only because of the invasiveness of the work. A committee member asked whether downtown capital work will be an ongoing summer cycle; staff replied that HVAC replacement and repair will be a continuous program districtwide and that the district will not be able to replace everything at once.

What was not decided: no procurement votes or new contracts were authorized during the committee meeting. The presentation was an update on ongoing capital work and next steps for scheduled summer projects.","Shawnee Mission staff gave the Finance and Facilities Committee a progress update on major capital projects: Tomahawk Elementary interior finishing and July move-in, multi-field turf installation, phased HVAC replacements, districtwide LED conversion, and rollout of a Syntegix security/badge system.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Shawnee Mission leaders propose new early childhood center at Catherine Carpenter site using remaining bond funds

District outlines available bond funds and legislative funding outlook; special education and mentor-teacher funding remain concerns

Tomahawk Elementary nears completion; district reports progress on turf, HVAC, LED and security rollouts