[{"_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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6273202,"mediaKeyId","3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560","parentId",3004772,"title","Superintendent reports staffing reductions and budget savings progress; schedules special meetings","audioSeconds",127,"startMs",2757031,"endMs",2884031,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560&start=2757&end=2884","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560/thumbnail_2757031.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6273202/Leavenworth/School-Boards/Kansas/Superintendent-reports-staffing-reductions-and-budget-savings-progress-schedules-special-meetings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273202-b5cbd139b82a6ab2a2bae34c6f260608/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155226&Signature=SBORVTLOLSct6kubjwBYSCwQ7o82GTwg4lRZJopH60WebS0XiPpA1UhujtTpyaZquIlUvwn9yreD5Y758OVTAwvqPf5f2MYy-2We5JW-t3vHLjnwlNUXj0pIpnbhHK1wusvDIY238Tyn7gqGGvJdrg7uDgiIG15VeAmIW3Va9FdNis1OMzEbugvF-lqZXv5SQmF6YsQ-3gugq-QdzDC04TemdPseo4C5ijcp9TQdNLiSA0HTJAztxSanVWu2dfymo89H4sQZ6C9o69bpcp6TVau9zkyZ-FRi3Ktb5c266NZQld1~wvGehLxR9f-3rPMvCjjJbquYozA4UyLQYmgwzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth School District","date","2025-04-16T07:43:48.023Z","article","Superintendent Keith briefed the board on staffing reductions, budget savings and two upcoming special meetings tied to the Netti Hartnett building and a district needs assessment.

Keith said the district will have 43 fewer positions next year and that payroll will be about $2,500,000 less. He reported reductions by category as approximately 15% in administration, 9% in certified positions and 4% in classified positions. He said the district was \"just about to hit the $500,000 mark\" toward a broader target and that the district is \"about to close in on the total budget savings of 5,000,000,\" language used in the presentation to the board.

The superintendent announced two special meetings outside the regular calendar: April 28 (5:30 p.m.) focused on next steps for the Netti Hartnett building and May 5 (4:00 p.m.) dedicated to a needs assessment. He asked trustees to submit items or research requests in advance so staff can prepare.

The superintendent also said the May 5 meeting will include a needs assessment presentation led by building principals and district leads. In response to a scheduling question, district staff said they aim to publish materials for the April 28 meeting by the preceding Thursday because special meeting agendas cannot be amended.

No formal board action was taken on the staffing or savings figures during the report; the superintendent invited questions and indicated staff would follow up on requested items ahead of the special meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","USD 453 Leavenworth Board of Education Meeting: Monday, March 10, 2025 (Part 2)","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Keith reported planned staffing reductions and progress toward budget‑savings targets, and announced two special board meetings for a building decision and a needs assessment.","taxTitle","Leavenworth, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",38767,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273207,"Board approves nonresident open seats under policy JDCC; approves posting of seats",300,2483471,2784331,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560&start=2483&end=2784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560/thumbnail_2483471.jpg","/articles/6273207/Leavenworth/School-Boards/Kansas/Board-approves-nonresident-open-seats-under-policy-JDCC-approves-posting-of-seats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273207-5763693483221d639df9b19f6fe72348/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155226&Signature=ncoLFTEEPp1VUqVA4sirWoe4-61b2NgoWwPDjW3Bmv1dffhKXDlQxZUE9Ybs34rgMswGYY8Ryg~VOYfpmqscQjQAqlIVbJ9fr4pBc0~e7jwmlPRm2zNtllgA8-fEvQrFNwed9E6dlp5f4t0To5z9~QJ~D~E-c~GkfxZeKqU~N0L8yr5FVn8IEEb16rfr0rBwrhL9OTTvIT2CaItQxXlRDbkdeaHczFeSc9btzFpbU1v8K7KbFLFtFp8y9MIB5e8wiRoz1f9ZmuDpLI9TIsRz3kexkswGezAAdKlJiIRWY2ZhXVlnGIPqwxsiOTESBrqVA4xSi3xuxW3KpAxADNpPiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leavenworth Schools Board of Education voted to approve the district’s open seats for nonresident enrollment under board policy JDCC and directed staff to post the open‑seat list on the district website.

District staff reviewed seven years of enrollment trends and projections, reporting a decline of 213 students from the prior year and total enrollment of 3,277. Staff described how projection methodology rolls students forward by grade and noted unpredictability in counts for preschool and kindergarten, and a larger‑than‑expected decline between eighth and ninth grade tied to Patton Junior High retention of students.

The presenter said the number of open seats is larger than last year and that the district had kept teacher‑to‑student ratios the same. If the board approved the open seats, staff said the seats would be posted on the district website the next day and the selection lottery conducted in July, per policy JDCC.

Mrs. Murphy moved to approve the open seats and Mrs. Wilson seconded. The board voted in favor, recorded in the transcript as “Yes. 7 0.” Following the vote staff said they would post the open seats and projections on the district website.

The board did not change teacher‑to‑student ratio thresholds during the action. The presenter reminded trustees that kindergarten and early‑childhood counts are harder to project because attendance is not required by state law.","The board approved the district's list of open seats for nonresident enrollment under board policy JDCC and directed staff to post seat availability and run a lottery in July.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273212,"District highlights career‑technical education pathways, releases Discovery Trail guidebook",870,1618131,2488891,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560&start=1618&end=2488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560/thumbnail_1618131.jpg","/articles/6273212/Leavenworth/School-Boards/Kansas/District-highlights-careertechnical-education-pathways-releases-Discovery-Trail-guidebook","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273212-1e91736cffc7f9aa36f3683bdfe5e4f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155226&Signature=LhJJi2arjO-oOt1sEyEDWu8vAWAFciBHEpENLJ~815O9lpylierOkF8ppNhtlkAKpdWcd6lAQPFjQNody5jSbUlxZdrYMc2vxqBuTvDkM5WQUoDUayYCFIR5Ks7k4uLkaPOpbtPUXvfx1OdWiCAmHROhAHM21VF28QtbT1mdGtAjZtOiN3ZA1Aj8YjVEjQR5FLshxe5zdAYPiRBJy6p0SnvHzLL3kQP7n3ZmmkOQm~oIGjJ2Bp59xd2HnJqP~bNqcdW9FsnPPWiZ3-5x89-JrdtLRK8sfAMtwTZPBT5wgImy3vkHTgK2bQYFauRgjmNoRXs4ePFj8Qt6E1mk7KYCHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth Schools presented highlights of its strategic plan focused on career and technical education, describing local CTE pathways, postsecondary partnerships and a new Discovery Trail guidebook for families.

A district presenter said the work aligns with Kansas priorities and the state’s career framework; the presentation noted seven major industries and 16 career clusters identified by state guidance. The presenter described 32 individual pathways and said Leavenworth High School offers pathways in all but one major industry (agriculture). The presenter explained that each pathway requires three course levels—introductory, technical and application—and must include an advisory group of field professionals.

The presenter introduced Ms. Durden, identified at the meeting as the district’s new CTE coordinator, and credited her with writing grants, aligning coursework to updated state mandates and advancing individual plans of study (IPS). A trustee called the Discovery Trail guidebook “invaluable” for families; the presenter said copies were e‑mailed to board members and that each pathway landing page includes recommended grade‑level electives, embedded credentialing options and partner programs such as Pioneer Career Center (PCC) and local community college offerings.

Board members asked about embedded credits and whether technical coursework could carry graduation credit in core subjects; the presenter said embedded credit is “at the state level,” requires alignment to core competencies and is being explored. Trustees also asked what would be involved for an agriculture pathway; the presenter said demand (student interest) and resources would be the initial considerations and suggested starting small.

The board received the strategic‑plan update and encouraged continued work on pathway alignment, partnerships and family outreach.","The board heard a strategic‑plan update on career and technical education (CTE): the district has multiple pathways aligned to state frameworks, introduced a Discovery Trail guidebook for families, and named Ms. Durden as CTE coordinator.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273217,"Chartwells presents child‑nutrition update; highlights student engagement and menu changes",1439,194541,1634141,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560&start=194&end=1634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560/thumbnail_194541.jpg","/articles/6273217/Leavenworth/School-Boards/Kansas/Chartwells-presents-childnutrition-update-highlights-student-engagement-and-menu-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273217-5052e2a5d8743d5ccf025929e81b2c0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155226&Signature=dz4KZIyAEx1ezoYea9olqNx926gWTCJJzhWflwvwhGtiu-hf~xy9o7Kf5pVWD50cjMQ2UXZhl1IZfmE27L5Vv~XHks8vMDG7KsNNMsvq3D-mX-Fcs1hy-H8Dh7r-yxdK-Il2Vt1Hda7SqCXtZXfBe0mkiMBKhj5lSZm~6sdJOgGZSufumNnPKUlEQlQETmKAa0nIDhaQTU0-lQ9meqd2zlUesFYaqgsDwLce1Ecz7j3BwzgQTZbHwws74dhcA46uKQFoseKx0s5jeAty~WvK2TiWr~1GbJp~Yh6L1h1UjhMkrf0P~v4qvTFh9UaP~djYPxRen8Lpdy1DJ8wVZqJGEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chartwells, the district food‑service contractor for Leavenworth Schools, gave a detailed presentation on child nutrition programs, staffing and planned menu innovations, emphasizing student engagement and compliance with federal meal standards.

\"We ensure that all meals are compliant with USDA and NSLP guidelines,\" said Sandy Curran, director of dining services for Chartwells at Leavenworth Schools. Curran described made‑from‑scratch preparation at school kitchens, use of Webtrition software to ensure menu compliance, and daily offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Chartwells reported service volume numbers: an average of about 930 breakfasts per day (61,183 so far this school year) and about 2,010 lunches per day (356,824 for the year). The vendor said its staff count for Leavenworth is 26 Chartwells employees and 18 district employees supporting meal service.

The presenter reviewed recent student engagement activities including a culinary throwdown, student‑choice tasting and voting (the winning concept, Big City Barbecue, will be served this week), National School Breakfast Week events, and on‑site grant‑funded beef processing for popular menu items. Chartwells outlined new fall plans: a refreshed fall menu, a coffee bar and additional a la carte smart‑snack offerings at the high school, and training and certification for cafeteria staff (including ServSafe) to support program consistency.

Curran and regional Chartwells staff described three new classroom/cafeteria education initiatives to roll out next school year: Global Eats (cuisines from around the world), Mood Boost Mondays (lessons linking food and mood for elementary students) and Discovery Kitchen (hands‑on ingredient study and recipe cards to send home). She said Discovery Kitchen can be run in the cafeteria in short segments or in longer classroom sessions with several classes combined and that initial implementation will include Chartwells staff and regional chefs supporting local staff until they are trained to deliver the program.

Board members raised operational questions: long lunch lines and limited eating time for students in several buildings. A district staff member acknowledged the problems and said an internal review had already begun and that Chartwells had taken corrective steps at two buildings within one day of notice. The district also said it will work with Chartwells on scheduling and staffing to increase efficiency and prioritize time to eat.

The Chartwells presentation included mentions of operational partners and supports: Sysco (broadline purchaser), Webtrition menu software, Nutrislice online menus, and USDA National School Lunch Program rules governing reimbursable meals.

Chartwells invited trustees to attend fall training and preview menus; district staff said they will continue to monitor service times and staffing levels and report steps taken to improve lunchroom efficiency.","Chartwells, the district's food-service partner, detailed menus, programs, staffing, USDA compliance and new student‑engagement initiatives including Discovery Kitchen, Global Eats and Mood Boost Mondays.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273222,"Board approves $73,030 contract for rooftop-unit labor after capacity concerns",175,321,175461,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560&start=0&end=175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3004772-24428eab596ebfe894b03d30bcd33560/thumbnail_321.jpg","/articles/6273222/Leavenworth/School-Boards/Kansas/Board-approves-73030-contract-for-rooftop-unit-labor-after-capacity-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273222-16ccd22b882e734a2ad20c41b1eb4b0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155226&Signature=HZcLzGyL3gYY6uQA23iiH68Qs2JeC7D4WMe2nD7OdYWpDCq032zJ5DGoyvQaRIi22l2A0r1SxmA11oqobIWRSmtarOE49aWaUznj2K4Csvxr79xjoJSHbu0Wt5LLrlbJNVCMoD7LaCLqvTABArXJ89o7tYP7Nvs~YI~m-QdsLZYKW2OsMRErScu1KzsmGScLv8zclbrLPp-RQXEqJeFdzXj37NoDNo8T1zFcASgkzeyeqkx4Mr8Cds3epbRln84XLibOhhMcQmRRQr1U3VVDw06sjyAArHt7FXm8iiEuflaHbCaWqHxyNxXhvg2RPMOqhn~E-DEqc8H4387JQ4STqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leavenworth Schools Board of Education approved a $73,030 contract to hire labor to install rooftop HVAC units after staff said the district does not have the capacity to self‑perform the work.

Board approval was sought after staff told trustees the district originally planned to install the units using in‑house labor but later determined it lacked the equipment and capacity. A staff member said, “We are requesting approval so that we can move forward with the work as it does necessitate board approval.”

The motion to approve was made by Mrs. Murphy and seconded by Mrs. Reed. During discussion trustees pressed staff for an explanation for the change, noting that prior month materials and labor had been presented separately. One board member said constituents needed clarification about why the district now must pay for outside labor, adding that the cost could reflect safety considerations or lack of equipment. The staff reply said the pricing for labor and materials is “both coming from the Greenbush Purchasing Cooperative Agreement.”

Trustees were also told a 30‑day window applies to the pricing. A board member raised concern that as weather and contractor demand changes, prices could rise. The motion passed; the transcript records an affirmative response following the vote. The meeting record does not include a full roll‑call tally for this item in the transcript.

The board did not amend the contract amount during the meeting. The administration did not present additional written alternatives for completing the installation in‑house during the discussion.

Notes on next steps: staff will proceed with contracting for installation labor under the Greenbush cooperative purchase and said they would provide whatever clarifying information trustees requested for constituent communications.","The board approved a $73,030 contract to hire labor for rooftop HVAC unit installation after staff said the district lacks capacity to self-perform the work; trustees asked for reasoned explanation to constituents about the added labor cost.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent reports staffing reductions and budget savings progress; schedules special meetings

Board approves nonresident open seats under policy JDCC; approves posting of seats

District highlights career‑technical education pathways, releases Discovery Trail guidebook

Chartwells presents child‑nutrition update; highlights student engagement and menu changes

Board approves $73,030 contract for rooftop-unit labor after capacity concerns