[{"_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",6249548,"mediaKeyId","3205105-00ceb8574da025040cda1a27a3b8353f","parentId",3205105,"title","Topeka school board approves agenda, consent items, schedule, enrollment figures and new social-studies resources","audioSeconds",5182,"startMs",1925669,"endMs",7108245,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205105-00ceb8574da025040cda1a27a3b8353f&start=1925&end=7108","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205105-00ceb8574da025040cda1a27a3b8353f/thumbnail_1925669.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6249548/Kansas/Topeka-school-board-approves-agenda-consent-items-schedule-enrollment-figures-and-new-social-studies-resources","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249548-62b64afc384add8ec4559da62b2b0660/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998582&Signature=jQ~rrZuKcJ1dF9RJB6BBSsd1h5g-HphRgKXZOYHbekx32IBhuVZk898KX2KhzmGCopf978nVB45fVwQGjTElW5jviM~GVfcvNvCcOYjJmpYCp7clB64PWp7p3lxNeYD2YvTRoi9X4b7lwbx0SMn011okFk2QfZ4vbGstUACl8UoHftb~XoZDC1Gi-LA2qVSEiGF6cpOnNmo2PKLoUrec7JvWEVaFpRUYSlJ-jlww7zaPwImeaQpnZ1Sb~O7QJTyUPvArC17nC8RcZddqqQ0K51vbzvN7swByAEJw1B1WFN99VF5GOES2EzEWjZ3OYd0GmOsg2g763Ye~acLA7nBeuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Topeka Public Schools","date","2025-05-07T01:06:58.02Z","article","The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education voted on multiple routine and action items during its meeting, carrying each motion unanimously.

The board recessed into a 30-minute executive session to discuss confidential personnel matters under the personnel exemption of the Kansas Open Meetings Act; the motion was made by Mr. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Boley, and the board reported the motion carried unanimously. The motion specified that the board would return to open session at 6:31 p.m. and that the superintendent and executive staff were invited into executive session.

Earlier in the meeting the board adopted the meeting agenda as presented; the motion to adopt the agenda was made by Mr. Tatum and seconded by Dr. Beeson. The board later approved items of business by consent, authorizing the board president or superintendent to sign special projects and purchasing contracts on the board’s behalf. The consent-motion mover was Mr. Tatum and a second was recorded.

In formal action items, the board approved the 2025–26 board meeting schedule, accepted out‑of‑district enrollment numbers as presented, and approved recommended policy and regulation changes (including adjustments tied to federal requirements and student medication supervision). Each of those motions was moved by Mr. Tatum and seconded; the board recorded the votes as carried.

The board also voted to adopt and purchase the requested social-studies resources and corresponding professional development. District staff had presented the social-studies materials at the prior meeting and representatives of the companies were noted as present for review. The motion to adopt and purchase the materials was moved by Mr. Tatum and seconded by Dr. Beeson; the board reported the motion carried.

The meeting concluded with typical board reports and an adjournment motion by Mr. Tatum, seconded by Ms. Foley, which the board recorded as unanimous. No individual vote tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript beyond the stated unanimous outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education 5-1-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on several administrative items, including recessing to executive session under the Kansas Open Meetings Act, adopting the agenda, approving consent items, and adopting new social-studies instructional materials and associated professional development.","taxTitle","Topeka Public Schools, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",14492,"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},6249553,"Teacher champions group reports on retention work; EPIC survey guided focus on communication, PD and mental health",885,6313080,7198665,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205105-00ceb8574da025040cda1a27a3b8353f&start=6313&end=7198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205105-00ceb8574da025040cda1a27a3b8353f/thumbnail_6313080.jpg","/articles/6249553/Kansas/Teacher-champions-group-reports-on-retention-work-EPIC-survey-guided-focus-on-communication-PD-and-mental-health","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249553-148a978fd4259eca5806ca7a60a5149b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998582&Signature=dZfYoUZwQ4OfjkZuemMCMHKc3oSk5FbpLXS4H5jMaeKeWty~pKcAk2a9kszMEUaYh5OZ-YdCfDtewDuQxaF-uIXuR52XVoePtU96H9obwY22p--Z4n1sZGrjp0~T3A-JF2SxN4HnUqC2EWW~VPCKgFGHuTl6LTgapSOCE5GsPLSyJvmZSx3vlvPUJpD0TCFTL2FeJrMkJfx7y4-0dyqRR1uXd8XFqaHSkI7UiMYxHPkV9N7WYT~s2vuZ1Fb4D~krY6ulIiQX9te5JJVY-1nfmrV9tnF2tdEX~JM3DDv6Gv7f3ba7nwXq9JPtNO45u4h15LsmJle841OchgORyQr0EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Topeka Public Schools Board of Education meeting, teacher Kelly Roberts and HR staff outlined work by a district \"champions\" group formed to address teacher retention and engagement based on local feedback and the statewide EPIC survey.

Kelly Roberts, a fifth-grade teacher at Scott Dual Language Magnet who has taught in the district for 11 years, described the champions group process. After selection in the fall, group members reviewed focus-group data, brainstormed reasons for teacher attrition and organized into smaller teams to draft goal statements and actionable items. Roberts said her team’s focus was communication; other teams worked on professional development and student behavior and mental-health supports.

Roberts said the champions met with principals and other district staff to gather practices and that the groups planned to present final recommendations to district administration after refining goals and action steps. She said time constraints have delayed completion for some teams and that the group hoped to present recommendations before the end of the school year.

HR staff said the champions work was informed by the EPIC survey, a statewide staff engagement instrument given every two years. HR staff explained the district had run local focus groups for teachers in years four through 11 because statewide data shows that cohort is most likely to leave the profession. HR leaders listed six takeaways from sessions with new teachers and with teachers in years 4–11, including refining onboarding, strengthening mentorships, differentiating professional development, clarifying curriculum expectations, improving communication and supporting work–life balance and mental-health resources.

HR said next steps include completing goal statements, soliciting feedback from district administration and presenting final recommendations. No formal board vote was required for the report; the presentation constituted discussion and planning direction for staff.","A district champions group and HR staff told the board about work to identify strategies to retain teachers, citing EPIC survey results and three focus areas: communication, professional development and student behavior/mental health supports.",{"_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},6249558,"Topeka Public Schools honors 25-year employees, senior of the month and KSDE Challenge Award winners",4808,103165,4911490,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205105-00ceb8574da025040cda1a27a3b8353f&start=103&end=4911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205105-00ceb8574da025040cda1a27a3b8353f/thumbnail_103165.jpg","/articles/6249558/Kansas/Topeka-Public-Schools-honors-25-year-employees-senior-of-the-month-and-KSDE-Challenge-Award-winners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249558-d4555dbea18730185aa48fba5d4ba81a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998582&Signature=jkzwTXoqCX0iA~mtaGzpD6LQpeUnpZ7giTZO-nVhoa~WzzsTgQ1oHqhG9AFyv3Itui5EW-NiuV7oE4~rRvmy~XGzFG94LMlAdGGK2VVTATzZbrAPlJ4K5F0ArOteJC3yx6EZG5B0a5CmxVPH3wRLby2X4Sdzm-zEBgl-CJ97ToP9PxBS9NvpYMsMBOgtuiDVFr3vaQYckU3Eq0tjG1mqv6pcmeeDpulTv1xdh9IcTuBii6VYZmSXZDW-P3XnMvDL4VhK9no9SypwymlfA5UCz4UDsb-yY8uM38V8U-M25d0jJ5aD76Zi6veLRq4tatCcbV0R8emt7SSkE9w1mW3WgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education opened its meeting with a recognition ceremony that honored district employees with 25 years of service, presented the district’s senior of the month and recognized several schools that received Kansas State Department of Education Challenge Awards.

The district called more than two dozen staff members forward for individual recognition and plaques for 25 years of service. Among those named were Joseph Arnold (information technology), Emily Carroll (Topeka High), Sarah Frisby (Hope Street Academy), Leosha Jardina (Highland Park High School), Amy Kalinka (McEachern Elementary), Dr. Aaron Kipp (Burnett Center), Michael Lopez (Service Center) and Tanya Widow (Meadow Elementary), among others. Board members and district staff asked the audience to applaud the honorees.

The board also recognized Jordan Toombs, a senior at Topeka West High School, as senior of the month. Board members and school staff noted she ranks in the top 10% of her class, participates in theater and the school broadcast program, is active in the TCALC web and digital design pathway, and won the Edgerly Franklin Leadership Scholarship at Kansas State University, a $5,000 award given to up to five students annually. Jordan told the board she plans to study business marketing at Kent State.

The Kansas State Board of Education presenter and district leaders also presented the 2024 KSDE Challenge Awards to multiple schools for academic progress. Named recipients included French Middle School, Landon Middle School, Lohman Hill Elementary, McCarter Elementary, McEachern Elementary and Scott Dual Language Magnet, and principals and teachers came forward to accept certificates and speak briefly about strategies that supported growth.

District leaders and board members used the recognition segment to highlight the role of long-term staff and school teams in improving student outcomes and to mark Teacher Appreciation Week and National Principals Day. The ceremonial portion of the meeting concluded with photos and a short reception.

The recognition items were ceremonial; no new district policy or budget action was taken during the acknowledgments.","The Topeka Public Schools board recognized longstanding staff members, named a senior of the month and presented KSDE Challenge Awards to several schools during a board meeting ceremony.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Topeka school board approves agenda, consent items, schedule, enrollment figures and new social-studies resources

Teacher champions group reports on retention work; EPIC survey guided focus on communication, PD and mental health

Topeka Public Schools honors 25-year employees, senior of the month and KSDE Challenge Award winners