[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6247305,"mediaKeyId","3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394","parentId",3213137,"title","Wichita district reports $35.9 million shortfall narrowed after school closures, admin cuts; vacancies fall","audioSeconds",1254,"startMs",7974000,"endMs",9228000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394&start=7974&end=9228","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394/thumbnail_7974000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6247305/Kansas/Wichita-district-reports-359-million-shortfall-narrowed-after-school-closures-admin-cuts-vacancies-fall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247305-c1eda670ffa59b0f3f0cd32316bc930c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675720&Signature=CGZas3i7kUoLADqzoXHZZfLQEPaJorpsFeFOHpfwwAhcxcqADZKvC5usIGxa2kQwDGl1wc08t9bypNesjgQ9UZx5xcjL-PSG3NMx6fvZBtSq5jBTWiYpJAN1lgBL3AeCKK~CdCTDrW2aieh9jUgYE7Ram2iDu4okI1PmTTVQqzUNCkWQ9rRfGKmWTfXP0e0-Ecti-O8VogezWx8R08oEEIKJn3Z~OU7J-ZWgvcm~GBpw5RIoRo0O0hWTi68d37H4eyDKFlvsv4umRDPbCFYcBMHdUBmuCJkz1j9UGabTqqWCI5aVY3KeB6mhSmQ5lvTNfHRGxcYHs72sJ3-ZcerE~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wichita School District","date","2025-05-07T16:48:57.737Z","article","The Wichita Board of Education on May 5 heard a staff update showing the district reduced its projected budget shortfall and completed a multi‑phase set of cuts, with a final projected deficit of $35,900,000, district staff said.

Staff member Addie said the district’s multi‑phase cut plan is finished: “That final deficit was around $35,900,000,” and added the work to complete phase 4 of reductions is “complete.”

The report summarized actions taken since spring 2024: the district closed six schools in a plan adopted earlier this year, pursued administrative‑center reductions and vacancy management, and used limited one‑time cash to smooth implementation. Addie said the spring 2024 closures contributed to operating budget savings of about $14.5 million and that the district’s combined FTE reductions and realignments across phases totaled roughly 500 positions (many realized by not backfilling vacancies).

Why it matters: District leaders framed the changes as necessary to stabilize finances while preserving classroom staffing. Board members and presenters emphasized that the district used many of the personnel changes to place certified teachers into classrooms and cut long‑term substitute use.

Details and results

Addie told the board that closing and rightsizing steps, together with administrative reductions, were intended to reduce the number of vacant teaching positions and long‑term substitute assignments. The presentation included concrete staffing results: the district reported its classroom long‑term substitute count fell from 191 in 2023–24 to 82 in 2024–25, and staff said the overall district vacancy list dropped by about a third after the reorganization.

Superintendent (name not specified) and board members connected those staffing improvements to instructional goals. As one board member put it during discussion: the presence of a “highly qualified teacher in front of [a] classroom” has a direct effect on student outcomes.

Public comments and community reaction

Several community speakers used the public‑comment period to urge different outcomes while referencing the budget discussion. Dave Fish and other parents and neighbors urged the board to reconsider school closures and to prioritize neighborhood schools; Aaron Andrews described personal reasons to keep his children at their neighborhood elementary; Marty Fish and other speakers urged the board to explore alternatives to closures and to allow the financial oversight committee time to recommend options. Walt Chappell and others questioned whether closures delivered savings; district leaders explained savings show up across many funds and salary lines rather than in a single line item.

What the board decided

The board received the report and asked questions; no new action was taken on closures or on additional cuts at the meeting. Addie and the superintendent said the district will continue monitoring cash and staff levels and will bring future budget items to the board as required.

Ending

Board members thanked staff for the work required to close the multi‑phase reduction process and highlighted upcoming events for staff and seniors. District presenters said they will continue to track vacancies and the fiscal picture and return with any required proposals.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - May 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wichita Board of Education on May 5 heard a staff update showing the district reduced its projected budget shortfall and completed a multi‑phase set of cuts, with a final projected deficit of $35,900,000, district staff said.","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},6247284,"District awards inaugural 'Welcoming Schools' microgrants to six schools",293,146000,439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394&start=146&end=439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394/thumbnail_146000.jpg","/articles/6247284/Kansas/District-awards-inaugural-Welcoming-Schools-microgrants-to-six-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247284-a2b26b9dded83792abb8e0d3daa5fdea/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675720&Signature=lajb3LHNaCcnGEO73Zkag92EJIY8fNOWuIRcqaMShMDe8Kei1pG-SBeL7N9~e1Uf3TJ~keuAZ7llHyfNlIft0HEaCyqgKod6WolAZ7oXRCNEjmatuASue7GUb8S9yxEFi6cvI9At-VPSV6Qee2GF4UvyoNkWRWBZcFBwKnUnvv3uQW0Yw8TZHWSi2eENYQutvQj-E~Gpjevk1aeAzK-6ES5x0H6PrQWc8eC7tugUYy5yMZVHtfEGJgg4bepS7WoycJwcoQrUh~XU4nu7qtXX6Qm9OWET28tg1a4u~AgZJKy50kri1EewiJ-zkEn0-8ePGSEbuKJZDg3FQ1Oi3vb5YA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 5 Board of Education meeting the district announced recipients of its inaugural Welcoming Schools microgrant program, an initiative of the Family and Community Engagement team to improve school welcoming environments.

Staff member who introduced the item (identified in the meeting as Wendy) described the microgrant as an outgrowth of a “6 keys to success” family‑engagement framework and said the application process yielded 14 applicants; six schools were selected.

Nut graf: The microgrants are intended to help schools make facilities more family friendly, improve communications (including home languages), and expand family‑engagement activities that connect families to academic supports and community services.

Who was selected and planned uses

Wendy introduced leaders from the selected schools and highlighted planned activities. Examples offered by Coleman Middle School principal Karen Waterman Overgaard included improving multilingual written and oral communications, creating welcoming waiting areas and dedicated family‑meeting spaces, and strengthening outreach for a recently added newcomer program. Other named recipients included Brooke Hinkle at Anderson, Camille Evans at Jefferson, Jill Pfeiffer, Laura Dreward at Riverside, Connie Redick at Curtis Middle School, and Pancho Bustos at Marshall Middle School.

The Family and Community Engagement presenter said the team will work with the leaders to convert submitted visions into funded projects, and that some proposals may be partially funded this round with additional requests to follow.

Next steps

Staff said the listening work will continue through the summer and into the fall as the program scales and as staffing transitions occur in the Family and Community Engagement office. The board received the announcement as a “good news” item; no vote was required.

","Wichita Public Schools announced six recipients of an inaugural Welcoming Schools microgrant program aimed at improving school communication, facilities and family engagement; principals described planned projects and the family‑engagement office said it will continue listening work with families.",{"_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},6247289,"Board reviews draft AI policy; CIO urges AI literacy, board seeks broader digital‑citizenship work",829,7043000,7872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394&start=7043&end=7872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394/thumbnail_7043000.jpg","/articles/6247289/Kansas/Board-reviews-draft-AI-policy-CIO-urges-AI-literacy-board-seeks-broader-digitalcitizenship-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247289-26f83c9f73efdd10f9dc48c19e286512/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675720&Signature=ADzdwI5YMvumRAajtsIiyXCMDhV1N0CZgMf2O8ZkpsckWSKUYmpEe2vygnX8riIcYfAoiaZtiWSliulYLfvoTxFovNm9QQtYk0s1WmPjAXREJ8MAtPdP1IKlkV3QfuOcqYLtjQu2-4YpMxcEwrDLJDsReM6-uvqdJymLWI6QQJHkNNe7Q8MOUF6HzC3~2zo7TvJLMlm7BSvT5vp5DTIBbYE5e60YLwHKA1X6WTjCUVaT3qQvzPWty6aaKdV3vZXEIedTtKH870OqqLRpPIf52RNKZrziIf7P3AYI35uXgnCtuszSw4ldxrK1klBM5RLU9F2CoG2bMW1iXHHfbUWxRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education discussed a draft district policy on artificial intelligence at its May 5 meeting after Rob Dixon, the district’s chief information officer, explained the policy aims to protect academic integrity while allowing staff to use AI tools to increase instructional efficiency.

Dixon said the technology committee — which includes staff and parents — helped develop the draft and that the policy will be followed by more detailed guidelines. “One of the things that we identified in our process is, just helping our teachers to navigate what's appropriate, age appropriateness,” he said.

Nut graf: Board members raised questions about teacher training, plagiarism and student privacy rules. Several members asked staff to expand the district’s work to include a broader digital‑literacy or digital‑citizenship policy.

Privacy, vetting and classroom practice

Board members pressed staff on privacy and legal compliance. Dixon described the district’s app‑approval process and said any AI feature in an approved application will require additional scrutiny — including whether vendors train models on district data or sell data. He referenced federal laws in the discussion: “When you think of COPPA and you think of, FERPA…we would have to identify both the data items that were outside of directory information that were, utilized in that, and then also, notify any of the people that were affected by that.”

Classroom integrity

Board members and staff discussed how AI changes assessments. Dixon suggested teachers should adjust assessment design and keep a human‑in‑the‑loop check for student understanding. Board member Stan noted the draft policy contains explicit language about plagiarism, attribution and academic integrity.

Next steps

The board did not adopt the policy at the meeting. Members asked staff to continue work on implementation guidelines, vetting processes for apps with AI, and an expanded digital‑citizenship policy to address healthy technology use and student digital well‑being.

","Chief Information Officer Rob Dixon presented a short draft AI policy for discussion. The board asked about academic integrity, privacy (COPPA/FERPA), app vetting and teacher training; board members recommended a companion digital‑citizenship policy and asked staff to return with additional guidance.",{"_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},6247295,"Board hears progress on 'postsecondary assets'; 13.96% of seniors already have five or more, district reports",348,3195000,3543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394&start=3195&end=3543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394/thumbnail_3195000.jpg","/articles/6247295/Kansas/Board-hears-progress-on-postsecondary-assets-1396-of-seniors-already-have-five-or-more-district-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247295-ac9644e72646225b5115c7604372a319/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675720&Signature=ZUmp1ZWsZWHxozywkmwxNc1cvwkW4aTiJ1eK0YKIlzSP5sfTcKGo6Dj0hI2rcEOtpqzP~8R41tyuwKCoTnny7NRpKow7zWg27g93LUo5r01XxUVKkp6pFll3j0oKlLj4PjMZwbFXCrfSSqvJqHX1MkTU8SjQjAMsjNsWxXuoQlANig5dBzSi-xUozm64y0NVRvJ5Jzmm95AjJnuokfZP8bJNivX2X3DKex1S3FEKfJ--jtuV132HVkguvTFqKoISHiBEAHb5JrHQtga8fxau9T88RVbgr4cs5-~r0aDdz6utmwr156swKsU-ZHHli1-16TUoMgnHQbEbMlBu5xrPKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wichita Public Schools staff and students presented an update on the district’s postsecondary assets initiative at the Board of Education meeting on May 5, including a new dashboard intended to help counselors and principals track student progress.

Tim Hamblin, executive director of college and career readiness, explained the assets are experiences that help students transition to college, career or life after high school and said the district exceeded its year‑one target: “That goal was 10%, and we surpassed that. At 13.96% of the graduating class have 5 or more post secondary assets,” Hamblin said.

Nut graf: The district’s strategic plan sets a longer‑term target — 50% of seniors earning five or more postsecondary assets by 2029 — and staff described outreach and tracking steps to increase awareness and capture assets earned in and outside district programs.

What staff showed

Presenters demonstrated a dashboard that lets staff click asset categories and see which students are on track or have earned each asset. Holly Ingram, executive director of secondary curriculum and instruction, and Lauren Hatfield, assistant superintendent of secondary schools, described implementation steps: communicate expectations to students and families, refine data entry and verification processes, and transcribe assets on transcripts for students who transfer in and out of the district.

Students and program leads described several assets: Bennett McLaughlin, a sophomore at Wichita High School East, explained Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award projects; Andrea Brandt described the Kansas Seal of Biliteracy; Chris Aspisson highlighted athletics and activities; Shannon Poole summarized GRTC (JROTC) benefits; and CTE staff described industry‑recognized certifications and client‑centered projects.

State list and limits

Board members asked how new assets get added to the official list; staff said Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the State Board approved the statewide list and that adding items would require state‑level advocacy. Staff also said the district’s system allows students to upload evidence and requires sponsor verification for work completed outside the district.

Next steps

Staff recommended continued training for staff and families on the dashboard, additional communication so students can document outside experiences, and ongoing refinement of transcript transfer procedures. No formal board action was taken.

","District staff and students presented the new postsecondary assets requirement and a tracking dashboard. Staff reported that 13.96% of the current graduating class already meet the five‑asset target and described plans to expand outreach and tracking to reach the strategic‑plan goal of 50% by 2029.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6247300,"Wichita staff propose reserve policy setting minimum and maximum unrestricted cash targets",1213,5962000,7175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394&start=5962&end=7175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213137-7e823e715a4b90ce753298a0ef4ff394/thumbnail_5962000.jpg","/articles/6247300/Kansas/Wichita-staff-propose-reserve-policy-setting-minimum-and-maximum-unrestricted-cash-targets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247300-d14a0ef101118d7774ede591480df160/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675720&Signature=IbiqyR-kGcRLxjq47wYpcCa-e4VsDTeH-DtfzI-nU2h-VfaH7rpI4lt7d1w4C0useAJo-RAulZZhhw-gC9IdBg3gSo2hd7G~Grof2Yi1wOj9Mds8H3FQqfJD2mpfCxwVcsh7tDsVyADo~nF5hdNUehVVAT6wmXIZxXxiyVyoM7jFUTF7~FANzLshYUOWhzICeOSFxVbg6AjlxI5A7rGbKoqqRd2nN7RcChi78c5p7gscwE8VtljYRaNR0GR2powF0ib8M3FQJSUKVhaTO0hbu5BswaJoKVBIUdZIKppGICYdkQAprDD1WzlqNVT~X6bUn0kSItbDEQpybrddzR7n8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Wichita Board of Education meeting on May 5, district finance staff discussed a proposed board policy to set minimum and maximum targets for unrestricted reserves.

Staff member Addie explained the proposed policy, numbered 34‑60, would set a minimum equal to about one state aid payment and a maximum equal to roughly two months of regular operating expenditures. “The minimum based on the average state aid would have been $43,700,000. The maximum based on two months of operating budget expenditures would be $92,200,000,” Addie told the board.

Nut graf: The draft policy is intended to increase transparency and stability by aligning the district’s cash posture with government‑finance best practices; staff recommended returning the proposed policy to the board for a vote at the next regular meeting.

Why it matters

Addie walked through the district’s cash‑flow timing, showing that state aid and property‑tax receipts are unevenly distributed through the year and that the district must maintain cash between receipt cycles to meet payroll and operating obligations. Addie used a prior fiscal year as an example: “If we look at the 2023–24 school year…if we look at all the unrestricted funds that would qualify as cash, that figure is 71,600,000.0. So we're right in the middle of the policy,” she said.

Board members asked clarifying questions about what circumstances would draw reserves to the minimum threshold and whether the financial oversight committee would have a role reviewing recovery plans. Addie said dipping into reserves would be for unplanned emergencies or current‑year reductions in funding and that any recovery plan would be adopted through the budget process and reported back to the board.

Next steps

Addie recommended the board bring policy 34‑60 back at the next regular meeting for formal approval. No vote was taken at the May 5 meeting.

","District financial staff presented draft policy 34‑60 to set an unrestricted reserves floor (about $43.7M) and ceiling (about $92.2M) and recommended the board consider the policy at a future meeting; staff connected the proposal to state aid and property‑tax timing and to Government Finance Officers guidance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wichita district reports $35.9 million shortfall narrowed after school closures, admin cuts; vacancies fall

District awards inaugural 'Welcoming Schools' microgrants to six schools

Board reviews draft AI policy; CIO urges AI literacy, board seeks broader digital‑citizenship work

Board hears progress on 'postsecondary assets'; 13.96% of seniors already have five or more, district reports

Wichita staff propose reserve policy setting minimum and maximum unrestricted cash targets