[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6537133,"mediaKeyId","3636506-0bb1dd4ca40cfca044e05a575ace85b0","parentId",3636506,"title","Board hears details of proposed teacher contract; ratification to be placed on June 26 consent agenda","audioSeconds",1482,"startMs",634000,"endMs",2116000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636506-0bb1dd4ca40cfca044e05a575ace85b0&start=634&end=2116","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636506-0bb1dd4ca40cfca044e05a575ace85b0/thumbnail_634000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537133/Garden-City/School-Boards/Kansas/Board-hears-details-of-proposed-teacher-contract-ratification-to-be-placed-on-June-26-consent-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537133-0af65f6833637594e74c807dc3fa8ba5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159078&Signature=SBf~FodWk8gVVjNSOtJDdzhszi1eFJSSdLz5jBZte8lKxgIoyPIUDxAwF629UWx5UcuusYi9iQQKZe440c8FjpwpTNu9-8c-rvY8ISNGAtHQrD3t5IZNNi8ZgbjEIVLpevyQr2VfpIQGy6vd5arD0XWB1b7KcV8~d5hGWSe1Ju8DSYJYrLKQqmmwu9NA7fDJuxEZEYb~6~RqwmcXUP9UtcVjZZpHKSZFY6C6UUwSYsk082uW3NhY6t-pp3sTcy~o63gYtpeUErJYPvu78yRAbqKeaHDlNtsKe2BBYslGEJN9KFAZix6BW69gYIKqlVWhdWAYcGhPS0LVYd7E8KBjBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - USD 457","date","2025-06-03T00:27:27.777Z","article","District negotiators presented a proposed negotiated agreement with certified staff that the district will seek to ratify after the teacher vote closes. Board members and negotiators described a package the district estimates will average a 4.4% increase in total salary and benefits for certified staff if ratified.

Chief human resources officer Drew Tone and Chief Financial Officer Jessica Nodden summarized key elements of the proposal: a $1,500 increase to the base salary (bringing the base to $48.05 as presented), expanded column movement increases (larger jumps when teachers advance degree columns), fringe benefits remaining at $900, and revisions to supplemental pay schedules tied to the base. The negotiators said the supplemental schedule clean-up clarifies compensation for curriculum and professional development councils and creates a new Safe Learning Advisory Council supplemental (S-3). Several special education supplementals were tiered to reflect differing workload intensity, and elementary robotics supplements and coaching classifications were revised.

Under the proposal, long-term substitutes who worked in an open district position would receive up to four years’ credit toward the salary schedule and the change would be applied retroactively for eligible substitutes who notify HR. The agreement would remove a class-size cap reference from the negotiated agreement because that cap is covered by existing board policy. The proposal also revises paid time off: certified staff would have 12 PTO days without the previous split between emergency and personal leave; employees may take up to three days without completing an application form and must submit an application on the fourth day.

To manage costs of the PTO conversion and balance accruals, negotiators described an automatic buy-down of up to 15 days per person for employees whose accrued days exceed 60 at the end of the fiscal year; the first-year cost of the new buy-down approach was projected by staff to be higher, with later years expected to be lower. Negotiators said retirement sellback calculations were simplified so retiring employees sell days at a single rate rather than tiered rates, which negotiators said in examples benefits employees in aggregate.

The proposal also revises grievance-panel selection: rather than alternating picks for the at-large panel member, the district and union will jointly select three impartial individuals both sides agree are neutral to serve on hearing panels, intended to reduce perceived bias. Reassignment language was clarified to confirm the district’s ability to transfer staff and to add paid work days (up to three) for employees required to move buildings before the start of the contract year. The teacher association may post union materials in buildings and may conduct association business during staff meetings once per semester with building principal approval.

Negotiators described the process timeline: teachers were still voting; the vote was to close on June 6 (as reported during the meeting) and, if ratified by membership, the district planned to place the ratification on the June 26 consent agenda for board action. Negotiators said they met about 10 times and described the process as collaborative.

Board members asked about the district cost for any buy-down; staff said they would provide detailed cost projections by email. No formal ratification vote by the board took place at this meeting; the board expects the item to return for action after the teacher vote and will decide on June 26. The board did not adopt the negotiated agreement at this meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","USD-457 Board of Education Meeting 6.2.25","oneSentenceSummary","District negotiators presented a proposed certified-staff agreement the district estimates would average a 4.4% increase in salary and benefits; final ratification will hinge on the teacher membership vote and the board’s June 26 consent agenda.","taxTitle","Garden City, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",38784,"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},6537138,"Board approves procurement plan, modest student meal price increase and child nutrition program agreement",417,193000,610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636506-0bb1dd4ca40cfca044e05a575ace85b0&start=193&end=610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636506-0bb1dd4ca40cfca044e05a575ace85b0/thumbnail_193000.jpg","/articles/6537138/Garden-City/School-Boards/Kansas/Board-approves-procurement-plan-modest-student-meal-price-increase-and-child-nutrition-program-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537138-baf0ea2c4c4c7d283c6e0eac0de0f449/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159078&Signature=ZbEkBjapMydX6l8zYQ0C3AjvcgKoDNjX6a-UHG49SLDk4W0JVR1OYUeKPgp0vgyckUAITd6c104VkxllkghSXRpHDRCOR2pJosegB7VnrueI626HbA3H~kB-erXawdGy372UjlA3LKrX~-pMGQ~vhIf43KHsNrtItZ~PpeZehBRtE~5szGdpSjAsYw2DrGspBrXdCU32tOAytGHKw73Ujt-taLA06kuG0oTFcx4R7HhapmCgGNY3bf~wrOsafAvCoZ0ZYNVKf-Qq2gHiLEZNWxpJVVn9WdoWu5GjcOlQcDbFD0D5LwwsHqs80UYbMghhfW5vVYbZSoq00SR0YWafdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garden City Board of Education approved the district procurement plan, a meal charge policy and modest student meal price increases for the 2025–26 school year and voted to adopt the 2026 Child Nutrition Program agreement required by the Kansas State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The procurement plan, the board was told, documents the district’s purchasing procedures and will require public bid postings and extra documentation for products sourced outside the United States. Tracy Johnson, director of Nutrition Services, told the board the district must document foreign origin for many produce items and that some products commonly used—avocados, pineapple and frozen broccoli—come from Mexico, the Philippines or other countries. Johnson said the district will use the federal Paid Lunch Equity tool to calculate allowable paid meal price changes and that state guidance strongly advises, but does not require, annual increases in paid meal prices of up to 10 cents.

Johnson described other program details: elementary students will be allowed to charge up to four lunches, middle-school students up to three, and the high school generally does not allow charges though staff said they rarely deny a student a meal. The district will continue to offer free breakfast to all students, which Johnson estimated costs about $75,000 and said the nutrition department can absorb for the year.

Board discussion focused on technical compliance and review authority. One board member asked who conducts procurement reviews; Johnson said the Child Nutrition Department at KSDE performs reviews. A board member also asked whether a 10-cent increase is mandatory; Johnson said KSDE and USDA strongly advise the increase but do not require it.

The motion to approve the procurement plan, meal charge policy and meal price changes was moved and seconded; the board voted to approve the motion. Later in the meeting the board also voted to adopt the 2026 Child Nutrition Program agreement as presented.

The approvals require the president’s signature on the procurement document and reflect updated federal and state program wording, including links to discrimination statements, updated procurement and sodium-level language, and other minor verbiage changes required by KSDE/USDA guidance. Johnson noted the department’s most recent procurement review went well but identified areas requiring procedural changes.

The board’s actions change the billing/pricing documentation and reaffirm the district’s participation in the USDA/KSDE child nutrition programs; they do not set exact reimbursement rates (those were not provided at the meeting). The board did not specify dollar amounts for the planned meal-price increases beyond the procedural limit discussed.

The district will implement the updated procurement requirements and the program agreement as specified by KSDE and USDA; the district nutrition director will continue to report on compliance and procurement review findings.

","The Garden City Board of Education approved the district procurement plan, a meal charge policy and modest student meal price increases for the 2025–26 school year and adopted the annual Child Nutrition Program agreement required by KSDE and USDA.",{"_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},6537123,"Votes at a glance: Garden City Board meeting actions and procedural motions",2794,146000,2940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636506-0bb1dd4ca40cfca044e05a575ace85b0&start=146&end=2940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636506-0bb1dd4ca40cfca044e05a575ace85b0/thumbnail_146000.jpg","/articles/6537123/Garden-City/School-Boards/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Garden-City-Board-meeting-actions-and-procedural-motions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537123-15f021f1a1c5b10079fe65c5675833b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159078&Signature=OSSKqi3ywKFtRF-RYG5nnqbBqniV8vUJ10tlzWyPNWlQ6mKqgSxtc7m9xAIEDbmmEhy23fwp45KUamDFyS~44Ther8jeCCfBZ8fTdjH0sAFzzKZ0zy64fwo2xlgB3TN9FNH1wWvLynF8Ck69RRdJ6jcMh3974YRioAPUCJaQG8Zzbb7Z14l7MSCHh8BuPEGRf2aoxPnQYCfsDjwnejE~Hrn4J8TH5Eqg8LMi0clYRJAW4Ho3zo-4ed0sakbcJNuGXUJ1xGrz~Tn5-ApBqDxY2bpdglAFGdN01C2uPT5tpKkcUfbl1zPso-j8Z~X0nX0hguwjyKqEdsXMTySDVSLcxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The following motions and outcomes were recorded during the meeting as announced by the chair.

- Agenda approval: The board approved the meeting agenda as amended. (Motion carried; roll-call names not recorded in transcript.)

- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda as amended. (Motion carried; roll-call names not recorded.)

- Procurement plan, meal charge policy and meal price changes (2025–26): The board approved the procurement plan, the meal charge policy and the meal-price changes as presented. (Motion carried; exact tally not recorded.)

- 2026 Child Nutrition Program agreement: The board voted to adopt the 2026 Child Nutrition Program agreement and authorized the president to sign. (Motion carried.)

- Executive session: The board moved to go into an executive session of ten minutes to discuss non-elected personnel; motion carried and an executive session was scheduled to begin at 6:50 p.m. and to reconvene the public meeting at 7:00 p.m. (Motion carried.)

The meeting transcript records that motions were moved and seconded and the chair announced whether motions carried, but it does not include a roll-call vote or per-member tallies for these items in the recorded segments.","Quick summary of motions and formal outcomes recorded during the meeting, including agenda and consent approvals, child nutrition approvals and the executive-session motion.",{"_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},6537128,"Board receives first read of revised administrator and classified handbooks, staff projects buy-down costs",455,2121000,2576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636506-0bb1dd4ca40cfca044e05a575ace85b0&start=2121&end=2576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636506-0bb1dd4ca40cfca044e05a575ace85b0/thumbnail_2121000.jpg","/articles/6537128/Garden-City/School-Boards/Kansas/Board-receives-first-read-of-revised-administrator-and-classified-handbooks-staff-projects-buy-down-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537128-90f47cf9aabf534f136c437bed3c06d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159078&Signature=A0MEYpS~3ltvDYED8zL9Uiun4TTqCIz~gMWdx1IkQRMCl-VubgOR6sOPXLwC6pTIoJ~IdhTBBWfnrwqX6gmU~xDPRQxIZZEhnlkMxCJW9GUbRp9PqJvJ4hhoMeKkK7Zn-71RD6XzegOYR5nmj~RAUNN0CD1WgqFFN61fuSsbuN02dKYfCHyn1v9AsRS~6je6U2-xceJfApIryWtlZbvAR7l0bMrLuRl8cxnBVFTpVz~5q0g99-ogOSkIZhEE465VwqK43EZsTmb2XPNxTQAcZmL73jLq7e-vudrZsAYnc5PGFOogPEfUvBRu0hUfJUXgrEU48P~5CdQ-OGD1Fciu8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Financial Officer Jessica Nodden presented a first reading of the 2025–26 Administrator and Classified Employee handbooks, summarizing changes designed to align administrative and classified leave provisions with the proposed certified-staff negotiated agreement and to clarify operational procedures.

Nodden said the classified-handbook revisions include a uniform maximum accrual of 60 days for all employees, revised vacation carryover rules that will reduce maximum carryover over time (to 25 days in a future year), and a proposed 10 percent per-hour increase across job grades for classified positions. The classified handbook adds a three-tier structure (para 1, 2 and 3) to reflect differing workloads in general education, basic special education, and more intensive special-education classrooms; she said about 39 positions would move from para 2 to para 3 under the reclassification.

Nodden provided preliminary fiscal figures: last year’s retirement sellback payments (employees choosing to sell days) cost about $67,000; staff projected sellback to be about $79,000 in the current year under the old method. Under the new automatic buy-down method for accrued days above 60, staff estimated the initial fiscal-year buy-down (including payroll taxes) could be around $200,000, with later years' payouts falling to roughly $100,000 annually according to the estimates shared in the meeting.

Other handbook changes include clarified emergency-closing reporting requirements (staff must report 30 minutes prior to new start time on delayed-start days), changes to mandatory work-day definitions and mandatory-contact-day expectations for employees on particular calendars, minor dress-code clarifications, and removal of the grievance procedure text in favor of referencing the board policy to avoid conflict.

Nodden also described administrative staffing changes at the Educational Support Center: nine positions between clerical and one administrator at the ESE were closed, accounts payable resources were consolidated, and some reception duties moved to the superintendent’s office as part of a cost-control effort.

This was a first read; the handbooks will be returned for action at the June 26 meeting and the changes are proposed to take effect July 1. Members were invited to contact staff with questions before final action.

","The board received a first read of the 2025–26 Administrator and Classified Employee handbooks, which align leave rules with the proposed negotiated agreement, change vacation carryover rules, add classified pay tiers, and project an initial buy-down cost of roughly $200,000 under the new PTO approach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears details of proposed teacher contract; ratification to be placed on June 26 consent agenda

Board approves procurement plan, modest student meal price increase and child nutrition program agreement

Votes at a glance: Garden City Board meeting actions and procedural motions

Board receives first read of revised administrator and classified handbooks, staff projects buy-down costs