[{"_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",6639274,"mediaKeyId","3800984-3643de5ac0d4f74186dcea91b7392c51","parentId",3800984,"title","Rec Commission reports growth in programs, seeks employee membership options with USD 262","audioSeconds",310,"startMs",2674000,"endMs",2984000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3800984-3643de5ac0d4f74186dcea91b7392c51&start=2674&end=2984","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3800984-3643de5ac0d4f74186dcea91b7392c51/thumbnail_2674000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6639274/Kansas/Rec-Commission-reports-growth-in-programs-seeks-employee-membership-options-with-USD-262","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639274-e3180b7aa8ac12ffca3f21ed05d5ef68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770656267&Signature=j4GXvM0~-oDgIWvnrYO-30creE7mtF3BdMtcEwIoh-X564NFKrr~SNkNzBYO3~mplFXRrwPkzq~ss9iyXNwSdpZWJIfOJUQYGWW7lnJbuET-5Yc8s4WuulVGogapEmfjbYsD-UVYd6LPXQ-gC58XBuSzSgUEgrclFWVAS76GRX~vxQe~BCbCWHYtI-joxYpTJ-jwZekz~ElXkh4~sc6yooX5LZkXqveqA03YZMUcz6bveqJABbSfplPZuusK4V6Wh81kL8Gv8Sf9pNpMMimwKtgJNXUTlu~lY~kutZnFtPHElDC~Za~12t4Kvb6UbeNccPzqf5XSFoncuUavo9WwKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Valley Center Public Schools USD262","date","2025-06-10T10:52:47.95Z","article","Blake Finestan, representing the Valley Center Recreation Commission, told the USD 262 board that participation across adult and youth programs has increased and that the commission opened the district’s rec center this year with strong community turnout.

Finestan said the commission supports organized adult sports (including pickleball and slow‑pitch softball), youth programs (baseball/softball with more than 45 local teams using six fields), new offerings such as esports and horseback riding, and after‑school pickup basketball for middle‑ and high‑school students at the rec center. He noted scheduling pressures caused by recent rain and field use but said the overall trend is increasing participation.

Finestan said the commission is exploring ways for district employees to receive membership discounts, and the district is discussing whether membership benefits could be incorporated into employee wellness or benefits packages. He indicated the commission will continue to coordinate facility and programming use with district staff and thanked district administrators for the partnership. The commission also plans to add staff (named in the meeting as Jake and Lefto) who will work with programs including Next Step Academy and New Hope beginning June 18.

Speakers (attributed in this article)

- Blake Finestan — Recreation Commission representative who presented the update.
- Greg — District administrator referenced in remarks about partnership and staffing discussions.

What board members asked

A board member asked whether district employees could receive discounted rec center memberships; Finestan said the commission is open to the idea and that district administrators are discussing how membership might be included in future benefits packages.

Proper names

Valley Center Recreation Commission; Rec Center; Next Step Academy; New Hope; Valley Center Public Schools (USD 262).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","USD 262 Board of Education Meeting, June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Valley Center Recreation Commission reported increased participation across youth and adult programs in the first year of its rec center, detailed program expansion and asked the district to consider employee membership discounts tied to wellness benefits.","taxTitle","Valley Center Pub Sch, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",59816,"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},6639279,"USD 262 schedules public input night on attendance boundaries; nonresident application window closing soon",117,2393000,2510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3800984-3643de5ac0d4f74186dcea91b7392c51&start=2393&end=2510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3800984-3643de5ac0d4f74186dcea91b7392c51/thumbnail_2393000.jpg","/articles/6639279/Kansas/USD-262-schedules-public-input-night-on-attendance-boundaries-nonresident-application-window-closing-soon","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639279-e4cac82eba0f3adabadf531cdf161c9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770656267&Signature=mTZO9B7xVmU4HKTcKZAbmqBMjmmG1dNo6vschn3E-foQB78~hxTS4AeEgUNxyTkYf-kysS00VtvFVnVbKbX2CUH3cu4n9g8txkLXXCgp6TnfJqazD7hvO1FCyMeXYzbF7YmgC7BheP3eQ14w61f7J1NZhoP8Zhnq5H5DnX8yRsW3R4VJcMXhQE5GO2jsdAsWmTQZF6CUF2Ckw700c8djU2Uvp1IuBcP16eUwiPwzCldM~QGEEQyQLHSPev3RSn68p~Z6Oq6m57CF9CExj3OszLXR7D9Mhv1zR66SZq9LrO1C5whi1mHvLLVU2y1k~Rj2z9E~bbnPCsb-PbbhOfN52A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators told the board that the district will hold a public input night on proposed attendance boundaries at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the meeting room where the board met; the district’s consultant RSP will present several boundary options and answer questions.

Administrators said RSP prepared an enrollment analysis to support proposals and that district families will be asked to complete a survey at the meeting and via later distribution so the district can gather broad input. Administrators also reminded the public that the nonresident application window closes on June 15; district staff said they will run lotteries for openings after the window closes and will meet to review applications the following week.

Why it matters: Attendance‑boundary changes can affect where students attend school, building capacities and future staffing and transportation needs. The district noted that proposals are not final and representatives encouraged families to review the consultant’s options and complete the survey.

Key details

- Public input night: 6 p.m. Thursday; RSP (district boundary consultant) will present several proposals and answer questions. A survey will be available in‑person that night and will also be distributed electronically to USD 262 families.

- Nonresident window: District staff said the nonresident application window closes June 15. At the time of the meeting staff reported about 90 nonresident applications overall but said many applications seek seats in grade levels or buildings where no capacity exists (examples: middle school and high school). One presenter provided a specific example: one grade had 17 openings and 9 applications to date.

- Upcoming budget/bond workshop: The board was reminded of a June 30 special board meeting to finalize budget closeout items and hold a bond‑monies workshop. A consultant named Dustin from Piper was expected to present bond‑options for about $9 million in under‑budget bond funds.

Speakers (attributed in this article)

- Administrator Greg — District administrator who presented boundary meeting details and nonresident application information.
- Mr. Lewis — District administrator referenced as meeting with Greg to review nonresident applications.

What the board did not decide

The board did not adopt any boundary changes at the meeting; the presentation concerned next‑steps in public engagement and data review. No final boundary map or vote occurred at this session.

Proper names

USD 262; Valley Center Public Schools; RSP (boundary consultant); Piper (bond consultant).","District administrators announced a public input night on proposed attendance‑boundary plans, a survey for patrons and a reminder that the nonresident application window closes next week; consultant RSP will present boundary proposals and an enrollment analysis.",{"_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},6639284,"USD 262 board ratifies 2025–26 negotiated agreement, approves pay-scale and handbook updates; unanimous votes",481,4229000,4710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3800984-3643de5ac0d4f74186dcea91b7392c51&start=4229&end=4710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3800984-3643de5ac0d4f74186dcea91b7392c51/thumbnail_4229000.jpg","/articles/6639284/Kansas/USD-262-board-ratifies-202526-negotiated-agreement-approves-pay-scale-and-handbook-updates-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639284-9b55db56c32b9067c6124da20c1a2b26/orig.mp4?Expires=1770656267&Signature=I1SlAX11t3wLu7exqedD8nllNM8z2fIWZrmefzpC7ZrZcodZL92PEcJBCjM6qK7Y8FgSGXX7LF2ITixK02u1oVn~3YrReavPS~niEgSL62HE-2AUVXul20y~1gY7E6A4VFwHvdPCr~wnSfWD6FfREs7pMZSE29VYPA-dtJicGNfptfdBqURjilFkUiR52FNqVC0Cw7OpEoo~paCC6hKTWlq6VFyGRMkiZ8MDooB1uCrGDdm7EM9SZSMQAxt6~QIfRbQlNY5sulnnFKHa8K0PHX0qFuxMb6~ZsSX1v2vYb8B9C-Hgws9gyKJDB4N1mnNylOFqAiQPP5edw8l63KUpEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The USD 262 Board of Education unanimously approved the district’s 2025–26 negotiated agreement, several salary- and handbook-related measures, supplemental contracts and a districtwide cardiac emergency response plan during its regular meeting.

The board voted 6–0 to ratify the negotiated agreement for the 2025–26 school year, approve classified and non‑negotiated salary adjustments, accept supplemental contracts for the upcoming school year and adopt staff handbook updates. The board also approved district cardiac emergency response plans tied to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and directed staff to submit those plans to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment before July 1, per statute.

Why it matters: the ratified agreement applies a 2.5% increase to each cell on the certified salary schedule, maintains step-and-column movement for eligible employees, continues a one-year pilot of the personal‑leave program and incorporates a previously agreed memorandum of understanding on board health‑insurance contribution rates into the contract language. The package includes parallel increases for classified and non‑negotiated employees and changes intended to address pay compression among long‑service classified employees.

Key details and next steps

- Salary and contract terms: The negotiated agreement applies a 2.5% increase to each salary cell on the certified schedule; step-and-column movement remains in place. District staff said the dollar increase per cell varies by placement on the schedule (one presenter estimated roughly $1,200–$1,800 per cell before step/column, but said the figure was not at hand). The board also approved a 2.5% across‑the‑board increase for classified and non‑negotiated positions.

- Classified-specific changes: The district removed a prior cap on experience credit at 27 years so eligible classified employees receive an additional year of service credit moving forward. Transportation positions were reclassified, and bus drivers received an additional dollar on top of the 2.5% increase; the salary effect for activity‑trip drivers differs because experience credit does not apply to that category.

- Cost estimate: A presenter said the total fiscal impact across the increases and adjustments appeared to be “about $400,000 to $500,000” but noted the figure was not confirmed in the meeting record.

- Personal‑leave pilot and evaluation cycle: The contract continues a one‑year pilot of the personal‑leave change to collect additional data on substitute usage and leave patterns. Non‑instructional evaluations were realigned to the instructional evaluation cycle when applicable.

- Cardiac emergency response plans: The board approved district AED plans and supporting communications to parents and first responders and instructed staff to file the plans with KDHE before July 1 so implementation can begin with the next school year.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in meeting minutes)

- Consent agenda (including added property insurance renewal) — Motion: “I move that we accept the consent agenda as presented.” Mover: Sean; Second: Mike. Vote: 6–0; outcome: approved.

- Cardiac emergency response plans (AED plans) — Motion: “I move that we approve the cardiac emergency response plans as presented.” Mover: Mike; Second: Spike. Vote: 6–0; outcome: approved. Staff will submit plans to KDHE prior to July 1.

- Ratification of the negotiated agreement, 2025–26 — Motion: “I move that we accept the ratification of the negotiated agreement for 2025–26.” Mover: Spike; Second: Mike. Vote: 6–0; outcome: approved.

- Classified pay scale changes (2025–26) — Motion: “I move that we pass the classified pay scale changes and accept them as presented.” Mover: Mike; Second: JR. Vote: 6–0; outcome: approved. Changes include 2.5% across base pay rates, removal of the 27‑year cap on experience credit and reclassification / additional $1 for bus drivers.

- Non‑negotiated salary recommendations (2025–26) — Motion: “I move that we accept the non‑negotiated salary recommendations for the 2025–26 school year as presented.” Mover: Spike; Second: Chris. Vote: 6–0; outcome: approved.

- Supplemental contracts for 2025–26 — Motion: “I make a motion to approve the supplemental contracts as presented.” Mover: Shawn; Second: Mike. Vote: 6–0; outcome: approved (list includes filled and some currently unfilled positions to be approved as hires occur).

- Staff handbook updates (aligning handbooks with negotiated agreement language, payout timing and other edits) — Motion: “I move that we approve the handbook updates as presented.” Mover: Mike; Second: JR. Vote: 6–0; outcome: approved.

- Executive session motions (personnel, non‑elected) — Motions to enter executive session for non‑elected personnel were made and approved by roll call (6–0) at two points in the meeting; later the board moved to adjourn (motion approved 6–0).

Discussion and context

District presenters emphasized that the negotiated outcome was the product of an interest‑based bargaining process involving district negotiators and VCNEA leadership. A presenter reported a 95.7% approval vote among VCNEA members for the agreement. District staff said they plan to continue collecting data on the personal‑leave pilot to determine whether to adopt it permanently in future years.

Several board members asked for additional fiscal detail during discussion (including a request for a precise total dollar figure for the district impact); presenters said exact totals would be provided later.

What the board did not decide

The board approved the contract language and pay changes but did not finalize any long‑term policy changes tied to the leave pilot; staff will continue to collect data during the pilot year. Several operational details (exact total fiscal impact, finalized breakdowns by department) were not specified in the meeting record and were left for staff follow‑up.

Speakers (attributed in this article)

- Mr. Lewis — Administrator, Valley Center Public Schools (speaker presenting negotiated agreement and handbook updates).
- Spike — Board member (first name used in meeting record).
- Mike — Board member (first name used in meeting record).
- Sean — Board member (first name used in meeting record).
- JR — Board member (first name used in meeting record).
- Chris — Board member (first name used in meeting record).
- Shawn — Board member (first name used in meeting record).

Authorities referenced

- Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) — referenced as the recipient for district cardiac emergency response plan filings.
- Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) — referenced in meeting motions regarding executive session (meeting record used the term \"COMA\"; article uses the statutory name).","Valley Center USD 262’s board unanimously approved the district’s 2025–26 negotiated agreement, classified and non‑negotiated pay adjustments, supplemental contracts, staff handbook updates and cardiac emergency response plans; several approvals finalize policy and require state filings or further administrative steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rec Commission reports growth in programs, seeks employee membership options with USD 262

USD 262 schedules public input night on attendance boundaries; nonresident application window closing soon

USD 262 board ratifies 2025–26 negotiated agreement, approves pay-scale and handbook updates; unanimous votes