[{"_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",6174117,"mediaKeyId","5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea","parentId",5372794,"title","Teachers and summer-school staff highlight backpack drive and credit recovery successes","audioSeconds",124,"startMs",2787000,"endMs",2911000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea&start=2787&end=2911","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea/thumbnail_2787000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174117/Kansas/Teachers-and-summer-school-staff-highlight-backpack-drive-and-credit-recovery-successes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174117-1237b707694b182d1779ed8f4fe0a4ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067370&Signature=O6r0Uxs20zUmsYaJWfuxdUvM6jHWzBcntnYYNpSDuRdcEReUGTQYwsqqo7NeuqSo50YDs6zhYKkExaSDV-V~qHrOaHLkyQinm-aeOzVfoCg9yRLNuH3D1Nw5Aww33XYT0eLmUd38egRJ5QmUy~hRuaVTKyCBdbCtCbuIbZpgX3KVhiDzEqPt8ZTqiMw-VIWCYpE50~PBJOVpgO9V892KxMmG~jjY48veVYFXdWHU2Job6~aQ0hrUf2n5T2LUdUgYJ6qG3VUxCXenGmwrUQcG5vtXe0an6jl6vfCn~4g49IhyXmoODvLWSGiNJxs~La3nWRybStY9Z6SiVsU~ZNPFvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Olathe School District","date","2025-07-12T06:04:52.077Z","article","Megan Bridal, who identified herself as an elementary music teacher in Olathe Public Schools and a DeSoto resident, used public comment time on July 10 to promote the Olathe Public Schools Foundation's backpack and supply drive. \"This summer, OPSF will be filling over 2,500 backpacks to help every Olathe student be prepared for the start of the school year,\" she said and listed donation and volunteer options.

Nick Bridal, a summer-school staff member working at Mill Creek, told the board about credit-recovery outcomes from the district's summer programs. He said Mill Creek recovered \"35 half credits\" across a four-week summer session and described ongoing work with at least one student continuing into July to meet graduation requirements.

Both speakers used their comments to praise district staff, highlight student supports offered over the summer and encourage community support for the backpack drive and other student services. The board acknowledged both speakers and thanked them for summer work and volunteer efforts.

Why it matters: community volunteers and district summer programs provide direct support to students as the district prepares for the new school year; the backpack drive aims to prepare thousands of students with supplies and the summer credit-recovery work helps seniors and others meet graduation requirements.

No board action was taken; the public-comment section is recorded as part of the meeting's public record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 2025 Olathe Public Schools Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Two public commenters — an elementary music teacher and a summer-school staff member — told the board about a district backpack drive filling 2,500 backpacks and about credit recovery achievements at Mill Creek summer school.","taxTitle","Olathe, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",13091,"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},6174122,"Board approves contracts for innovation campus, grants change orders and backs esports arena in bond project",675,3267000,3942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea&start=3267&end=3942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea/thumbnail_3267000.jpg","/articles/6174122/Kansas/Board-approves-contracts-for-innovation-campus-grants-change-orders-and-backs-esports-arena-in-bond-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174122-3b94eb256250ff06c8ffee180cd10906/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067370&Signature=gwgnh5mO1OUwtz1ms4Elxa0UG~S1E7LohxfYDLKoCd9t9mp1qXUG0IMIRgkkJBk9dSt4jmau8hL~eJMoAyje~ZvJrhMjJBI6zGF5KP-G8DB~v28xaBhofzshtMheX8SatkQL5mR6mwYMFDarbIQAQSVWAPwRclYKg05d~zbfS4Ty0hLevW8u1emMwX-tMhNyVzxmnRri~w0Kd-gEFnXOcqEp9OPqrSHpgCEtTCeg~R8SleSc3Uwo~6J2OAroxh46UEq9FUFWadysR4HfEIMNyUCdXELF22dDsgNh1uEOC9UA8Lu5Tfe4KMgibf0pJO9~qvhPJk~xivzSUdlljBYqlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Olathe Public Schools Board of Education voted 5-0 on July 10 to approve action items 6.01 through 6.16, a package of bids, contracts and agreements that included purchases for the new Olathe Innovation Campus and related construction change orders.

District staff described multiple related requests: item 6.06 covered purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment for the innovation campus (appliances, student and staff furnishings, exterior seating and storage); item 6.07 covered program-specific equipment such as culinary kitchen supplies; item 6.09 was a change order related to perimeter drainage omitted from the Santa Fe Trail project; and item 6.12 proposed additional construction-management services tied to an approximately three-month delay on the innovation campus project.

\"The purchase of our furniture, fixture, and equipment for our new Olathe Public Schools innovation campus... includes appliances, student furniture, staff furniture, furniture, specialized equipment,\" the district's project representative said. The general-conditions and general-requirements cost increases for the innovation campus were explained as staffing and indirect construction management costs resulting from the delay.

Staff also described a planned esports arena at the innovation campus. District staff said the arena design includes 20 gaming stations (10 for practice and 10 configured for spectator and broadcast viewing), flexibility for other events (such as TED-style talks and professional development) and incorporation of broadcasting/commentary capability. The district framed esports as an avenue to engage students who do not typically participate in other extracurriculars and noted that some colleges offer scholarships for varsity esports.

Board member Doctor Yerkovich noted the 2022 bond sale had produced favorable proceeds and interest earnings that helped stretch bond dollars to cover expanded scope items such as the esports arena and additional furniture purchases.

Motion to approve items 6.01-6.16 was made by board member (recorded as motion by \"Mister Kyun\") and seconded by Miss Reagan; the motion passed 5-0. Staff will proceed with the purchases and contract amendments as approved and will incorporate the change-order work into project schedules.

Why it matters: the approvals authorize significant facility and equipment purchases for a major district capital project and add an esports arena intended to broaden student engagement and potential postsecondary opportunities. The board approved funding and contract amendments as part of the ongoing bond program.","The board approved bids, contracts and change orders 6.01 through 6.16 (including items tied to the new Olathe Innovation Campus and an esports arena) and discussed change orders tied to construction delays and additional equipment.",{"_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},6174126,"Board delays vote on repurposing Westview Elementary until full board present",261,164000,425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea&start=164&end=425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea/thumbnail_164000.jpg","/articles/6174126/Kansas/Board-delays-vote-on-repurposing-Westview-Elementary-until-full-board-present","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174126-ac3007b616e73e1a3f9ccaaf2eaae804/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067370&Signature=e-yXP-2XSe0me2BXQ2KATPdHKInryGk2AaMKa5D~TX-A1OraYEKDR0p9H-zEib8xGCxEncZJNQPbmwmnoYFwMbG-basUooC-PodkXnInG6lfISo5FPcmUEjGE7THH9kZgFJwsJ1-udd9kzruQukvNPWzzhkfaiT6KvufnyYtZG~3zY5m6PrXyT41WzJCIWoFSSjZpp5jy22Z-pZAkz8sCNi7l3NN~yqy7oxRBQiAYylmKZsDVGcUYzJPulImAHOm-H0kNgZVC7xhcGjFGqjAlrGhEOYiyAtz-EadRMPMXoMPNhigmiD4cOrrB3s7ZdHZBKPOpn~6I5FjPiawI8MeIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board President (unnamed in transcript) opened discussion on Item 7.04, repurposing Westview Elementary School, and recommended postponing the vote until the entire elected board could participate. \"I believe that a decision as significant as the one we've been asked to make should have all members engaged in the vote,\" the president said.

Board member Julie Reagan moved to amend the agenda to remove item 7.04 from the July 10 meeting and place it on the Aug. 7 agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Keune. After brief questions about schedule impact, the board voted 5-0 to pass the agenda amendment.

Board members discussed public engagement timing as part of the rationale. Board member Missus Steele said summer viewership is lower and that August would likely bring a fuller public audience: \"I would say too, we owe it to our community to make such a big decision... when we come back in August, we tend to have a higher viewership.\" District staff told the board the schedule change would not affect the repurposing timeline for actions that do not affect the 2025-26 school year.

Why it matters: the repurposing of a school building is a substantive facilities and program decision that can affect students, staff and neighborhoods. The board chose to defer formal action until a full five-member board could deliberate and vote.

The motion to amend the agenda passed 5-0; the district will bring Item 7.04 back as an action item at the Aug. 7 meeting when the full board is expected to be present.","The Olathe Public Schools Board of Education voted 5-0 to remove item 7.04 (repurposing Westview Elementary School) from the July 10 agenda and reschedule it for the Aug. 7 meeting so all board members can participate.",{"_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},6174131,"Board hears federal funding rescission, national tax-credit scholarship changes and state school-finance task force update",1641,1082000,2723000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea&start=1082&end=2723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea/thumbnail_1082000.jpg","/articles/6174131/Kansas/Board-hears-federal-funding-rescission-national-tax-credit-scholarship-changes-and-state-school-finance-task-force-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174131-ba02792627892a3bc115bf3981d125ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067370&Signature=f62qIDl3rd4lgX-KOGVP02JUP5e6wZvGLNIIENHqQnZP6dDNhZ80nCPUQSaEpXirYcCK~Zq7nmSaOHIuB12lFd2jG~h1A4B01H1YxufpDrmwSwbZ4Lqf9yFtD3nLaBX3yzV~E2tjzbg3RnXWhWyqMtXeQvhTj4M3GxbMtkspSgLji1Qc8t9~e5hT3aONIix6RnGBEaxUbZeRbImj8UV~FwZYZoc4UBnnx403Iy2VonwqMpR8yDI8dBZp-mjULG5i7~OxhWZ~8JZRCDfmU5sfnCDwv5hc~GFiJZ51w0z-pjTwbTYDW-i5t6U5wF-lnNfeY7emJFFC2To~TMJc-xC~Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Stuart Little, a guest presenter, briefed the Olathe Public Schools Board of Education on July 10 about federal and state developments affecting school funding, including the national budget rescission and a new federal tax-credit scholarship provision that takes effect in January 2027 if states opt in.

Dr. Little said House Resolution 1 contains a nonpublic school scholarship tax-credit provision that would allow a 100% federal tax credit up to about $1,700 for certain contributions, and that participation is optional for states. \"It is optional for states to participate,\" he said, noting the law authorizes states to determine implementation and that the provision could apply in conjunction with existing state scholarship programs.

He described how the rescission at the federal level is reducing certain allocations nationwide and said the district's share of targeted federal reductions is about $1,030,000. \"Our our portion of that's about a million 30,000,\" he said in response to board questions; district staff later explained about $570,000 of that amount is payroll and contracted staff costs already under contract for next year, which creates timing pressure for the district.

On state policy, Dr. Little summarized the Kansas Education Funding Task Force, created by the legislature in 2024 to recommend a new school finance formula before the current formula sunsets in June 2027. He said the task force has prioritized weightings for at-risk students, English-language learners and special education, and is running multiple \"runs\" (simulations) to test how formula changes would affect all 286 Kansas districts.

\"Anything that happens in school finance, the State Department of Education does a run, which is all 286 school districts and how it impacts every single one of them,\" he said. Dr. Little described the group's work as complex, warned that changes can have large and uneven financial impacts across districts, and said the task force is currently studying options and is unlikely to produce an immediate radical overhaul because of political and technical constraints.

Board members asked technical and timeline questions. Board member Julie Reagan asked who has been attending task force meetings; Dr. Little said legislative staff, associations, superintendents and other stakeholders have monitored meetings and that the task force includes legislators and education officials. Board members and presenters also discussed recent ESSER funding reinstatement and how state revenue fluctuations feed into future budget discussions.

Why it matters: the federal rescission and the optional federal tax-credit scholarship provision could change revenue streams and family choices, while a rewritten state school-finance formula could materially alter district funding distribution. The board received the briefing for information; no formal legislative position or action was taken at the meeting.","A consultant briefed the Olathe board on federal rescission actions, a new optional federal tax-credit scholarship policy effective 2027, and ongoing work by the Kansas Education Funding Task Force as the current school finance formula approaches a June 2027 sunset.",{"_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},6174136,"Olathe sees open-enrollment applications double to 147; district schedules July help events",266,499000,765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea&start=499&end=765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5372794-d09bce9b801dac0d8ab8c41ae65702ea/thumbnail_499000.jpg","/articles/6174136/Kansas/Olathe-sees-open-enrollment-applications-double-to-147-district-schedules-July-help-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174136-5db6a4311ef7e421967a39db7e675ee8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067370&Signature=QbG9DAu270zczYX1LgP5CI-eZzPNiPR9jkcO7zvMts7wEN-xOPBiU3oiW6kDHtagMiOf8yzV7pwBQhuUakabd56H32WqdMATyvZA469tI8bcJIGWoTsNjzEDinBEcGXPo1u-SZJ-wFQsmBHNACo7vPOfrrCfKmszABECEsHw5R5-9mHrIdmihys2xsqo2aYBB-BTcnTQzvNLX0xsVb6irBB8cT7A~NuQN-scmd2wmm52zFYcptso2442w3OG5dbP7SbU3DrquZ0T3cwSOEqnFfDRvdtkvdDflUXYOGcWCAlw3uSCB8diDCxN8RNGwDtCnOCRF6oJ7TTJunz88w8r2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Waters, a district staff presenter, told the Olathe Public Schools Board of Education on July 10 that the district received 147 out-of-district open-enrollment applications for the 2025-26 school year, up from 72 in the program's first year. \"You will see that we had 72 applications come in our first year with open enrollment. And this year, we have 147,\" she said.

The increase came across grade levels: Dr. Waters told the board elementary applications included 55 this year at the elementary level (21 of those were kindergarten applicants), middle-school applications rose to 32 from 20 last year, and high-school applications increased to 60 from 29. She said about 20 of the elementary applicants were former Olathe students; 12 of the 60 high-school applicants were former Olathe students.

The district posted \"close to, almost 3,000\" openings for transfers, Dr. Waters said in response to a board question from Board member Will Babbitt. \"We had close to, almost 3,000 is what we posted,\" she said, adding that was a significant jump from the previous year's roughly 1,000 openings.

Dr. Waters outlined next steps and dates for families. Out-of-district families can begin enrollment by phone on July 21; the district will host an in-person registration support event on July 22 at Olathe Northwest High School from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with translators, transportation staff and food services present. She also said the district reopened the in-district and employee transfer link on July 1 to allow current district families another window to request transfers.

Communications staff confirmed the district sent the information in the June family newsletter, posted it on the OPS website and planned direct emails and social posts ahead of the July 22 event. \"We have a communication plan,\" a district communications staff member told the board.

Board members praised the registration plans and the district's early outreach. Board member Julie Reagan asked whether former Olathe students were present at the middle- and high-school levels; Dr. Waters said there were such students at both levels and described a portion as \"former/slash current\" students who had moved to neighboring districts but wanted to remain in Olathe schools.

Why it matters: the numbers show heightened demand for seats across grade levels in the district's second year of open enrollment and inform staffing and space planning. The district emphasized that the posted opening count represented the capacity it believed it could manage without materially affecting school operations.

Board members asked operational questions but took no formal action on the presentation; the open-enrollment items described were informational and procedural.

The district encouraged families needing help to attend the July 22 event and to call the registrar beginning July 21 for appointments.","District staff told the Board of Education that out-of-district open-enrollment applications rose from 72 in the program's first year to 147 this year; district posted roughly 3,000 openings and will hold in-person registration support July 22 at Olathe Northwest High School.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Teachers and summer-school staff highlight backpack drive and credit recovery successes

Board approves contracts for innovation campus, grants change orders and backs esports arena in bond project

Board delays vote on repurposing Westview Elementary until full board present

Board hears federal funding rescission, national tax-credit scholarship changes and state school-finance task force update

Olathe sees open-enrollment applications double to 147; district schedules July help events