[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6129938,"mediaKeyId","5741687-726fc773781d53944dd4d8598066bab8","parentId",5741687,"title","Facilities director outlines $2.1M capital plan; tech director details device refresh and infrastructure cycle","audioSeconds",1222,"startMs",4968000,"endMs",6190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5741687-726fc773781d53944dd4d8598066bab8&start=4968&end=6190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5741687-726fc773781d53944dd4d8598066bab8/thumbnail_4968000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6129938/Leavenworth/School-Boards/Kansas/Facilities-director-outlines-21M-capital-plan-tech-director-details-device-refresh-and-infrastructure-cycle","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129938-a82212acbd62063d4d46267d778ded98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190056&Signature=ARFO7hL9nKbGhJ-6wfA5SFFXXxD1vJuEiR209Xfp1mGnJwVg9KBbE1ER2E4YkrMcX8zhzWXG18Ny~rDDxXt64gUu35WjCLFbwM1HcV4L0Vk2hkCNgrrWlKWM49V~I6jGNLhg~gwf661PWItz8ZBl~fwlLWVY6IVTJbXyB9AMC2WH3G76QrD-mnCqm~jT59i-f6MEXAF8uK2bmcPULdy7M6ge2MmnUcn-qmPHDeNuQvPZNqG6fjida6lJiVgRdb2r1yMx8Z8~g1CHAy9lls5r0ciTt~-8dMcYdtQFVDfy1qdz364QaOqVajzle2ElRwAyc7-gtkJXT8q5bTzpXXBZLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LeavenworthUSD453","date","2025-09-10T08:02:55Z","article","Facilities director Kyle Marl told the USD 453 board that the district’s capital-outlay priority list for 2025–26 totals roughly $2.1 million for site projects and systems, with an additional $500,000 proposed to cover maintenance-specific salaries, for a working total of about $2.6 million for the year.

Marl described the capital fund as the source for equipment replacement, construction and site improvements and contrasted it with the general fund, which supports recurring expenses and repairs. “The capital fund is used for things like replacing of systems or equipment, purchasing new equipment, construction, or improving of the sites … General fund is used for things like repairs and upkeep,” Marl said. He identified priority items such as rooftop unit (RTU) replacements, roofing, concrete and asphalt work, UPS (power protection) replacement, security upgrades, an intermediate-school parking lot expansion and a high-school culinary classroom renovation. Marl said many projects have been deferred for multiple years and estimated deferred work on the list at just over $2,000,000.

Marl outlined a multiyear equipment replacement challenge: many mechanical units date from the 2008–2010 maintenance bond and are now 15 years or older. He said the district’s contractor estimates useful life “between 15 to 20” years and that the district is already experiencing failures. Marl presented an estimate of roughly $5.5 million for rooftop units, chillers, air handlers and boilers over the next five to eight years, and about $7 million in roof replacements across the district over a 10-year planning horizon. He said the district plans to replace units incrementally (6–8 RTUs at a time) rather than all at once to manage costs and supply lead times.

Marl also listed other capital-funded activities the district supports, including Pioneer Stadium maintenance (track resurfacing and turf replacement) and a proposed scoreboard replacement; he noted an upcoming $26,000 stage-curtain replacement in the high-school auditorium.

On technology, district technology director Ryan summarized the district’s refresh cycles: Chromebooks and iPads on rolling schedules and core infrastructure replaced on five-year cycles. “Chromebooks, iPads. Our core infrastructure is every 5 years. We’ve been doing that for the last 15 years,” Ryan said. He described a common procurement pattern: refresh device cohorts (for example, fourth, fifth, and ninth grades) so devices rotate through grades, and noted the district has used five-year leases and may pursue E-rate funding for networking. Ryan said licensing is a general-fund expense and provided an estimated approach to three-year licensing blocks.

Board members asked about priorities, deferred projects, vehicle replacement and athletics equipment. Marl said some items were intentionally deferred given current budgets and that contractors and staff will continue to prioritize urgent system replacements. He stressed logistics concerns: large rooftop units can take weeks to manufacture and ship, so preemptive replacement is necessary to avoid failures during extreme weather.

Marl presented rough dollar estimates and a planning timeline and asked trustees to consider the multiyear cost implications; he said catching up after long deferral cycles will be difficult. The board did not take formal action on the capital plan at the meeting; administration will use the adopted budget and the board’s direction to sequence procurement and projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","USD 453 Leavenworth Board of Education Meeting: Monday, September 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Facilities director Kyle Marl presented a prioritized capital-outlay plan for 2025–26 that includes $2.1 million in project estimates and a proposed $500,000 allocation for maintenance salaries, and technology director Ryan outlined device and infrastructure refresh cycles.","taxTitle","Leavenworth, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",38767,"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},6129943,"USD 453 board appoints Beth Maddox as interim Freedom of Information officer after debate over workload and conflict of interest",370,4454000,4824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5741687-726fc773781d53944dd4d8598066bab8&start=4454&end=4824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5741687-726fc773781d53944dd4d8598066bab8/thumbnail_4454000.jpg","/articles/6129943/Leavenworth/School-Boards/Kansas/USD-453-board-appoints-Beth-Maddox-as-interim-Freedom-of-Information-officer-after-debate-over-workload-and-conflict-of-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129943-216ea438f1c4090594079506d774848e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190056&Signature=hGf4Y1WL7XXN9IFJ2fSIGKvrQz~pvG-R4XoulFdLBXZrp2ZabTWlLXW5yfLGi3vSb1GoNpcGVJpnBWKxjmP7kEKdPO21Ul0ARWDoeNrWm9q9epnDBAw484TUDu9k2LBonWVjZS0l0yS3WYrAqe-tTEZVVX019sovddLG0iinkzs2kkuKKlW4MhGsvjVsYfWQcBHCRWg~GYD-gaGec-c~LnIOCD8hqHzontfG1uVe9U4DPhKE3a8KYW3wI-KF-HU3oC0A66Nojn9Nf0VsGxCDGp6eyUk~hV9SQnZQOT1smyzE8u-T6G4YuaR90-OMP0nueEIqb6FVS33KQis9dBhCzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The USD 453 Board of Education voted 4–3 to appoint Beth Maddox as the district’s Freedom of Information officer in a motion made during the Sept. 8 meeting. Trustees said the appointment is statutory and can be revisited at a subsequent meeting.

The discussion included concern that assigning FOIA duties to the superintendent creates a conflict of interest because the superintendent is the district’s chief administrator and their records are frequently the subject of public records requests. One participant said, “Appointing a superintendent to serve as a freedom of information officer presents a significant conflict of interest,” during the discussion. Superintendent Dr. Adams acknowledged the statutory requirement, said the appointment is required, and added, “If you do not want to appoint me, that is fine, but someone else must be appointed as the FOIA.”

Board members and staff debated capacity and workload. Board member Mike Carney asked whether there was documentation of the time involved in FOIA work and noted concern about adding duties to staff already handling many tasks. Dr. Adams said there was not a precise time log but estimated it was “more than 1 hour per week.” When a board member proposed appointing Beth Maddox, Maddox responded, “No. I can be appointed.” A motion to appoint Maddox was moved and seconded by another trustee; the board recorded the vote as 4–3 in favor.

Board members agreed the appointment could be temporary and brought back for reconsideration; one trustee noted the board could revisit the FOIA appointment at a subsequent meeting if workload or other concerns warranted a change.

The transcript shows the motion and vote but does not record a detailed time-and-task audit of FOIA labor hours. Administration and board members said they would track workload and could change the appointment at a future meeting.","The board voted 4–3 to appoint Beth Maddox as the district’s Freedom of Information (FOIA) officer on Sept. 8, 2025. Trustees discussed concerns about conflict of interest if the superintendent serves as FOIA officer and about the workload for an interim appointee.",{"_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},6129946,"Leavenworth USD 453 board votes to exceed revenue-neutral rate and adopts split-budget for 2025–26",943,673000,1616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5741687-726fc773781d53944dd4d8598066bab8&start=673&end=1616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5741687-726fc773781d53944dd4d8598066bab8/thumbnail_673000.jpg","/articles/6129946/Leavenworth/School-Boards/Kansas/Leavenworth-USD-453-board-votes-to-exceed-revenue-neutral-rate-and-adopts-split-budget-for-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129946-0da0e607d47f3e2457e2306bd24ec3cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190056&Signature=Iu~YKkrV6PS7xqj~4Kjr18bq-UDWn887aBEBCNjziOaY9V9ZpAMS5c3S-oe4a9s2qP2m4SaWdAaJYcOUr3vllJsxszwjaSzoYSAdS2IBZ-T1yflMEg965dIs-thGOA8UDXF58ioWbkp2HcentqZbDIvB~lHrDb4X4AUj4OUd1KdG0T8V7DnSYBIkZurRHkmw9w1Oz8egR7TDfUnP2osFBI3tBYegHj0mqbRfrfN4i9a8tfKvQ~gZ2z~-3xF9UNrvRGlpuGZewICqCeMbhA8A819uKX~6LlNL~zjBDj1Cpqo~nvBUBfFHVUghrLznkNws7ohLsZH1sfGdaPbcXFKNxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education of Unified School District 453 voted to exceed the revenue-neutral property tax rate for the 2025–26 school year and adopted a two-option compromise budget, approving option B with a mill rate of 54.946 and a local option budget percentage of 33%. The board approved a resolution to exceed the revenue-neutral rate and later adopted the 2025–26 budget during hearings on Sept. 8, 2025.

The board held a public hearing on the revenue-neutral tax rate and invited public comment before taking the roll-call vote on resolution 25-26-015 to exceed revenue neutral. Resident William Christopher asked whether the percentage increases were “normal” and said some proposed increases—he cited an 11.37% figure and a 44.52% increase in the capital outlay category—would be unsustainable for him. Resident Doug Darling urged the board to reject revenue neutral, saying “I urge the board to reject revenue neutrality for the 2025–26 school year.”

Superintendent Dr. Adams explained the district’s choices and constraints. “There are 4 total funds that the district taxes in, and I would say that 3 of those have a local decision. The first fund, the general fund, is statutorily set at 20 mills,” he said, and said the district recommended using the Capital Outlay fund to capture additional local taxing capacity because it is more limited in how dollars may be spent. Dr. Adams also described how consecutive years at revenue neutral can cascade into larger percentage increases: when state aid drops and enrollment falls, the district must rely more on local property taxes. He said, for example, that “last year, for $1,000,000 ... 60% came from state coffers and 40% was born right here locally. That took a 9% decrease this year ... the district will have to tax $90,000 more.”

During the revenue-neutral roll call, board members recorded votes individually. The roll-call in the transcript shows the following recorded votes on resolution 25-26-015: Vanessa Reed — no; Jessica Wilson — yes; Mike Carney — yes; Alyssa Murphy — no; Danielle Wells — yes; Judy Price — yes; the presiding board president recorded a yea vote, and the board announced that it would exceed revenue neutral for 2025–26.

On the budget hearing that followed, administrators offered three budget options. Option A was the published “maximize all funds” budget with an advertised mill rate of 57.362; option B “splits the difference” and carries a mill rate of 54.946; the third option would have been revenue neutral. A motion to pursue option B passed by voice vote with four in favor and three opposed. The board then adopted resolution 25-26-016, which certifies a local option budget percentage of 33% for the 2025–26 year and adopts the district budget under that percentage.

The board and administration emphasized that some increases shown in the budget are driven not by new spending but by shifts in state aid and district enrollment. Dr. Adams told the board that the district’s enrollment was down about 140 students and that the district was preparing for an estimated revenue reduction in excess of $1,000,000 tied to that decline.

No additional formal amendments to the adopted resolutions were recorded in the hearing. The board adjourned the revenue-neutral hearing after the roll-call and moved on to the budget hearing and subsequent agenda items.

The budget adoption sets the district’s fiscal direction for the coming year and triggers the district’s procurement and expenditure planning under the adopted mill rates and local option percentage.","After a public hearing and public comments, the USD 453 Board of Education voted to exceed the revenue-neutral tax rate for the 2025–26 school year and adopted a split-the-difference budget option that sets a mill rate of 54.946 and a local option percentage of 33%. Board roll call and budget tallies were recorded during the September 8 hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Facilities director outlines $2.1M capital plan; tech director details device refresh and infrastructure cycle

USD 453 board appoints Beth Maddox as interim Freedom of Information officer after debate over workload and conflict of interest

Leavenworth USD 453 board votes to exceed revenue-neutral rate and adopts split-budget for 2025–26