The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education recognized student and staff achievements and heard a presentation on a proposed Envista Credit Union branch at Topeka High School, an item included on the meeting's consent agenda.

Hara Del Castillo, a senior at Topeka High School, was introduced as the district's senior of the month. "I pledge of allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America..." Del Castillo told the board in brief remarks; teachers and board members praised her school leadership and course selections aimed at a career in nursing.

Philip Wrigley, a Topeka High civics teacher, was recognized after winning the American Civic Education Teacher award. Wrigley told the board the award is administered by the National Education Association, the Center for Civic Education and the Center for Representative Government at Indiana University and honored excellence in civic education. Wrigley described classroom and extracurricular programs that emphasize civic engagement, including a high-school voting club that registers students and encourages election participation.

The board also heard a presentation from Jamie Beaton of Envista Credit Union and Sheila Crowe, a Topeka High teacher who leads financial-education classes, about a memorandum of understanding to open an Envista branch at Topeka High. Under the proposal, the branch would operate on campus during lunch and select hours, provide student internships tied to classroom coursework, and allow students and staff full access to accounts beyond the school day. The target opening date discussed was Oct. 15, pending final approvals and execution of documents.

Board members asked about branch staffing and financial-education supports. Jamie Beaton said Envista would train student interns on credit-union procedures, budgeting and account management; Sheila Crowe said students researched school-bank models and proposed Envista after visiting other districts.

The MOU and related contracts were listed on the consent agenda and the board subsequently approved the business-by-consent motion that authorizes the board president or superintendent to sign special-project and purchasing contracts. That consent vote carried unanimously.

Why this matters: The school-bank partnership is intended to provide hands-on financial education and pathway experiences for students, potentially including paid internships in future years. The teacher award and senior recognition highlight district efforts in civic education and student achievement.

What's next: Staff will finalize the MOU and coordinate a planned opening and student-intern training schedule pending execution of the consent-agenda contracts.