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.