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Topeka school board approves consent items; district staff says two federal grants end
Summary
The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education approved business-by-consent items that include termination of a partnership “reform grant” and the Samia grant; district staff described program impacts but the board approved the consent package unanimously.
The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve business-by-consent items that included the termination of two federal grants that had supported teacher recruitment and English‑learner services.
Board member Dr. Beeson asked for background on item 17.2, prompting district staff to explain that the “reform grant” had been a partnership with Kansas State University to recruit paraprofessionals and high school juniors and seniors into the teaching profession. The staff member said the grant had paid part of a recruiter’s salary, covered coursework delivered online by K‑State, and that the five‑year award ended after its second year. The staff member also said a separate federal award, identified in the meeting as the Samia grant, had been terminated with the elimination of the district’s Office of English Learners; that grant funded professional development (Gomez and Gomez training), funded seal of biliteracy assessments for more students, and paid tuition for cohorts pursuing an EL endorsement.
The district described concrete effects: fewer paid slots for teacher cohort coursework that helped educators earn EL endorsements, loss of paid tuition and professional development opportunities, and the district assuming more cost if it continues offering seal of biliteracy assessments. A staff member summarized: “those opportunities are lost for our staff…those funds are terminated.”
Board discussion included questions about the number of years the grants had run and follow‑on impacts on staffing and student supports. Board members asked whether further grant terminations were expected; staff replied that another grant had been identified as terminated the day before. After discussion the board moved, seconded and voted to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: district leaders said both grants supported recruitment, bilingual and EL services, and staff professional learning. With the awards ending, the district said it will continue its work but with reduced funded supports and with some services shifting to district expense.
What’s next: district staff did not present a specific mitigation plan during the consent discussion beyond continuing recruitment and seeking alternative funding. Board members and staff said they would monitor impacts and report back as the budget and program year proceed.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the business‑by‑consent motion (which included grant terminations) by unanimous voice/hand vote; the motion was moved and seconded on the record and then announced as carried.
