Salina USD 305 board approves 2025-26 calendar, textbook adoptions and consent purchases

Salina Public Schools USD 305 Board of Education on Feb. 18 unanimously approved the 2025–26 school calendar, moved and approved a tentative 2026–27 calendar, accepted a package of consent items including several large encumbrances, and approved district textbook adoptions.

The approvals set student and teacher days for 2025–26 (182 teacher contract days and 172 student contact days), authorized purchases and encumbrances including a $367,790 Chromebook order from Dell, and moved recommended textbook adoptions to immediate effect so staff could realize savings.

Board approval matters because the calendar determines instructional days and breaks that affect families and staff schedules, textbook adoptions affect instructional materials for courses across the district, and the consent agenda commits district funds for equipment and services.

The board approved a modified agenda early in the meeting and then took up the consent agenda, which included minutes from three recent meetings, personnel and financial reports, and multiple encumbrance approvals. Major consent items listed in the board packet and approved during the meeting included a $367,790 encumbrance to Dell for Chromebooks; up to $150,000 to Village Travel for charter bus services; $95,000 to 4 State Maintenance Supply for custodial supplies; $22,521 to Building Control Services, Inc. for HVAC facility management system replacement and upgrade at Salina South High School; $136,837.70 to Scott Rice for lunchroom tables at Huezner and Sunset; a $10,000 gift to Central High Robotics from the Gustoff and Hannah Applequist Fund via the Greater Salina Community Foundation; and an audit contract with Agler Gaddert, Chartered, for $21,588.

On curriculum, the board considered multiple textbook adoptions recommended by department leads and teachers. Laura Lyons presented materials for marketing, financial literacy (BusinessU online), drafting (Residential Architecture to support Revit), Financial Math (updated edition), AP Music Theory (The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis), Earth Science (SAVIS), a new edition of high school English Language Arts (My Perspectives), and retained/added family and consumer sciences titles for middle school food preparation and food safety. A motion to move the textbook proposals to the action agenda and approve them passed seven‑zero.

On the calendar, Superintendent Exline noted the 2025–26 calendar reflects the district’s negotiated agreement: 182 teacher contract days and 172 student contact days. Highlights include a full week at Thanksgiving and both Good Friday and Easter Monday as holidays in 2025–26. The 2026–27 tentative calendar was approved for posting to give families a year’s notice; because of how dates fall, that tentative calendar includes only Good Friday as the long‑weekend holiday. Both calendar votes were unanimous, seven‑zero.

Board members used roll call raises of the right hand for formal approval; the clerk recorded each vote as seven in favor, zero opposed. No dissenting votes were recorded on the items summarized above.

The board president closed the action items by saying motions carried unanimously for the packages considered. The textbooks and encumbrances approved at the meeting will be available for public review in district offices per staff comments.

Less critical items from the consent list — curriculum fees for 2025–26 and use of contingency funds if needed — were approved along with the other consent items. No additional conditions or amendments were recorded during the motions.

The board adjourned following routine reports and a superintendent update.