Board approves contracts, district goals and Blue Valley Rec budget; Children’s Mercy contract passes 6-1

The Blue Valley Board of Education on July 21 approved a package of contracts and budgets, adopted the district’s 2025–26 goals and approved the Blue Valley Recreation Commission budget. Most motions passed unanimously; the board approved the renewal with Children’s Mercy Hospital in a 6–1 vote.

The board approved several vendor contracts for the 2025–26 year, including temporary staffing agreements and technology and facilities contracts. Motions were made and seconded on the record and passed by roll-call or unanimous voice. The contracts are intended to support custodial, grounds and food-service staffing, classroom and conference-room display technology, corporate cleaning services and natural gas pricing for district facilities.

The board also adopted the districtwide goals for 2025–26 — focusing on standards alignment, professional learning and student social-emotional supports — and approved the Blue Valley Recreation Commission (BVRC) budget. The BVRC presentation noted a proposed mill levy at 2.8, ongoing capital projects funded by Certificates of Participation (COPs) and plans to use reserves for one-time capital expenses.

Votes at a glance

- Pinnacle Staffing Group, Zendeo Staffing, GS Grace HR Solutions, AgTech ATS Facility and on-demand employment services contracts: motion to approve; moved by Jody; seconded by Jim; passed unanimously (yes:7). These contracts provide temporary custodial, grounds and food-service staffing as needed and include a not-to-exceed bid of $1,500,000 for Pinnacle-related staffing (last year ~ $1,100,000). (Source: staff presentation and motion.)

- CDW Government (Vivi wireless connect devices): motion to approve; moved by Gina; seconded by Jim; passed unanimously (yes:7). The five-year agreement will replace aging wireless display technology in conference spaces and classrooms. (Source: staff presentation and motion.)

- Corporate Cleaning Group Inc.: motion to approve; moved by Jody; seconded by Gina; passed unanimously (yes:7). Not-to-exceed $1,500,000 for temporary cleaning staffing, typically evening custodial support at up to 10 elementary schools; last year’s cost cited as about $528,000. (Source: staff presentation and motion.)

- Wood River Energy LLC (natural gas pricing): motion to approve; moved by Lehi; seconded by Gina; passed unanimously (yes:7). The agreement is a multi-year pricing arrangement to hedge natural gas costs; staff estimated an up-to-$600,000 exposure based on prior usage (last year ~$546,000). Staff said the contract has a volume threshold and that costs are unit-based rather than a guaranteed lump sum. (Source: staff presentation and motion.)

- Children’s Mercy Hospital contract (renewal): motion to approve; moved by Clay; seconded by Gina; passed 6–1 (yes:6, no:1). Assistant Superintendent Mark Schmidt requested approval of the ninth renewal, $2,647,514.06, to fund 34 master’s-level social workers and administration under the contract. Staff noted high satisfaction ratings for the program in prior years. (Source: Mark Schmidt presentation; roll call.)

- 2025–26 District goals: motion to approve; moved by Jim; seconded by Patrick; passed unanimously (yes:7). The goals emphasize standards alignment (including middle- and high-school math), professional learning for teachers, coordinated mental-health resources and analyses of career-ready programming and transportation. Administration committed to periodic updates and quarterly reporting on progress. (Source: Katie Collier presentation and motion.)

- Blue Valley Recreation Commission (BVRC) 2025–26 budget: motion to approve; moved by Adam; seconded by Clay; passed unanimously (yes:7). BVRC executive director Shane DeWald and staff presented the budget, discussed capital projects funded through COPs and reported a proposed total mill levy of 2.8 (a small decrease from prior year). The BVRC said program and membership revenues have risen and noted one-time uses of reserves for COP payments and inclusive-playground work. (Source: Shane DeWald presentation and motion.)

What it means

Board votes will allow the district to execute vendor agreements, continue partner services for student mental-health supports, proceed with BVRC capital projects and move district goals into the 2025–26 school year with agreed reporting cadence. The Children’s Mercy renewal is the only item that drew a recorded dissenting vote.

Next steps

Contracts cited “minor edits deemed necessary by legal counsel” before final execution. The BVRC will proceed with its published budget process (county publication and hearings were scheduled), and district administration will return periodic updates on goal implementation and program outcomes.