Shawnee Heights board approves year-end transfers, contracts, bids and insurance renewals

The Shawnee Heights USD 450 Board approved a slate of routine fiscal and contract items, including authorization for year-end closeout and transfers and multiple vendor and insurance renewals.

Board action highlights (all motions recorded as approved 5'0to'00 unless noted):

- Authorization to perform year-end closeout and transfers for fiscal 2024'25; final transfer amounts to be shared at the July 21 meeting. (Moved and seconded; outcome approved 5'0to'00.)

- Approval of the 2025'26 agreement with Orion Education & Training for adult alternative programming, retroactive payment for 2024'25 participation (alternative on-site program total in agreement: approximately $452,000; virtual credits paid at $709 per credit). (Moved by Rosa Cavazos; seconded; outcome approved 5'0to'00.)

- Approval of the 2025'26 agreement with Orion Education & Training for virtual placements for high-school students when needed (payment for 2024'25 noted at $4,480). (Moved and seconded; outcome approved 5'0to'00.)

- Award dairy products bid to Highland (maximum bid $236,000; estimated spend ~ $167,000 this year; projected 6% increase over prior year). (Moved by Christina Fleming; seconded by Rosa Cavazos; outcome approved 5'0to'00.)

- Approve Kansas Insurance Cooperative for Schools (KICS) property and casualty insurance renewal for 2025'26 at $575,687 (a 2.39% reduction from prior year's premium). (Moved and seconded; outcome approved 5'0to'00.)

- Approve KICS student accident insurance renewal at $31,275.30 for 2025'26 (coverage is secondary to family primary insurance; previously reduced from 100% to 80% out-of-pocket coverage across the pool). (Moved and seconded; outcome approved 5'0to'00.)

- Approve KASB workers' compensation renewal (increase ~31.8% or $74,000, driven by three-year experience modification and prior large claims). (Moved and seconded; outcome approved 5'0to'00.)

- Approve contract with Southeast Kansas Education Service Center for SHARP classroom space at Forbes Field ($15,450 for 2025'26). (Moved by Rosa Cavazos; seconded by Christina Fleming; outcome approved 5'0to'00.)

- Approve two bids from Hop Sound for the high school weight-room AV system and cafeteria audio replacement (lowest responsive vendor; bids recommended). (Moved and seconded; outcomes approved 5'0to'00.)

- Authorize payment of $35,547.99 to Family Service and Guidance for mental health intervention team services provided in 2024'25 (grant flow-through funds). (Moved by Lauren Tace Miller; seconded by Rosa Cavazos; outcome approved 5'0to'00.)

Vote and process notes: most motions included named movers and seconders. The transcript reports unanimous roll-call style outcomes as "All in favor 5 0" for each motion; the record did not enumerate individual yes votes by name for every motion. Where amounts were presented in discussion (for example, the Orion adult-program payment and the KICS property renewal), staff said those amounts reflected audited participation and cost allocations from the prior school year.

What the board required next: staff will post final transfer amounts at the July 21 meeting, continue contract oversight for Orion placements and provide any follow-up on warranty or implementation schedules for capital projects tied to approved bids.