Board highlights arts achievements and previews summer programs, curriculum resources

The board opened the meeting recognizing arts and performing‑arts achievements: Topeka West’s Premier Orchestra led the Pledge, student leaders from Topeka West and Topeka High described regional and international theater awards, and Topeka High senior Anna Gehring was named senior of the month for academic and extracurricular contributions.

Summer programs: district staff outlined summer offerings including Native American studies, music camp, enrichment, credit recovery and academic programs at no cost under existing grants. "Enrollment will be open next week," staff said; enrichment weeks carry a $50 fee with a $10 reservation deposit. Staff said Title I funding will cover scholarships so academic courses will be available at no net cost to qualifying families and that the $10 reservation is used to improve show‑up rates.

Curriculum resources: staff previewed recommended middle‑school language‑arts materials and noted the science resources under consideration are open educational resources produced with assistance from nonprofit partners and the Gates Foundation; there is no licensing fee for those materials though printing and lab supplies will carry costs. The resource‑adoption committee reviewed materials using a rubric emphasizing standards alignment and equity; staff will return with formal recommendations at a future meeting for board approval.

Next steps: the board will consider the resource adoption and summer‑program enrollment details at subsequent meetings; no final approvals on resources were made at this session.