Shawnee Heights board approves summer drivers ed, renews KASB membership and authorizes $165,000 bond counsel payment

At its meeting, the Shawnee Heights Board of Education approved several consent and action items including a summer drivers education program, renewal of KASB membership and legal assistance, and payment to bond counsel.

The board voted to approve a 2026 summer drivers education program that would enroll up to 125 students. Miss Hummer, presenting on behalf of Mrs. Bell, said the class is four days and each student receives about 8–10 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction; the district requested a $254.74 offset to cover costs not covered by tuition and state aid. "By the time we take in the revenue that we bring in from families for that tuition and then our state aid reimbursement, we just need that $254.74 to offset what is not covered," Miss Hummer said. The motion to approve was made by Lauren Ta Miller, seconded by Sarah Sanders, and recorded in the transcript as approved.

The board also approved renewal of the Kansas Association of School Boards membership and an optional legal assistance fund. Miss Darding said the combined cost reflects about a 3% increase from last year to roughly $17,022.59 for the combined subscriptions and legal assistance access. She described benefits including policy recommendations, networking and the ability to obtain legal advice through the fund. A motion to renew was made and seconded and the board approved the renewal.

Separately, the board authorized payment of $165,000 to Gilmore & Bell for bond legal assistance and compliance services. Miss Dardy explained the invoice is composed of approximately $150,000 for services tied to the bond issuance and $15,000 placed into a compliance trust or retainer to cover post-issuance tax compliance and disclosures. Staff clarified the payment will be made from bond proceeds and that funds are allocated across cost-of-issuance, compliance and improvement accounts. The motion to approve the payment was made by Buck and seconded by Erica Price; the transcript records the board’s approval.

The meeting record shows routine motions earlier in the agenda to approve the meeting agenda and prior minutes. Later the board moved into executive session to discuss an individual employee’s performance and confidential student information; the transcript cites an "exception for non-elected personnel under coma" (as stated in the record).