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District weighs coach staffing and pay changes as esports and multi-level teams expand

Topeka Public Schools · June 25, 2026
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Summary

Bargaining participants reviewed changes to activities pay (including adding esports) and debated whether coaches who cover multiple levels should receive additional stipends or a required separate coach for safety and equity.

Discussions on Article 36 covered compensation and staffing for co-curricular activities as the district adds esports and faces multi-level coaching demands.

Questioner (S3) asked whether drama/co-curricular stipends are paid per production or per year; the group confirmed those stipends are annual ("1 for the year"). Presenter (S1) said the district copied the esports language into Article 36 and added a new clause for coaches. Several participants described middle-school situations in which a single coach supervises varsity, junior varsity and "B" teams at different sites and may be required to cover multiple games in a short span. Meeting participant (S5) and Presenter (S1) said that scenario can create supervision gaps and argued for either additional compensation for staff who cover multiple rosters or a requirement to provide a separate coach for safety.

Staff member (S4) noted the activities coordinators set team definitions and roster minimums; participants said minimum roster sizes vary and that district athletics staff (Dustin, referenced in-session) would provide specific thresholds. The group favored a safety-forward approach: Presenter (S1) said it made more sense "to have the adult instead of just paying 1 adult to do 2 jobs" to ensure a dedicated supervisor for each team.

Next steps: negotiators will refine the Article 36 language on compensation and staffing, request roster minimums from activities staff, and consider whether to add explicit compensation for multi-team coaching assignments.