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Smith Center school board approves consent items, appoints negotiating team and hears FFA, KESA presentations
Summary
At the Nov. 10 meeting the USD 237 Board approved consent items including donations and the sale of old buses, named Marty Hanson and Libby McDonald to the 2026–27 negotiating team, heard students' FFA National Convention remarks and received a KESA action plan focused on improving instructional quality.
The USD 237 Board of Education in Smith Center unanimously approved a package of routine consent items and named two board members to next year’s negotiating team during its Nov. 10 meeting.
President Marty Hanson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the board approved the agenda on a 6-0 vote. The consent package included Oct. 13 minutes, November statements, review of grade-school and high-school activity accounts, acceptance of donations, approval of sale of old buses and authorization of a custodial contract for Nathan Dowling; the board approved those items 6-0 on a motion by Adam Rentschler and a second from Jodi Frydall.
The appointments and committee actions were a focal point of the meeting. On the appointment of the 2026–27 negotiating team, Adam Rentschler moved to appoint President Marty Hanson and board member Libby McDonald; Jodi Frydall seconded and the motion passed 6-0. The board’s choice establishes the two-person team that will handle upcoming district negotiations.
Student and staff presentations filled the early part of the agenda. Teachers Monica Wagner and students Taryn Hirst and Briley Jacobs presented a slide show on the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, describing visits to Beasley Orchard and the Indy Raceway and Museum and noting that Sierra Kingsbury and Ean Doane received American Degree Awards. The presenters thanked the board for enabling the trip; they left the meeting at 7:08 p.m.
Teacher Miranda Attwood presented the district’s KESA action plan, saying the action focus will be the "foundation of Quality Instruction." The plan calls for districtwide professional learning and dedicated professional collaboration time during in-service days; Attwood said all teachers and staff will participate over the next year.
Superintendent Dustin McEwen gave routine operational updates, thanking patrons who ran for the school board in the Nov. 4 election and noting several items of business: football field lights, purchase of a freezer and beef, a Mapes & Miller audit scheduled for the week of Nov. 17, Special Ed Council scheduling, the Nov. 10 district in-service (with Smith County Family Practice and Smith County Memorial Hospital teaching Stop the Bleed), and attendance at a legislative luncheon and the Kansas Association of School Boards conference.
The board discussed KASB-recommended forms and approved them with an exception for form IB, on a motion by Adam Rentschler with a second by Steve Overmiller; that motion carried 6-0. Board members concluded with brief comments, and Sara Pruden moved to adjourn; Jodi Frydall seconded and the meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Adam Rentschler motioned to approve the consent items (second: Jodi Frydall) — approved 6-0. Adam Rentschler motioned to appoint Marty Hanson and Libby McDonald as the 2026–27 negotiating team (second: Jodi Frydall) — approved 6-0. Adam Rentschler motioned to approve KASB-recommended forms except form IB (second: Steve Overmiller) — approved 6-0. Sara Pruden motioned to adjourn (second: Jodi Frydall) — approved 6-0.
The board did not schedule further action on the KESA plan in the meeting minutes; items reported (audit timing, contractual approvals) will proceed through the district’s normal administrative channels.
