Board Approvals:
  • minutes of October 13, 2021
  • minutes of October 20, 2021
  • treasurer’s report for September 2021
  • donation of $1,000 from Witten Construction to the Spartan Stop to support student needs
  • donation of $500 from Cheryl Jamison to the Spartan Stop to support student needs
  • 2021-2022 school site council membership 
  • dispose of district surplus via internet auctions
  • $253,859 to address the improvements outlined by the state fire marshal to be taken out of the bond master budget
  • list of students receiving remote instruction exceeding 40 hours due to COVID-19 and/or extraordinary circumstances

Board Updates:
District Enrollment Report:
Dr. Ryan Karjala, Associate Executive Director of Assessment and Accountability, reviewed the district's enrollment and various demographic trends over the past several years. The district has seen a steady decrease in enrollment, however this year there was a slight increase. Additionally, since the 20th day reporting period, the district has had 37 new students enroll with very few students leaving the district during that same time. Karjala also pointed out that kindergarten enrollment numbers continue to drop. Last year there were 280 kindergarten students enrolled as compared to only 260 this year. This is a result of lower birth rates in Lyon county which continue to decrease. As the birth rate declines, so will likely the district's enrollment with fewer students coming to school. Click here to review the enrollment trends presentation

COVID Report:
Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, Superintendent, Dr. Brad Kempf, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and Jennifer Arndt, Director of Health Services, provided the board with updated information regarding the latest community COVID-19 trends, vaccine status reviews, and a look at the district COVID-19 dashboard. All three reported little to no change in any of the COVID categories over the past two weeks. Based on the current trends, the COVID Advisory Committee recommended continuing with the current Board of Education approved protocols. Anderson-Harder also shared that the COVID Advisory committee will begin meeting only once a month, unless changes in COVID warrant meeting more frequently. Click here to review the COVID presentation.

Construction Update:
Eric Woltje, McCownGordon Senior Project Manager, provided information to the board regarding the construction at Walnut Elementary as it relates to requests from the state fire marshal. Due to a personnel change, a new state fire marshal provided the final walk-through and added requirements to bring the entire building up to current fire code. The changes will result in an additional expense of $253,859.00 and were not requested from the original state fire marshal. Woltje also reviewed the overall bond budget status and even with the additional expense at Walnut there is still over $330,000 available in the current master budget for the bond. Click here to review the construction presentation

District Capital Outlay Plan:
Rob Scheib, Assistant Superintendent of Business, reviewed the historical spending of the district Capital Outlay budget and the projected use for the next several years. Each year approximately $3 million is spent on district expenses including such items as building roofs, buses, technology, bonds, and classroom equipment and furnishings.

Future Board Calendar Dates:
  • Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 5:15 p.m., Strategic Planning Meeting, Bowyer Building @ Lyon County Fairgrounds
  • November 5-7, 2021, Kansas Association of School Board Annual Convention, Overland Park Convention Center
  • Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center