SUNFLOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ART WORK

***Files associated with this meeting can be found HERE.***

PRESENTATIONS

Presentation by Students from Sunflower Elementary School (2.1)

The May 2026 Board of Education meeting opened with an energetic presentation from students in the Sunflower Elementary early childhood program. The lively students demonstrated the school’s social-emotional learning framework centered around three simple expectations: “Be kind, be safe, and be clean.” The children explained how these rules apply everywhere (at school, at home, and in the community) before sharing lessons about emotional “zones,” helping the audience understand how students learn to recognize and regulate feelings. The presentation ended with interactive songs involving dinosaur and robot movements that even board members couldn't resist.

Recognition of the 2025-26 USD 231 Retirees (2.2)

The board shifted into formal recognitions, beginning with the district’s 2025–26 retirees, highlighting the contributions of 11 retiring employees who collectively represented more than 191 years of service to Gardner Edgerton schools. Administrators emphasized that the strength of the district has always been rooted in its people and thanked retirees for dedicating much of their careers to serving students and families. It was also noted that the high school culinary students successfully catered the retirement celebration event, marking the first time students had catered off-campus.

On behalf of our Board of Education, students, staff, parents, and patrons, congratulations to the 2025-2026 retirees:

Angela Bowman

Lisa Cawley

Colleen Delehanty

Regina Fotovich

Cynthia Condron

Janet McConville

Christy Henry

Staci Hash

Steve Skoczek

Kathy Mayer

Mark Meyer

View the 2026 retirement press release HERE.

Recognition of KU Awards for 25 years in Education (2.3)

The district also recognized 16 educators receiving certificates for 25 years of service in education through the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences. Teachers, principals, and administrators from across the district were honored for their long-term commitment to public education and to USD 231 students.

Those being recognized this school year include:

Sheree Bales, Kindergarten Teacher, GE

Anthony Bozarth, Special Education Teacher, GEHS

Angela Cortez, Second Grade Teacher, MDE

Mary Culross, Science Teacher, TRMS

Bradley Drace, Principal, GSE

John Duncanson, Assistant Principal, WMS

Jaylene Freeman, Real World Learning Coordinator, GEHS

Cynthia Kersenbrock, Art Teacher, GEHS

Amber Nichols, Special Education Teacher, SE

Ashley Peters, Kindergarten Teacher, MLE

Andy Price, Director of Technology, Administrative Offices

Terri Percell, Kindergarten Teacher, GE

Michael Simpson, Associate Principal, GEHS

Laura Vangoethem, Special Education Teacher, PRMS

Deann VanHouten, Fourth Grade Teacher, MLE

View the KU 25 Year Service Award press release HERE.

GRANTS AND DONATIONS

Grants and Donations (5.1)

The Board recognized community and anonymous contributions supporting staff appreciation and student needs across multiple schools.

The full list of donations can be found HERE.

CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT

6.1 - Minutes of regular meeting held on April 13, 2026, and "Special" meeting on April 27, 2026
6.2 - Financial Statements
6.3 - Kindergarten BRIDGE Program
6.4 - Approval of Heath Freeman as the Gardner Edgerton School Foundation's BOE representative
6.5 - Approval of Contracts/Purchases
6.6 - 2026-27 Facility Rental Fee Schedule - Operations
6.7 - 2026-27 Student Fee Schedule - Business & Finance
6.8 - 2026-27 Meal Prices - Nutrition Services
6.9 - Approval of Claims

REPORTS

Bond Update (8.1)

Representatives from Newkirk Novak provided updates on the new elementary school, the service center project, renovations to the high school kitchen and commons, and the Trails addition. District leaders praised construction partners and district operations staff for keeping projects ahead of schedule and highlighted several additional district-wide improvements, including playground renovations, security camera upgrades, alert badge implementation, and window safety film installations.

The slide deck can be found HERE.

Boundaries (8.2)

Dr. Jody Marshall provided information on the district’s boundary study process and explained that the board has completed an initial work session to establish guiding principles and priorities for future attendance boundaries. Key priorities identified included balancing enrollment, maintaining effective feeder patterns, maximizing resources, and accommodating future growth. A boundary committee composed of parents, staff members, students, administrators, board members, and community representatives will begin formal work in fall 2026. A final boundary adoption is expected in early 2027 before implementation for the 2027–28 school year. Transparency and ongoing community engagement throughout the process will be priority.

The slide deck can be found HERE.

Superintendent's Report (8.3)

Superintendent Dr. Brian Huff reflected on district growth and the importance of community support. He celebrated the ongoing construction projects, especially the investment in special education facilities, and previewed upcoming strategic plan adoption and curriculum resource decisions. He also acknowledged the approaching graduation ceremony and praised district teachers for their continued dedication to students, even during the summer months.

Comments by Board of Education (8.4)

Board member comments included congratulations for retirees, graduating seniors, and outstanding students. Five Gardner-Edgerton students were recognized as Kansas Governor’s Scholars, placing them among the top 1% of students statewide. Board members also highlighted community support for seniors through scholarships and donations totaling more than $100,000.

OLD BUSINESS

USD 231 Strategic Plan (9.1)

The board formally approved the district’s 2026-27 strategic plan.

View the strategic plan HERE.

Naming of the New Elementary School (9.2)

The board then discussed the selection of a name for the district’s new elementary school. Following an extended process that included public input, board discussion, nominations, and voting, the Board of Education officially approved the name “Creekside Elementary” for the new elementary school set to open in 2027.

Learn more about the naming process HERE.

Board Vacancy - District 3, Position 6 Applicant Public Opening Statement, Questions and Closing Statements - Board of Education (9.3)

Next, the board conducted interviews for the vacant Board of Education seat. Three candidates (Alicia Livingston, Terrence Flowers, and John Lafferty) participated in structured interviews with the board. The questions focused on leadership style, fiscal responsibility, balancing of community viewpoints, and special education programs.

Appointment of District 3, Position 6 Boardmember for USD 231 (9.4)

After several nomination attempts and continued discussion among board members, no candidate received the number of votes necessary for appointment. Board members recognized the complexity of the decision and considered revisiting the process at a later date, with further discussion or additional interviews. In the end, the board chose to table the vacancy appointment process indefinitely for future consideration.

APPROVED ACTION ITEMS

1.3 - Approval of Agenda

6.1-6.9 - Consent Items
9.1 - Approval of 2026-27 USD 231 Strategic Plan
10.3 - Action on personnel

BOARD OF EDUCATION

VIEW THE MEETING

PREVIOUS BOARD BRIEFS

Board Briefs are informal reports from the Gardner Edgerton Board of Education's regular meetings. They are typically released a day or two after each meeting and are not meant to be accepted as meeting minutes.

To view previous Board Briefs, click HERE.

NEXT BOARD MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 6:00pm.

SUNFLOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ART WORK SUNFLOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ART WORK

PRESENTATIONS PRESENTATIONS