USD 231 Board Briefs

GE students and staff introduced Panther Families, a program designed to strengthen schoolwide community and leadership. Each staff member leads a “family” with students from every grade level (K–4). Monthly meetings center on character traits, with older students escorting younger peers to their groups.

The initiative has built mentorship and inclusion across age levels. Students shared how they enjoy responsibility, friendship, and connection through the program.

To view the slide deck, click HERE.

Trail Ridge students and staff presented how they implement BIST (Behavior Intervention Support Team). They described the balance of grace and accountability through tools such as safe seat and buddy room procedures, “I Care” statements, and reflection opportunities.

Students offered personal stories of learning from mistakes and developing self-regulation. Staff noted BIST has unified expectations, improved behavior, and even influenced teachers’ own professional habits.

To view the slide deck, click HERE.

The district expressed gratitude for community support totaling more than $6,000 in cash and goods.

Donations came from organizations including Lions Club, New Life Church, Central Bank, Price Chopper, Domino’s, Joy’s Closet, Casey’s Auto Repair, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Contributions provided student snacks, teacher treats, program funding, and resources for athletics and extracurricular clubs.

The full list of donations can be found HERE

1. 6.1 - Minutes of regular meeting held on 9-8-25 and special meeting 9-17-25

2. 6.2 - Approval of Contracts/Purchases

3. 6.3 - Financial Statements

4. 6.4 - Memorandum of Understanding Approvals

5. 6.5 - Resolution: New Building Activity Account - GEHS Blazer Success Academy

6. 6.6 - School Building Activity Accounts - FY25 Final Report

7. 6.7 - Out of State Trip Requests - Educational Services

8. 6.8 - Resource Requests - Good Different, The Boy on the Wooden Box

9. 6.9 - Fetal Development Video - Fetal Development Video

10. 6.10 - Approval of Claims

Dr. Jason Jones and teams from multiple schools explained how MTSS guides academic and behavioral interventions.

• Sunflower Elementary: math interventionist Robin Wedel described using FastBridge screeners and teacher input to form small groups, enrichment clusters, and targeted instruction.

• Grand Star Elementary: reading specialists Melissa Oyelere and Matt Jordan detailed tiered literacy supports and frequent progress monitoring.

• Trail Ridge Middle School: leaders Denise Russelo, Heather Smith, and Kelsey Seyl showed flowcharts for identifying needs through diagnostic assessments.

• GEHS: librarian Beth Bird discussed a new data-driven reading-intervention model for freshmen.
  
  

Overall, the presentation emphasized early identification, collaboration, and flexible supports across tiers.

To view the slide deck, click HERE.

The Educational Services team reported on the 2025 Kansas State Assessment outcomes. Using the newly adjusted cut scores, the district met or exceeded state averages in nearly all areas.

Elementary and middle-school results remained strong, while early FastBridge data showed gains among freshmen and sophomores.

Administrators noted the focus is on moving all students to level 3 and above.

To view the slide deck, click HERE.

Mark Meyer gave an update on the newly created School Safety Specialist position at GEHS. Bryan Jaegers, the specialist has improved campus security through high visibility, door checks, collaboration with SROs, and assistance with new camera systems. He also supports event supervision and builds rapport with students, helping de-escalate conflicts proactively.

Dr. Huff encouraged families to attend parent-teacher conferences and reminded the public to vote in the upcoming election. He thanked staff for faithfully implementing district policies and invited parents to meet directly with him to discuss concerns.

He addressed recent tensions, urging civility and constructive dialogue, stressing that personal attacks and vulgarities degrade productive discourse. He referenced civic examples of respectful debate and reiterated the district’s commitment to partnership with parents.

Board members expressed appreciation for the MTSS and assessment presentations and voiced disappointment over the tone of certain public comments.

They emphasized the need for better proactive communication with families to prevent misinformation, and they praised schools for community-building initiatives such as BIST and family outreach efforts.

Members also discussed upcoming Special Education Advisory Committee events and parent-resource sessions.

The board revisited the proposal to hire a district communications specialist. Superintendent Huff and Finance Director Amy Droegemeier explained the financial challenges due to enrollment decline.

Supporters argued the position would quickly pay for itself by improving public trust, retention, and positive storytelling. Others urged caution about timing and suggested exploring outsourcing or shared services. Consensus leaned toward acknowledging the need but deferring final action pending further budget review.

Representatives from DLR Group and Newkirk Novak Construction presented progress on the new elementary school project.

Key points included:

• First bid package released September 30, 2025

• Groundbreaking planned for early November 2025

• Foundations to begin mid-December 2025

• Structural completion expected July 2026 with substantial completion by Fall 2026, move-in read approximately April 2027.

The presentation highlighted ongoing coordination between design and construction teams, upcoming equipment mobilization, and preparations for a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating collaboration among the district, architects, and builders.

To view the slide deck, click HERE.

The board unanimously approved Bid Package 1 for the new elementary school project, awarding Newkirk Novak Construction Partners a contract totaling $34,894,191.

Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2025 with completion targeted for April 2027.

A districtwide plan was presented for updating playgrounds at Edgerton, Gardner, Grand Star, Madison, Moonlight, and Nike Elementary, along with improvements at middle schools.

Highlights:

• Sunflower Elementary is excluded, as its future Early Childhood Center redesign (opening 2028) will include its own age-specific playground.

• Middle schools will replace swing sets and install accessible turf in place of rubber mulch.

• Each elementary design was developed with staff and grade-level input through summer stakeholder sessions in July and August.

To view the slide deck, click HERE.

This AIA Amendment authorized the architects to proceed with the Gardner Edgerton High School trails renovation project.

Administrators clarified that this item was essentially a contractual formality—a fee adjustment embedded in the architects’ original scope of work—not a new project or expansion. Because of the large dollar amount involved, the amendment appeared as a standalone action item rather than being grouped in the consent agenda, to maintain transparency for the community.

This approval simply allowed the architects to begin work on the GEHS TRAILS improvements that had already been discussed earlier in the meeting.

Details were provided regarding the process to adopt new English Language Arts (ELA) instructional materials across the district.

The adoption process will ensure alignment with recently written curriculum documents and the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards.

The presentation outlined a three-phase adoption plan:

1. Clarify – establishing clarity statements, desired outcomes, and evaluation criteria.

2. Create – forming a district selection committee of teachers, administrators, and community members to review available resources and pilot options.

3. Act – bringing a final recommendation to the Board of Education for approval.

To view the slide deck, click HERE.

• 1.3 - Approval of Agenda

• 6.1-6.10 - Consent Items
• 10.9 - Approval of Personnel

​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.

Monday, November 10, 2025 - 6:00 p.m.