USD 231 Board Briefs

Students from Edgerton Elementary highlighted their new “Fourth Grade Ambassadors” program. The program, only in its second year, provides leadership opportunities for the oldest students in the school, who help younger children during arrival, lunch, and dismissal. Students explained that their role includes everything from welcoming families to assisting kindergartners with daily routines like opening snacks or finding their way during drop-off. The initiative is designed to teach responsibility, build confidence, and strengthen the school community, with students expressing pride in serving as role models.

To view the slide deck, click HERE.

The district received an outpouring of generous support from community organizations, local churches, businesses, and families. Donations included school supplies, snacks, classroom materials, staff appreciation treats, and even athletic equipment, benefiting multiple elementary schools and secondary schools. Larger contributions were also highlighted, such as $5,000 worth of supplies for Welcome Week from Main Street Credit Union. In total, the district reported receiving more than $19,000 in donations, demonstrating strong community investment in supporting students and staff.

The full list of donations can be found HERE

The Board received an in-depth presentation on the “Science of Reading,” led by district leaders and literacy experts Dr. Jason Jones, Dr. Jennifer Holt, Brittany Robinson, and Mandy Hodo. They explained that this approach is built on more than 50 years of cognitive and educational research, which has reached consensus on how children best learn to read. Dr. Holt emphasized that while “Science of Reading” has become a buzzword in publishing, in reality it represents a set of evidence-based practices that districts are now working to align with.

Presenters highlighted specific instructional shifts taking place in USD 231 classrooms. For example, rather than encouraging students to guess unknown words using pictures, teachers now explicitly teach children to attend to each letter and sound, building strong decoding skills. Likewise, instead of selecting books purely for interest and then applying reading strategies to them, the district now systematically teaches phonics, word patterns, and structures first, then provides decodable texts that reinforce those lessons. The change ensures that students practice exactly what they are being taught, closing gaps that can form under less structured approaches.

The team also shared video clips from classrooms, showing teachers modeling these new practices and explaining how they have transformed instruction. They stressed that while these shifts may appear subtle, they are powerful in building reading fluency and comprehension. This alignment of curriculum with the science of reading is also part of the district’s broader “teacher clarity” initiative, which emphasizes clear learning goals and consistent instructional practices. Board members were encouraged to recognize that these changes will benefit all students by grounding reading instruction in what research shows to be most effective.

To view the slide deck, click HERE.

Superintendent Dr. Brian Huff expressed gratitude to several individuals and groups who made the evening possible. He highlighted the leadership of the Edgerton team, specifically recognizing Beth Lynn and Levi Meyer for their significant efforts in coordinating the event. He also thanked the City of Edgerton for hosting and mentioned Mayor Don Roberts.

Dr. Huff further acknowledged the collaboration between board member Greg Chapman, who originally suggested the space, and Board Clerk Deb Starling, who provided strong leadership to bring the event together successfully. He closed his remarks by celebrating the teamwork and commitment that allowed the gathering to run smoothly and with a positive spirit.

Board members expressed appreciation for the Edgerton Elementary students who presented earlier in the evening, and to the City of Edgerton for hosting the September Board Meeting.

Additionally, Board members thanked donors for their continued generosity and acknowledged the significance of the Science of Reading initiative.

Concerns regarding the updated GEHS Finals Opt-Out procedure were shared.

The Board formally adopted the 2025–26 budget after months of preparation and public review. The BOE was reminded that this budget is built upon detailed building needs assessments, which ensure that funding priorities reflect student achievement and school growth. The adoption sets the maximum legal spending authority but does not commit the district to spend the full amount. Final tax rates will be certified in November, and while the mill rate could shift slightly, it is not expected to increase from current levels.

The Board approved the 2026 benefits renewal package, marking a welcome period of stability for staff after several years of changes. Thanks to strong partnerships with Blue Cross, Delta Dental, and Holmes Murphy, the district was able to stay within budget while avoiding plan changes. In fact, some areas such as vision insurance will provide employees with greater value. Although there is a modest cost increase (7% for medical, 5% for dental), the package remains under budget and offers continuity for which employees have been asking.

A proposed job description for a new Communications Specialist was presented and approved by the Board. This action was focused only on the description itself; the position will still need to go through the full budget and finance committee process before being formally created. The role is intended to support the district’s communication efforts and relieve some of the current workload on existing leadership. Board members recommended adding qualifications related to grant writing.

The Board approved issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to explore new options for legal counsel. While the district has long worked with its current providers, recent slow response times prompted the desire to see what additional firms may offer. Staff emphasized that the Board controls this process and that district administration will provide support as needed. The RFQ will allow the district to identify firms that can be more responsive to the evolving needs of USD 231.

The Board voted to create a subcommittee to review and evaluate applications from legal service providers. This committee will follow established board policies on conflicts of interest and subcommittee operations, ensuring transparency. It will consist of three Board members along with district staff support, and all meetings will remain open to the public. The subcommittee is expected to return with recommendations later in the fall, likely around the November meeting.

The items referenced below can be found HERE.

• 1.3 - Approval of Agenda with amendment to move Section 2 Revenue Neutral Hearing and Section 3 Budget hearing down below section 5, recognitions and presentations to allow the public time to be present for both hearings, since the venue was changed to Edgerton, KS.
• 3.2 - Approval of Resolution to Exceed Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for 2025-26 Budget.
• 4.1 - Approval of the proposed District Budget for the 2025-2026.

• 9.1 - 9.6 - Approval of minutes of regular meeting held on August 11, 2025; Approval of financial statements; Approval of Contracts/Purchases; Approval of Memorandums of Understanding; Approval of Policy Updates per KASB Legal/Policy Services; Approval of Claims;
• 13.1 - 13.5 - Approval of the 2025-2026 Building Needs Budget; Approval of the 2026 Benefits Renewal for USD 231 with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City; Approval of the job description for the new Communication Specialist with amendment to add grant writing; Approval of the RFQ along with a timeline for finding a new legal services provider for USD 231; Approval to create a Legal Counsel Service subcommittee to perform the evaluation of all applicants, and bring the recommendation back for a vote.
• 13.10 - 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, October 13, 2025 - 6:00 p.m.