USD 231 Board Briefs (July 2026)

ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND APPOINTMENTS

Appointment of Individuals and Agencies to Certain School District Functions (2.1)

After calling the meeting to order and approving the agenda, the board approved the annual appointments of individuals and agencies to various district functions for the 2026-27 school year.

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 June 8, 2026.
6.2 - Financial Statements
6.3 - BOE Committee Information and Structure
6.4 - Resource Requests (x3) Trade books connected to the new ELA resource that are shifting in grade level or need reapproval for Honors classes
6.5 - Approval of Memorandums of Understanding
6.6 - Approval of Contracts/Purchases
6.7 - Approval of Fee Schedule
6.8 - Approval of Surplus Equipment (Nutrition Services)
6.9 - Approval of Claims

REPORTS

Superintendent's Report (8.1)

Superintendent Dr. Brian Huff opened his remarks by welcoming new staff members, including Andy Wright, who will lead Human Resources, and Olivia Riscoe, Executive Director of Special Education. He reflected on the beginning of his fifth year as superintendent, thanking the Board of Education for the opportunity to serve the Gardner Edgerton community. Dr. Huff expressed appreciation for the board's partnership over the past four years, highlighting the district's progress while acknowledging there is still important work ahead in achieving the board's long-term goals.

Comments by Board of Education (8.2)

Board members recognized July as Disability Pride Month, noting the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its significance in promoting inclusion and accessibility. One board member shared highlights from the Kansas Association of School Boards Leadership for Tomorrow program, reflecting on visits to several Kansas school districts, noting that these visits reinforced Gardner Edgerton's own work in preserving historic facilities, supporting the whole child, expanding career readiness opportunities, and maintaining a strong focus on student wellness and school safety.

NEW BUSINESS

FY27 Budget Planning (Informational) (10.1)

The board then turned its attention to the Fiscal Year 2027 budget planning process. Executive Director of Business and Finance Amy Droegemeier, reviewed the annual budget timeline, explaining that the district is entering the early statutory stages of budget development. The board was reminded that the budget would be presented publicly next month, followed by the required public hearings and final adoption in September.

Intent to Exceed Revenue Neutral Rate for FY27 (10.2)

Next, the board discussed the intent to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR). Administrators explained that Kansas law requires districts to notify county clerks by July 20 if there is any possibility the final tax rate could exceed the revenue neutral rate. District officials emphasized that this action does not represent a planned tax increase. Instead, the district is establishing a ceiling equal to last year's approved mill levy while continuing to work toward lowering the final rate as property valuations become available. Board members clarified for the public that no mill levy increase is currently planned before unanimously approving the required notification to the county clerks, with public budget hearings scheduled for September 14.

APPROVED ACTION ITEMS

1.3 - Approval of Agenda

6.1- 6.9 - Consent Items
10.5 - 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, August 10, 2026 at 6:00pm.

ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND APPOINTMENTS ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND APPOINTMENTS

Appointment of Individuals and Agencies to Certain School District Functions (2.1)

GRANTS AND DONATIONS GRANTS AND DONATIONS

Grants and Donations (5.1)

CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT

REPORTS REPORTS