Gillian Chapman

The Board honored multiple individuals: Hannah Bosselman with the Excellence in Education award, Melissa Bellante with the Distinguished Service Award, and Madison Cundiff and Kimberly Thompson as nominees for the 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Further recognitions included Abigail Buser and Heather Hall as nominees for the 2026 Kansas Master Teacher, and Maddie Carter and Blaise Smith as nominees for the 2026 Kansas Horizon Award. The Board also recognized American Education Week. District updates were provided by the Superintendent, focusing on student and educator achievements. The Board reviewed a proposal for course changes for the 2026-2027 school year, which is slated for a vote in December. A proposed update to Policy 6335 regarding the minimum age for operating district-owned vehicles (lowered from 21 to 18) was heard. Finally, the Board voted to approve legislative positions for the 2026 Legislative Session, which include advocating for a Fair and Equitable School Finance Formula and increased funding for Special Education.

This document details the legislative priorities of Blue Valley Schools for the 2026 Kansas legislative session. It focuses on advocating for a fair and equitable school finance formula, including proper funding for special education, and providing local school boards greater financial authority. Other key areas include improving school safety and student well-being through updated concealed carry statutes and dedicated funding for mental health and infrastructure. Additionally, the plan emphasizes investing in staff by revising Capers 3 and addressing rising benefit costs to recruit and retain highly qualified educators, ultimately aiming to ensure a high-quality and well-supported education for all students.

This document provides an insightful overview of the Blue Valley Schools' Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, highlighting their evolution, diverse offerings, and strategic direction. It focuses on aligning curriculum with current industry needs, developing essential soft skills like critical thinking and problem-solving, and fostering student engagement through real-world experiences and community partnerships. The overarching vision is to prepare students for successful post-secondary education and professional careers by continuously evolving programs based on student interests and industry demands.

This legislative position outlines strategies to support the recruitment and retention of highly qualified staff. Key focus areas include improving working conditions, providing competitive compensation and benefits, enhancing retirement options through revisions to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), prioritizing salary increases, and addressing rising employee benefit costs. The objective is to counter challenges like unaffordable housing and uncompetitive retirement systems to ensure the district can attract and retain essential professionals for student success.

The meeting commenced with student recognitions, including a pledge of allegiance led by a third-grade student, the administration of the oath of office for newly appointed board members (Dr. David Benson, Dr. Sonia Evans, and Gina Knapp), and awards presented to a maintenance technician for distinguished service and a library media specialist for excellence in education. Student achievements were further recognized, including the Blue Valley Southwest Glitter Girls for four consecutive Kansas 5A state championships and students who achieved a perfect 36 composite score on the ACT. The board also recognized January as School Board Recognition Month. During the business portion, the agenda was approved, and the consent agenda was approved after four specific contracts (with Apple, CDW Government, Imagine Learning, and Macauan Gordon) were pulled for separate consideration. The open forum featured public comments regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) topics, specifically relating to the concept of inclusion versus legislation on diversity and equity.