Jill Tatum

The Board of Education meeting included the special recognition of the Teacher Leadership Academy 6, which is a master's degree program conducted in partnership with Kansas State University. Other topics covered include the approval of the consent agenda, which featured retirement notices for long-term staff, a report on cash donations for district programs and school events, and a grant report. The board received reports on the evaluation of new courses, communications, and budget planning, including preliminary projections for the upcoming fiscal year. Finally, the Superintendent provided updates on end-of-year school activities, athletic achievements, summer feeding programs, and safety training, while the NEA representative reported on local school achievements and student milestones.

The Commission discussed several topics during the meeting, including public commentary regarding budget season, efficiency measures for the county budget, and the potential need to adjust fees or services. Commissioners provided updates on various activities, such as church tax assessment issues, fire department construction progress, military relations luncheon, and local athletic program financing discussions. The commission also addressed administrative matters, including the need for better signage, office relocations, and preparations for upcoming budget presentations.

The board meeting featured student recognitions, including the AMS Math Counts team and coaches. Student reports were provided by representatives from Eisenhower Middle School and Manhattan High School, covering various club activities, school performances, and fundraising efforts. The board also processed personnel retirements, approved donations and grants for school programs, and reviewed school handbooks. Additionally, a presentation was given on the ongoing budget planning process for the upcoming fiscal year, detailing the timeline, collaboration with school departments, and the assessment of needs.

The board discussed the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, focusing on district policy guidelines, digital citizenship, and AI literacy. Key topics included the development of student-friendly AI usage guidelines, integrating digital citizenship lessons across grade levels, addressing educator confidence regarding AI tools, and rethinking assessment strategies in an AI-integrated environment.

This Strategic Framework for Distrito Escolar Unificado 383 de Manhattan-Ogden aims to prepare all students for success as lifelong learners, workers, and citizens, with a vision to achieve national recognition for the breadth and depth of student success. The plan's objective is to foster increasingly higher levels of academic growth, socio-emotional development, and post-secondary readiness. It is guided by core beliefs in acceptance, responsibility, courage, joy, and trust, and principles emphasizing a system perspective, dedication to studies, an encouraging environment, relationship building, foundational skills, and societal contributions. The strategy is built upon four fundamental pillars: teaching and learning culture and environment, employee talent, and partner relationships, with success measured by indicators such as improved assessment scores, reduced at-risk student populations, increased graduation rates, and enhanced post-secondary success.