Lendon Balch

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. The Superintendent reported on the CSI, TSI, ATSI information and celebrated School Board Appreciation Week, including a performance by the Central Elementary third-grade choir. Recognition was given to the DeSoto County School Counselor of the Year, Marsha Foster, from Pleasant Hill Elementary School, and seniors from both Central Elementary and Olive Branch High School were recognized for their accomplishments. Discussions moved to new business, which included approving the use of ARCHITECTURAL services for the Career Tech West addition, accepting the lowest bid from Furniture Specialist for Lewisburg High School furniture, and approving the lowest bid from Unar Computers for student netbooks. Further actions involved approving a contractual agreement with Murphy's and Sons for the Olive Branch Middle School restroom renovation, approving reimbursement for a principal's credit card expense, and approving a resolution of intent to issue three new notes. Personnel matters included requests for paid administrative leave due to inclement weather, calendar adjustments for 230-day employees, adding secondary assistant principal positions for the 2026-2027 school year, and reclassifying a teaching position at Central Elementary temporarily. Additional pay requests for summer boot camps, critical needs math instruction, and dual credit college algebra instructors were also presented for approval. Finally, the board moved to enter an executive session to discuss a student matter.

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda. The Superintendent reported on welcoming students and future planning for the 2026-2027 school calendar, which would involve the teacher advisory council. The board recognized numerous state champions from Lewisburg High School's swim team and celebrated the back-to-back state championship win by the Central Middle School Dian Squad and dance team members. Several business items involved bid approvals, including accepting the lowest bid from Pencing Unlimited LLC for the South Haven High School Athletic Fencing Project, and accepting bids from Wilco Services LLC for playground additions at Fernando Hills Elementary School and Orange Lake Intermediate School. Contractual agreements were subsequently approved for these fencing and playground projects. Further new business included approving contracts with Fork Farm for child nutrition hydroponic grow farms and with Endeavor IT for partial rewire projects at Fernando Middle School and Isa Branch Elementary School. Approvals were also sought for payments for previously rendered services that lacked corresponding purchase orders for Centerville High School (Chart of Earth Services), Hernando High School (water treatment service provider), and for transportation hardware. The board also approved the purchase of a new bus using district maintenance funds. Finally, the board addressed personnel matters, including requests for various paid and unpaid leave, additional pay for staff serving as spelling bee judges or tutors, and the addition of a temporary data support unit for the transportation department. The meeting included time for executive sessions regarding early graduation requests, student discipline, residency appeals, and standard public comment.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. The Superintendent provided an update, requesting that personnel contract matters be considered in executive session. The facilities team provided a detailed report on the proactive measures taken to mitigate potential damage from a severe winter weather event, including disconnecting water hoses, draining external pipes, and preparing for cleanup using five contracted vendors working around the clock. They also confirmed sufficient salt stores and reported that only 31 of approximately 4,000 heating units were out of service due to ice restricting roof access for repairs. Recognition for the facilities team was given. Discussions continued with the approval of the 2026-2027 academic calendar, including student/teacher dates, graduation dates, and contract details. Financial reports for December 2025 were reviewed, covering general fund revenue (1% higher than prior year due to ad valorem and MSF increases), all fund revenues (down 4% due to depletion of ESRE fund), general fund expenditures (16% higher), and overall fund expenditures including construction costs. The board approved balance sheets and cash flow statements for December. Personnel actions, including recommendations for new hires, changes, and supplements for principals, assistant principals, and assistant superintendents for the 2026-2027 school year, were approved. The public comment period was opened, with specific individuals noted for having matters requiring executive session consideration.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing high-achieving students, including seniors with an ACT score of 30 or higher and state champion groups from various schools. Discussions and approvals under the consent agenda involved financial documentation, including the state of revenue and expenditures for November 2025, the combined balance sheet for November 2025, the statement of cash flow for November 2025, and the certification of bank reconciliations for November 2025. New business included accepting the lowest and best bid for lawn care services, approving a request for payment for services rendered prior to purchase order issuance at Lake Former Middle School, revising the board policy for school counselors (CPL), and approving several personnel recommendations. Personnel items covered recommendations for hiring, changes, approval for administrative leave due to weather-related closures, compensation adjustments for Child Nutrition staff, time off for an employee exchanging a cell phone, requests for additional pay for a power professional for the baseball season, and additional pay for critical needs satellite teachers at Lake Common High School and South Middle School, as well as after-school tutoring compensation for teachers at South Middle School and Corn School. The board also moved to enter an executive session to discuss residency appeal matters and student discipline matters.

The special called meeting involved approval of the agenda and subsequent discussion under New Business, specifically regarding personnel matters. Personnel changes included recommendations, approval of new part-time administrator positions effective January 7th, ratification of a position change from one 504 case manager to two part-time senior success interventions, and requests for compensatory time for employees who worked during Thanksgiving break for winterizing fields and addressing a water leak. Additional pay requests were approved for an employee filming and editing videos for the Southern Kansas schools' website, and for employees serving as critical needs teachers at Chickasaw Elementary and Lake Corner High School. The Superintendent's report announced the relocation of the principal of Chickasaw Elementary, Dr. Crystal Robinson, and introduced the new principal, Miss Jessica Atinson. The meeting concluded with adjournment.