Michael Wood

The board meeting featured a student presentation from Highlands Elementary regarding their schoolwide mailbox project and a superintendent's report highlighting ReadAcross SMSD, outstanding achievement recognitions for students, and examples of real-world learning initiatives. Additionally, the superintendent addressed educator appreciation, the upcoming Sun Meals summer program, and high school commencement preparations. Individual board reports included a PTA update and a detailed debriefing on a recent trip to Washington D.C. by the Kansas Association of School Boards, which focused on federal education advocacy, the structure of the U.S. Department of Education, and legislative priorities.

This document outlines the high school program planning guide for the 2026-2027 academic year, designed to assist students in making thoughtful decisions about courses, experiences, and pathways. It aims to prepare students for college and careers by focusing on personal growth, skill development, and the acquisition of Market Value Assets (MVAs). The guide supports students in exploring areas of interest and career trajectories, aligning with the district's strategic commitment to student success through authentic learning opportunities.

This document outlines the 'Apache IS' innovative school concept for Apache Elementary School, aimed at increasing student achievement through personalized and innovative instructional methods. Key pillars include fostering 21st-century learning skills through the 'five C's' (critical thinking, creativity, concept mastery, communication), implementing looping and thematic instruction, and developing a highly qualified staff with a growth mindset. The initiative also features a co-principal leadership model and positions the school as a functional lab for educators within the Shawnee Mission School District, promoting continuous professional development and district-wide innovation.

The board meeting highlighted several district achievements and programs, including the celebration of the Class of 2019 graduates, the Hocker Grove JAG-K team's success in career development competitions, and student participation in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Other topics included the district's hosting of a community engagement session on early childhood systems, the recognition of Indian Hills Middle School as a high performing school, and honors received by Shawnee Mission East and West students in musical theatre and forensics. The board also received information regarding the Summer Lunch Bunch program, the Masters Academy for Teacher Leadership partnership, a progress update on the strategic planning process, and an overview of the district's sustainability and community engagement initiatives.

This Enrollment Analysis for Shawnee Mission School District assesses historical and current enrollment trends, demographic shifts, and residential development patterns to project future student populations. The document provides a 10-year outlook, forecasting an overall decline in enrollment across elementary, middle, and high school levels, with an anticipated decrease of approximately 1,300 students over the next decade, reaching below 24,400 by the 2031-2032 school year. Key influences identified include decreasing live birth rates, student migration, and the impact of single-family versus multi-family housing developments. The analysis aims to inform strategic decisions regarding school capacity, staffing, and educational programming.