August 12, 2024

Michelle Caudill talked about her excitement for the upcoming year. "I really hope that, we, as a board, can continue as we have with our communication and the way that we work through the stuff we're faced with," said Caudill. Michelle also talked about her journey as a board member and parent in the district with now two Seaman High School graduates. "I have learned a lot and I hope to continue learning from all of you." Michelle and the board are looking forward to an amazing 24-25 school year!

Mr. Willson expressed his appreciation for the dedicated and hard working staff as they wrap up final touches on back-to-school preparations before school officially begins. "I am incredibly proud of the work of our staff in preparing for the new school year," said Willson. He reviewed some of the work departments have been busy with the last few months. "It's a beehive around here and I couldn't be more proud."

Since 1995, the City of Topeka’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan/Program (NRP) has been providing property tax rebate incentives for those willing to invest within “At Risk” / “Intensive Care” neighborhoods and Downtown.

The current version of the NRP expires on December 31, 2024 but the City is proposing to extend through the end of 2027. The NRP boundary primarily aligns with At Risk/Intensive Care neighborhoods. It is based on the City’s Neighborhood Health map, which was updated earlier this year.

Later this fall, the USD 345 Board will be asked to consider participation in the program’s extension through an inter-local agreement with the City in order to maximize impact of the rebate. All taxing entities within the current NRP boundary participate including USD 345, USD 437, USD 450, USD 501, Shawnee County, Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority, Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, and Washburn University.

More information can be found in the August 12 Board Agenda.

The 2024-25 Negotiated Agreement was approved. Items within the negotiated agreement include:

• Drivers’ Education rate increase to $50 per hour from $30 per hour.
  
• Sick Leave retirement buyback for licensed personnel is simplified from the proration formula to $96 per day up to 100 days.
• Increased flexibility in Licensed staff leave to allow requests at .25 increments, instead of only half/full days – this will be a trial this year to monitor how well it works.
• Parental leave added so those having a baby can request up to 5 days of paid “parental” leave.
• The district is increasing an additional $50 per month toward the health insurance benefit, making the contribution $540 per month per single employee participating.
• Licensed staff will have step and column movement.
• Every cell in the salary schedule will increase $1500.
• For those licensed staff in column MA+60, there will be an additional $1500 increase.
• Language in the contract to specifically designate one day at the start of the school year as a teacher work day. We will also pilot a half day work day in January when staff returns from winter break.

Click here to download the 24-25 negotiated agreement.

RNR/FY25 Proposed Budget Presentation

Approval of Transfers - APPROVED

Publish the Notice of the FY25 Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing - APPROVED

Publish the Notice of FY25 Budget Hearing - APPROVED

The consent agenda contains items packaged into one agenda item. They are often routine and garner very little discussion. A full list of consent items can be found by visiting the BoardDocs website.

1. Teaching and Learning Report
2. Special Services Report
3. Facilities and Grounds Report
4. Advertising Policy, Guidelines and Packages Discussion

1. All returning employees not covered by the negotiated agreement will receive a $1 per hour increase in hourly rate or 4.5% whichever is more - APPROVED
2. Policy updates as presented - APPROVED
3. Facility Use Agreement & Process - APPROVED WITH DISCUSSED CHANGES

Regular board meetings are scheduled on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 pm. Regular meetings may be adjourned to another time and place when necessary. Special meetings may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Regular meetings typically take place at the Seaman Education Center. When meeting locations change, notice is sent out to the public and made available online. Board agendas go live on the Friday afternoon prior to the regular board meeting.

All regular meetings are streamed live and available on the district's YouTube Channel. A recap of the meeting is also made available through the Board Digest.

Both in-person and digital public comment are accepted at regular board meetings. The public comment agenda item may be found in the meeting agenda.

Remaining regular meetings for the 2024-25 school year:

September 9, 2024

October 14, 2024

November 11, 2024

December 9, 2024

January, 13, 2025

February 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

April 14, 2025

May 12, 2025

June 9, 2025

July 14, 2025