5 takeaways from Salina USD 305 school board meeting
July 15, 2025
Board Elects New Leadership, Discusses VP Strategy
The Salina Public Schools Board of Education elected new leadership for the 2025-2026 school year, unanimously selecting Gabe Grant as its new president. The election for vice president included more discussion, with two members, Dana Kossow and Scott Gardner, being nominated. Board member Ann Zimmerman nominated Gardner, stating she felt it was “wise to have to try and have a vice president who’s willing to be president after that.” Gardner was ultimately elected to the vice presidency in a 7-0 vote.
South High Fencing Change Order Adds $78K to Project Cost
The board approved a $78,000 change order to have Mammoth Sports complete a fencing project at the South High football and soccer field. During the meeting, it was clarified that this expense was not part of the original project budget. Administration officials explained the district had intended to use a local vendor, but the vendor was unable to complete the work in a timely manner. Citing the need to protect the “large investment” of the new field, the district opted to pay the main contractor, Mammoth, to complete the fencing to ensure it was done promptly.
District Adopts State-Mandated Cardiac Emergency Plan
In response to a new state mandate, the school board formally adopted a district-wide Cardiac Emergency Response Plan. The plan was developed following standards set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). It establishes a template for each school to form its own crisis team, which includes the school nurse and other staff trained in CPR and AED use. District- and building-level training will occur to ensure all schools are prepared to respond to a cardiac event, with final plans due for submission by a July 31st deadline.
New Partnership Brings Boys and Girls Club to Oakdale
The district is finalizing a new partnership with the Boys and Girls Club to provide an after-school program at Oakdale Elementary. Superintendent Heath Hogan announced that the organization will begin using the building during the second semester of the upcoming school year. The program will serve children in the surrounding neighborhood and replaces a former 21st Century Grant-funded program, restoring an after-school care option for families in the area. An official Memorandum of Understanding will be presented to the board for approval in the late fall.
“Exceptional” KPERS Audit Highlights District’s Fiscal Health
Superintendent Heath Hogan praised the district’s HR and business departments for an “exceptional” annual KPERS audit. Though only required every three years, the district opts for an annual audit to catch any potential issues early. The state auditor was reportedly “generally impressed,” calling USD 305 “one of the easiest agencies that she has ever audited” and noting its performance was “outstanding” for a district of its size. The audit revealed only a single error costing about $51, a figure the superintendent contrasted with another county entity that owed over $200,000 in a similar audit.
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