6 takeaways from Topeka USD 501 school board meeting

1. School Board Proposes Property Tax Increase

Topeka Public Schools is proposing an increase in its property tax mill levy for the upcoming fiscal year. During their meeting, the Board of Education unanimously approved publishing a notice of intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, a necessary step for raising taxes. The proposed total mill levy is 46.241 mills, an increase from the revenue-neutral rate of 42.194 mills calculated by the county. District officials stated the increase is necessary to cover rising costs for building maintenance and equipment, and to offset a reduction in state aid for bond and interest payments. For a home with an appraised value of $180,000, the proposed increase would result in an additional $83 in property taxes annually. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for September 4th.

2. New Cell Phone Policy Sees Smooth Start

The district’s new, more restrictive cell phone policy had a successful start to the school year, according to a report from high school administrators. The policy, which limits student phone use during school hours, has resulted in relatively few issues, with most students complying with requests to put their phones away. One notable effect has been observed in the lunchrooms, where administrators reported a louder, more conversational environment as students are interacting with each other instead of being focused on their phones. The transition has been particularly smooth for incoming freshmen, who were already accustomed to similar restrictions in middle school.

3. Community-Led Drive Fills School Bus with Supplies

A creative challenge to local real estate agencies resulted in a bus full of school supplies for Topeka students. Kansas Secured Title organized a competition among local brokerages, offering a barbecue lunch to the firm that collected the most supplies. The friendly “fight” was a resounding success, with agencies including Coldwell Banker American Home, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wostal Realty, and others collectively donating 1,600 items, from backpacks to pencils. The donations were so plentiful that when the district sent a large bus for pickup, every single seat was filled, requiring the entire central office staff about 20 minutes to unload the supplies.

4. Summer School Attendance Drops After Federal Funding Ends

Enrollment in the district’s summer school programs saw a significant decrease this year following the expiration of federal COVID-relief (ESSER) funds. A total of 788 students participated in the various academic and enrichment programs this summer, down from over 1,000 in the summer of 2023 when the programs were heavily subsidized. With the end of that funding, the district reintroduced tuition for enrichment programs, which officials believe was a primary driver of the reduced numbers. Despite the drop, officials were pleased with the continued interest and celebrated the fact that 150 staff members chose to teach this summer, even with a change from a daily to an hourly pay rate.

5. District Reports Lowest Teacher Vacancy Numbers in Years

Topeka Public Schools has started the school year in a strong staffing position, reporting its lowest number of teacher vacancies in recent memory. The personnel committee announced that the district is down to only 38 certified staff vacancies, all of which are currently filled by long-term substitutes. Many of these remaining openings are expected to be filled soon by educators arriving through a contract with overseas teachers. The district has also seen success in hiring staff, noting that job fairs held on school properties like Quinton Heights have been particularly effective at attracting local family members to apply for positions.

6. Innovative Program Signs High Schoolers to Future Teaching Contracts

In a proactive move to combat teacher shortages, the district highlighted a unique “signing day” for high school students committing to a career in education. Twenty students in the program at the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers (TCALC) signed letters of intent to work for Topeka Public Schools upon their college graduation in four years. The innovative program, a partnership with Washburn Tech, KSDE (Kansas State Department of Education), and the Kansas Department of Commerce, allows students to earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree at no cost while participating in a paid apprenticeship within the district. This “grow your own” initiative aims to create a stable pipeline of future educators for the community.

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