7 takeaways from Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 school board meeting
November 5 2025
Citizens continue to call for board member’s resignation
Board tensions surface; policy reviews requested
Board approves over $500,000 in school improvement projects
District explains new state assessment scores, urges caution on comparisons
Manhattan Virtual Academy reports strong graduation rate, engagement
District recognizes outstanding educators
Manhattan High School student accomplishments highlighted
Citizens continue to call for board member’s resignation
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Several citizens used the public comment period at the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education meeting Wednesday to again call for the resignation of board member Katie Allen, citing a controversial social media post she made earlier this year. Speakers stated that her apology was insufficient and that her continued presence on the board creates division. A local pastor argued her comment was particularly inappropriate given the district’s extensive active shooter training. Riley County Police Department Director Brian Peete also addressed the board, stating that the Riley County Police Department remains neutral in local controversies and is dedicated to serving all citizens impartially.
Board tensions surface; policy reviews requested
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Board member Katie Allen responded directly to public criticism during board comments Wednesday, stating she would not resign and describing the ongoing calls for her to step down as a form of adult bullying. Following her remarks, board member Christine Weixelman distributed a proposal to review the board’s ethics policy, which she said was long overdue. Board President Kristin Brighton also requested that the policy committee review the district’s guidelines for citizen comments to ensure the board’s practices align with written policy.
Board approves over $500,000 in school improvement projects
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Board of Education unanimously approved more than $516,000 for three separate capital improvement projects at its Wednesday meeting. The board awarded a $318,300 contract to Icon Structures for a fire alarm and mass notification system upgrade at Marlatt Elementary School. It also approved a $38,500 design services proposal from BG Consultants for a parking lot replacement project at Marlatt. A third proposal from Otis Elevator Company for $159,732 was approved to perform necessary upgrades on elevators at Amanda Arnold, Bluemont and Lee elementary schools.
District explains new state assessment scores, urges caution on comparisons
MANHATTAN, Kan. — School district officials on Wednesday detailed significant changes to the state assessment system, urging the community to avoid direct comparisons between the new test scores and previous years' results. Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Andrea Tiede and Director of Student Support Services Shannon Molt explained that the Kansas State Department of Education implemented a new test and reset “cut scores” for the 2024–2025 school year, with about 140 Kansas educators participating. District leaders will now use the new results as a baseline to measure future growth.
Manhattan Virtual Academy reports strong graduation rate, engagement
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan Virtual Academy reports a 97 percent graduation rate and serves over 250 students through various enrollment models, according to a report presented to the board Wednesday. Principal Brooke Blanck, accompanied by staff members Kim Lackey and Lydia Huninghake, highlighted the academy’s high family engagement in parent-teacher conferences. While the official full-time enrollment is 174 students, Blanck noted that the academy also provides individual courses for Manhattan High School students and accelerated math for middle schoolers, significantly expanding its reach.
District recognizes outstanding educators
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Board of Education recognized several educators for excellence at its meeting Wednesday. Manhattan High School German teacher Elke Lorenz was recognized by the Kansas World Language Association and will participate in regional professional activities tied to the 2026 Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in Chicago. The board also celebrated Sowmya Sugumaran, a third-grade teacher at Northview Elementary, and Clancey Livingston, a science teacher at Manhattan High, as the district’s nominees for the Kansas Teacher of the Year program.
Teri Hansen
Manhattan High School student accomplishments highlighted
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The board heard a report from Manhattan High School student council representatives Wednesday highlighting numerous recent student achievements. The high school's Scholars Bowl team won two recent tournaments, going undefeated at Junction City. The girls cross country team clinched the state title, and the high school's FFA Floriculture team competed at the National FFA Convention after winning the state championship. Student Council also announced that its upcoming blood drive on Nov. 11 is fully booked.
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