Board approves first step in disposing of three district buildings

Upcoming facilities audit expected to reveal deferred maintenance

District secures funding to retain mental health mentors

New principals named at Robinson and an elementary school

Free summer school programs set to open for enrollment

Board debates future goals, focuses on early childhood literacy

New middle and high school textbooks slated for adoption

Topeka High co-valedictorian named senior of the month

Board approves first step in disposing of three district buildings

TOPEKA, Kan. — The board of education unanimously approved a resolution to offer the state of Kansas the first right of refusal to purchase three unnamed district properties. Under state law, the district must give the Legislature a 45-day window while it is in session to decide whether it wants to acquire the buildings. If the state declines the offer, the district will explore other legal options to sell or formally dispose of the vacant facilities.

Upcoming facilities audit expected to reveal deferred maintenance

TOPEKA, Kan. — An ongoing, districtwide facilities audit is expected to uncover significant deferred maintenance needs across school buildings. Auditors have been physically inspecting buildings throughout the month, with a draft report expected to be delivered to the board later this spring. A final report outlining the district's infrastructure and facility repair needs is expected to be presented to the public in early summer.

District secures funding to retain mental health mentors

TOPEKA, Kan. — Despite the looming expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds, the district has found ways to retain its mental health mentors for students. The need for social-emotional support for young adolescents navigating middle school was emphasized, noting that staff surveys strongly opposed cutting the mentor positions. The superintendent and her team restructured the budget to keep the mental health roles intact for the upcoming school year.

New principals named at Robinson and an elementary school

TOPEKA, Kan. — As part of the unanimously approved consent agenda, the board finalized two key leadership appointments for the upcoming academic year. Danielle Bergman was named the building administrative intern at Robinson Middle School, and a newly appointed principal was approved for an unnamed elementary school. The consent agenda also included the annual renewal of an outsourced heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls service contract to assist with overload repair work the district cannot handle in-house.

Free summer school programs set to open for enrollment

TOPEKA, Kan. — The district will offer free academic summer school programs this year, funded entirely through federal Title I dollars. The offerings will include high school credit recovery, programs for schools on improvement plans and 21st-century grant programs. While academic programs are free, enrichment classes will cost $50 per week with a $10 deposit required to hold a student's spot, though scholarships are available to cover the remaining balance for those enrolled in academic courses. Enrollment for the summer session opens next week.

Board debates future goals, focuses on early childhood literacy

TOPEKA, Kan. — A lengthy discussion on setting upcoming board and superintendent goals highlighted a strong desire to focus on early childhood literacy and math readiness from prekindergarten through second grade. The distinction between the superintendent's evaluation metrics and the board's own overarching strategic goals was debated. In addition to second-grade academic readiness, suggestions were made that future goals should focus on staff recruitment and retention, middle school mental health and managing upcoming legislative financial constraints.

New middle and high school textbooks slated for adoption

TOPEKA, Kan. — The board reviewed a proposal to adopt new middle school language arts and science materials, alongside select high school science resources. The proposed science curriculum uses open educational resources funded by the Gates Foundation, meaning the digital materials are free and the district will only pay for printing and standard lab supplies. The proposed language arts curriculum, which has been under review by classroom teachers for two years, is highly rated by EdReports. The board will vote on the official adoption at its next meeting.

Topeka High co-valedictorian named senior of the month

TOPEKA, Kan. — Anna Goering, a Topeka High School senior and co-valedictorian, was honored as the district's senior of the month. Goering, who is involved in theater, student government, choir and the National Honor Society, was praised by administrators for creativity, leadership and personality. She plans to attend the University of Kansas in the fall to pursue a degree in political science and psychology.

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