Board proposes mill levy increase to address rising costs

District budgets $250,000 for civil rights legal defense

Needs assessment shows improved attendance, persistent special education needs

Elementary teachers train in 'science of reading' curriculum

District shifts away from social media, adopts ParentSquare platform

Topeka High band receives donated equipment trailer

Board approves wrap-around support partnership with SENT

Community supply drives equip students for new academic year

1. Board proposes mill levy increase to address rising costs

TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka Public Schools administrators proposed an increase to the district's mill levy for the fiscal year 2027 budget, setting the maximum proposed rate at 51.177 mills. Officials cited rising operational expenses, including a $1.4 million hike in health insurance premiums, an estimated $1 million increase for substitute teacher services and $3.6 million for staff salary increases, compounded by a decline in student enrollment that offsets state aid. The proposal includes raising the local option budget to the state-allowed maximum of 33 percent, though administrators noted the district is still projected to maintain the lowest school district mill rate in Shawnee County.

2. District budgets $250,000 for civil rights legal defense

TOPEKA, Kan. — The proposed fiscal year 2027 budget includes a nearly $250,000 increase to the district's special liability fund to cover legal fees related to an ongoing U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Title IX investigation. District officials stated that securing outside counsel for the matter was an unavoidable reality. Administrators stressed that proactive budgeting for the legal defense fund is necessary to prevent draining critical financial resources from other educational areas.

3. Needs assessment shows improved attendance, persistent special education needs

TOPEKA, Kan. — The district's annual building needs assessment revealed positive trends in student attendance and mobility alongside a persistent need for mental health and special education support. The district's overall student mobility rate has dropped below 17 percent, and several buildings are now reporting attendance rates above 90 percent, though specific pockets of high mobility remain, such as a 47 percent rate at Quincy Signature Visual Arts Elementary School. Special education ratios remain set at 1-to-20, and English as a second language teacher ratios remain at 1-to-50, with common administrative requests focusing on instructional coaches, trauma-informed training and substitute staffing.

4. Elementary teachers train in 'science of reading' curriculum

TOPEKA, Kan. — District elementary teachers recently began professional development with Kansas State University focused on the "science of reading" and integrating phonics manipulatives into the classroom. The district is closely tracking teacher progress as educators work to earn a literacy credential. Administrators are also utilizing specialized, grade-level rubrics during classroom learning walks to observe the curriculum in action and provide actionable feedback on literacy instruction.

5. District shifts away from social media, adopts ParentSquare platform

TOPEKA, Kan. — The school district is onboarding ParentSquare as its new primary communication platform, intentionally shifting away from using social media to communicate with families. The rollout will begin by focusing on extracurricular activities, such as debate and ROTC programs, before expanding to classroom teachers. Administrators noted that the new platform is designed to ensure secure and direct interactions between staff and parents while avoiding the pitfalls of public social media channels.

6. Topeka High band receives donated equipment trailer

TOPEKA, Kan. — The board officially accepted a donation from the Topeka High School Band Backers to provide a new equipment trailer for the school's marching band. The parent group, alongside community and business partners, raised $11,366 to purchase the trailer and an additional $4,155 for a custom vinyl wrap. The new trailer will replace aging, hand-me-down equipment that had become a logistical hurdle for the music program.

7. Board approves wrap-around support partnership with SENT

TOPEKA, Kan. — The board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the local nonprofit Strengthening and Equipping Neighborhoods Together (SENT) as part of its consent agenda. The partnership will provide ongoing wraparound support and community resources for students and families at some of the district's most vulnerable schools, particularly in the Hi-Crest neighborhood.

8. Community supply drives equip students for new academic year

TOPEKA, Kan. — Ahead of the new academic year, district officials highlighted ongoing community efforts to provide backpacks and school supplies to local students. Kansas Secured Title hosted the district's largest corporate supply drive of the season, providing materials that retired educators recently packed into backpacks. The supplies will be distributed to students in need during the district's upcoming community listening tours.

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