Takeaways from Winfield USD 465 school board meeting
January 12 2026
New member sworn in to Board of Education
Personnel report includes resignations and new hires
Irving Elementary teacher receives State Horizon Award
District accepts $15,000 donation for lunch debt
Board approves purchase of $59,800 maintenance truck
Board authorizes bids for high school gym bleacher repairs
New member sworn in to Board of Education
WINFIELD, Kan. — Gregg Follmer officially joined the Winfield Unified School District 465 Board of Education on Monday after taking the oath of office on Jan. 8 and filing the necessary paperwork with the county election clerk. Follmer joins current board members Roy Andreas, Andrea Ball, Sarah Morton, Jalaine Richardson, Ed Trimmer and Board President Kinnie Ledford to complete the district’s seven-member governing body.
Personnel report includes resignations and new hires
WINFIELD, Kan. — The board ratified a personnel report that included the resignation of high school art teacher Carlyn Apley, effective in May, and the retirement of special education coordinator Deb Herndon, effective June 30. District administrators also confirmed the hiring of several new employees, including Shelley Diediker as a psychologist for the special education cooperative and Tucker Garton as an interim teacher at the high school.
Irving Elementary teacher receives State Horizon Award
WINFIELD, Kan. — The board recognized Irving Elementary fifth-grade teacher Sally Pipes for her selection as a 2026 Kansas Horizon Award recipient, an honor designated for 32 outstanding first-year educators across the state. Pipes, who was cited for excellence in the classroom, is scheduled to receive formal recognition at the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network State Education Conference in February.
District accepts $15,000 donation for lunch debt
WINFIELD, Kan. — Superintendent Tricia Reiser announced that the district received a $15,000 anonymous donation specifically designated to clear outstanding student lunch debt. Reiser noted that additional contributions from community members to the "Lunch Fairy" fund were also received to assist families facing financial difficulties with meal costs.
Greg Loving
Board approves purchase of $59,800 maintenance truck
WINFIELD, Kan. — Following a recommendation from Assistant Superintendent Phil Bressler, the board unanimously voted to accept a $59,800 bid from Kline Ford for a new one-ton maintenance truck. The purchase is intended to support ongoing district operations and replaces aging equipment in the fleet.
Board authorizes bids for high school gym bleacher repairs
WINFIELD, Kan. — Assistant Superintendent Phil Bressler received authorization from the board to solicit bids for deferred maintenance repairs to the bleachers in the Winfield High School main gym. The board voted 7-0 to proceed with the process of selecting a contractor to address the facility needs.
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