Recognitions/Presentations
You Make a Difference
Staff members are nominated by colleagues to receive a You Make a Difference Award for their support of students and the mission of Salina Public Schools. Board of Education members surprise recipients during their workday with a lapel pin and a handwritten note.
Jan Boyer, Paraeducator
Stewart Elementary School
Jan is a beacon of positivity with special education students. She is patient and understanding of every student’s unique potential. Her kind efforts to connect with students encourage them to aim higher. Jan consistently offers outstanding support to classroom teachers – she truly makes a difference. Thank you Jan!
Amanda Howland, Third Grade Teacher
Coronado Elementary School
Always ready with a friendly greeting and a bright smile, Amanda is a positive presence in her school. She works tirelessly to build strong relationships with students in her room and throughout the school. She is ready to help her colleagues anytime and constantly seeks opportunities to grow. Thank you Amanda, for making a difference!
Tiffany Lowe, Assistant Principal
Central High School
Tiffany strikes the perfect balance between maintaining discipline and fostering a nurturing environment. She believes in accountability while staying focused on every student’s potential to grow and learn. Tiffany supports teachers as they navigate the complexities of challenging student situations with grace and expertise. Thank you Tiffany, for making a difference!
Superintendent’s Excellence Awards
Girl’s Golf/South High: Madison Durr. Jason Hooper is the coach.
Girl’s Golf/Central High: Cindric White. Alyssa Waldron is the coach.
Girl’s Tennis/South High: Sofia Burns. MacKenzie Morris is the coach.
Girl’s Tennis/Central High: Brooke Banninger, Claire Renfro, Addison Renfro, Mallory Renfro, Janae Montoya, and Kinsley Foth. McKenzie Weishaar is the coach.
Cross Country/South High: Alina Arceo, Lillian Davis, Josten Fischer, Ava Lemaster, Jayden Piepho, Emmalina Stevens, Korbin Dykes and Kyler Webb. Travis Peterson is the coach.
Cross Country/Central High: Liam Deniau-Young, Isak Howe, Luke Affholder, Jack Burt, Tayton Morris, Christian Brosi, Colin Rupe, Katelyn Rupe and Kaylie Shultz. Brad Dix is the coach.
Ft. Hays State Math Relays/South High: Cooper Hutton, Aryan Patel, Saikham Saekhow , Conner Stuart, Elijah Castro, Summer Fauci-Wills, Kristen Kinion, Julie Lai, Joshua Lee-Perez, Philipz Phanchanla , Bryan Farjardo-Mares, Dylan Norris, Danny Tso, Alexa Cruz-Rivera and Claire McCullough. Candace Mahoney is the activity sponsor.
Ft. Hays State Math Relays/Central High: Jake Schmitz, Carson Ablard, DJ Cooper, Alyssa Maas, Valerie VanZant, Nehemiah Gomendoza, Brock Kampling and Kolbe Shafer. Matt Dykas is the activity sponsor.
Boys’ Soccer/South High: Laurits Jenson, Luke Matto, Yaden Montanez, Jessie Luna, Trayton Kinderknecht, Abram Jennings, Xayver Nouanlasy, Rylan Snell, Juan Escobedo, Seth Flores, Carson Crow, Franklin Figueroa-Ramirez, Rogelio Lara, Jose Aranda, Rodrigo Palacios, Lander Alvarado-Escobedo, Bret Jones, Jason Berens, Dominique Girard, Saul Cabral, Joshua Soto and Damon McDonald. Trey Crow is the coach.
Unified Bowling/Combined: Pete Bernardo-Wagner, Dayton Brown, Kamden Calhoun, Reese Curtis, Zach Freeman, Baylee Helzer, Shyanne Helzer, Dey’auntrie Morton, Daniel “Collin” Welsch, Will Krannawitter, Rylee Lambeth, Callie Vargas, Rocelyn Show and Peyton Fulton. Kevin Miller is the coach.
Community Survey Results
Rick Nobles, ExcellenceK12, presented results from the 2023 Community Survey.
Personnel Report and Consent Agenda
Action Agenda
Central High School Robotics Out-of-State Field Trip
The board approved an Out-of-State Field Trip for the Central High School Robotics team. Fifteen students will be competing at the Oklahoma Regional First Robotics Competition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 3, 2024 to April 6, 2024.
Strategic Plan Goals
The board approved the additional growth measures to monitor the progress of the Strategic Plan Goals.
Legislative Priorities
The board approved the Salina Public Schools 2024 Legislative Priorities.
Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Amendment
The board approved the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Amendment.
Discussion Agenda
Salina Virtual Innovation Academy Update
Julie Falcon, principal, provided a summary about the Salina Virtual Innovation Academy.
Visible Learning Update
Shanna Rector, deputy superintendent, provided a summary about Visible Learning.
School Board Reports
- Scott Gardner, board member, attended the Heartland Policy Review meeting and basketball games.
- Dana Kossow, board member, attended the Smoky Hill Education Service Center Executive Cabinet meeting and an Equity Council meeting.
- Gabe Grant, vice president, delivered a You Make a Difference award at Central High School.
- Mark Bandré, board member, attended the Smoky Hill Education Service Center Executive Cabinet meeting.
- Ann Zimmerman, board member, attended the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, the District Health and Wellness Council meeting and delivered a You Make a Difference award at Coronado Elementary School. She also presented a songwriting workshop for fifth grade students at Meadowlark Ridge Elementary School.
- Jim Fletcher, president, attended the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Board meeting, the Central Kansas Cooperative in Education Board of Control meeting and delivered a You Make a Difference award at Stewart Elementary School.
Superintendent’s Report
Linn Exline, superintendent of schools, invited board members to join board visits to Salina Adult Education Center on January 24 and Stewart Elementary School on April 10. On Thursday, she will participate in a Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Roundtable where community leaders will meet with legislators and discuss needs. Superintendent Exline attended the Council of Superintendents in Dodge City was part of the group who presented the Did You Know campaign. The groups created and distributed a template for all Kansas superintendents to use who want to participate in the campaign that will disseminate school-related information every few weeks. The information will appear on social media and Superintendent Exline encouraged everyone to watch for the posts on December 20. She shared that Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education, highlighted Salina Public Schools’ efforts addressing chronic absenteeism (CA). She shared that the District CA rate is 4.8% lower than at this time last year and that every individual school has a lower CA rate than last year at this time. She noted that the highest poverty schools are seeing the best improvement in CA rates. Additionally, she shared that conversations about the importance of being in school every day and providing weekly spreadsheets to schools to work with families experiencing barriers to being at school have helped. She acknowledged Jody Craddock-Iselin’s work coordinating these efforts and the importance of increased social work support that was funded by ESSER funding. Superintendent Exline informed the board that Mark Tallman, from the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB), will meet with staff on Wednesday to write an article for a KASB publication about CA efforts and results in Salina Public Schools.