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.
Trish Hayden, Data Manager/GED Examiner
Salina Adult Education Center
Trish has helped the SAEC main office and Diploma Completion Program remain open and communications stay on track when staff have been gone by stepping up and filling vacancies. She patiently helps instructors stay on top of data collection and does a great job of meeting state timelines. Thank you for making a difference, Trish!
Andrew Armbrust, Adaptive Special Education Teacher
Opportunity Now
Andrew teaches multiple subjects at Opportunity Now. He uniquely connects current events to history to make it relatable to students. He teaches science along with some piano and guitar. His great sense of humor keeps learning fun. Thank you Andrew, for making a difference!
Candy Fitzpatrick, Counselor
Central High School
Candy takes the time, effort and energy to reach out to colleagues with care and support. She encourages them to take time for themselves and reminds them that we are all going through this together. Her door is always open and she is never too busy to support someone. Thank you for making a difference, Candy!
Carol Allen, Bilingual Teacher
Sunset Elementary School
Each day, Carol maximizes her time to fit in additional individualized instructional times, supporting teachers in meeting students’ needs, teaching in the after-school program and sharing her can-do attitude with everyone around her. Carol’s efforts and initiative are invaluable. Thank you Carol, for making a difference!
Randy Maag, Facility Manager 1
Meadowlark Ridge Elementary School
Randy keeps Meadowlark’s building components running smoothly, and his influence on building culture is equally as effective. He always has a joke, smile or assistance at the ready for staff. He knows most, if not all, students by name and reliably makes the time to talk with them when they seem distressed. Thank you for making a difference, Randy!
Stephanie Johannes, Math Instructor
Central High School
Stephanie helped preserve the feeling of belonging and connection for a homebound student. She created a Google classroom, designed step-by-step instructions to complete the unit, emailed feedback and made sure to remain current on the student’s communications and work. Thank you, Stephanie, for making a difference!
Superintendent’s Excellence Awards
South High Journalism: Ariana Nunez, Denalyn Vasquez, Francisco Guardao, Jose Garcia, Lillian Ardis and Yasmine Eison. Kim Warren is the coach.
Central High Journalism: Jillian DeVoe, Natalia Granado-Flores, Daeton Winebrenner, Faith Rost, Ytzel McClendon, Mason Nemecheck, Chloe Highsmith, Ellie Linzenmeyer, Karsyn Arnold, Alessandra Fischer, Azbey Peckham, Noemy Leyva, Hannah Watkins, Madison Suenram, Rose Allen, Rashada Smith and Josh Warner. Darrin Stineman is the coach.
Young Entrepreneurship Challenge: From South High, Jesus Mariscal-Valenica and his advisor is Orlando Carmona. From Central High, Adia Peck and her advisor is Marysa McCartney.
South Career and Technical Education Scholar: Kylee Carter
Kansas Silver Seal of Biliteracy South High Recipient: Xannah Camacho-Romero
Kansas Silver Seal of Biliteracy Central High Recipients: Melissa Chavez, Natalie Cortez, Araceli Davila, Alejandro Guardado, Juan Luna, Rosa Luna Rodriguez, Zurisaday Aguilar, Valeria Martinez and Zabdiel Ramirez-Pineda. Leo Alvaredo is the coordinator.
French: Karen Cuevas, Alfredo Soto Cardona, Natalia Silvestre, Xiomara Perez-Sorto, Hao Tran, Susie Beachy, Kaitlyn Giest, Lourdes Sanchez and Dara Kinion. Brenda Geist is their teacher.
South High Forensics: Seth Carter, Jennifer Nguyen, Ava Williamson, Francisco Guardado, Adele Gerry, Reese Kimmi Denalyn Vasquez, Alexander Figueroa Castro, Lillian Ardis, Grady Smith, Elizabeth Lovett, Kaitlyn Geist, Allie Bray, Elijah Crabbs, Isabel Fulkerson and Peyton Rice. Megan Hagaman is the coach.
Renaissance Teachers
Jennifer Camien, director of public information, presented the January through May recipients of the Renaissance Teacher of the Month program with a certificate from the district and a small gift. The teachers included Marysa McCartney, Michele Griffitts, Lisa Mahler, Jill Barber, Lori Train, Tess Leach, Craig Bagley, Cindy Munk, Leo Alvaredo, Susan Gaskill, Melissa Gates, Ben Fetherson, Billy Jo Bonar, Kyle Ukena, Alyssa Lane, Brian Duncan, Alyssa Waldron, Mandy Ediger, Caleb Stewart and Michelle Cooper.
Personnel Report and Consent Agenda
Action Agenda
2022-2023 Student Handbooks
The board approved the middle and high school handbooks for the 2022-2023 school year as well as the library procedures for elementary, middle and high school handbooks that include
• Instructions for parents to access library materials currently checked out by their students through the library card catalog, Destiny.
• The process for parents who would like to provide permission before their student checks out any book.
Materials Adoptions
The board approved Into Reading as the core resource for English Language Arts at the elementary schools and Accelerate Education as the primary curriculum provider for K-12 Salina Virtual Innovation Academy students.
Discussion Items
Testing Protocol
Tiffany Snyder, director of elementary programs, shared information regarding the 2022-2023 assessment schedule.
School Board Reports
• Bonnie Schamberger, board member, attended the Central High School (CHS) Art Open House and a board special meeting.
• Gabe Grant, board member, attended the Central Kansas Cooperative in Education Board of Control meeting.
• Ann Zimmerman, vice president, attended the Salina Adult Education Center’s (SAEC) English as a Second Language celebration and a SAEC Advisory Board meeting. She met with Representative Howe, attended the CHS Art Open House, attended the CHS production of Peter and the Starcatcher, attended an Equity Council meeting, read to third grade students at Sunset Elementary and delivered a You Make A Difference award to Opportunity Now.
• Scott Gardner, board member, attended a Heartland Policy Council meeting and delivered a You Make a Difference award to SAEC.
• Mark Bandré, board member, attended a Smoky Hill Education Service Center Executive Board Meeting, the CHS Art Open House and delivered You Make A Difference Awards to Sunset and Meadowlark.
• Jim Fletcher, president, presented a You Make a Difference Award to Central, attended the Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, a Parks and Recreations Advisory Board meeting and a Kansas Association of School Boards Leadership for Tomorrow meeting.
Upcoming Dates of Importance
• Friday, May 13, Salina Virtual Innovation Academy Graduation Reception, District Office, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 15, Graduations, Tony’s Pizza Events Center, 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
o Central High School – 2 p.m.
o South High School – 5 p.m.
Superintendent’s Report
Linn Exline, superintendent of schools, reported that the ESSER III application was submitted and she expressed appreciation for the efforts of Lisa Peters, executive director of business and Shanna Rector, deputy superintendent, as well as school administrators, staff and community members who gave input. Superintendent Exline reported that she welcomed students to Kansas Kids’ Fitness Day and thanked elementary physical education teachers who organized the event. She thanked the Salina Fire Department for their support and involvement in the activities. She reported that legislators passed full funding for the Gannon plan and scheduled base aid, a first year of CPI adjustment and an increase in virtual students’ per pupil funding.