Recognitions/Presentations
Horizon Award
Lindsey Chavez, Sunset Elementary fourth grade teacher, and Cole Dow, Central High School welding instructor, were recognized by the board of education as the district’s 2022 Horizon Award recipients.
Superintendent’s Excellence Awards
Band/Central High School: Andrew Fields, Corbin Banninger. Guillermo Rodriguez is the director.
Choir/South High Choir: Kirsten Lamia, Jalyn Gutierrez. Eddie Creer Jr. is the director.
Theatre/South High: Mia Dennett, Malina Szyndlar, Kaydence Dickson, Cameron Preble, Emily Streeter, Ethen Lainer, Yesenia Torres. Kate Lindsay is the director.
Orchestra/Central High: Armando Duran. Lindsay Modin is the director.
Choir/Central High School: Israel Barlow, Chloe Chesney, Kassidy Cottingham, Chloe Highsmith, Harper Johnston, Emma Kelly, Lillian Myers, Jaxson Rutz, Josh Warner, Peyton Wood. Ryan Holmquist is the director.
Debate/South High School: Grady Smith, Elizabeth Lovett, Kaisen Snow, Sofia Burns, Francisco Guardado, Soren Mannebach, Seth Carter, Ava Williamson, Lillian Ardis, Nardaicela Garcia. Megan Hagaman is the coach.
Art/Central High School: Layna Kinnaird, Abigail Henning, Araceli Segura, Chelsea “Rossi” Lewin, Dylahn Crough, Theresa Grathwohl, Mykl Groetzinger, Emmy Haller, Camila Lopez, Faith Rost, Mariah Prophet, Lillian LaMarca, Claire Renfro. Larry Cullins and Kiersten Dykes are the teachers.
Theatre/Central High School: Lillian Myers, Josh Warner, Ethan Henry, Chloe Highsmith, Charles Goldbach, Peyton Wood, Tyler Campbell, Vidhi Bhakta, Harper Johnston, Camille Morris, Emma Kelly. Barb Hilt is the director.
You Make A Difference
The You Make A Difference Award is presented to staff members whose exemplary actions support students, colleagues and the mission of Salina Public Schools. Recipients of these awards receive a lapel pin and a handwritten note personally delivered by a board of education member.
Shana Pittenger, English Teacher
South High School
Along with her partner, Ryder, Shana greets students in the hall each day. Together, they help students and staff relax and laugh because of Ryder’s happy and nurturing demeanor. The 75-pound brown standard poodle is able to sense if a student is upset and helps calm them by climbing into their lap. Thank you Shana and Ryder, for encouraging smiles and laughs and making a difference!
Jocelyn Arnold, Math Teacher
South High School
Jocelyn has taken on an extra role during ELO. She keeps tabs on freshmen needing extra support in science, social studies and math, distributes passes and stays current in these different disciplines in order to help the students. By handling the freshmen Response to Intervention program, she directly helps students find success in their first year of high school. Thank you for making a difference!
Amy Counts, School Nurse Coordinator
Lakewood Middle School
Described by a colleague as a compassionate leader and a tireless worker, Amy has gone above and beyond, especially since the pandemic. She supervises district nurses, is the Lakewood school nurse and led the Test to Stay program. Amy’s guidance, persistence, empathy and willingness to roll up her own sleeves sets her apart. Thank you Amy, for making a difference!
Doug Stein, Facility Manager
Central High School
Doug would be recognized by anyone working at Central High, he is regularly in hallways, keeping Central in pristine condition. Doug’s staff, building teachers and administrators count on his outstanding communication; he is always available by email or phone. Doug’s positivity and grace are appreciated by his coworkers. Thank you Doug, for making a difference!
Personnel Report and Consent Agenda
Action Agenda
Return to Instruction
Linn Exline, superintendent of schools, presented a review of the Return to Instruction Plan. The board approved changes to the Return to Instruction Plan impacted by the Saline County Health Department’s decision to discontinue contact tracing. The board approved a change to masking that will be implemented three days after the plan is released to district families and staff.
Summer Food Service Meal Program Retention Incentive
The board approved a Summer Food Service Meal Program Retention Incentive as presented by Lisa Peters, executive director of business. The retention incentive will help maintain adequate staffing levels for the summer food program that is an important resource to our students and community.
Durham School Services Retention Incentive
The board approved a Durham School Services Retention Incentive as presented by Kris Upson, executive director of operations, because the services Durham provides are essential to the mission of USD 305.
Summer School
Shanna Rector, deputy superintendent, reviewed the 2021 Summer School Program and presented recommendations for the 2022 Summer School Program. The board approved the 2022 program that will operate between May 31, 2022 and July 1, 2022.
Discussion Items
Textbooks and Instructional Materials
Shanna Rector presented information regarding textbook and instructional materials challenges. Board of Education policy IF – Textbooks and Instructional Materials, which outlines the procedures for challenges of materials, was reviewed.
Superintendent’s Report
Linn Exline was joined by Shanna Rector and Lisa Peters in meeting with all the principals to identify how they would use their ESSER III funds to address learning needs. The District Site Council met as well, bringing together families and community members to plan how to engage parents and the community in meeting students’ needs. Superintendent Exline served on a CSI panel at Lakewood Middle School where students solved a crime and presented their findings and reasoning skills. She complimented the students’ teacher, Christy Fritz, for creating the lesson. Teachers of the Year from other districts visited to tour USD 305 schools and learn about programming and opportunities unique to our schools. Superintendent Exline reported that Cole Dow, welding instructor at Central High School, took students to a competition hosted by the Missouri Welding Institute. The event included a national employers’ career fair from which two students received open offers at $28 an hour after graduation.
School Board Reports
- Bonnie Schamberger, board member, attended the Kansas Association of School Boards orientation meeting and the District Health and Wellness Committee meeting.
- Gabe Grant, board member, attended a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
- Dana Kossow, board member, presented a You Make a Difference award at South High School, attended the Central Kansas Cooperative in Education Board of Control meeting and was a speaker during the Teacher of the Year visitation luncheon.
- Ann Zimmerman, vice president, attended the Equity Council meeting, a NEA Salina meeting delivered a You Make a Difference award at Central High School and attended the Anastasia production at Central High School.
- Scott Gardner, board member, attended a Martin Luther King, Jr. program at which students performed. He also attended the Heartland meeting.
- Mark Bandré, board member, attended the Smoky Hill Education Service Center meeting and delivered a You Make a Difference award to Lakewood Middle School.
- Jim Fletcher, president, attended a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, negotiations training, the Salina Chamber of Commerce board meeting, wrestling meets, the Shrek production at South High School and delivered a You Make a Difference award at South High School.
Upcoming Dates of Importance
- Tuesday, February 22, Board Worksession, District Office
- Tuesday, March 22, KASB Boardsmanship Training, District Office
- Friday, April 8, Salina Chamber Annual Meeting, Tony’s Pizza Events Center