Recognitions/Presentations
Superintendent’s Excellence Awards
Forensics/ Central High: Genisis Wilson. Emma Web is the sponsor.
Forensics/ South High: Lillian Ardis, Ava Williamson, Francisco Guardado, Grady Smith, Elizabeth Lovett, Jasper Carter, Jose Pinedo De la Torre, Reese Kimmi, Denalyn Vasquez, Alexander Figueroa-Castro, Ceci Pfertsh and Addisyn Cripe. Daniel Dawson is the sponsor.
Journalism/ Central High: Azbey Peckham, Chloe Highsmith, Armando Duran, Daeton Winebrenner, Faith Rost, Siera Keyser, Liv Owings, Hadley Johnston, Natalia Granado-Flores, Raylynn Carpenter, Lydia Dong, Jadya Rasmussen, Kendale Paul, Corgan Williams, Mason Nemechek, Tiff Baker, Jocelyn Del Real and Jenna Sperling. Darrin Stineman and Derrick Whitt are the co-sponsors.
Journalism/ South High: Lillian Ardis, Jose Garcia, Francisco Guardado, Jocelyn Hamilton, Adele Gerry, Isabelle Greenemeyer, Anreya Ordonez, Chris Strowig, Denalyn Vasquez and Shayden Weikle. Kim Warren is the sponsor.
YEC Challenge/ Central High: Brooks Richardson. Kelley Jones is the sponsor.
Seal of Biliteracy/ South High: Alexander Figureoa-Castro, Verenise Jaquez, Kevin Salazar Sanchez and Yadira Escobedo. Juan Maldonado is the sponsor.
Seal of Biliteracy/ Central High: Diana Espinosa, Charlene Arrieta-Renteria, Alfredo Serrano-Ortega and Teresa Jimenez. Leo Alvarado is the sponsor.
National French Contest/ South High: Alexa Cruz, Kristen Kinion, Pinedo De La Torre, Samantha Dominguez, Abigail Valles, Mia White, Joshua Lee Perez, Natalia Silvestre, Alfredo Soto Cardona and Linsey De Leon Montanez. Brenda Geist is the sponsor.
HOSA – Future Health Professionals/ Central High: Ava Sanders, Nehemiah Gomendoza, Priscilla Hoffpauir, Katelyn Rupe and Abigail Hablitzel. Lori Train is the sponsor.
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 Susan Hall, Austin Kingsbury, Irma Garcia, Carla Gish, Sheila Shaffer, Steve Taylor, Kate Lindsay, Megan Alley, Linda Jones, Carlene Jackson, Melissa Mahoney, Amanda Freeman, Darrin Stineman, Dena Foutch, Orlando Carmona, Michael Rassette, Brandon Agee, Teresa Kickhaefer, Elise Potocnik and Michelle Cooper.
Personnel Report and Consent Agenda
Action Agenda
South High Forensics Out-of-State Field Trip
The board approved an out-of-state field trip for nine South High forensics students to attend the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona on June 9 to June 18, 2023 led by Daniel Dawson, South High forensics coach.
Capital Improvement Plan
The board approved the Capital Improvement Plan, which addresses technology, equipment and vehicle replacement needs across the district.
Board Policy Review
The board approved the following policy revisions:
- IDA – Educational Program
- IDCA – Summer Program/ Extended School Year
- IDCE – Enrollment in College Classes
- IDFA – Athletics
- IDG – Adult Education Program
- IE – Instructional Arrangements
- IEB – Charter Schools
- IFA – 1-to-1 Chromebook
- IFBH – Outside Speakers
- IFCB – Field Trips & Activity Trips
- IFCC – Extended Field Trips Out-of-State
- IHA – Grading System
- IHB – Homework
- IHC – Class Rankings
- IHD – Honor Roll
- IKCA – Human Sexuality and AIDS Education
- IKD – Religion in Curricular or School-Sponsored Activities
- IKDA – Religious Objections to Activities
Discussion Items
ESports
Ryan Stuart, South High athletic director, presented a report on the first year of ESports being offered at both Central and South high schools.
Kansas Education Systems Accreditation Update
Deanna Cullins, director of accreditation and professional learning, provided a review of the district’s progress in the KESA accreditation cycle.
Classified Salary Study
Eryn Wright, executive director of human resources/ legal services, presented the results of the classified salary study by Education Management Solutions.
Upcoming Dates of Importance
- Sunday, May 14, Graduations, Tony’s Pizza Events Center
- South High School – 2:00 p.m.
- Central High School – 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 22, SAEC Graduation, Lakewood, 7:00 p.m.
School Board Reports
- Bonnie Schamberger, board member, attended a lunch at Transitions and meetings at the Salina Adult Education Center and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.
- Gabe Grant, board member, attended a Central Kansas Cooperative in Education (CKCIE) Board of Control meeting.
- Dana Kossow, board member, attended the CKCIE Board of Control meeting, lunch at Transitions and a Central v. South baseball game.
- Jim Fletcher, vice president, attended Salina Education Foundation meetings and the SAEC Advisory Board meeting.
- Scott Gardner, board member, attended a prayer breakfast at Kansas Wesleyan University, a Central v. South softball game, the retirement recognition event, the Heartland Policy Council meeting and lunch at Transitions.
- Mark Bandré, board member, attended the District Health Council meeting, helped with medical internship mock interviews at South High and attended Smoky Hill Education Service Center Executive Cabinet meetings.
- Ann Zimmerman, president, attended lunch at Transitions, the Central High School (CHS) Art Open House, CHS Honors Night, a Salina Chamber of Commerce Board meeting, the South High School (SHS) Honors Night, a Kansas Association of School Boards video meeting, the retirement recognition event and read to fourth grade students at Sunset Elementary School.
Superintendent’s Report
Linn Exline, superintendent of schools, reported on two student-related items. First, she hosted a SPS Chat meeting with SHS high school students where they shared their perspectives about the best things about their school. They named teacher-student connections, free and reduced lunches, and the number of classes, clubs and other opportunities available to them. The students also shared areas that could improve, including checking on students who are not eating lunch. Another item they suggested is the opportunity to meet college professors who are instructing them, though not in the classroom together, such as with dual credit classes. Students also indicated they would like more outreach opportunities that would allow them to give back to the community and that they recommend adding more support staff. The second item Superintendent Exline informed the board about was her meeting with Coronado fifth graders who were participating in “principal for a day.” The students had prepared a report for her and one of the challenges they identified was that bathrooms are noisy after recesses. Superintendent Exline shared that the fifth graders offered good solutions