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.
Karin Rawls, Library Aide
Schilling Elementary School
Karin comes to school with a smile and a love for everyone at Schilling. She makes sure the library is a happy place to be through excellent organization, engaging book art and connecting each student with just the right book. Her extra efforts, including volunteering time, make a difference at Schilling. Thank you Karin!
Ana Eisenman, Bilingual Education
Coronado and Schilling
Ana helps staff throughout the district. Heusner staff appreciates all that Ana does, translating documents and the school newsletter. She helps the nurse and office staff when working with Spanish-speaking families. Thank you, Ana, for making a difference!
Sierra Sanders, Instructional Assistant
Sunset Elementary School
Sierra is skilled at helping struggling students regulate themselves. She builds strong relationships with students as she helps them in the breakfast and lunch room. Students love to help her collect and load recycling materials. Sierra Sanders is making a difference! Thank you!
Brady Shirk, Teacher
Opportunity Now
Brady has unmatched kindness and a sense of humor that lights up the classroom. His positivity while teaching supports students’ academic and personal growth. He spends extra time helping students create resumes and prep for job interviews. Thank you Brady, for making a difference!
Shelby Mann, Science Teacher/Assistant Softball Coach
South High School
Shelby’s classroom is a place of curiosity and knowledge for students. On the softball field she builds the spirit of teamwork and positivity. Her dedication to students and athletes is a terrific example of leadership and support. Thank you Shelby, for making a difference!
Jessica Owens, Nurse
Coronado Elementary School
Jessica aided a Coronado student and parents as they experienced a life-changing medical diagnosis. Her efforts remind us of the profound impact kindness and comprehensive communication can have on our community. Thank you Jessica, for making a difference!
Superintendent’s Excellence Awards:
Journalism/South High School: Lillian Ardis, Katie Beaman, Baylee Castro, Hailey Collins, Ariel Escalante, Jose Garcia, Mason Gardner, Jocelyn Hamilton, Saibre Montoy, Chris Strowig, Hao Tran and Phuong Tran. Kim Warren is the sponsor.
Journalism/Central High School: Carson Ablard, Madison Berndt, Angelica Dao, Jocelyn DelReal, Danica Dixson, Lydia Dong, Armando Duran, Q Duxler, Natalia Granado-Flores, Gabriel Freeland, Annabell Heath, Kaden Henderson, Hadley Johnston, Siera Keyser, Tru Lawson, Mason Nemechek, Azbey Peckham, Mykah Trusty and Cindric White. Darrin Stineman and Derrick Whitt are the sponsors.
Esports/South High School: Ayden Brunsting, Dylan Gray and Bryan Hinojosa. Caleb Stewart is the coach.
FFA/Central High School: Eva Arb, Nickolas Delmar and Kailey Dixon. Kaitlyn Elder is the advisor.
FFA/South High School: Gavin DeVoe, Madison Durr and Tate Pommer. Kaitlyn Elder is the advisor.
Forensics/South High School: Lillian Ardis, Jasper Carter, Elizabeth Lovett, Ceci Pfertsh, Jose Pinedo De La Torre, Grady Smith, Cameron Torres and Emily Truong. Benjamin Ristow is the coach.
HOSA/South High School: Sofia Burns, Nalyna Butsanoy, Raven Caesar, Sophie Daily, Gavin DeVoe, Haylee Emerson, Chloe Helsel, Cali Hensley, Morgan Janousek, Julie Lai, Josh Lee Perez, Jesus Mariscal-Valencia, Isabelah McGinty, Brylee Moss, Alena Tran-Nguyen and Macy Yost. Melissa Mahoney is the sponsor.
National French Contest/South High School: Samantha Dominguez, Kaitlyn Geist, Kristen Kinion, Julie Lai, Elizabeth Luna, Leah Mead and Jose Pinedo De La Torre. Brenda Geist-Sponsor is the sponsor.
Seal of Biliteracy/Central High School: Amisday Aguilar, Lisseth Del Real, Kassandra Galaviz, Diego Garcia, Natalia Granado-Flores, Brenda Luna Rodriguez, Emily Melendrez, Yariza Sandoval and Cristina Segura. Leo Alverado and Lexie Ellerback are the coordinators.
Seal of Biliteracy/South High School: Ruby Castro, Alexa Cruz Rivera, Emily Jaramillo and Jessica Leyva. Shelly Power and Selina Zeiler are the coordinators.
YEC- Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge/Central High School: Carson Ablard and Armando Duran. Kelly Jones is the sponsor.
YEC- Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge/South High School: Londyn Detlefson and Dylan Norris. Orlando Carmona and Melissa Gates are the sponsors.
Renaissance Teachers of the Month
Certificates were presented to secondary teachers honored as Renaissance Teachers of the Month from January 2024 through May 2024. Teachers included, Central High School; Angela Botz, Guillermo Rodriguez, Mason Frost, Sarah Byarlay and Ashley Hanson. Lakewood Middle School; Michaela Kroeker, Michelle Smith, Callie Windholz, Regina Bicknell and Trina Chitty. South High School; Jessica Harris, Brittany Kisner, Kanean Wendell, Nikki Chamberlain and Jody Nutter. South Middle School; Todd Robinett, Kennedy Elliot, Jennifer Boyles, AnnMarie Morris and Kari Keck.
Challenge Awards
Linn Exline, superintendent, presented Challenge Awards to Cottonwood Elementary School and Lakewood Middle School as a result of their 2023 performance on Kansas State Assessments.
Visible Learning Update
Tyler Burnett, principal, and Stephanie Turowski, lead teacher, reported on Visible Learning at Coronado Elementary School.
Personnel Report and Consent Agenda
Action Agenda
South High Speech and Debate Out-of-State Field Trip
The board approved the South High Speech and Debate Out-of-State Field Trip to Des Moines, Iowa on June 16, 2024 through June 21, 2024.
2024-2025 Textbooks:
The board approved elementary textbooks: Eureka Squared 2, Music Play, Music K-8 and Elementary Music Resources.
The board approved secondary textbooks: Radical Write, Edit like a Pro with iMovie, It! Series, Learning by Doing Google Apps Microsoft Office Specialist 4th Edition, The Dream Team, A Microsoft Office Simulation 2nd Edition, Frillio’s Pizza Desktop Publishing Simulation 2nd Edition, Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book, Responsive Web Design with HTML 5 and CSS, Literature and Composition: Essential Voices, Essential Skills for the AP Course, Parents and Their Children, Principles of Human Services 2nd Edition, Calculus for the AP Course 4th Edition, Essential Health Skills for High School 5th Edition, Essential Health Skills for Middle Schools, Physics, The American Pageant 18th Edition, American Government: Roots and Reform 14th Edition, Ways of the World 5th Edition, World History Voices and Perspectives, MyWorld Interactive, Kansas Journey 3rd Edition and American History MyWorld Interactive.
Capital Improvement Plan
The board approved the plan for capital improvements, technology, equipment purchases and vehicle replacement with the understanding that circumstances may require projects/purchases to be carried over to the next fiscal year before completion.
Final Action of the Board of Education’s Intent to Non-Renew Contracts for Probationary Teachers for 2024-2025
The board took final action on non-renewals as presented.
Discussion Agenda
Virtual School Student Handbook
The board approved the handbook changes proposed for the 2024-2025 Salina Virtual Innovation Academy handbook.
School Board Reports
- Paul Gebhardt, board member, attended the board tour at Stewart Elementary School, Smoky Hill Education Service Center (SHESC) Executive Cabinet meetings, the Salina Adult Education Center’s (SAEC) Advisory Board meeting and Partners 4 Success graduation and the Salina Area Technical College’s nurses’ pinning event.
- Gabe Grant, vice president, attended the board tour at Stewart Elementary School and the Central Kansas Cooperative in Education Board of Control meeting.
- Bonnie Schamberger, board member, attended the SAEC Advisory Board meeting, read a book to students at Sunset Elementary School, attended the Salina Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, the Meet and Confer meeting, the board tour at Stewart Elementary School and delivered a You Make a Difference award.
- Dana Kossow, board member, attended the Retirement Recognition event, the Stewart Elementary School tour and SHESC Executive Cabinet meetings.
- Ann Zimmerman, board member, attended the Salina Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, the Retirement Recognition event, delivered a You Make a Difference award, attended the Partners 4 Success graduation, the Meet and Confer meeting and read a book to students at Sunset Elementary School.
- Jim Fletcher, president, delivered a You Make a Difference award, attended the Salina Area Technical College graduation and many of other activities mentioned.
Upcoming Dates of Importance
- Sunday, May 19, Graduations, Tony’s Pizza Events Center
- Central High School – 2:00 p.m.
- South High School – 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 20, SAEC Graduation, Lakewood, 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 10, BOE Retreat, Location TBA
Superintendent’s Report
Linn Exline, superintendent of schools, spoke about the Kansas Kids Fitness Day that was coordinated by our elementary teachers. She shared that students from our high schools volunteered and helped at the event. Superintendent Exline played her flute with the South Middle School band and received tips from Jacob Andres, band director. She attended the Partners 4 Success graduation that is made possible through SAEC. She shared that the Salina Teacher Leadership Academy, a cooperative program between Kansas State University and Salina Public Schools, offers leadership development for SPS teachers. Shanna Rector, deputy superintendent, coordinates the program. Superintendent Exline heard presentations by Central High School’s American Justice students and she expressed great pride for what SPS teachers are providing for our students. She reported about the Salina City Commission meeting where the district’s South Third property was discussed.