View the 2.9.2026 meeting agenda on BoardDocs
Overall Summary
The Spring Hill USD 230 Board of Education met Monday evening to recognize student leadership, review legislative priorities, discuss potential revisions to the district’s personal electronic device policy and approve multiple facilities-related projects. The meeting reflected continued financial stability, active legislative engagement and preparation for major bond and summer improvement work.
Public Comment
Two patrons addressed the Board during public participation.
Diana Roth encouraged the Board to adopt a bell-to-bell no cell phone policy, citing classroom distraction, student engagement concerns and feedback from educators. She urged the Board to prioritize learning conditions when evaluating future policy decisions.
Sarah Geiter, representing the Spring Hill Education Foundation, promoted the organization’s upcoming March 7 gala fundraiser and encouraged community support.
Good News, Recognitions, and Announcements
Students from Timber Sage Elementary were recognized for service and leadership initiatives.
The Student Lighthouse Team reported donating more than 200 pairs of warm pajamas this winter to students at Grant Elementary. The team previously donated more than 100 Halloween costumes to support community participation.
Timber Sage Student Council shared that its “Penny Wars” fundraiser raised $1,300 for the Wounded Warrior Project. Board members commended students for demonstrating leadership, civic responsibility and compassion.
Superintendent Dr. Link Luttrell also recognized Board members for School Board Appreciation Month.
Skyward System Migration
Director of Technology Billy Terry presented information regarding migration to the updated Skyward Qmlativ platform. The transition will modernize reporting capabilities and improve user interface functionality.
The process is expected to take approximately 10 months per system and will require formal scheduling with Skyward. The district intends to remain on-premise rather than move to a cloud-hosted system at this time.
2026 Summer Projects
Director of Facilities Kyley Delphia outlined planned summer projects outside of bond-funded construction. With three elementary additions and major HVAC work underway, the district has intentionally limited additional projects.
Key projects include:
Early Childhood Center HVAC upgrades
Foundation settling remediation
Ceiling tile replacement
Prairie Creek playground installation
Prairie Creek front office visibility redesign
High School fire alarm panel replacement
Performing Arts Center sound system upgrade
Science room flooring upgrades
Auxiliary gym lighting replacement
High School track resurfacing
General fund summer projects are not expected to exceed $1.4 million.
HVAC Electrical Bids
The Board reviewed electrical bids tied to previously approved HVAC replacements.
Apple Electric: $564,513 (Elementary)
KASA Electric: $1,153,420 (Middle School and Early Learning Academy)
The total electrical component is $1,717,933. The overall HVAC project remains under the allocated budget.
Personal Electronic Devices Discussion
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Josh Robinson provided an overview of current district policy and pending state legislation related to student cell phone use.
Board members discussed differences in expectations across grade levels, teacher enforcement challenges and legislative uncertainty. The Board directed administration to survey staff at all levels and return with feedback before making potential handbook changes for the 2026–27 school year.
Legislative Platform Discussion
The Board reviewed a draft 2026 legislative platform prioritizing:
Full funding of special education
Strengthening the Kansas school finance formula
Protecting local control
Stable funding for school safety initiatives
Improved transparency in KSDE reporting tools
Board members emphasized concern over the state’s ongoing special education funding shortfall and discussed refining language prior to formal adoption.
Finance Update
Director of Finance Nathan Holder presented the December 31, 2025 financial report.
Key points:
Revenues are slightly behind midyear benchmarks but expected to improve following January tax distributions.
Special Reserve Fund remains strong and continues outperforming projections.
Capital Outlay is trending favorably and positioned to increase fund balance at year end.
Bond fund earnings are on track to exceed the projected $66 million estimate.
Overall, the district remains financially stable and well-positioned for the second half of the fiscal year.
Action Items
Action item 1 – Furniture for Elementary Additions – Approved.
Action item 2 – Spring Hill High School CTE Boundary Survey Proposal – Approved.
Action item 2 – Electrical Bids for HVAC Replacements – Approved.
All action items passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda – Consent Agenda – Approved (with amendment moving the Legislative Platform to Discussion).
Items approved under consent included:
Board meeting minutes
Personnel report
Clerk’s report
Payroll and claims
Renewal agreements and memorandums of understanding
Bond 2025 elementary addition payment
Fetal development video compliance item
High school color guard trip
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Dr. Link Luttrell provided an update on the Kansas legislative session and outlined several education-related bills currently under consideration that could impact USD 230.
Dr. Luttrell reported that House Bill 2745 would exempt school districts from the annual Revenue Neutral Rate hearing process. If approved, districts would no longer be required to formally declare intent in July and hold a separate revenue neutral hearing prior to adopting the annual budget. The proposal would streamline the budgeting process while still requiring districts to publish proposed mill levy information.
He also discussed Senate Bill 339, which originally proposed requiring 30 minutes of daily recess for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The bill has since expanded to include 30 minutes of recess at the middle school level and 30 minutes of daily physical activity at the high school level. The legislation now proposes that high school students engage in physical activity reaching 75 percent of their maximum heart rate, though specific implementation details remain undefined.
Additionally, House Bill 2409 would prohibit school districts from starting the academic year prior to Labor Day. Dr. Luttrell noted that such a requirement could significantly impact district calendars, potentially extending the school year further into June unless other statutory requirements are adjusted.
Dr. Luttrell also addressed ongoing discussions related to special education funding. While the governor proposed adding $50 million in new funding, the House Education Committee reduced that figure to $10 million. He indicated negotiations are ongoing and outcomes may become clearer in the coming weeks.
The superintendent emphasized that district leadership continues to monitor legislation closely and will advocate for policies that support local control, stable funding and operational flexibility for USD 230.
Board Member Reports - Summary
Board members shared updates from recent district and community engagement activities.
Jon Chitwood and Steve Miller attended Legislative Day in Topeka alongside Johnson County superintendents and local leaders, advocating for full special education funding and broader school finance stability. Mr. Miller also participated in Literacy Day at the Capitol, highlighting the state’s Blueprint for Literacy goals and the importance of reading proficiency to future workforce readiness.
Doug Hull provided updates from Prairie Creek Elementary and Woodland Spring Middle School site council meetings, recognizing Prairie Creek’s national recognition and the district’s continued implementation of the BIST program. He also noted upcoming student events and praised district partnerships supporting facility improvements.
Ted Beauchamp shared highlights from Spring Hill Middle School’s site council, including student achievements such as a district spelling bee finalist. He also attended legislative events focused on school funding.
April Horne reported attending both legislative visits and the Real World Learning luncheon, noting the district’s strong Career and Technical Education programming and students earning industry-recognized credentials. She also highlighted participation in Leadership Spring Hill and recent elementary-to-secondary transition activities for fifth-grade students.
Overall, board reports reflected active legislative advocacy, strong school engagement and continued support for student achievement and workforce readiness across USD 230.
Executive Session
There was no executive session.
📄 View the 02.09.2026 meeting agenda on BoardDocs
📝 View the official minutes from the 01.12.2026 Board Meeting