View the 3.23.2026 meeting agenda on BoardDocs
The Spring Hill Board of Education met March 23 for a regular meeting that included student recognitions, updates on Bond 2025 projects, a financial report, and discussion on a proposed cell phone tower lease and districtwide AED replacement planning.
The board also approved the district’s 2026-27 nonresident enrollment capacity recommendation, which will keep all grade levels closed to new nonresident enrollment based on current projected capacity.
Meeting agendas, reports and supporting documents are available on BoardDocs at:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ks/usd230/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DHCHFN46A670
Consent Agenda
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included routine business items as well as several contracts, renewals and purchases for district operations and programming. Items approved included:
Board meeting minutes
Clerk’s report
Treasurer’s report
Payroll and claims
Personnel recommendations
2026-27 Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) membership
Shared facility use agreement at the Early Childhood Center
Renewal of MakeMusic for grades 6-12
Renewal of myIGDIs for Early Learning Academy
Renewal of Essential Elements Music Class for grades K-5
Purchase of additional equipment for the Spring Hill High School strength and conditioning program
Change of meeting location for the April 6 work session to Timber Sage Elementary
Good News and Recognitions
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by students from Wolf Creek Elementary School’s Student Lighthouse Team.
Forest Spring Math Counts Students Recognized
Forest Spring Middle School Principal Darcy Sly recognized a group of students who participated in MathCounts competition this year. Sly said the students dedicated time each week to solving advanced math problems, often well beyond grade level expectations. She also credited community volunteer Naga Kota for coaching the students and supporting the group.
Board members asked the students about the structure of MathCounts competition, which includes timed rounds and head-to-head challenges for top finishers. Sly also noted the competition helped showcase the students’ problem-solving skills and perseverance.
Ethan Carr Recognized for Children’s Book Feature
The board also recognized Ethan Carr, a student in the district’s Bronco TIES program, for being featured as a character in a children’s book created through Variety KC. Staff shared that the book highlights inclusion and playground accessibility, and that Ethan’s personality and likeness were thoughtfully incorporated into the story.
Mary Larson shared that copies of the book will be placed in each district elementary school, with Ethan signing and personalizing them for students. Larson also used the opportunity to invite board members to the district’s upcoming Job Olympics event at Spring Hill High School.
Bond 2025 Update
Executive Director of Operations Marc Williams provided the board with a detailed update on Bond 2025 construction progress and budget planning, including elementary classroom additions and the upcoming Career and Technical Education (CTE) addition and commons expansion at Spring Hill High School.
Elementary Additions Remain on Schedule
Williams reported that additions at Spring Hill Elementary, Prairie Creek Elementary and Timber Sage Elementary all remain on schedule for completion ahead of the 2026-27 school year. Current work includes window installation, electrical and plumbing rough-ins, framing, masonry and roofing.
Board members were also informed that they will have an opportunity to tour the projects April 6.
Updated Budget Numbers Shared for High School Work
Williams also shared updated estimated costs for the high school CTE addition and commons expansion. Current estimates place the combined cost of the projects at approximately $26.04 million, which includes:
CTE Addition: approximately $17.47 million
Commons Expansion: approximately $3.84 million
Greenhouse Replacement: approximately $334,881
Soft costs and contingency also built into the project total
Williams said if current projections hold, the district’s overall bond spending would remain approximately $5.46 million below the district’s total $60 million bond authorization.
The board also reviewed updated renderings and interior concepts for the new CTE and commons spaces, including lab areas for health science, robotics, agriculture and construction, as well as improved student display areas, upgraded finishes and more flexible commons space for student use and activities.
Board members asked several questions about costs, design elements and the greenhouse replacement. Williams said the district continues to refine final plans before the projects go out for bid in May.
Cell Phone Tower Proposal Discussed
The board also received an informational presentation regarding a proposed lease agreement with Vertical Bridge for a cell phone tower on district-owned property near 175th Street and Ridgeview Road. No action was taken.
Under the preliminary proposal presented, the company would lease a portion of the property for an initial five-year term, paying the district $2,000 upfront and $1,200 per month, with an annual 2% escalation. The proposed structure would be designed to resemble a pine tree and would be located along the north tree line of the property.
Board members raised multiple questions about the proposed agreement, including:
the exact tower placement and site footprint
easement and access requirements
whether the compensation reflects fair market value
long-term restrictions tied to the lease
how the lease could impact future land value or development options
Representatives from Vertical Bridge joined virtually and indicated that some terms, including rent, may be negotiable, though the 2% annual escalation would remain fixed. Board members made clear they would need more complete information before considering the proposal further.
AED Replacement and Monitoring Discussed
Williams also presented information on district AED equipment and a potential service agreement for future replacement and monitoring. The district currently has 18 AEDs across its campuses, with five reaching the end of their usable lifecycle because manufacturers will no longer support them with replacement batteries or pads.
Two proposal options were presented from AED Authority:
Replace nine AEDs now for approximately $19,500
Replace all 18 AEDs now for approximately $34,650
Both options would also include annual monitoring services at $3,780 per year, which Williams said would help remove much of the routine oversight burden from school nurses and office staff.
Board members asked for additional vendor comparisons, clarification on contract terms and more information on the monitoring responsibilities before moving forward. No action was taken.
Finance Report
Director of Business and Finance Nathan Holder reported that the district reached the end of February at approximately two-thirds of the way through the fiscal year and said overall finances continue to trend in a positive direction.
Holder said:
General and Local Option Budget revenues are tracking just under 59%
Capital Outlay continues to perform well
Bond fund revenues remain steady and continue earning interest
Nutrition Services improved in February after a January decline
Special Reserve remains in a healthier position than the same point last year
Holder noted that special education expenditures remain an area of concern and said the district may need to republish the special education budget later this year due to rising salary, benefits and contracted services costs. He said district leaders are continuing to review those trends carefully.
He also reported the district’s combined cash balance position continues to improve compared to the same point last year, though board members emphasized the district still has more work to do to build stronger long-term cash reserves.
Action Items
Approved: 2026-27 Nonresident Enrollment Capacity
The board unanimously approved the district’s 2026-27 nonresident enrollment capacity recommendation, which leaves no open seats available for nonresident students in any grade level next school year. District administrators said the recommendation reflects continued district growth and current staffing and facility capacity.
Board Work Calendar and Superintendent Report
Superintendent Dr. Link Luttrell previewed several items expected in the next two board meetings, including:
student and staff handbooks
certificated and supplemental contract recommendations
school safety implementation planning tied to the district’s Safety Summit
2026-27 Board of Education meeting calendar recommendations
ongoing discussions regarding implementation of Kansas’ new cell phone restrictions for students
Luttrell also reported the district had entered its fourth quarter, with 42 student attendance days remaining in the school year. He noted that spring activities are underway and graduation for Spring Hill High School is scheduled for Saturday, May 16.
He also updated the board on the recently signed Kansas student cell phone legislation, saying district leaders are still working through how Spring Hill Schools will define and implement expectations for devices to be “turned off and securely stored away” during the school day. Luttrell said more specific recommendations will come to the board in the coming months.
📄 View the 3.23.2026 meeting agenda on BoardDocs
📝 View the official minutes from the 3.09.2026 Board Meeting