View the 6.8.2026 meeting agenda on BoardDocs
The Spring Hill Board of Education met June 8 and addressed a variety of topics, including teacher compensation, student handbook updates, district staffing, future board meeting schedules and the addition of girls flag football. Board members also recognized Spring Hill High School choir students for representing the district on a national stage in Washington, D.C.
Agenda Amended
Prior to approving the agenda, board members approved two changes. The board added consideration of girls flag football as an action item and removed the proposed 2026-27 Student Handbook and Code of Conduct from the action agenda, postponing a vote until a future meeting to allow for additional discussion. District administrators noted the delay would tighten timelines for technology and enrollment materials but could be accommodated.
Public Comment Focuses on Digital Wellness
Susan Dunaway presented information about the ScreenGuardians digital wellness program, a K-12 curriculum focused on helping students develop healthy technology habits and understand the effects of digital media on brain development, sleep, attention and online safety.
Dunaway compared digital wellness education to driver's education, arguing that students are often provided technology with safeguards but receive limited instruction on how to use it responsibly. She encouraged district leaders to explore conversations about implementing the program in Spring Hill Schools.
Consent Agenda Approved
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:
Minutes and personnel recommendations.
Notice of a budget hearing to amend the 2025-26 budget.
Approval of the Spring Hill High School debate and forensics trip.
Liability, property and workers compensation insurance renewals.
Sick leave buyback and master teacher renewals.
A book grant for Spring Hill Elementary School.
Renewal of the Varsity Sports Live agreement.
Renewal of Frontline Education services.
Student acceptable use policies.
Contracts with Lake Mary Center.
The 2026-27 Classified Employee Handbook.
Personal electronic device and social media policies.
Audiology service invoices.
HVAC pay applications related to elementary additions.
Renewal of the Greenbush contract.
During discussion, board members highlighted the district's substitute teacher recruitment efforts, congratulated the debate and forensics team on its upcoming national competition experience and thanked First Option Bank for supporting Spring Hill Elementary's book vending machine through a grant.
Choir Students Recognized for National Performance
The board recognized members of the Spring Hill High School choir following a recent trip to Washington, D.C., where students participated in the National Memorial Day Choral Festival.
Choir Director Rose Newlon shared that 22 Spring Hill students were among only three high schools selected to participate in the event. Students performed at the John F. Kennedy Center under the direction of Dr. Craig Jessup, former director of the Air Force Singing Sergeants and the Tabernacle Choir. The performance marked Jessup's final public conducting appearance.
Students also performed the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in front of the National Archives building during a Memorial Day event broadcast live on C-SPAN. In addition to performing, students visited several historic sites, including Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Students shared personal reflections about seeing national landmarks, learning more about American history and performing on a national stage.
Board Approves Teacher Negotiated Agreement
Board members approved the negotiated agreement between USD 230 and the Spring Hill Education Association for the 2026-27 school year. The agreement was approved by association members with 201 votes in favor and one opposed.
District leaders said the agreement includes an average 3.6% increase to the certified salary schedule. The agreement also increases the base salary by $900 and adds $50 increases at applicable experience steps. Officials said the changes are intended to remain competitive in attracting new teachers while also supporting retention of experienced staff.
Additional provisions include:
Two teacher readiness days added to the calendar to provide time for planning, grading, Individualized Education Program work and other professional responsibilities.
Expanded discretionary leave flexibility.
Updates to grievance procedures and other contract language.
Continued adjustments to compensation for supplemental assignments, coaching positions and additional duties.
District administrators and board representatives praised the collaborative relationship between the district and the association, noting that negotiations were completed in a single evening and describing the process as respectful and solution-oriented.
The board later unanimously approved the agreement as an action item.
Student Handbook Discussion Continues
Board members continued discussion regarding proposed handbook revisions connected to new Kansas legislation.
Student Walkouts
District staff presented revisions to secondary handbook language related to Senate Bill 315, which addresses student-organized walkouts and other non-school-sponsored events occurring during the school day. The proposed language would require prior written parent or guardian permission and compliance with normal absence procedures in order for such absences to be considered excused.
Board members suggested minor wording revisions to emphasize that permission must be obtained prior to leaving campus.
Cell Phone Restrictions
A significant portion of the discussion focused on implementation of House Bill 2421 and the district's proposed procedures regarding personal electronic devices.
District administrators explained that personal electronic devices will not be permitted during the instructional day and that handbook language has been updated to reflect both state law and recently adopted board policies. Administrators also outlined options for storing student devices and procedures for confiscated devices.
Board members discussed:
Whether parents should be notified after a first offense.
The severity of disciplinary consequences.
Balancing compliance with the law while minimizing lost instructional time.
The importance of parent communication and student accountability.
The need to monitor implementation during the first year.
Several board members expressed differing opinions on how strict the consequences should be, ranging from maintaining the proposed progressive discipline approach to implementing stronger consequences earlier in the process. Multiple members supported parent notification beginning with the first violation.
No vote was taken on the handbook. The board previously removed the handbook approval item from the agenda to allow additional discussion before taking action at a future meeting.
Discussion Begins on 2027-28 Academic Calendar
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Joshua Robinson presented the proposed 2027-28 academic calendar and discussed moving spring parent-teacher conferences from March back to February. District leaders said feedback from staff favored the February schedule, while additional data regarding parent participation will continue to be reviewed.
Board members also discussed:
Creating a dedicated first day for sixth-grade students, similar to the high school's freshman transition day.
Potential half days at the beginning and end of the school year.
Snow day flexibility within the calendar.
Parent-teacher conference timing and participation.
A motion later failed because board members wanted additional clarification on the calendar language before approving the changes. The item is expected to return at a future meeting.
Recruitment and Retention Update
Director of Human Resources Eric Tyler provided the board with an update on teacher recruitment and retention efforts. Tyler reported that USD 230 achieved a 93% teacher retention rate for the 2025-26 school year, the highest rate reported during the period reviewed. He noted that many districts statewide are experiencing retention rates in the 75% to 85% range.
Additional highlights included:
Hiring 22 certified staff members for the upcoming school year.
Recruiting from several regional universities, including MidAmerica Nazarene University, Emporia State University, Kansas State University and Pittsburg State University.
Filling three teaching positions through the district's February Teacher Interview Day.
Hiring 25 substitute teachers since creating a dedicated HR assistant/substitute coordinator position.
A goal of adding 30 additional substitute teachers for 2026-27.
Tyler said employee surveys continue to identify supportive coworkers, strong culture, district facilities, professional collaboration and student relationships as major reasons staff choose to remain in Spring Hill.
Exit interviews most commonly cited family considerations, relocation and career advancement opportunities as reasons for leaving the district.
Girls Flag Football Approved
One of the evening's most anticipated discussions centered on the addition of girls flag football.
Activities Director Clay Frigon presented information following the Kansas State High School Activities Association's recent sanctioning of girls flag football beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Frigon reported that approximately 50 female students expressed interest in participating through a district survey.
The proposed program would feature:
An eight-week season.
Six to 10 competitions.
A roster cap of 32 athletes.
Varsity and potentially junior varsity opportunities depending on participation.
Coaching assignments structured similarly to tennis.
Relatively low equipment costs compared to many sports.
Board members discussed facility needs, transportation, officials, scheduling and long-term growth opportunities. Several student-athletes attended the meeting and addressed board members through their presence and advocacy for the sport. Board members praised the students for their initiative and commitment.
The board unanimously approved adding girls flag football to Spring Hill High School's athletic offerings beginning in 2026-27.
Board Approves Revised Meeting Calendar
The board approved a revised Board of Education meeting calendar for the 2026-27 school year following an extended discussion about governance, transparency and meeting efficiency. The proposal passed on a 4-3 vote.
Under the approved calendar, the board will move away from its traditional twice-monthly meeting schedule and transition to a model with one regular meeting per month for most of the year. The change reduces the number of regularly scheduled board meetings from 24 annually to approximately 15 while maintaining the board's ability to call special meetings when necessary.
Board members supporting the change said district administrators spend a significant amount of time preparing agenda materials, reports and presentations for each meeting. They argued that reducing the number of regular meetings would allow staff to devote more time to district operations while still providing the board with the information needed to make informed decisions. Supporters also noted that many districts of similar size operate with fewer regularly scheduled meetings.
Board members expressing concerns questioned whether fewer meetings could reduce opportunities for board discussion, public engagement and ongoing oversight. Discussion also focused on how agenda materials would be distributed, whether financial and operational updates would remain timely and how the board would ensure important topics receive adequate attention between meetings.
Several board members emphasized that the board's workload has increased in recent years due to district growth, major construction projects and policy changes. Others countered that longer, more focused meetings combined with the ability to schedule special meetings when needed could accomplish the same work while reducing the administrative burden associated with preparing for 24 regular meetings each year.
Ultimately, the board approved the revised calendar, which will take effect during the 2026-27 school year. District leaders noted that special meetings may still be scheduled to address time-sensitive matters, budget items or other issues requiring board action between regular meetings.
Future Topics
Board members requested future discussion regarding:
Review of cell phone implementation after the first quarter of the school year.
Attendance audit information from Fall 2025.
Student device usage data.
Superintendent Report
Superintendent Dr. Link Luttrell reported that Building Opportunity Bond 2025 projects remain on schedule. Elementary classroom additions, HVAC upgrades and roofing projects are progressing, with classroom additions expected to be ready for occupancy by the start of the school year. Bids for the Spring Hill High School Career and Technical Education addition have also been received and are expected to be presented to the board later in June.
Luttrell also shared that preliminary Kansas assessment results indicate students continue to perform at a high level in math, English language arts and science. Additional assessment information will be presented after official results become available.
Executive Session
The board concluded the public portion of the meeting by entering executive session to discuss employer-employee negotiations. The executive session included board members, the superintendent, assistant superintendent and additional administrators as needed.
Next Meeting: The Board of Education will meet June 23 for a special meeting. The board's next regularly scheduled meeting is July 14.
📄 View the 6.8.2026 meeting agenda on BoardDocs
📝 View the official minutes from the 5.11.2026 Board Meeting