Meeting Overview
The Spring Hill Schools Board of Education met Oct. 12 to recognize staff and students, review district projects and proposals, and approve board member district boundaries.
All votes were unanimous, 6-0. Anna Baker was absent.
Public Comments
No public participation cards were submitted for the regular meeting.
Good News, Recognitions and Announcements
Spring Hill Middle School staff members Jeff Preston and Sarah Hays received Core Value Awards for their response to a medical emergency earlier this school year. The coaches began CPR and provided care until paramedics arrived. Their quick action, teamwork and compassion provided vital support during an unexpected situation.
Coach Reggie Harris and representatives of the Spring Hill High School flag football team shared highlights from the program’s inaugural season. Harris discussed the players’ leadership, willingness to learn and commitment to building the program together. The team finished 2-7 and reached the playoffs.
Woodland Spring Middle School students led the Pledge of Allegiance and presented the district’s mission and vision statements.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda as presented. Items included:
Meeting minutes and personnel items.
The clerk’s report, treasurer’s report, payroll and claims.
Spring Hill High School early graduation requests.
A $28,350 payment for the second year of the three-year Ion Data Dashboard agreement.
September payment applications for elementary additions, HVAC projects and the Spring Hill High School CTE and commons additions.
A $5,883 renewal of Parchment services at Spring Hill High School.
A Spring Hill High School FFA trip to Indianapolis, Oct. 20-23.
The superintendent contract as presented.
School Photography Vendor Contract
Director of Communication and Engagement Scott Peavey presented a recommendation to continue the district’s partnership with Inter-State through a three-year agreement covering the 2027-28 through 2029-30 school years.
A committee reviewed presentations from four vendors and gathered feedback from district buildings. The recommendation reflected Inter-State’s established relationships, competitive pricing and customer service.
The proposed agreement included:
Fixed family package pricing throughout the three-year agreement.
Ten free basic photo package vouchers per building.
An option for staff members to donate their complimentary photo packages to students.
A 20% discount for families with three or more children in the district.
A $500 branding credit per building each year.
Board members requested clearer communication about discounts and free packages, along with a simpler process for families to receive the multiple-child discount. Peavey said the proposed contract would return for consideration in November. No contract was approved during the meeting.
#BuildingOpportunity Bond Update
Executive Director of Operations Marc Williams reported that construction contingency balances remained largely unchanged from the previous month. The elementary projects had $185,027 remaining in owner contingency. HVAC contingency remained slightly below $900,000, and high school contingency remained above $1 million.
At Spring Hill High School, crews continued foundation work and underground electrical and plumbing installation for the career and technical education addition. Slab work was anticipated that week, with steel erection expected near the end of October. The construction team’s goal was to enclose the addition by January, weather permitting.
District staff planned to meet with CTE teachers about furniture and equipment. Williams also committed to providing a comparison of high school parking capacity before and after construction.
Safety and Security
Williams presented a $273,483.67 proposal for interior cameras at six district buildings, exterior cameras at one of those locations, and the equipment needed to support the additional cameras.
The proposal addressed camera needs identified during the district’s safety and security town hall. A Kansas Safe Schools Grant would offset part of the expense.
Board members requested further consideration of older exterior cameras, particularly in high-traffic areas where improved image quality could assist law enforcement. Cameras in new bond-funded spaces are included in those construction budgets. No purchase was approved.
Secondary Technology Device Replacement
Administrators presented a $1,991,907.50 proposal to replace secondary student devices for the 2027-28 school year.
The recommendation included:
1,250 MacBook Neo laptops for grades nine through 12, with cases and four-year AppleCare coverage, totaling $1,011,187.50.
1,600 iPads for grades six through eight and staff needs, with cases and four-year AppleCare coverage, totaling $980,720.
The recommendation followed consultation with secondary administrators, instructional coaches, building leadership teams and the superintendent’s student advisory group. Administrators said laptops would better support advanced high school courses and CTE programs. Middle school staff favored retaining iPads because of their durability and instructional uses.
Board members discussed screen time, student privacy, parent controls and resources to support healthy technology use. Doug Hull requested additional support for students, teachers and families, along with information about how devices support student outcomes. Jon Chitwood emphasized practical controls for parents over devices used at home.
Director of Technology Billy Terry said the technology department was evaluating device management options that could provide additional capabilities. Administrators also discussed financing and selling existing devices to offset costs. No purchase was approved.
Transfer Request Procedures and Timelines
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Joshua Robinson proposed changes to in-district transfer procedures.
The proposal would retain three transfer categories: continued enrollment after a family moves within the district, district employee requests, and exceptional psychological or health reasons.
Government agency requests, special program placements and administrative placements would be addressed through existing enrollment or placement procedures rather than the transfer application process. The proposal also would allow siblings of students assigned to special programs to enroll at the same school through the regular enrollment process.
Building administrators would review continued-enrollment and employee requests, subject to available space. A district committee would review requests involving exceptional psychological or health reasons.
Proposed application windows were Jan. 1-Feb. 28 and July 1-23, with notifications by March 15 and July 30, respectively.
Board members requested clear communication and an application process that would help families distinguish in-district transfers from nonresident open enrollment. Robinson planned to return with a recommendation in November. No procedural changes were approved.
Superintendent Search Firm RFP
The district received three responses to its request for proposals for superintendent search services.
Board members supported interviewing all three firms and discussed a special meeting Oct. 23, approximately 9 a.m. to noon, with remote participation available. Members emphasized giving the full board an opportunity to participate in each interview.
No search firm was selected.
Action Items
Resolution 27.07 Board Member District Boundaries
The board unanimously approved Resolution 27.07 establishing board member district boundaries.
The motion included the previously presented map and its publication with the resolution. Members requested that the correct map legend be verified before publication.
Future Discussion and Board Work Calendar
Board members requested that November’s update on cell phone procedures address student wellness and implementation successes and challenges, in addition to discipline.
Administrators clarified that school attendance areas had appeared as a placeholder on the work calendar, with no discussion currently planned. This was separate from the board member district boundaries approved during the meeting.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Dr. Link Luttrell highlighted parent-teacher conferences scheduled for later that week. Students were scheduled for early dismissal Oct. 14, with no classes Oct. 15-16 and a return to the regular schedule Oct. 19.
Luttrell also previewed the annual State of the District breakfast, scheduled for Oct. 15 at Woodland Spring Middle School in partnership with the education foundation.
Board Member Reports
Board members shared school site council and activity updates, including student leadership opportunities, assessment results, new instructional spaces, community service projects and upcoming school events.
Reports also addressed the inaugural Special Education Parent Advisory Council meeting, Early Learning Academy students’ transition to kindergarten, fall athletics and homecoming visits to elementary schools.
Members thanked district staff for responding to water intrusion and cleanup needs following heavy rain.