Summary

The Spring Hill School District Board of Education held a session on September 23, 2024, 7:00 a.m. at Spring Hill Middle School. The meeting covered various topics, from the approval of a construction management firm to the approval of sending the high school’s FFA chapter to the FFA’s national conference. Key discussions included the search for a new website vendor for the district, as well as the funding of other student organizations’ national conferences and competitions.

SHMS engineering students – disc golf course and courtyard design presentations

Students and advisors from the Spring Hill Middle School’s Engineering Explorations group presented plans for a Flying Mavericks disc golf course, as well as a design for a courtyard that includes charging stations for mobile devices. Engineering Explorations is meant to act as an introduction to engineering courses at the high-school level, as well as a preparation for real-world learning experience. The project, which included 3-D renderings of the completed spaces, is mostly funded by community donations.

Presentation:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ks/usd230/Board.nsf/Public

Behavioral Intervention Support Team (BIST)

Dr. Courtney Weber, Assistant Principal at SHMS, shared a vision for the school’s Behavioral Intervention Support Team, whose two key components are grace (finding out the purpose behind students’ behavior) and accountability (maintaining standards for the students who use the service). Dr. Weber’s presentation also reviewed general and individualized interventions (including skills-based coaching). BIST will be included in professional development, and another goal is to build a BIST consultant. This is the second year for the program. A full BIST presentation will be given to the board by semester’s end.

Donation for overdue lunch accounts

Good news reports included an anonymous donation of $300 to pay for overdue lunch accounts at the school.

Presentation on FFA Nationals

Spring Hill High School’s FFA student chapter gave a presentation in advance of the Board’s vote to approve travel funding for the group’s upcoming trip to Nationals in October. The SHHS delegation will be made up of 12 students and two advisors. This year’s convention is in Indianapolis, and more than 65,000 members are expected to attend.

In a related discussion, Athletics/Activities is working on a proposal that would allow funding students attending a competition at a national level at a rate of up to $500 per student. To be funded by the Board, the attendee(s) must be in a qualifier. All groups, whether athletics or other activities, who wish to pursue this funding must come before the board and request it.

Presentation:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ks/usd230/Board.nsf/Public

Search for new website vendor

Stephanie Neiger, Director of Communications & Engagement, shared an update on the department’s search for a new website vendor, as the district’s 3-year contract with Blackboard will sunset in June of next year. Currently, the directory on the district’s site does not sync to the district’s database. Dropdown menus on the homepage are too long and content replication exists; user management is complex, and edits can be difficult to make. Her goals for the district’s updated website a synced directory; a streamlined user portal; more engaging content; and a more intentional SEO.

So far, the Communications Department has met with school directors one on one, and they are in the process of meeting with principals and key staff; a survey will be sent to parents on 9/27; it will look at what site users (parents) are saying.

The department will present its proposal to the Board on Nov. 11; work can begin on Dec. 9, pending approval. The launch date would be June 1, providing a monthlong overlap between the old site and new site.

ACTION ITEMS

• The Board approved funding Spring Hill High School’s FFA Nationals trip.
• The Board approved Newkirk Novak as the Construction Manager.