Board of Education

The Board of Education is responsible for; (1) establishing the vision for the district and setting priorities and goals in collaboration with the superintendent; (2) approving the district annual budget; (3) creating/approving policies; (4) hiring the superintendent of schools; (5) evaluating the superintendent's performance; and (6) helping build support for public education by serving as ambassadors and advocates for district interests.

The Strategic Plan guides the work of the Shawnee Mission School District and its Board.  The plan is community-driven and a living document.  The plan, timeline and accountability measures can be viewed here. 

Board of Education and Public Meeting Calendar 2024-2025

Board of Education meetings serve the purpose of conducting business of the Board and regularly updating the Board and the community on progress being made on the Strategic Plan.

Regular Board of Education meetings focus on the business of the Board, including approving policy, paying bills, and other functions that require Board approval.

Workshops are specifically designed to provide the Board time to interact with reports related to the Strategic Plan and to other in-depth conversations that are within the responsibility and authority of the Board. Routine consent agenda items only are also approved as part of the workshop format. The exception to this is approval of the Budget at the first Board meeting in August or at other times as deemed essential by the Board of Education.

Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Copies of the board meeting agendas, as well as minutes from previous meetings, are available through the district website on BoardDocs.  In addition, all meetings are streamed and archived here.

July 2024
22 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
22 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room
(Approve 2024-25 budget for publication)

August
12 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
12 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room
26 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
26 Mon. BUDGET HEARING/REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room
(Adopt 2024-2025 Budget)

September
9 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
9 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room

October
14 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
14 Mon. WORKSHOP 6:00 p.m. Board Room
14 Mon. Exexutive Session (non-elected personnel) following Board meeting
28 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
28 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room

November
11 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
11 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room

December
9 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
9 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room

January 2025
13 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
13 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room
27 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
27 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room

February
10 Mon. Executive Session (non-elected personnel) 4:30 p.m. Board Conf. Rm.
10 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
10 Mon. WORKSHOP 6:00 p.m. Board Room
24 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
24 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room

March
24 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
24 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room

April
14 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
14 Mon. WORKSHOP 6:00 p.m. Board Room 
28 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room 
28 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room

May
12 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
12 Mon. REGULAR BOE MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room

June
9 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
9 Mon. REGULAR MEETING 6:00 p.m. Board Room
23 Mon. SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING 5:30 p.m. Board Room
23 Mon. 2025-26 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING/REGULAR 6:00 p.m. Board Room
BOE MEETING

Board meetings are not public meetings, but are meetings held in public for the purpose of conducting the business of the school district.  All business is conducted in public with the exception of items discussed in confidential executive sessions as allowed by state statute.
Board of education meetings are typically held at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of the month at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st Street, in the boardroom.
Copies of the board meeting agendas, as well as minutes from previous meetings, are available on BoardDocs.  In addition, all meetings are streamed and archived here. 

The mission of the Shawnee Mission School District, the bridge to unlimited possibilities yet to be discovered, is to ensure students construct their own foundation for success in life’s endeavors through relevant, personalized learning experiences orchestrated by talented, compassionate educators and distinguished by: 

• an inclusive culture
• an engaged community
• and robust opportunities that challenge learners to achieve their full potential

The Finance and Facilities Committee
The SMSD Board of Education approved the establishment of the standing district Finance and Facilities Committee of the Board on November 11, 2019 and the first slate of committee members was approved January 27, 2020.  

Community Members
East                Melissa Rooker
North              David Sims
Northwest     Angela Gantzer
South             Gary Strout
West               Angelique Rodriguez-Gunion
At-Large        Susan Lindahl
At-Large        Brian Watson

Board Members
Mary Sinclair, Chair
Jessica Hembree, Vice Chair

Purpose and Parameters
The primary purpose of the Finance and Facilities Committee is to review and advise the district and the Board of Education on these two functions, in alignment with the implementation of the SMSD Strategic Plan. Committee members are to review the operating, designated revenue, and capital budgets of the district, including the finances of the bond projects. The Committee is to also review design concepts, key assumptions and budgets for new buildings and major renovations, and to identify strengths and weaknesses to the Board of Education on construction and facility related issues.

The superintendent and/or designee will set the committee agenda in consultation with the board members on the committee. Acknowledgment of potential impact on district finances and resources, statutory or regulatory requirements should be included with any recommendations, if put forward by the committee.  Any recommendations of the committee will be presented to the superintendent for consideration, with potential for review by relevant district working groups, in preparation for consideration by the Board of Education.

Final approval rests with the Board of Education.

Facilitation
The members of the Finance and Facilities Committee will select a committee chairperson and vice chairperson at their first meeting of each school year.  Committee ground rules will be established by the members during the first meeting and reviewed at least annually. A district staff member will provide logistical support to the work of the committee.  

Communication
The Finance and Facilities Committee is to provide input and items for consideration to the Superintendent at least 5 calendar days prior to any Board meeting so that issues for consideration have adequate time to be reviewed and prioritized for an upcoming Board meeting agenda. All Committee meetings will be noticed and open to the public. While the work of the committee will be conducted in public, only committee members will participate in the meetings. Observers are welcome to attend. Observers with questions or comments will be directed to the committee’s designated district staff support members, who will facilitate communication on behalf of the volunteer participants.  

Membership
Each member of the Board of Education appointments one SMSD patron to the committee, from a pool of applicants. The superintendent will appointment up to four members from the district administration. The Board President will select two members from the board to serve on the committee. 

Committee Objectives
Review the current Financial Reports of the SMSD:

• Review and advise on the annual budget development and budget workshop presentation to strengthen the process and explanation to board members and patrons.

Review the current Capital Improvement and Construction projects of the SMSD:

• Assist in the development and prioritization of the SMSD long-range Facilities Plan
• Review and advise on the budget and finances of the projects funded through bond issuance
• Review and advise on post construction and occupancy summaries

Preferred Experiences or Expertise of Committee Members:

• Interest and capacity to work with budget documents
• Familiarity with school finance basics (e.g., operating budget vs capital and bond, sources of revenue and restrictions, awareness of school finance lawsuits)
• Familiarity with construction, architecture, bonds
• Familiarity with K-12 public education

The mission of the Shawnee Mission School District, the bridge to unlimited possibilities yet to be discovered, is to ensure students construct their own foundation for success in life’s endeavors through relevant, personalized learning experiences orchestrated by talented, compassionate educators and distinguished by: 

• an inclusive culture
• an engaged community
• and robust opportunities that challenge learners to achieve their full potential

The Policy Review Committee 
The SMSD Board of Education approved the establishment of the standing Policy Review Committee of the Board in the fall of 2018. The committee consists of 3 board members, the superintendent or designee, and 1 other district administrator appointed by the superintendent, as necessary. Board members are appointed annually by the board president. 

Purpose and Parameters
The primary purpose of the committee is to review potential board policy updates, to consider implication of policy adoptions due to annual changes in state or federal law, and to facilitate an annual review of the board’s procedure manual. The superintendent and/or designee sets the committee agenda in consultation with the board members on the committee. Recommendations of the committee are presented to the superintendent for consideration, in preparation for consideration by the Board of Education. Final approval rests with the Board of Education.

Board Members:
Heather Ousley, Chair
Jamie Borgman
David Westbrook

Meetings are held at the CAA - Room 2043 
March 24, 2025 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
January 27, 2025 - 3:00pm - 4:00 p.m.
December 4, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. - CANCELED
 

March 24, 2025 Agenda:

Continued Conversation Regarding Community Donations: 

• Recap of Work to Date
• Presentation of Draft “Community Funded Position Request Review Process”
• Presentation of Draft “Revised Donation Policy”
  • Draft of New Application Form
• Questions from Committee
• Next Steps

January 27, 2025 Agenda:

Continued Conversation Regarding Community Donations: 

• Foundations Report
• SMAC Report
• Principal Feedback
• Specials Staffing
• Policy Questions

November 6, 2024 Agenda:

• Review research and reports:  Review research and reports regarding community donations. 

October 14, 2024 Agenda:

• Revised Policy JBCD (Open Enrollment):  This policy needs to be updated before January 1 to comply with new requirements for open enrollment in House Substitute for Senate Bill No. 387 (2024).  This updated policy is based on the KASB model policy, with adjustments to reflect SMSD practices/procedures.
   

September 30, 2024 Agenda:

• New Policy JGFGA (Administration of Emergency Opioid Antagonists): KASB is recommending this new policy due to a recent statutory amendment.  H. Sub. for SB 287 changed current statute to allow school nurses and other first responders to distribute opioid antagonists, such as Narcan, a drug commonly used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.  You can read the revised statute HERE.  This new policy has been reviewed with Paula Bunde, our Health Services Coordinator.
• Revised Policy BCBK (Executive Session): KASB determined that Policy BCBK could be more succinct in outlining the procedure for the Board to recess to executive session.  To address this, language outlining a sample motion was removed, and the policy was reworked for clarity and ease of use.
• Revised Policy CJ (Use of Consultants): KASB is recommending these revisions to more clearly reflect when consultants can be engaged and how such engagements be reported to the Board.
•      Note that, in conjunction with these revisions, KASB is also recommending the deletion of Board Policy BBG (Consultants), because the policies overlap.  Language from Policy BBG was collapsed into the revised Policy CJ. 
• Revised Policy ID (Instructional Program): KASB is recommending minor changes to this policy, so that the language is consistent with other policies.
• Revised Policy JH (Student Activities): KASB is recommending these revisions to reflect new statutory requirements.  H. Sub. For SB 387 allows for virtual school students to participate in extracurricular activities. Specifically, a virtual school student seeking to participate in an activity in the student’s resident school cannot be required to enroll in or attend a minimum number of courses or enroll in or complete a particular course as a condition of participation, unless such requirement is imposed upon all other students who participate.  You can read the revised statute HERE.
• Revised Policy KK (Sale of District Property): KASB is recommending these revisions to reflect recent statutory changes.  Provisions of H Sub for SB 387 implemented changes to when and how a board can dispose of school district property, including: (1) limiting the legislative option to purchase school district buildings in which “building” is defined as any building that was used in any prior school year as an attendance center for students; (2) authorizing the legislative coordinating council to deny the legislative option to purchase when the legislature is not in session; and (3) prohibiting school districts from refusing to convey a building or property solely because the buyer or lessee may use or intends to use the building or property for nonpublic school purposes.  You can read the revised statute HERE.
• Donation Policy: At the end of the meeting, we will discuss a plan and general timeline for considering the Task Force’s report and recommendation.  We will not delve into a substantive discussion about the Task Force report or about any potential policy revision.  The meeting notice will specify this information, so that interested parties understand that the bulk of the meeting will focus on updating other policies pursuant to KASB recommendations.
   

February 28, 2024 Agenda:

• Revised Policy EE (Food Services Management): KASB is recommending that districts adopt more detailed policy language on unpaid meal charges in order to meet federal requirements.  This policy balances federal requirements that school districts attempt to recoup unpaid meal debts with SMSD’s priority to preserve the dignity of students and families that get behind on student meal payments.
• New Policy JDDAA (Student Misuse of Medication): KASB is recommending this new policy to address the gap in the student disciplinary framework related to students bringing and distributing prescription or over-the-counter medication. This change was not made in current Policy JDDA regarding Drug-Free Schools, as Policy JDDA very closely follows the language of the federal law on drug free schools.  This new policy specifically addresses authority to discipline a student for misuse of medication.
• Revised Policy JGFGBA (Student Self-Administration of Medications): KASB made minor revisions to this policy with the Dec. 2023 updates.  Beyond those minor revisions, additional revisions to SMSD policy are being recommended bring it in line with the KASB model policy language.

January 29, 2024 Agenda:

• Revised Policy EBBD (Evacuations and Emergencies): KASB is recommending this revision to provide clarification on when students will be dismissed from school due to an emergency situation.
• New Policy GARIA (Pregnant and Parenting Employees): KASB created this new policy to confirm compliance with the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (effective June 2023) and the PUMP Act (effective April 2023).  SMSD provides the protections under these laws to our employees; this new policy simply codifies those protections into Board policy.
• Updated Policy GARID (Uniformed Service Leave): KASB revised this policy to better comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended. Specifically, changes were made to specify leave and protections of the Act are available to a larger group of uniformed service branches and to expand the types of services for which the rights apply.
• Revised Policy IHF (Graduation Requirements): The revised policy reflects the Board-approved graduation requirements that will go into effect beginning with the class of 2028.
• Revised Policy JBH (Release of a Student During the School Day): KASB added this language to refer back to themes in policy EBBD on evacuations and emergencies and to clarify that the safety of students and staff control decisions about dismissing students during the school day.

October 23, 2023 Agenda:

• New Policy JBCD (Open Enrollment): We have prepared this policy as required by the new statute regarding enrollment of nonresident students.  This draft policy is based on the recommended KASB model policy, with adjustments to reflect SMSD practices/procedures. Note that, following our PRC meeting, the District is required by the new statute to publish notice of public hearing regarding the proposed new policy in a newspaper and on the District’s website.  We will hold the hearing at the Nov. 13^th BOE meeting. 
• Revised Policies JBC (Student Admissions to School) and JBCB (in-District Transfers): We need to make adjustments to both of these policies to take into account the new open enrollment policy, and also to be consistent with the new open enrollment policy.
• Revised Policy DJAB (Authorization to Purchase): Russell Knapp has prepared revisions to this policy that: (a) update verbiage including p-cards, position titles, and current practices; (b) change the threshold that CFO and deputy superintendent approve purchases to purchases over $20,000; and (c) allow contracts of $20,000 or less to be signed by the purchasing manager or designated district employees.
• Revised Policy GAJ (Gifts): We would like the PRC to consider revising the policy language to recognize that District staff members sometimes receive gifts from vendors, such as Mainstreet Credit Union, providing cash appreciation gifts to teachers. The suggested revised policy language states that staff may accept gifts from vendors/salespeople so long as the gift would not influence the exercise of their job duties.

August 14 Agenda:

• Updated Policy AG (Closing School Buildings): KASB is recommending revisions to this policy to promote compliance with changes to the KS statute regarding closure of school buildings, which will be effective Jan. 1, 2024. 
• Updated Policy BBAA (Board Member Authority and Responsibilities): I am recommending that we add language to this policy confirming that Board members will not receive pay.  Due to a recent change to KS law (see page 11, revision to KSA 72-1137), it is now legally permissible for school districts to pay Board members.
• Updated Policy GAAF (Emergency Safety Interventions): These policy revisions are recommended by KASB to reflect changes made to state regulations (K.A.R. 91-42-1 and K.A.R. 91-42-2) regarding the definitions and use of emergency safety interventions (ESI).
• Updated Policy GARID (Military Leave): KASB is recommending some minor revisions to align the policy with the applicable federal law (The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act).

June 15 Meeting and Policies Reviewed:

• New Policy IFCC (Overnight Accommodations): We are required by a new Kansas statute to adopt this policy (see S Sub for HB 2138, section 1).   
• Revised Policy JH (Student Activities): KASB is recommending an added provision to reflect changes in state law regarding participation in student activities/athletics by homeschool and part-time students (see H Sub for SB 113, sections 5 and 6). 
• Revised Policy KK (Sale of District Property): KASB is recommending an added provision to reflect the new procedure required prior to the sale of a District building, which gives the state the right of first refusal to purchase the building (see H Sub for SB 113, section 4).

A time for public comment occurs prior to regularly scheduled Board of Education meetings to provide an opportunity for individuals to address the board regarding school district issues.

Patrons must submit a request to make public comment no later than noon (12:00 p.m.) on the day of a regularly scheduled Board Meeting.

If you would like to address the board during Public Comment, the clerk of the board, Shelly Trenholm, will guide you through this process. She may be contacted at 913-993-6401 or at shellytrenholm@smsd.org. While comments must be received no later than noon on the Monday of the meeting, patrons are encouraged to electronically submit their requests to speak at Public Comment by 3:30 p.m. the Friday before a regularly scheduled Board Meeting.
You may make your electronic submission using this form. This early submission may allow the district to research and/or address patron concerns before the meeting. The president may impose a time limit of 3 minutes or less for each speaker, in order to provide as many patrons as possible the opportunity to speak.

Requests for auxiliary aids or services for persons needing assistance to address the board should be made with appropriate advance notice.

Reminders for a constructive and positive experience when presenting comments to the board: 
—Please proceed to the podium when your name is called and share your name, city of residency, what schools your children attend if applicable, and the name of any group or organization you are representing.
—Please limit your remarks to three minutes or less as indicated by the President.
—In consideration of everyone’s time, please select a group spokesperson to represent your interests or you may choose to pass when your name is called if a previous speaker has already expressed your concerns.
—If you have written comments and/or materials for board distribution, please ensure there are at least eight (8) copies for distribution.
—Please make your comments while remaining behind the podium.
—Complaints regarding students or staff should first be addressed to administration in accordance with board policy KN – Complaints. If that procedure has been completed, the board will consider whether to hear such complaints in executive session in order to protect the privacy interests of the student(s) and/ or staff involved.
—If comments pertain to an item on that meeting’s agenda, the board president may ask the superintendent, or his or her designee, to address those comments at that time or when the item is up for board discussion.
—Generally, responses from board members during Public Comment will be limited to clarifying questions.

Communication with the School District

The Shawnee Mission School District welcomes your questions, suggestions and concerns. Through informative discussion and communication our goal is to have most issues resolved at the school level. School administrators welcome your feedback and comments.  

There are a variety of ways patrons and citizens can communicate with the district. For general questions, please send your inquiries to the district's general email: askthedistrict@smsd.org, or through the postal service to: 
Shawnee Mission School District
Center of Academic Achievement
8200 W. 71st Street
Overland Park, KS 66204
(913) 993-6200

Our board, as elected school board members, is interested in your concerns and opinions.  Your participation is a vital part of our school system's success.

All regular meetings of the board and public comment are open to the public.  Learn more about how you can participate in the public comment comment by visiting the Public Comment tab above. Please note that Board Members are not able to respond directly to patron concerns that are raised during public comment.

Meet your Board Members and find their contact information on the Meet The Board tab above.  Since all Board Members serve the district in its entirety, we encourage you to communicate with all Board Members.  You can expect a response from the Board President on behalf of the Board.

For more information, please contact Shelly Trenholm, Clerk of the Board at (913) 993-6401 or shellytrenholm@smsd.org 

Concerns and Feedback 
The school district encourages all concerns to be resolved at the administrative level closest to the issue. Please refer to the Chain of Communication to assist identifying and informing the appropriate staff member. Confirmation the concern was received will be provided by email, telephone or mail if the contact information is provided. 

For specific concerns, related to specific issues or individuals (a teacher, a student, bullying), please fill out a complaint form. Complaint forms are used in accordance with state and federal privacy laws, and to facilitate due process, if warranted. The forms are located through the district website, on Board Docs.  Please follow these steps: 

• Visit the BoardDocs site.
• Click on Policies in the upper right-hand section of the page.
• On the left-hand side where it says “Book” change the menu to say​“Board Policy/Appendix/Forms” and expand that section by clicking the +.
• Select the needed form.

Chain of Communication

Our seven board members are elected by the Shawnee Mission voters.  The board of education serves as the district's governing body in accordance with state and federal law.  One member is elected from each of the district's five areas:  East, North, Northwest, South, and West (Board Member Areas and Voting Precincts).  Two members are elected as At-Large representatives for the district.  All members serve the entire district and serve without pay.