Board Workshop Presentations

Winter MAP Update 
Dr. Dan Gruman, director of assessment and research, presented an update to the Board on student progress on mid-year interim assessments.

The report provided an in-depth evaluation of mid-year student assessment data, examining the data in multiple ways, using sophisticated statistical techniques.

Dr. Gruman shared that overall the data shows indications of positive signs of learning recovery from the pandemic, it also shows the need to maintain interventions.

One key finding in the data is that students are rebounding in reading and math. However, student achievement remains lower than in a typical year, and full academic recovery from the pandemic is likely to be several years away. Dr. Gruman shared data indicating the level of rebounding is also uneven among school subjects, grade level cohorts, and demographics.

Click here to view the full presentation.

Strategic Plan Update 
Dr. Leigh Anne Neal, chief of early childhood/sustainability, provided a report on the progress of the Strategic Plan.  Dr. Neal opened the presentation by sharing the mission of the Shawnee Mission School District and the three objectives within the Strategic Plan that focus on ensuring that every student will:

• Achieve academic success through a challenging, personalized learning plan
• Develop and utilize personal resilience while mastering essential competencies that lead to college and career readiness
• Develop interpersonal skills to be an engaged, empathetic member of the local and global community.

These objectives are being accomplished through five strategies in the areas of teaching and learning, culture, quality educators, systems, and facilities. Dr. Neal shared detailed progress that has been completed through the first semester of the 2022-2023 school year in each strategy.

Dr. Hubbard noted that the district is in the fourth year of the five-year Strategic Plan. In the spring, members of the executive leadership team will meet with a facilitator to develop a plan for updating the Strategic Plan. A proposal for updating the plan will be presented to the Board of Education in the fall.

Click here to review the report and slides presented at the meeting.

Click here to review the Strategic Plan page on the Shawnee Mission School District website.

 

PriorityOne Presentation 
Erin Eason, National Director, Clinical Consulting Practice from CBIZ, presented a Priority One Health Clinic Annual Review. Priority One is a health center that serves Shawnee Mission School District employees and is located at the Center for Academic Achievement. The review included a look at participation rates, visit details, survey results, the estimated employee savings since the clinic opened, and the return on investment for the district. Click here to view the presentation.

 

ESSER III Presentation
Russell Knapp, chief financial officer, led a discussion about the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) III Allocation. The presentation featured details about stakeholder engagement and the role it played in the application process, provided details about the application that will be submitted in February, and outlined positions that were previously funded by ESSER funds that are anticipated to be moved to the operational budget. Click here to view the presentation.

Title Program Update

Dr. David Stubblefield, associate superintendent of leadership and learning, Dr. Darren Dennis, chief academic officer, Kristie Darby, director of elementary services, and Dr. Brittany Gonser, director of professional learning, provided a report to the Board about Title services.

Dr. Stubblefield described how Title funds are “federal funds distributed by the state that are to be utilized to maximize student learning.” He also spoke about the annual reporting process.

Kristie Darby provided details about Title I and the schools that receive Title I funds in Shawnee Mission. She also provided examples of ways Title I funds have been used to support student learning through professional learning, Jump Start to Learning, and Family Engagement Nights, to name a few examples. Dr. Gonser spoke about Title II funds and how they are focused on training, recruitment, and retention of highly qualified teachers and principals and gave details about how those funds are allocated in Shawnee Mission. Dr. Dennis spoke about Title III funds, used for Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant students. Dr. Gonser also spoke about Title IV, used to support Well-Rounded Education, Safe and Healthy Students, and Supporting the Effective Use of Technology, and detailed how those funds are allocated.

Click here to learn more about Title funds in the Shawnee Mission School District.

 

Reduction of Paid High School Bus Routes

Starting January 5, 2023, high school student bus riders who fall within 2 miles of their high school will no longer have district-provided transportation available, with the exception of Shawnee Mission North students who live West of I-35. DS Bus Lines, the district’s contracted provider, has worked to hire additional drivers over the last two years to avoid this scenario, but faces a critical driver shortage. Service will continue for nearly 1,600 high school students who reside more than 2 miles away from their school. These changes will be in effect through the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard began the presentation by stating this is not an action anyone would ever want to do mid-year, but that it is being done out of necessity.

Dr. Christy Ziegler, chief of student services, diversity, equity, and inclusion, provided a presentation about the transportation reduction plan. The presentation included details about the current service model, staffing challenges and future challenges, possible solutions, and details about the reduction plan. More information will be shared with families impacted in the coming days. Click here to view the presentation.

Student and Family Services Program Update

Dr. Christy Ziegler, chief of student services, diversity, equity, and inclusion; Dr. John McKinney, director of student and family services; Dr. Tyrone Bates, Jr., coordinator of diversity, equity, and inclusion; Mr. David Aramovich, McKinney-Vento liaison, and students Perla Moreno (SM West), Ace Cofield (SM South), Genessa Hughes (SM North), and Jeanne Ozkan (SM East) presented a program update on Student and Family Services.

Dr. Ziegler opened the presentation by sharing how the work of the Student and Family Services team supports the work of the District’s Strategic Plan, Strategy 2: To relentlessly create a fully unified, equitable, and inclusive culture. The team strives to promote student well-being and school participation, which fosters growth in academic achievement.

Dr. McKinney shared information about Social-Emotional Character Development in the SMSD. He also provided details about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the district, explained that SEL is part of the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) process, and provided details about the Panorama survey, a resource used to measure and assess student Social Emotional Learning.

Dr. McKinney reported that the team collaborates with curriculum and instruction on the development and implementation of SEL standards. The team also supports schools with a wide range of services that include summer programs, volunteers, suicide prevention, case management, community resource referrals, and food and transportation assistance as

needed for students and their families. The student services team also facilitates the school-based 504 accommodations process for students, and implementation of federal programs that include McKinney-Vento (houselessness.)

David Aramovich provided information about students and families in the district facing houselessness, prevention work, and efforts to support students who are houseless.

Dr. Bates shared that the focus of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) training for staff is on developing an internal, sustainable model that includes administrators and building DEIB teams. Dr. Bates also shared information on the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES) program, an opt-in leadership opportunity for students from all Shawnee Mission high schools.

To highlight the positive impact of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging programs, the students each spoke about the value they’ve received as participants of the YES program. Perla Moreno, stated, “YES has led me to be comfortable to speak out, and meet new people who are like me and unlike me. My experience has been amazing.”

The program report can be viewed here.

The program presentation can be viewed here.

Human Resources Program Evaluation: Dr. Michael Schumacher, associate superintendent of human resources; Dr. Jeremy Higgins, director of secondary human resources; Pam Lewis, director of elementary human resources; Dr. Jarius Jones, director of classified human resources; Dr. Brittany Gonser, director of professional learning; and Dr. Tyrone Bates, coordinator of diversity, equity, and inclusion provided a program evaluation on human resources. The program evaluation provided information including but not limited to details about hiring practices and recruitment, retention work, onboarding, mentoring, and training new employees, wellness initiatives, and goals for human resources.
Click here to view the program evaluation information.

Athletic Participation and Student Discipline Hearings Update: Kent Glaser, director of athletics and activities, presented an update on athletic participation and student discipline hearings. Glaser highlighted how participation numbers are showing increases in the fall of 2022, compared to the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. Glaser also provided an update on student discipline hearing rates. In Shawnee Mission, 99.999 percent of students are not involved in a discipline hearing. In 2021-2022 there were 37 total hearings.
Click here to view the presentation information.

 

Security Update: Dr. Joe Gilhaus, deputy superintendent, Chief Mark Schmidt, chief of police, and Philip Lofflin, district police officer presented a report on the subject of safety and security in schools. Dr. Gilhaus explained this presentation was previously shared with all district staff as part of ongoing professional development centered on safety and security.

The report provided a history of the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) police department and gave an overview of safety and security procedures and protocols that are currently in place throughout the district. Officer Lofflin shared details about technology that supports safety and security, including communications tools available at each school, visitor management and bully incident software, and panic alarms. Chief Schimidt and Officer Lofflin provided additional information on updated emergency procedures, types of drills, how the district partners with local law enforcement, and ongoing training for staff focused on school safety. Dr. Gilhaus stated, “The top priority of the Shawnee Mission School District is and always has been the safety and security of our students and our staff.” 
Click here to view the presentation.

Real World Learning/Personalized Learning: Dr. Ryan Flurry, principal of career education campuses and coordinator of career and technical education, Dr. Darren Dennis, chief academic officer, Dr. Dan Gruman, director of assessment and research, and David Stubblefied, associate superintendent of leadership and learning presented an update on Real World Learning and Personalized Learning in the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD).

Dr. Flurry shared that Real World Learning shares many connections to the SMSD’s Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan states that every student will have a personalized learning plan, which will prepare them for college and careers, with the interpersonal skills they need for life success. In partnership with the Kauffman Foundation and other districts across the Kansas City metro area, SMSD is giving students the opportunity to obtain a Market Value Asset (MVA).

Dr. Dennis defined Market Value Assets (MVAs) as industry valued and recognized skills acquired in high school that create a more seamless transition from school to postsecondary education and/or the workplace. The four categories of MVAs are entrepreneurial experiences, work experience, nine or more college credit hours, and/or employer recognized certifications and credentials. Dr. Gruman shared data on the number of students in the SMSD who have earned an MVA.

David Stubblefield explained how Real World Learning opportunities will be expanded in 2022-2023, and the effort being made to increase student access to those opportunities. 
Click here to view the presentation

KESA Presentation Kim Barney, assistant director of curriculum and instruction, and Kristin Ridgway, secondary coordinator of English Language Arts and Social Studies, provided a report on year four of the five-year Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) process. They also provided a summary of a visit by the Outside Visiting Team (OVT), a yearly external review that Is part of the KESA process. Click here to view their presentation. A full summary can be viewed here. 

Substitute Services Discussion Dr. Michael Schumacher, associate superintendent of human resources, introduced Dr. Jeremy Higgins, director of secondary human resources, and representatives from Kelly Educational Staffing. They led a discussion about plans for substitute services for the next school year. The discussion included a review of absences and fill rates in the past year and planning and action steps for improving in the next year. Click here to view the presentation.

Notice of Budget The Board of Education approved the publication of notice of hearing for the 2022-2023 budget and a notice of hearing to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate for the 2022-2023 school year. Russell Knapp, chief financial officer, provided a presentation, outlining budget assumptions, a summary of fund balances, and the information that will be published. Click here to view the notices and presentation.

Strategic Plan Update:
David Stubblefield, associate superintendent for leadership and learning and Dr. Leigh Anne Neal, chief of early childhood/sustainability, provided an overview of progress on the Strategic Plan.

Spring 2022 Strategic plan update

Additional information and data on each of the five strategy areas of the Strategic Plan was provided by Dr. Darren Dennis, chief academic officer, Dr. Dan Gruman, director of assessment and research, Dr. Michael Schumacher, Associate Superintendent of Human Re sources, Dr. John McKinney, director of student/family service, and Dr. Brittany Gonser, director of professional learning.

Spring 2022 strategic plan report

Budget - Non-Operating Funds
Russell Knapp, chief financial officer, presented a budget workshop focused on self-supported funds, flow-through funds, bond debt funds, and capital outlay funds.

Knapp opened the presentation by stating the district’s objective upon which budgetary decisions are based is that every student will have a personalized learning plan that supports them in being college and career ready with the interpersonal skills important to life success.

Knapp provided an overview of the budget development timeline, a history of the mill levy, and a history of the instructional resource fund. The goal is for the instructional resource fund to become self-supporting, it is currently supported partly by operating funds.

Budget - Non-Operating Funds Presentation

 

Transportation Program Evaluation
Dr. Christy Ziegler, chief of student services and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Dana Gulick, coordinator of transportation, provided an overview of the work of the transportation department.

The transportation department supports the strategic plan objectives by ensuring students have a safe and reliable transportation system to travel to and from school each day and providing the ability to physically access the resources they need to be successful.

Dr. Ziegler shared the transportation providers, number of bus riders, the overall goals of the program, and provided a detailed overview of the budget.

district transportation presentation

 

Health Services Program Evaluation
Dr. Christy Ziegler, chief of student services and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Shelby Rebeck, director of health services, provided an update on the health services department.

Rebeck shared an overview of the health services program. The mission statement of the health services department is to provide professional nursing care to students and staff through assessment, prevention, health education, early intervention, case management, and collaboration. She defined the program goals, provided information on staffing, and gave an overview of the types of health issues the health services team  and nurses assess and manage.

Rebeck discussed how the nurses have worked to meet the health and safety needs of students, staff, and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rebeck introduced Paula Bunde who will be assuming the health services coordinator role starting July 1, 2022. Members of the Board of Education and Dr. Hubbard thanked Rebeck for her leadership and service to the Shawnee Mission School District.

health services program presentation

Food Service Presentation 
Dr. Christy Ziegler, chief of student services and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Grace Liss, director of food services, presented an update on the food services department to the Board. 

Food Service Program Evaluation 

Food Service Program Evaluation Slides 

Enrollment Analysis Report 
Robert S. Schwarz, founder of RSP and Associates, presented an enrollment analysis conducted for the Shawnee Mission School District to the Board. 

Enrollment Analysis Report
Security Presentation 
Chief Mark Schmidt, chief of police, led a presentation on district security. He was joined by Tony Woollen, district resource officer from Shawnee Mission East, Seth Myers, school resource officer from Shawnee Mission East, James Carmody, district resource officer at Shawnee Mission West, Philip Lofflin, district police officer, and David Ewers, Shawnee Mission North principal, who spoke about the role of district security in schools.

Security Program Evaluation

Security Program Evaluation Slides 

English Language Arts Presentation 
Dr. Darren Dennis, chief academic officer, introduced Krista Carson, elementary coordinator of curriculum and instruction, who led a presentation on a proposed K6 English Language Arts resource adoption.

English Language Arts Presentation

Winter MAP Update
Dr. Dan Gruman, director of assessment and research, presented an update to the Board on student progress on midyear interim assessments. The presentation was designed to provide a “big picture view of status and progress this school year,” Gruman noted. He also noted tha this data includes much to be optimistic about, including signs of recovery.

winter map update

Priority One Annual Review
Dr. Michael Schumacher, associate superintendent of human resources, and Erin Eason, national director of clinical consulting practice from CBIZ presented a Priority One Health Center annual review. They outlined a variety of details about how the health center serves district employees. Priority One Report

ESSER Update
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard, Russell Knapp, chief financial officer, and David Stubblefield, associate superintendent of leadership an d learning, provided a report on the district’s COVID19 Response plan, with a focus on the use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER). They outlined that ESSER I and II funding have been allocated for specific needs through Se ptember 2023. Information about the allocation of these funds can be found here .

ESSER III will provide funding through September 2024.  Details about the allocation of funds and the ThoughtExchange Feedback from stakeholders that informed the development of the allocation plan can be found in the prsentation slides. ESSER III Presentation

Communications Program Evaluation
David A. Smith, chief communications officer, introduced Kristin Babcock, communications coordin ator, and Michaela Scruggs, communications coordinator, who provided a communications program evaluation. The presentation highlighted the many ways the communications team shares stories about the district and schools to a broad and diverse audience. Community members are always welcome to provide story tips for highlighting school activities, students and staff to the department at adcommun@smsd.org. The presentation also highlighted the numerous ways the team supports staff and students across the district. report. 
communications team presentation

Financial Report
The presentation can be Russell Knapp, chief financial officer, presented the monthly financial report and an update on ESSER II expenditures. He also provided an update on operating funds, based on the September 20, 2021 enrollment count. Based on those numbers, it is estimated the district will see a loss of about $4.2 millio n in general state aid and atrisk weighted funds. The budget office expects that projected vacancies will offset the revenue loss.

Sustainability Summit Presentation
Dr. Leigh Anne Neal, chief of early childhood and sustainability, along with several Sh awnee Mission high school students, presented information and recommendations from the 2021 Shawnee Mission Sustainability Youth Summit. Students outlined five priority areas of focus for the district.
The presentations included:
Priority 1: “Renewable En ergy,” presented by Shawnee Mission West students Soli Guinto, junior, and Arlasia Jones, senior.
Priority 2: “Education, Awareness, and Student Involvement,” presented by Shawnee Mission South students Carolyn Armstrong and Rosemary Derr, junior, with th e support of teacher P.J. Born.
Priority 3: “Compost and Recycling,” presented by Shawnee Mission North senior Molly Laughton.
Priority 4: “Rain gardens, school gardens, and nature preserves,” presented by Shawnee Mission East senior Erin Hansen, with th support of teacher Rusty Debey. e
Priority 5: “Transportation,” presented by Shawnee Mission Northwest senior Logen Grey.
The group also shared an Essential Consideration focused on mental and physical health and wellbeing. 
sustainability presentation

ICT Program Evaluation
Drew Lane, executive director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT ), Bill Shaffer, director of network infrastructure, technical services, and security services, James Morgan, director of data and programming services, and Doug von Mosch, director of customer services shared an ICT program evaluation. Lindsay Stephenson, coordinator of instructional technology, provided information about lessons learned related to the use of educational technology during the pandemic.  
Ict program presentation

Human Resources Program Evaluation
Dr. Michael Schumacher, associate superintendent of human resources, Dr. Jeremy Higgins, director of secondary human resources, Dr. Jarius Jones, director of classified human resources, Pam Lewis, director of elementary human resources, Dr. Brittany Gonser, director of professional learning, and Dr. Tyrone Bates, coordinator of diversity, equity and inclusion, presented a program evaluation and update on Human Resources in the Shawnee Mission School District.

Dr. Schumacher introduced the Human Resources Team and shared the team philosophy that people are Shawnee Mission School District’s greatest resource. He introduced the five main functions of Human Resources, including Recruitment and Retention, Safety/Compliance, Employee Relations, Compensation and Benefits, and Training and Development. 
hr presentation slides

hr program evaluation 

Student and Family Services and Student Activities Program Evaluation
Dr. Christy Ziegler, chief of student services, Dr. John McKinney, director of student and family services, Dr. Tyrone Bates, Jr., coordinator of diversity, equity and inclusion, and Kent Glaser, director of athletics and activities, presented a program evaluation and update.
Student & Family Services Presentation

program evaluation presentation

Strategic Plan Update: Strategy 1
Dr. Leigh Anne Neal, chief of early childhood and sustainability, Dr. Darren Dennis,chief academic officer, Dr. Ryan Flurry, principal of career education campuses and coordinator of career and technical education, and Dr. Dan Gruman, director of assessment and research, presented an update focused on "Strategic Plan Engaging, and Applied Learning.” 
Strategic plan: strategy 1 presentation