Heights considers joining coalition

In 2013, the Kansas Legislature created law that would enable up to 20 percent of the state’s school districts to receive a special designation that would exempt them from many state education regulations if those schools could show that their students were making exemplary progress.

On Monday, Jackson Heights Superintendent and Elementary Principal Adrianne Walsh asked the USD 335 Board of Education to consider applying to join the Kansas Coalition of Innovative School Districts, which currently includes six schools that have expressed a desire to have the state “get out of the way” of public education.

“It could open some doors for us,” Walsh told board members of the possibility of Jackson Heights attaining Innovative School District status. “The main question seems to be for schools that apply is this: What’s getting in the way of being the school you want to be?”

Board members, while not taking any immediate action on Walsh’s suggestion, said they would be agreeable to Walsh filling out the application to have Jackson Heights become an Innovative School District. David Allen, board president, said that if the district is accepted into the coalition, it would be “a fantastic opportunity” for the district’s teachers and students.

“I think we have administrators and staff here who are very creative in giving the latitude to do some things — like using technology in the classroom — that are non-standard,” Allen said. “It would give us the potential freedom to let the people we have do the things that they are capable of doing and accelerating outside of the structure that’s defined by doing certain things to meet certain goals.”

The six school districts currently designated as Innovative School Districts — Blue Valley, Concordia, Hugoton, Kansas City, Marysville and McPherson — had different reasons for seeking the designation, Walsh said. In Concordia’s case, she noted, the district wanted to create a “career pathway” for nursing and get funding for it, or offer alternative forms of credit for certain classes through participation in other activities.

“They’ve looked at things like, if you’re in 4-H and you’ve done quite a bit of that, offering credit for speech class,” she said. “Or maybe you don’t have to take a physical education course if you’re a three-sport-a-year athlete.”

School districts applying for Innovative District status are required to address their educational programs, parental and community support, specific goals and measurable student outcomes to be obtained and, if applicable, a description of state laws, rules and regulations that are creating a barrier to the district’s plan. Applicants must also detail how student performance in achieving those outcomes will be measured, evaluated and reported.

“If you can show that you’re looking at student performance and making sure that students are growing in other ways than just through state assessments, that’s something that can be talked about,” Walsh said.

There is no additional funding that comes with the Innovative District designation, Allen told board members, but the Innovative District Coalition “doesn’t define how you have to use your budget. It gives you complete free reign on how you use your funding.”

Board members responded receptively to Walsh’s proposal to apply for the designation, and Allen agreed to assist with the application process. Walsh also said she would meet with school staff and “start brainstorming ideas” to possibly be included in the application.

In other business on Monday, the board heard a report from Walsh on discussion held with Jackson County officials over the possibility of turning over to the county responsibility for a small section of Q Road south of the entrance to the elementary school parking lot.

The discussion was prompted by a recent complaint from a district parent who was stopped by law enforcement after passing a stop sign located at the elementary parking lot entrance. Walsh said about 500 feet of Q Road south of the entrance belongs to the school, making the stop sign “not enforceable” by law enforcement officers, “if it is our road.”

None of the school board members could pinpoint why the stop sign was placed at that location, other than to slow traffic at that location, since many motorists apparently do not come to a complete stop there. Board members also suggested placing a speedbump or a “School Zone” sign near the entrance to slow traffic down.

Walsh also asked board members to consider the possibility of turning over that section of Q Road to the county, noting that it would not cost the district anything to do so but a publication of legal notice would be required. If the road is turned over to the county, she added, the county would designate a 40-foot right of way that could not be used for other purposes.

“Basically, if it’s not a county road, it’s the school district’s responsibility to purchase rock and maintain it,” Walsh added.

Board members took no immediate action on the suggestion.

Board members also:

* Approved the meeting’s agenda and consent agenda, the latter including minutes from the board’s Jan. 11 meeting, monthly bills and activity account reports, a bond payment of $52,017.50 and a Custom Energy payment of $34,165.58.

* Met with Keith Watkins, commercial HVAC service manager for McElroy’s of Topeka, to discuss a concern with the district’s Ground Source HVAC system involving power outages and restarting the system after power is restored. Watkins also suggested the district purchase a flow meter for the system to determine whether a water leak is present in the system that would cause antifreeze to drain from the system.

* Met with high school science teacher Gary Keehn and students from his wildlife class for a presentation on the class’ involvement in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest, through which the district has won up to $20,000 worth of electronic equipment from Samsung for being named the contest’s winner for Kansas.

* Discussed the possibility of changes to the district’s eligibility policy regarding extracurricular activities for students in seventh through 12th grades.

* Appointed Allen and Melinda Wareham to represent the board during upcoming teacher salary contract negotiations for the 2016-17 school year.

* Noted that school would be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 as the school is hosting the Northeast Kansas League forensics meet that day.

* Changed the date of the next regular meeting to Monday, March 21, owing to the next regular meeting date falling on the first day of spring break — Monday, March 14. Board members asked whether that would cause any issues with the issuance of staff paychecks.

* Heard a report from Walsh on elementary school activities, including state assessment testing, current student activities, suggestions for transitioning half-day preschool students to full-day kindergarten classes and ideas being pursued by the district’s Parent-Teacher Organization for afterschool activities.

* Heard a report from Shupe on the naming of the middle and high school football field for former coach Dave Henry. Shupe noted that a sign to honor Henry’s years at Jackson Heights would be placed at the field in the near future.

* Viewed one of the new track hurdles as presented by Shupe, who noted that stickers will be placed on the hurdles to recognize those who help sponsor the purchase of the hurdles.

* Received an update from Shupe on middle and high school activities, including recent school assemblies, state assessment testing and an upcoming recognition of the 40th anniversary of the JHHS girls basketball team’s grand state championship in 1976, to be held during basketball games on Feb. 26.

* Heard a request from board member Ed Rostetter to have the district’s Web site (www.jhcobras.net) updated more often.

* Met in executive session for a total of two hours and five minutes to discuss non-elected personnel matters.

* Upon returning to open session, approved one-year contract extensions for Walsh and Shupe.

* Accepted the resignation of Gary Feldkamp as high school math and science teacher, Ashley Wick as assistant middle school basketball coach, Kaylee Mick as head high school volleyball coach and Greg Nilges as middle school track coach.

* Approved supplemental contracts for Nilges as assistant high school track coach and Gary Baldridge as middle school track coach.

* Adjourned the meeting at 11:05 p.m. All board members were present.