[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6077972,"mediaKeyId","2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5","parentId",2962665,"title","Public comments: autism acceptance month and classified staff urge support for union authorization","audioSeconds",468,"startMs",5128000,"endMs",5596000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5&start=5128&end=5596","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5/thumbnail_5128000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077972/Kansas/Public-comments-autism-acceptance-month-and-classified-staff-urge-support-for-union-authorization","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077972-9affea5aa5a0c1a05c0b3ab11cde22f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770560426&Signature=oJV0u4VI1MA~Xi-2o66MRH1Gd8oMMxOn8ajGc3IZ3dwyuv4UL04NzKU44INbOS6PDKZcdnVyqSELiaVjDMKiTkqk284H2Oa2b0aI0cLAYkrMsUiLlBGmWooerDk3ydzexxMxFoSU~7ErLynX3j392FI6~tnaTNzdKhooyiqPbCk87qbJuX9SBshk7n88itqmVq0lDGf3Bn-I21miZQwDXTL5NB2cRNXCwdNU1a9-Yzzqme9cX1BsFHgM3l0y6XV4BJJI9hplcZsmyWQjF8h7IWdyQAdkUGrvy0U-5QxBwjNaJSIdHGlhoShDlmTxokMO52UNQBvPbTCV57xvfVUo3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Olathe School District","date","2025-04-11T03:25:41Z","article","During public comment the board heard from several residents on two recurring themes: support for autism acceptance and requests from classified staff for collective representation.

Carrie Van Buskirk, speaking as a parent of autistic students, urged listeners to consider inclusion and to ‘make our round world a little more square’ for autistic community members. Van Buskirk said she might request the board’s leadership to help ensure a respectful recognition for her son at an upcoming high‑school commencement.

Megan Brix, an elementary music teacher, asked the community and the board to observe National Library Week and to recognize the work school librarians and library clerks do across the district.

Amber Grant, a paraprofessional with eight years in the district, spoke specifically on behalf of classified staff (paraprofessionals, custodians, clerical staff, food service and others). Grant said classified employees seek the right to form a union and to negotiate for wages, benefits and working conditions; she described the district’s state law environment as challenging and said staff were collecting authorization cards in preparation for a formal request. Grant asked the board for “open dialogue and collaboration” and said classified staff will continue organizing until they are heard.

Board members did not take action during the meeting on the union topic; the public comments were recorded as part of the meeting record and board members thanked speakers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 2025 Olathe Public Schools Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At the board’s public‑comment period residents marked Autism Acceptance Month and a paraprofessional urged the board to engage with classified staff seeking union recognition and bargaining protections.","taxTitle","Olathe, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",13091,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077977,"Board approves tech purchases, media‑center furniture and 7‑year I‑Ready math adoption",355,9653000,10008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5&start=9653&end=10008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5/thumbnail_9653000.jpg","/articles/6077977/Kansas/Board-approves-tech-purchases-mediacenter-furniture-and-7year-IReady-math-adoption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077977-2ce2e68a39a39e15d40f41b67b6fd4aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770560426&Signature=V5v2H3JPEaVx2f6Q6RpvQFY~bw4yb0Urm7fGxPJKXJT91JOEI31eaa90sY2bNRzZZBaEwZUy91wcunhM32xAsMoOvaOTtMsION~9rtfUM8Iwg9U9skqnQ7bYJ5sX25K68oU8XVNSgKBCtEZSGE67CJJQ7G2iVs3ZfTNxXY4-x6-ZPATu6ottpjPOgkz6e-feWdB7nyhEAaSTdP6nQIx2bUOYLhYhsOmTBbKzfctFdwB4QjbNWaa2pwk2KmIizman59jEx6x9zCr~-oaeuEvt4zeYglzqbcg3NBm4lmp8EysLOffkotkD4oPSkrEXwYZ4rPDg-JWjQwJ0x1~AyjUeZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda and a set of contract and procurement items covering technology, furniture and curriculum resources.

A motion to approve items 7.01–7.16 (consent agenda) passed 6‑0. The board also approved actions 8.01–8.18 by voice vote; staff described three items in greater detail before the vote:

• 8.01 — Apple device replacement and accessories for secondary iMac labs. District staff said these devices and accessories will serve high‑school graphic‑design and yearbook labs and selected middle‑school labs.

• 8.04 — Furniture purchases tied to high‑school media‑center renovations at Olathe South and Olathe North. Staff said work began during spring break and the furniture will modernize and make flexible learning spaces in four high schools (the remaining two schools’ renovations are scheduled for 2026).

• 8.18 — Adoption of a middle‑school math curriculum/resource and intervention program (I‑Ready) under a seven‑year subscription. District presenters said the adoption covers print and digital resources, universal screening/diagnostics, and teacher manuals and online access for special education and ELL staff. The contract includes two years of intensive professional learning with planned continuing support.

Board members unanimously approved the items; roll call on the consent vote recorded six yes votes from board members present.","The Olathe Board approved consent items and several contract awards including Apple device/accessory purchases for secondary iMac labs, furniture for high‑school media‑center renovations and a seven‑year subscription to the I‑Ready middle‑school math/resource and intervention program.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077982,"Manchester Park Elementary highlights Spanish‑immersion and student service programs",481,1357000,1838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5&start=1357&end=1838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5/thumbnail_1357000.jpg","/articles/6077982/Kansas/Manchester-Park-Elementary-highlights-Spanishimmersion-and-student-service-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077982-4dcd472781506aaf1c325f07c27050c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770560426&Signature=WPnRKZUzVu8xxxnn6q9VCW7k1k~vxU8dQZqkwOCR3l2DmI0xp48wvwzhD7DA1yeWG3IO-rX7nID0jL3i-I5KuTFdyOFCC1RZEKdk9~4pWf5fMXJlGbAfNRc~hYV~94wQDwZIvGv3HC9if~Ve8Jc7znpdvU-erGlGYEJYBKazZubJQu1K-N0WCjOdgmTorYUEFeAAAKj8doAnLgyM8fhCkXTypGc8Jn3v~SgGwKv-FTwr3TP9edBJme~XvfyKQcHZGM6OWWUhQle7HuByBKjLOsF~wt5COkFmuUTb9t4LE6Fyfq5sY8u45jtZTICV72TJAXWN2bGbWzf~ZSkwM1Gx6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jenny Steele, principal of Manchester Park Elementary, introduced a school spotlight to the board, describing the school as the district’s largest elementary with roughly 615 students and noting the campus includes a Spanish immersion dual‑language program.

Teachers, students and parent leaders described the school’s student council and community service club. Student council representatives said they plan monthly spirit activities, coordinate school‑wide fundraisers and have helped raise and donate more than $10,000 for the Olathe Mayor’s Fund over three years. Community service members said the school’s food drives recently collected more than 7,000 food items and about $22,500, with current collections earmarked for the Kansas City Dream Center. Students described projects such as making “plarn” mats for people experiencing homelessness and participating in a long‑running Lehi Bag Project that has sponsored nearly 1,000 children and donated over 10,000 gifts across two decades.

PTO president Stephanie Burns described the PTO’s fundraising and a new positive‑behavior reward called “Tempe trinkets,” which teachers and the school mascot use to reinforce school pillars of kindness, responsibility, safety and engagement. Parent Jamie Wolfolk spoke about benefits of the Spanish immersion program, noting testing data presented to the board showed math performance in immersion closely matched non‑immersion peers.

Board members thanked staff, students and volunteers for the presentation and asked a few clarifying questions about enrollment and program outcomes. School leaders said Manchester Park maintains high family engagement and that the school’s programming emphasizes civic engagement and dual‑language learning.","School leaders and students presented programs at Manchester Park Elementary, describing a 615‑student enrollment, a Spanish immersion dual‑language program, active student council and community‑service projects that have raised thousands for local charities.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077987,"Olathe district enrollment dips; officials cite lower birth rates, housing changes and projections of modest decline",1137,3727000,4864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5&start=3727&end=4864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5/thumbnail_3727000.jpg","/articles/6077987/Kansas/Olathe-district-enrollment-dips-officials-cite-lower-birth-rates-housing-changes-and-projections-of-modest-decline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077987-58d42a8a35a56242984688a032acead1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770560426&Signature=mAvrc4ve8c6KwHZ5TDHWZJOVHg9YqReNaxYoFXZhB3skkkbxGZ3d2UG~LXm3CaN4atgkYw~ZA6PjhtK5yExSStcBAAuBOvYUJ9XhWpooNFcWAOQQoDpO5cKrCwnqf4U8VHEdxYuG284GUkgtROi4WXTyNge-vcyPfS8uNJN7TFSLIfu8t2E3Ffnp-7gXKzDeZfbp1eIWDLBTycaGXCXoTW8vEYLGsxWwniMG-PXK~hQy2VbVa29V-4TbVai38h75fgZu~AEfKRpnRXOoUwDoJeJ6SO9rjRsy0fGmBWdLrkqgjeDePpPzj2KP4bCJ7niE2VC-50AR3FkHlMM9jK74WQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Jim McMullen, the district’s executive presenting enrollment, told the board the district currently enrolls 28,454 students and recorded a one‑year decline of 333 students.

McMullen said Olathe experienced 54 straight years of growth through 2019, then began losing students; since 2019 the district has lost about 1,700 students (an average near 300 per year). He identified multiple drivers: fewer births (district staff reported a roughly 50% decline in births in Olathe since 2002), pockets of aging or “empty‑nester” households, slower single‑family construction and more multifamily housing.

School‑level data showed large elementary schools (Manchester Park at about 615 students) and other attendance‑area shifts caused partly by openings of new schools. McMullen said the district projects a five‑year decline of roughly 800 students overall (about 435 fewer elementary students and smaller declines at middle and high school levels) and described that five‑year window as the most reliable forecasting horizon.

Board members asked about cohort sizes and whether school‑attendance behavior had changed. McMullen and planning staff noted that while kindergarten cohorts are smaller, some cohorts still gain students as they progress; for example, this year’s graduating class has about 100 more students than when that cohort started kindergarten. The presentation compared Olathe’s trends with nearby Johnson County districts and national benchmarks, noting many peer districts also face declines.

Superintendent and planning staff said the district will continue to monitor enrollment, building permits and birth data and will factor projections into future facility and staffing planning.","Superintendent staff presented April enrollment data showing 28,454 students districtwide, a drop of 333 from last year, long‑term declines since 2019, sharply lower local birth rates and a five‑year projection of roughly an 800‑student decrease.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077992,"Olathe briefing: State legislative session leaves several K‑12 measures unresolved, ESSER funds under review",1191,2606000,3797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5&start=2606&end=3797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962665-c3ddfc2d34a1faa7bd289814568f36c5/thumbnail_2606000.jpg","/articles/6077992/Kansas/Olathe-briefing-State-legislative-session-leaves-several-K12-measures-unresolved-ESSER-funds-under-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077992-6dc80aa0beebee2d04b673147a0077a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770560426&Signature=i7ZGXNDptZIBsbzd7R-WD8wStSW-v-mYPbUPm9spB0uIpZtP1pHjtzPE~8Dtcc-xMTEkc9t6RTTTYAthgPXh4-LP~4mzAKXjhATX0xs0slesB3OVZZKtnvmnJvR~xinPqH8hjaP6P43gg4GfaHrWtQBVgBOuQVxiAp1a~CIQHyUHOR~2XhSKzJ80SX39AjntsGBHUTcfTHTflSyA3ox3bR3GlYq3X1~jvcoMQ7acr5oFmQcncCEE2pD~kfU8peHiNj-~7iborQVs79iD8EXLYHqzVzaJn1NKkYt12hNqow1e15qVrkyUnb62fakwRkByEYXRPClqeVKMngbQPsIyzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Stewart Little, Olathe Public Schools’ legislative liaison, told the board on April that the Kansas Legislature had finished most of its scheduled work but left significant education questions unsettled.

Little said lawmakers had not produced a major property‑tax reduction and that a conference committee was still negotiating possible changes. He added that the compressed, expedited legislative schedule reduced opportunities for public participation and careful review of budget changes.

The update listed several education items that moved through the le gislative process this session: a measure to adjust counting for virtual‑school students (Senate Bill 14) was signed; other bills and late insertions drew vetoes from the governor and, in some instances, failed override attempts. Little identified a set of proposals that will carry over into the legislature’s next biennial year, including a high‑profile voucher proposal (identified in the presentation as “school voucher bill 75”) and other tax scholarship and school‑policy bills.

Little told the board that the State Board of Education and the legislature are continuing work on a K‑12 funding task force to consider changes to the school finance formula and that a draft bill is expected next year.

Separately, district staff and board members discussed a recent federal action that removed about $22.6 million in ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds from Kansas. Dr. Little and district staff said state officials and congressional delegates were pursuing clarification with the U.S. Department of Education and that the department might reconsider whether all of the reclaimed funds fit the federal rules as applied in Kansas.

Board members asked about specific bills Little named and about whether items that failed this year could return in 2026. Little said bills that did not pass this year largely remain alive for the next session under the biennium schedule.","At its April meeting the Olathe Board received a legislative update from Dr. Stewart Little noting stalled property‑tax relief, multiple governor vetoes, and uncertainty after the U.S. Department of Education moved to reclaim ESSER pandemic funds the state planned to use for K‑12 programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public comments: autism acceptance month and classified staff urge support for union authorization

Board approves tech purchases, media‑center furniture and 7‑year I‑Ready math adoption

Manchester Park Elementary highlights Spanish‑immersion and student service programs

Olathe district enrollment dips; officials cite lower birth rates, housing changes and projections of modest decline

Olathe briefing: State legislative session leaves several K‑12 measures unresolved, ESSER funds under review