[{"_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",6142457,"mediaKeyId","5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391","parentId",5557236,"title","Parent urges district to address funding inequities between high‑income and Title I schools","audioSeconds",250,"startMs",3371000,"endMs",3621000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391&start=3371&end=3621","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391/thumbnail_3371000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6142457/Kansas/Parent-urges-district-to-address-funding-inequities-between-highincome-and-Title-I-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142457-ebed84ef94d1989cfaf275d0ca41e475/orig.mp4?Expires=1770568753&Signature=F-2FCDK2ZyxRtctDl90Fp6VcfFblBDUHrfjW2-GZOjnE-N5js2Vznu92THbTIBbcv7OQVNh3faz3jD3qmZbPbdWlPNBkV0iGxqD2q2DsA1wypGgas-ehzXf69YakzteY~8pr6awEhVoTI~fnWbooplKyyF~2GiSotecFdS95L2XRBzukWju2y81KAjlTbfaJaXYhXGsw9yiVkwwdK2lLsxUUNKfMmewURM9zKMerk6cJ5M52nC4WgAvBgMPS7a17HFiL90s~6Aixp53oD~Ns~o8q5fkXjpqlArQDrMwrEASt4yUhZZh6fxJ-O2fmV0wNORiVypb7yvgPwuZB8Yc2~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author"," Olathe Public Schools ","date","2025-08-08T01:14:04Z","article","Rachel Broderick, PTO vice president at Havencroft Elementary and a parent, told the board during the public‑comment period that district schools experience wide disparities in resources because PTO fundraising and corporate sponsorships vary by neighborhood wealth.
“There is a stark and undeniable inequity of financial support between our high socioeconomic schools and our Title I schools based on their PTO fundraising ability and their corporate sponsorship support,” Broderick said. She described higher‑income PTOs raising tens of thousands of dollars for classroom technology, enrichment and staff support, while Title I PTOs must sometimes use fundraising to meet hunger and basic needs first.
Broderick urged the district to consider options including a district‑level equity fund or matching‑grant program to supplement schools with limited PTO revenue, a prioritized district effort to secure corporate sponsors for Title I schools, district‑funded field trips for Title I grade levels beyond third grade, expanded food‑security support on non‑school days, and proactive training and capacity building for Title I PTOs.
She said her goal was not to punish successful PTOs but to reduce structural gaps: “We cannot allow the quality of a child's educational experience or the staff work environment to depend on how much money their school's PTO can raise.” Broderick asked the board what more the district can do to ensure equitable opportunities and supports across schools.
Board members did not take action on her requests during the meeting; the public‑comment item is recorded and available for board consideration in future discussions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 2025 Olathe Public Schools Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A Havencroft Elementary PTO vice president told the board that school fundraising disparities create unequal student and staff experiences and asked the district to create a central equity fund, pursue corporate sponsorships for Title I schools and expand field‑trip support and food‑security efforts.","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},6142461,"Board votes to repurpose Westview Elementary; district to set new boundaries and hold public meetings",985,6564000,7549000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391&start=6564&end=7549","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391/thumbnail_6564000.jpg","/articles/6142461/Kansas/Board-votes-to-repurpose-Westview-Elementary-district-to-set-new-boundaries-and-hold-public-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142461-73585ee4ab15bbeb75a6b87165c478e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770568753&Signature=kDmzH96FNqoNEcDToMXQteo1I-9l7IXKUnndNK~iKHiTPqO7~sPjcZpIkPgnwgqo94gGu46HEZWZh5RtVgCjm0IaIPrz96D-yjm-qnTHdaLsejrkzhGJMsx6SDBSgPHjaZw-MvrzSTOqAoE3XdJlJiW~~BylnsbJwl~biMf2p5jODV-PH~ObleebuCWGSAVsb03eqxb1qQtlNHkYnURHNRHousI6UCNp~AzMC7roxVjAthBsR44dV0o958omLiarQsGvtvxN7UJk5F9cxwMAVq~7izISVUxkUcjOmkao~74zcdGQYaZNm6nFPCq8jqllTGlvseao7L932uz7gzHaqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education voted 6‑0 to repurpose Westview Elementary School after district staff presented long‑term enrollment data and repurposing goals. Dr. McMullen told the board Westview’s enrollment has been essentially flat around 150 students and that about 30 of that total are students who attend on transfers rather than living inside the attendance area.
“We want to move as many Westview students together to their new school as possible,” Dr. McMullen said, adding the district’s boundary study group has monitored Westview for years and recommended repurposing as part of right‑sizing the district’s facility use. He said the Westview attendance area is bounded roughly by K‑7 Parker to the west, Santa Fe to the north and the railroad tracks that separate it from Central Elementary.
Dr. McMullen outlined next steps: communications to staff and families that night, boundary meetings in September for affected attendance areas, and opportunities for tours and introductions to receiving schools prior to moves. Jim (communications) said a message would go out to families promptly should the board approve the recommendation.
Board members spoke at length. Miss Steele described the decision as difficult and tied it to broader demographic trends, noting U.S. birth‑rate declines and the need to align buildings to changing enrollment. Miss Johan, Miss Reagan and others thanked staff for the process and emphasized support for impacted students and staff. Mr. Babbit noted a proposed plan to repurpose Westview for alternative‑education programming and said that option would meet district needs.
The board approved the motion to repurpose Westview (motion by Brad Boyd; second by Miss Reagan) with all six voting yes. District staff said they will present proposed boundary adjustments to the board after community meetings and will continue supporting affected staff and families through the transition.","After reviewing enrollment trends and options, the Olathe school board approved a 6‑0 motion to repurpose Westview Elementary School; the district said staff and families will receive communications and boundaries will be proposed at fall meetings.",{"_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},6142467,"Olathe officials propose FY26 budget notices; district forecasts enrollment decline and lower state aids",824,4635000,5459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391&start=4635&end=5459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391/thumbnail_4635000.jpg","/articles/6142467/Kansas/Olathe-officials-propose-FY26-budget-notices-district-forecasts-enrollment-decline-and-lower-state-aids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142467-296176d87c825e1fcc47500c1336fa02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770568753&Signature=P9m98wrpfmcrQMzG~0dRlnZtdENAZoSZlGbpWRl5wm24qYLHKUc~S3kJrk4Gl7nC~xpAyJqeo8ORHCjOgLxpx4gtR~tqT4NYYdtWGn3eY6Zv1J9qIqkboty93xVbn0ZnhUONzkXkSIAaoGEMbxJS94~D5EFb2uLsHYV4HekyeoUWvuRiWo4whO5FUuoRlzb99qHEH~gPz-PIaJhbFw8z9gN~np-LXNvAM1tFfeVgBDxmYNoWiIQuQSjLAmYWbHn6gfoP9nDiKIZbK1RXMX5b85RWJvJ~TIuK9B1VezHzH7mcvfn17lDtsr9l1nCvOVv8AsXrarXlc84tgWUu0iF1bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District finance staff presented key assumptions for the fiscal 2026 budget and asked the board to publish two required notices: one to consider exceeding the revenue‑neutral rate and one to publish the FY26 budget hearing. John Hutchison reviewed enrollment, revenue and levy assumptions and said the district is facing lower state aid in some areas and a modest net increase in base funding.
Hutchison told the board the district estimates a reduction of about 184 full‑time‑equivalent students and projected FTE funding of about 27,248. He said base state aid increased by $237, to $5,615 per pupil. By contrast, he said special‑education reimbursement is estimated to fall from about $30,815 to $29,600 next year.
Hutchison said the district lost state bond‑and‑interest aid (about $3 million) and capital‑outlay state aid (about $1.5 million) because local home values exceeded the state threshold. He also said BOTA (bond and other temporary authority) is in decline, reducing local authority by roughly $4 million; the district expects about $2 million in BOTA next year.
On levies, Hutchison said the general mill levy is statutorily fixed at 20 mills. He proposed keeping capital outlay at 8 mills and noted the board’s other levies are set at available authority; overall the proposed combined levy would decrease by about 1.288 mills and the proposed total rate would be about 61.91 mills compared with a revenue‑neutral rate of 59.602 and last year’s actual 63.198 mills.
Hutchison asked the board to approve publication of the hearing notices; the board approved the procedural motions to publish the notices for the August hearing. He acknowledged budget staff and said the board will consider final adoption of the FY26 budget at its September meeting after members have time to review the full packet.
Board members asked about the timing and statutory constraints on the budget process; Hutchison described the state’s schedule and the added 30‑day notice requirement tied to the revenue‑neutral calculation. The board did not adopt the budget tonight; it authorized publication of the required notices.","Finance staff told the board the district expects a decline of about 184 FTE students, a modest increase in base aid per pupil, and the loss of state bond and capital outlay aid. The administration asked to publish notices for the required hearings on exceeding the revenue‑neutral rate and on the FY26 budget.",{"_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},6142471,"Olathe hires TrustCentric and Guild Collective to lead an editable strategic‑plan process",1555,2463000,4018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391&start=2463&end=4018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391/thumbnail_2463000.jpg","/articles/6142471/Kansas/Olathe-hires-TrustCentric-and-Guild-Collective-to-lead-an-editable-strategicplan-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142471-df94ea9351891a778af806a131241205/orig.mp4?Expires=1770568753&Signature=J7RgJaMPFn3wVJ7cU1J3Bw2CzSvFBii0eUVOd8M7mFmuoC29PX7aAojl6SYZ~IHiOKsfcH6squluF80MhZ3-O2UC~D2jV6oHooNEUgGswCo96~9Ozp0A~7u3tsxE2oJXxthplE1WWOAbq0zqhuXHzHjaJZuJn5gMCmBmibrB8KVemPLpNMR3-qDPs2buIcjnSz9HBQYJRRxIfnE3WgBaN5FTvgBjyCtgH5i4IfP25m~cVPiOTr8TtBaX7SMt~9vW4ptfxHaR8XLMOP6O3T2MYQ~7YPZ7ruS5txI1F7QIzQJMkc-EGOgxfX1-yaFTasMCe3eWZbIBZofNu-j535nvBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants from TrustCentric and Guild Collective presented a proposed process to update Olathe Public Schools’ strategic plan and to pair that planning with clearer messaging. Corey Shearer of TrustCentric and Justin Rickliff of Guild Collective told the board they will run a discovery and stakeholder engagement process, produce vision priorities and create actionable strategic objectives with monitoring checkpoints.
Shearer described a four‑phase plan: initiation and alignment, stakeholder listening sessions, strategy development and activation with monitoring. “We want this to be a living document,” he said, emphasizing editability and periodic audits six and 12 months after launch. The team proposed about 15 in‑person focus groups (three per vision priority) and a timeline that places discovery through April 2026, with development and goal setting over the late spring and summer.
Rickliff explained Guild Collective’s role to translate the strategy into concise messaging aimed at distinct audiences—parents, staff, prospective employees and the broader community—so the plan can be communicated clearly without overwhelming stakeholders. He and Shearer said the plan will connect previous work, including the district’s portrait of a graduate and the existing four pillars, and then transform pillar language into prioritized vision statements with five to seven measurable objectives each.
Board members asked about measurables and edits. Miss Steele said she appreciated the consultative approach and simple, measurable outcomes. Dr. Yeager (district leadership) said he favored a flexible plan that can absorb state mandates or emerging needs, and he suggested the district might eventually rebrand the plan to emphasize growth rather than the static‑sounding term “strategic plan.”
Consultants said they will provide an overview video and tools to help the district gather input and that they will help with activation recommendations and a monitoring process to keep the plan responsive to evolving needs. The board did not adopt a plan tonight; the consultants’ presentation outlined a process the district will start implementing this school year.","The board heard a plan for a participatory, brand‑aware strategic planning process led by TrustCentric and Guild Collective; the consultants outlined phases, engagement sessions and a timeline through spring 2026.",{"_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},6142477,"Olathe district details safety upgrades, shifts from ALICE to Standard Response protocol",1322,1116000,2438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391&start=1116&end=2438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5557236-8b98f983b9df8a946982320ea9b05391/thumbnail_1116000.jpg","/articles/6142477/Kansas/Olathe-district-details-safety-upgrades-shifts-from-ALICE-to-Standard-Response-protocol","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142477-457c26170a63398c4de2e88e4c8b0c9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770568753&Signature=DETjXIWE0gC3uHkAyXjjrcKq09HSUx0NaGJpJqtAasmmzeHTaV2IUFwb02xYsJ3k9n2VvEFW-5T4C6yn7-9-yYDModpW28EN8ETvXkLThVFC4ljc7~n6t9ith3uv73-Z07OvLajf82knjEmyDsZznWyqTL-PZvaFNlllxswnuRJTL9-thAFb3ye-JNUyjCgkeCxZyXqWy-V5B1gIGgBSHlOmv56LhqpWN2vIWvT7acv56KMawUXwT0vnYseBgGnp5fhP9sC2vjWmfEb5Z50ql6-TjTjsB3pnEzcN3TpDgW4q~j0OHmOJUWBQYAiIG2QiD51XsklSWoykyvMkTlQpQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Olathe Public Schools officials briefed the Board of Education on a series of security upgrades and a change in emergency procedure at the district's regular meeting. Brent Kiger said the district has expanded classroom beacons and strobes, installed nightlock barricade devices and ballistic window film, and upgraded visitor and student‑screening software to better detect threats.
The changes, Kiger said, are part of a multilayered safety strategy that combines technology, staff, and training. “Bridal Alert, by Syntegix, gives staff a way to press a badge and immediately notify the safety team,” Kiger said. He reported about 3,800 badge presses districtwide this past school year, down from about 4,300 the year before, and said the decline reflects staff learning appropriate uses rather than a drop in concerning behavior.
Dr. McMullen highlighted staffing changes and programming that accompany the technology. He said the district ended a third‑party security contract and now employs retired Olathe police officers as school safety specialists. He also described the school resource officer (SRO) partnership with the city as “one of the best partnerships I think we have in our school district.”
Liz Hawkins, the district’s co‑responder and a trained social worker, described mental‑health contacts last year: she reported more than 300 contacts and about 20 Johnson County Mental Health intakes facilitated through the role. “She is such a liaison,” Dr. McMullen said, noting Hawkins helps expedite intake and connect families to outside agencies.
On technology, Josh Humphrey’s technology team rolled out Lightspeed monitoring and new IT ticketing/asset management tools. Kiger said Lightspeed flags concerning student screen activity for human review so staff can intervene when students show signs of self‑harm or threat. The district also widened its use of Raptor visitor management and said it scanned more than 47,000 visitors across buildings last year.
The district is replacing the ALICE active‑shooter protocol with the Standard Response Protocol, Kiger said, to reduce the decision burden on teachers in crisis and to provide consistent, age‑appropriate language for multiple hazards. Under the new system, schools will use five standard actions—Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter—each tied to coordinated alerts (Kiger said strobes and badges will flash predetermined colors, with purple indicating “Hold”).
Board members asked about details and communications. Miss Reagan said she supported the shift because it reduces the pressure on classroom teachers to make split‑second tactical choices. Miss Steele thanked district staff and said the changes made staff feel safer. Dr. McMullen said training modules and a district video will be provided to staff and that parent communications will follow.
The board did not take formal action on the safety presentation during the meeting; presenters said the changes are being rolled out districtwide with mandatory staff training to be completed before students arrive.","District staff told the school board the Olathe Public Schools upgraded hardware and software, expanded mental‑health co‑response and SRO coverage, and is moving from ALICE to the Standard Response Protocol to emphasize lockdowns and an all‑hazards approach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parent urges district to address funding inequities between high‑income and Title I schools

Board votes to repurpose Westview Elementary; district to set new boundaries and hold public meetings

Olathe officials propose FY26 budget notices; district forecasts enrollment decline and lower state aids

Olathe hires TrustCentric and Guild Collective to lead an editable strategic‑plan process

Olathe district details safety upgrades, shifts from ALICE to Standard Response protocol