Board approves 0.2 FTE speech-language increase, 2025–28 technology plan and staff-development waiver; first reading held on HSA health-plan policy

The WESTONKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT board voted to increase a speech-language position at Grandview Middle School by 0.2 full-time equivalent and approved several districtwide policy and planning items at its May 14 meeting.

Chair moved approval of the 0.2 FTE increase for the Grandview speech-language position; a second was given and the motion carried with the board voting in favor. Superintendent Kevin said the staffing adjustment was “based on need and also filling that position.”

The board next approved the Westonka District 2025–2028 Technology Plan. Kevin described the plan as covering five areas: infrastructure, technology, security, hardware, user experience and innovative technologies. The plan was presented to the board following joint work by Mark and Corey with the parent advisory and the teaching-and-learning committee.

Board members also approved the staff-development revenue waiver, a recurring agreement with the teacher union that gives the district flexibility to allocate staff-development funds based on need rather than a fixed 2%-of-expenditures formula. Kevin said the waiver allows the district to “set staff development on the needs that we can best allocate funds to apply” rather than tying it to a fixed percentage.

Finally, the board held a first reading of revisions to policy 4235, “High-deductible health plan, with funded HRA.” The chair called for the reading, a second was offered and the motion carried to continue the policy process.

All motions were moved by the chair with seconds offered from the board; votes on each item were recorded as unanimous voice votes with the board answering “Aye,” and the chair announcing the motion carried.