Shawnee Mission School District
Key Communicators Network
April 3, 2013 No. 8
Thank you for signing up to be a participant in the Shawnee Mission Key Communicators Network. You will receive information from me on a regular basis. You are welcome to forward the information on to others; in fact, you are encouraged to do so. I will communicate information that may be of interest to a large number of patrons. If you have questions about the information, please contact me at genejohnson@smsd.org.
Dr. Gene Johnson
Superintendent
When is the last day of school for students and staff?
The last day of school for Shawnee Mission students and staff is below. These are the same dates that are specified on the official Shawnee Mission School calendar.
· Wednesday, May 22 Last day for kindergarten students
· Thursday, May 23 Last day for students in grades 1 through 11
(The last day for seniors is Friday, May 10)
· Friday, May 24 Last day for teachers
Due to summer construction, the last day for the students in all the middle schools plus Rising Star Elementary School is as follows:
· Monday, May 20 Last day for kindergarten students
· Tuesday, May 21 Last day for students in grades 1 through 8
What’s the latest information from Topeka?
Below is the latest information that we have on action in the Kansas legislature related to schools. There will continue to be action the next two days. Copies of all bills and the bill history can be found at the Kansas Legislature website: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/bills/.
· Innovative Districts. HB 2319 creates innovative districts, up to 10, that would allow districts to operate outside some laws and regulations provided student achievement increases.
§ SB 176 creates innovative districts, up to 28, that would allow districts to operate outside some laws and regulations provided student achievement increases. This bill passed the Senate. The Shawnee Mission School District is neutral HB 2319 at the current time. The district did not provide testimony as proponents or opponents of the bills. On March 20, through our lobbyist, Stuart Little, the district did support moving forward with 2319 which was on General Orders at the time. Our rationale statement read, “We believe this legislation may provide an opportunity for our district to increase student achievement and provide greater flexibility at the local level.”
APRIL 3 UPDATE: The Education Conference Committee agreed to the Senate version of HB 2319, which allows up to 10 percent of districts in the state to become “innovative school districts” exempted from most state laws in exchange for higher outcomes standards. The conference committee added language specifying districts remain subject to the state open meetings and open records requirements. The conference committee agreements must now be approved by a vote of both the House and Senate.
· Audits. HB 2349. This bill requires Legislative Post Audits of three school districts per year. The Shawnee Mission District does not oppose this bill.
APRIL 3 UPDATE: The House agreed to Senate amendments to HB 2349, which directs Legislative Post Audit to conduct three efficiency audits per year. The Senate had added a sunset provision and exempted school districts from having required audits if they have had a similar audit in the past five years.
· Career and Tech Ed. SB 128: Career and Technical Education. This bill is a technical clean-up to the career and technical education incentive program. The Shawnee Mission District does not oppose this bill.
APRIL 3 UPDATE: The Senate has already concurred on House amendments to SB 128, which expands time students have to complete certification in career technical education programs that result in school district incentive payments. As amended by the House, it also extends the expiration date of the Kansas postsecondary technical education authority from 2014 to 2017. The action sends the bill to the Governor.
· Ancillary Weighting. HB 2391. This bill passed the House, in Education Conference committee. The bill extends ancillary weighting from three to nine years and adjusts the rate. The Shawnee Mission District does not oppose this bill.
APRIL 3 UPDATE: HB 2391 will be discussed in committee this afternoon. No determinations were made at the time this update was sent.
· Contingency Reserve Funds. HB 2261: The bill passed the Senate and is in the Education Conference Committee. The bill removes the cap on cash reserves and makes permanent ability to transfer specific fund balances. The Shawnee Mission District does not oppose this bill.
APRIL 3 UPDATE: The conference committee agreed to the Senate version of HB 2261, which provides permanent authority for districts to transfer certain unexpended restricted fund balances for general education purposes and removes the 10 percent limit on the contingency fund.
· Senate Sub for HB 2052. Concealed carry – guns in schools
o The bill does not exclude school districts and unless adequate security measures were present (security personnel and metal detectors), concealed carry permit holders would be permitted to bring their weapons to any school facilities.
o The bill, as amended by committee, includes provisions of HB 2055 that allow local districts the local option to determine if employees and staff could carry their concealed weapons into the school buildings.
o The bill contains one exemption for a school board to exempt buildings provided a study of the building is made and a report is filed on the building. This exemption will last for four years only.
o The Shawnee Mission District opposes concealed carry in schools and on school grounds. Conference committee members have been contacted regarding the district stance on concealed carry.
APRIL 3 UPDATE: The Federal and State Affairs Conference Committee on S Sub HB 2052 reached a tentative agreement on language exempting school districts from new requirements for public building security. The tentative agreement includes provisions passed by both the House and Senate allowing school boards to permit employees licensed for concealed carry of handguns to bring such weapons into schools, even if the building is posted to prohibit concealed carry by the general public. The Kansas Association of School Boards believes school boards already have similar authority.
· Bullying: House Bill 2222. The bill required districts to have a bullying policy, adding teachers to the current statute. Passed the House and is in the Senate Education Committee. The Shawnee Mission School District opposed this bill.
APRIL 3 UPDATE: This bill was previously considered dead. Provisions of HB 2222 were added to HB 2261. This includes staff and parents to the current statute.
· Curriculum: House Bill 2280. Celebrate Freedom Week. The bill required the teaching of a historical curriculum for one week in September. The bill passed the House and is in the Senate Education Committee. The Shawnee Mission School District opposed this bill.
APRIL 3 UPDATE: This bill was previously considered dead. Provisions of HB 2280 were added to HB 2261. This establishes Celebrate Freedom Week in Kansas schools in September and directs the Kansas State Board of Education to provide for teaching certain topics of American history and government through academic standards during that week. The committee agreed to limit the requirements of the bill to grades K-8, so it does not interfere with the regular schedule of teaching history and government in high school.
