The following is a summary of the Nov. 12 SMSD Board of Education meeting.

• Adoption of agenda; approval of minutes from Oct. 22 special meeting and Oct. 22 regular meeting

• Report by Superintendent Michael Fulton
  • Students at Rosehill Elementary made boats as part of an engineering project
  • A student from SM West won the ‘Put the Brakes on Fatalities’ video production contest
  • Bluejacket-Flint Elementary teacher Linda James was named teacher of the month by the radio station 106.5
  • Mill Creek Elementary held its 40th anniversary celebration
  • 13 SMSD students were named National Merit Semifinalists
  • Schools across the district participated in the annual ‘We care, I can’ food drive, which benefits the Johnson County Christmas Bureau
  • SMSD officials have been talking with faith leaders from the community
  • The city of Lenexa donated a firetruck to the SMSD Blue Eagle Project
  • There is an upcoming superintendent retreat

• Reports from Board Members
  • Laura Guy will attend the SMAC PTA meeting Nov. 13
  • Deb Zila and Mary Sinclair attended the legislative meeting on Nov. 3, in which they discussed the district’s legislative platform and policy priorities
  • Sara Goodburn will attend a constituent services meeting soon
  • Deb Zila said the search for professional services has been narrowed down to seven potential law firms

• Public Comment Section
  • Rudy Padilla spoke about the lack of young Hispanic leaders in the Kansas City area and the importance of recognizing Hispanic heritage and history in schools
  • NEA President Linda Sieck spoke about the importance of education and SMSD Communications Director David Smith read a proclamation declaring Nov. 12-16 to be the 97th annual American education week

• SMSD lobbyist Stuart Little gave a legislative update, briefly discussing the results of the midterm elections and their potential impact on education funding and legislation in Kansas

• SMSD Executive Director of Facilities Bob Robinson gave an update on current construction projects, including the soccer complex, aquatic center and Brookwood Elementary

• The board looked at statistics about the district’s advanced placement courses, including the number of students enrolled in AP classes, the number of students taking the AP exam, the most commonly taken exams and the availability of information about AP to students and parents

• Approval of Consent Agenda Items

• The board nominated Deb Zila as their delegate to the KASB Convention

• Approval of playground renovation at East Antioch to make the playground handicap accessible

• Comments from Board
  • Patty Mach thanked the Variety Children’s Charity for help with accessible playgrounds and providing items such as wheelchairs to students. She also mentioned the Broadmoor Bistro’s Thanksgiving fundraiser
  • Mary Sinclair thanked Stuart Little for his legislative presentation
  • Deb Zila honored Veteran’s Day and thanked those who served in the armed forces
  • Heather Ousley recognized the high turnout of young voters in the midterm elections and thanked everyone who voted