The following is a summary of the September 12 SMSD Board of Education meeting. Board President Brad Stratton was absent, as well as Assistant Superintendent Kenny Southwick.

• Adoption of agenda; approval of minutes from August 13 meeting

• Report by Superintendent Michael Fulton
  • 13 SMSD students were named National Merit Semifinalists
  • Merriam Park Elementary earned the ‘school of promise’ recognition
  • SM East celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Lancer Parade

• Reports from Board Members
  • Shawnee Mission Education Foundation is holding its 26th annual fall breakfast
  • Sara Goodburn and the KASB nominating committee unanimously endorsed Lloyd Blake as president for next year

• Public Comment Section
  • No comments

• Approval of Routine Business by Consent passed 6-0

• Proclamation of September as National Suicide Prevention Month passed 6-0
  • Superintendent Fulton discussed suicide and mental health as issues that often go silent, and said schools are having a dialogue about meeting the needs of students

• Comments from Board
  • Mary Sinclair talked about SM East’s fundraiser for their volunteer program, SHARE
  • Laura Guy attended a meet-and-greet at SM West which gave the public a chance to meet Superintendent Fulton. The event was sparsely attended, and she encourages everyone to attend future events
  • Deb Zila discussed the orchestra exchange students the city of Overland Park has from its sister city in Germany
  • Heather Ousley commented on the board meeting being moved from Monday to Wednesday this week because of Rosh Hashanah
  • Superintendent Michael Fulton mentioned two SMSD teachers named ‘Teachers of the Year’
  • Sara Goodburn and Deb Zila toured Lenexa Hills Elementary and the new aquatic center

• The board dismissed to executive session to discuss personnel matters and litigation