Board Members: Kinnie Ledford, president; Jalaine Richardson, vice-president; Sarah Morton; Andrea Ball; Ed Trimmer; Roy Andreas, Gregg Follmer
Communications
USD 465 Mission Statement
Board members read the USD 465 mission statement: 'Developing Responsible Citizens for the Future’.
Recognition of Visitors
Visitors introduced themselves.
Board Member Comments
During the Board of Education meeting, board members recognized the recent accomplishments of several student groups and activities. Positive feedback was shared regarding the recent school play, with board members noting that the performance was excellent and that students did a wonderful job.
The Board also acknowledged the success of students participating in state wrestling and state swimming, congratulating them on their achievements and representing Winfield well at the state level. These students will be formally recognized at a future Board of Education meeting.
Recognitions
The Board recognized John Kaufman, Athletic Director at Winfield High School, for being named the Class 4A Athletic Director of the Year by the Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (KIAAA). The KIAAA recognizes athletic administrators across Kansas who demonstrate outstanding leadership, commitment to student-athletes, and service to their school communities.
Mr. Kaufman’s leadership focuses on strong communication, organization, and creating a supportive environment for student-athletes and coaches. His dedication to education-based athletics and commitment to the Winfield community make this recognition a proud moment for USD 465.
Presentation – Winfield JAG-K Program
Students and instructors from the Winfield High School and Winfield Middle School JAG-K (Jobs for America’s Graduates–Kansas) programs presented to the Board of Education and shared how the program supports students in developing leadership skills, career readiness, and confidence.
Students highlighted opportunities such as leadership conferences, career exploration projects, and community-based initiatives. One student shared her experience serving as a regional and state JAG-K officer and recently placing first at the regional Career Development Conference in prepared speaking. The presentation also highlighted service projects, including the “Set for Success” laundry and hygiene initiative, as well as new opportunities for students to earn micro-credentials such as financial literacy certifications.
The Board thanked the students and instructors for sharing their experiences and recognized the positive impact the JAG-K program has on Winfield students.
Kansas State Assessment Incentive Plan
Winfield Middle School Principal Craig Thompson and Winfield High School Principal Rhonda Hockenbury presented a proposed Kansas State Assessment (KSA) incentive plan designed to encourage student participation and effort during the annual state testing window. This incentive plan applies only to current middle school and high school students.
Administrators shared that the incentive structure recognizes grade-level performance on the Kansas State Assessments when students meet building goals for the percentage of students scoring in Levels 2, 3, and 4. For the 2025-26 school year, the goals will increase 5% from the 2024-25 performance scores.
Middle School 2025-26 KSA Goals
6th Grade: Math Goal: 68% | ELA Goal: 75%
7th Grade: Math Goal: 75% | ELA Goal: 68%
8th Grade: Math Goal: 50% | ELA Goal: 58%
High School 2025-26 KSA Goals
10th Grade ELA Goal: 75%
10th Grade Math Goal: 62%
11th Grade Science Goal: 60%
Under the proposed incentive plan, if a grade level meets one of the established goals, students would earn a ½-day release. If a grade level meets both goals, students would earn a full-day release.
Administrators noted that visible incentives help motivate students and reinforce the importance of giving their best effort during state assessments. The Board of Education reviewed the proposal and approved the Kansas State Assessment incentive plan as presented.
Winfield High School Curriculum Course Edits
Winfield High School Principal Rhonda Hockenbury presented proposed updates to the high school curriculum guide related to new state graduation requirements and expanded course opportunities for students.
Beginning with the Class of 2028, the State of Kansas now requires students to earn ½ credit in speech as part of their ELA graduation requirements. To support this change and provide additional options for students, the administration requested approval for Interpersonal Communication and Speech courses offered through Cowley College to count toward the Winfield High School speech requirement as dual enrollment coursework.
In addition, the administration proposed allowing gifted students with an IEP (SAGE program) to take American Sign Language or other foreign languages through an accredited outside provider when those courses are not offered by the district. These courses would be taken at the expense of the student and family, with proper documentation from an accredited institution.
The Board of Education approved the curriculum updates as presented.
K–8 Math Curriculum Adoption Presentation
The K–8 Math Adoption Committee presented the first reading of a proposed seven-year adoption of the i-Ready Math curriculum for kindergarten through eighth grade. The committee shared that the review and selection process spanned two years and included extensive research, curriculum comparisons, teacher input, pilot classrooms across multiple grade levels, and evaluation of alignment with Kansas math standards.
Committee members explained that the current programs have presented challenges, including gaps in standards alignment, significant teacher preparation demands, and limited built-in instructional supports. Through the pilot process, i-Ready emerged as the preferred option due to its strong alignment to Kansas standards, consistent lesson structure across grade levels, built-in assessments, individualized online learning supports, and improved usability for both teachers and students.
The committee also noted that i-Ready is currently used in multiple Kansas districts and includes professional development and implementation support for teachers. The proposed adoption is a seven-year commitment with a total cost of $400,933.86, not including shipping. This includes student books and MyPath access for 1,242 students ($359,347.86), K-1 supplemental materials ($5,586.00), and 15 days of professional development ($36,000). Teacher manuals and digital resources are provided at no additional cost. The total cost averages approximately $47.91 per student per year once shipping is included.
The Board received the information as a first reading and expressed appreciation to the committee for their thorough review and presentation.
K–8 Math Adoption Committee Members
Elementary
Ashley Flaton, Kacie Lockyear, Paije Crossman, Ayden Myers, Elizabeth Wall, Sarah Stone, Hillary Farmer, Kerrie Bryant, Jaci Littrell, Megan Smith, Roletha Barg, Kathy Bodkins, Cassie Turner, Stephanie Hammer, Janci Ramirez
Middle School
Sarah Herring, Paul Hartley, Shelley Dixon, Jennifer Everett, Sophia Wicker, Maronda Blankenship, Allison Homan
USD 465 Elementary Student and Staff Handbooks
Whittier Elementary Principal Joe Krumpak presented the proposed 2026–27 Elementary Student and Staff Handbooks for Board review and approval. Mr. Krumpak shared that no major changes were recommended this year, as the handbooks underwent a significant review and revision process the previous year.
The updates included a few minor adjustments. In the student handbook, language was added referencing Board Policy EE regarding student meal account balances. In the staff handbook, references were added directing staff to Board policies related to fundraising (Policy DFH) and professional development (Policy GBRC). These updates were intended to align handbook information with existing Board policies without repeating the full policy language.
E-Rate Bid Approval
Assistant Superintendent Phil Bressler presented the district’s E-Rate proposals for internet services and infrastructure upgrades. E-Rate is a federal program that provides funding to support school technology and connectivity, and the district completed a competitive bidding process for the services.
For internet services, four bids were received from Nextlink, IdeaTek, AT&T, and Cox, the district’s current provider. After evaluating each proposal based on cost, reliability, compatibility, vendor experience, and understanding of district needs, the recommendation was to select IdeaTek. The proposed contract is for three years with a one-year renewal option and is expected to save the district approximately $75,000 over the three-year period compared to the current provider.
Additional E-Rate bids included uninterrupted power supply (UPS) equipment to support servers and prevent downtime during power outages, as well as internal fiber upgrades across district buildings to improve reliability and network performance. The recommended vendor for both the UPS equipment and fiber upgrades is TwoTrees.
District staff noted that the E-Rate application and bidding process were completed internally this year, with significant work led by the district’s technology staff. The Board of Education approved the E-Rate bids as presented.
High School Intercom System Bid Request
The administration requested Board approval to move forward with bidding for the replacement of the Winfield High School intercom system as part of the district’s deferred maintenance and capital improvement plans. District leaders noted that the current intercom system dates back to when the high school was built in 1974 and is in need of replacement due to age and reliability concerns.
The project would involve upgrading and replacing necessary components of the system to improve communication and safety within the building. If approved, the work would be completed during the summer months with the goal of having the new system installed and operational before the start of the next school year.
The Board approved the request to proceed with the intercom system bid process.
Human Resources and Reporting Update
The district provided an update on the new applicant tracking system, noting that the online application process is working as intended with applicants successfully applying through the system. The next phase will focus on implementing process management and online onboarding forms so that once a candidate is hired, information entered during the application process will automatically transfer into Skyward. This will reduce manual data entry, improve accuracy, and streamline the onboarding process. Staff are currently participating in training and anticipate the system being fully operational later this semester.
The personnel report also highlighted recent recruitment efforts. District representatives attended five job fairs over the past month at Friends University, Fort Hays State, Pittsburg State, Washburn University, and Emporia State. The district has already secured one candidate from Pittsburg State who has signed a letter of intent for next year while completing student teaching, and additional candidates are currently being interviewed.
At this time, the district has 14 certified vacancies posted. Some of these positions are required to remain posted while current employees complete licensure requirements through emergency or transition licenses. Classified openings currently total more than 15 positions, including several paraprofessional positions through the cooperative. Staff noted appreciation for the work being done to manage postings and transition all job postings into the new Skyward applicant tracking system.
The district also completed the required vacancy reporting and the annual licensed personnel report submitted to the state, which includes detailed information on all certified employees. Staff noted the significant effort required to complete the report and shared appreciation for the teamwork involved in finishing the report before the deadline.
Grants and Donations
The Board of Education approved several grants and donations to support students and programs across the district. The Legacy Foundation provided a $1,200 grant for USD 465 elementary schools and the Winfield Early Learning Center to support student needs. The Winfield Thrift Store donated $5,000 in unrestricted funds for elementary schools and WELC, and First United Methodist Church contributed approximately $3,300 to assist with student lunch balances.
Teacher grants were also awarded to support classroom initiatives, including $495 for a Winfield High School history exhibit celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, $1,000 for Playaway audio books at Winfield Middle School, $1,100 for Irving Elementary’s “We’ve Got This in the Bag” math materials for families, and two grants for WELC totaling $1,650 to support the Early Explorers STEM program and motor development activities.
Consent Agenda
Board members approved the following items.
A. Personnel
B. Approval of February, 2026 BOE Minutes
C. Approval of Grants / Donations
D. Acceptance of Bills and Financial Report
Upcoming Events
• No School – Report/Record Day- March 13, 2026
• No School – Spring Break – March 16-20, 2026
• BOE Meeting: The next BOE meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,
March 25th, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Whittier Elementary.
• May 7th – Retirement Reception, 6:30p.m. – Winfield High School
• May 17th – WHS Graduation