Board Members : Kinnie Ledford, president; Jalaine Richardson, vice-president; Andrea Ball; Roy Andreas; Gregg Follmer; Ed Trimmer; Sarah Morton
USD 465 Mission Statement
Board of Education members read the USD 465 mission statement: "Developing Responsible Citizens for the Future"
Adoption of Agenda
Sarah Morton moved to approve the agenda, Andrea Ball seconded. Passed 7-0.
Recognition of Visitors
Visitors introduced themselves.
Citizen’s Open Forum
Three community members addressed the Board regarding the proposed Country View Elementary grade configuration recommendation. Speakers expressed concerns about reducing Country View to a K-4 attendance center, emphasizing the value of the rural school, its impact on students and families, and encouraging the Board to explore alternatives before making a final decision. Board President Kinnie Ledford thanked the speakers for their comments and reminded those in attendance that the Board would discuss the Country View recommendation later in the meeting.
Election Of Officers
Sarah Morton moved to elect Kinnie Ledford for President of the School Board, Jalaine Richardson seconded. Ed Trimmer moved for nominations to cease. Motion carried 6-0. Ledford abstained.
Kinnie Ledford moved to elect Jalaine Richardson for Vice-President of the School Board. Ed Trimmer seconded. Sarah Morton moved for nominations to cease. Motion carried 7-0.
Presentations
A Winfield High School student seeking early graduation presented their requests to the Board of Education for consideration and approval in accordance with Board policy. The student requested early graduation at the conclusion of the first semester of the 2026–27 school year and shared their academic plans, career goals, and reasons for pursuing early graduation.
ORGANIZATION OF THE 2026-27 BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Board approved the following organizational appointments for the 2026-27 school year:
Board Clerk: Phil Bressler
Deputy Clerk: Stacy Foster
KPERS Representative: Ramona Rowley
Board Treasurer: Elizabeth Smith
Board Attorney: KASB Legal Services
Official Depository of District Funds: RCB Bank
Authorized Representative to Participate in Federal Projects: Tricia Reiser
Authorized Representative to Participate in School Lunch Program: Phil Bressler, Shawna Johnson
Hearing Officer for Free/Reduced Lunch Application: Tricia Reiser
Official Newspaper: Courier Traveler
Truancy Officers: Building Principals
Freedom of Information Officer: Katie Mays
Title VI, VII, Title IX Coordinator: Phil Bressler
Section 504 Coordinator: Tricia Reiser
Homeless Liaison: Tricia Reiser
Hearing Officer: Phil Bressler
Federal Anti-Discrimination Law Compliance Officer: Tricia Reiser
Ed Trimmer moved to accept the appointments and designations as presented. Andrea Ball seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
ORGANIZATIONAL PROCEDURES
Ed Trimmer moved to accept the organizational procedures. Sarah Morton seconded. Motion carried 7-0
Approval of Resolution to Maintain Activity Funds
It is a recommended practice to have a Board of Education resolution on file to authorize maintaining and operating the district’s activity funds for financial purposes. The administration recommends approval of the resolution.
Establish Mileage Reimbursement Rate
Recommendation: That the reimbursement for approved travel on District business in vehicles not owned by USD 465 be at the rate of $0.70 per mile.
Establish Fees for Copies of Public Records
Recommendation: That the fees for copies of records as allowed through the Kansas Open Records Act be: $0.25 cents per copy. Hourly rate of employee generating requested records or data at actual cost of payroll
Approve Organizational Chart
Recommendation: That the 2026-27 USD 465 Organizational Chart be approved.
Authorization to Pay Necessary Bills
Recommendation: That the Board of Education authorize the Superintendent and/or Assistant Superintendent to cause payment of any necessary operational bills incurred by USD 465 during the period between July 1, 2026 and the adoption of the 2026-27 budget.
K.S.A. 12-105 (B) authorizes the designation of an employee or officer of the Board to make payments of certain claims before actual approval.
Recommendation: The Business Manager is authorized to pay in advance claims which provide for a discount for early payment or for the assessment of a penalty for late payment if payment of the amount of such claim is required before the next scheduled regular meeting of the Board.
Adoption of 1,116-Hour Calendar for 2026-27
Recommendation: That the 2026-27 school year be a minimum of 1,116 hours of instruction and approved activities.
Approval of 2026-27 Petty Cash Resolution
The Board of Education must establish separate petty cash funds and authorize employees to administer petty cash funds. The administration recommends approval.
Approval of Resolution to Waive Annual Requirements of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Fixed Assets Accounting for 2026-27
This is a standard annual procedure to avoid a complex depreciation accounting system which has no value for a school district. The administration recommends approval.
Resolution to Establish Home Rule by Board of Education
To be in compliance with BOE Policy A, the administration recommends adoption of the resolution: Resolution to Establish Home Rule by Board of Education.
The Board shall have authority to conduct district business without specific statutory delegation. The Board may transact all school district business and adopt policies the Board deems appropriate to perform its constitutional duty to maintain, develop, and operate local public schools.
Approve Resolution to Destroy Records
K.S.A. 72-5369 requires that the Board of Education must, by resolution, provide for and authorize destruction of certain records of the school district. Recommendation: That the following resolution be approved: Bookkeeping and accounting records which are original books of entry, claims, vouchers and purchase orders, five years old. Financial papers of any type relating to programs supported by federal funds, three years old. Insurance policies, expired five years.
Approve Resolution to Participate in Federal Projects
As a requirement for all Federal Projects Applications, it is stated that the Board of Education will not discriminate in any manner in the operation of a school district, with regard to minorities, lower income, etc., therefore, it is necessary to adopt the following resolution in its entirety.
2026-27 Transportation Handbook
Assistant Superintendent Phil Bressler presented the proposed 2026-27 Transportation Handbook on behalf of Director of Transportation Cameron Groom. Board members discussed the need for additional clarification regarding DOT and federal transportation requirements, employee responsibilities, and transportation procedures before final approval. Following discussion, the Board tabled approval of the handbook until the July 27 meeting to allow administration time to incorporate the requested revisions.
Action: Sarah Morton moved to table approval of the 2026-27 Transportation Handbook pending additional information regarding DOT and federal guidelines. Andrea Ball seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
Approval of 2026-27 Negotiated Agreement
Board President Kinnie Ledford and Vice President Jalaine Richardson provided an overview of the 2026-27 negotiations process and the tentative agreement reached between USD 465 and the Winfield Education Association. The agreement was ratified by the Winfield Education Association and recommended for Board approval by district administration. Highlights of the agreement include a 3% salary increase, no increase in employee health insurance premiums for the seventh consecutive year, an increase in the employee wellness incentive, adjustments to selected extra-duty and substitute compensation, and clarified language regarding the Sick Leave and Bereavement Banks.
Action: Ed Trimmer moved to approve the 2026-27 Negotiated Agreement. Roy Andreas seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
Needs Assessment
Superintendent Reiser presented the 2025-26 Building Needs Assessments completed by each school for consideration during development of the 2026-27 budget. The Board reviewed district progress in attendance, chronic absenteeism, state assessment performance, and graduation rates. Members discussed continuing to prioritize teacher recruitment, parent engagement, student supports, and staff training as part of the district's ongoing continuous improvement efforts.
Country View Grade Configuration Recommendation
Superintendent Reiser presented information regarding district enrollment projections, staffing needs, and the cost per student at Country View Elementary. The recommendation to transition Country View Elementary to a K-4 attendance center beginning with the 2026-27 school year was based on projected enrollment of nine fifth-grade students, the district's ongoing elementary teacher shortage, higher per-student costs at Country View, and the need to be responsible stewards of district resources. Board discussion included enrollment projections, staffing challenges, class size considerations, transportation and sibling placement options, and the district's commitment to maintaining Country View as a K-4 attendance center while continuing to evaluate enrollment trends and district staffing needs.
Action: Ed Trimmer moved to approve the recommendation to transition Country View Elementary to a K-4 attendance center beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Kinnie Ledford seconded. Motion carried 6-1.
Notice of Revenue Neutral Rate Intent
Assistant Superintendent Phil Bressler reviewed the Resolution to Exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate and explained the annual revenue neutral process. Board members discussed maintaining the district's historically stable mill levy while preserving the financial flexibility necessary to support district operations in future years. No action was required.
2027 Program Agreement – USD 465 and Taher
This KSDE Program Agreement is a formal notice that the district will participate in the Child Nutrition and Wellness program in 2026-27 following rules and regulations.
Jalaine Richardson moved to accept the agreement with Taher. Roy Andreas seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
Assistant Superintendent Report
Assistant Superintendent Phil Bressler provided updates on district personnel, finances, summer facility and technology projects, transportation, and preparations for the opening of the 2026-27 school year.
Consent Agenda
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes (June 8, 2026, June 22, 2026)
B. Personnel
C. Acceptance of Anne Schwantes paintings
D. Third Party Food Service Agreements
E. Approval of WHS Early Graduation Request
F. Acceptance of Bills and Financial Report
Ed Trimmer moved to approve the consent agenda. Andrea Ball seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
Upcoming Events
BOE Regular Meeting: The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 27, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the District Office
Back-to-School Convocation: Wednesday, August 5, 8:00-10:00 a.m. (Staff Breakfast 7:00-8:00 a.m.) at Winfield High School. This year's convocation will include a new Business Showcase featuring local businesses welcoming district staff.