Summary
The Spring Hill USD 230 Board of Education met July 14, 2025, to elect board leadership, approve personnel and curriculum items, and hear presentations on student recognition, athletic broadcasting, and new instructional resources. Nicole Melius and Doug Hull were re-elected as board president and vice president, respectively. The board approved updates to organizational policies, including appointing a new Title IX coordinator, and praised staff and students for achievements at national events. Presentations included a proposal to sanction Unified Bowling through KSHSAA, an overview of new AP and dual credit course materials, and a comprehensive update on the district’s redesigned website and communication tools.
Board Elects New Leadership and Discusses Organization Items
The Board of Education unanimously re-elected Nicole Melius as board president and Doug Hull as vice president during its annual organizational meeting. Members also approved updates to several board resolutions, including eliminating petty cash accounts and appointing Dr. Erin Smith as the district’s new Title IX coordinator.
Consent Agenda Approved
The board approved the consent agenda, which included instructional renewals, software licensing agreements, supplemental curriculum purchases, and a contract for a speech-language pathologist. The agenda also included annual program renewals such as Leader in Me, Positive Physics, and Project Lead the Way.
Personnel Actions Confirmed
Board members approved multiple personnel changes, including new hires and reassignments to existing positions. Specific names were not read into the record during the meeting, but the board approved all items as presented.
Kaylin Rehder, ELA Teacher at SHHS
Katrina Ogden-Kanary, Attendance Secretary/Admin. Asst at SHHS
Sabra Handy, Paraprofessional at TSES
Molly Gudjenov, Paraprofessional at PCES
Courtnie Caudill, Nutrition Service Worker at WSMS
Cynthia Rose, Nutrition Service Worker at FSMS
Eileen Creach, Nutrition Services Permanent Sub at FSMS
Dr. Frederick Bouchard, Student Success Liaison
Supplemental appointments included Emily Noll as Assistant Cheer Coach and Nolan Ewing as Assistant Football Coach at SHHS. The resignation of John McIntire as Assistant Track Coach at WSMS/FSMS was accepted.
Students, Staff Recognized for Achievements
Director of Communications Scott Peavey highlighted two student recognitions to be formally celebrated later this month. Spring Hill High School students participated in the International Thespian Festival and the MLB High School Home Run Derby, with standout Keaton Neal representing the district in Atlanta.
Core Value Awards were presented to district staff members Carrie Mullies and Megan Maurer for their leadership in launching the Frontline employee management system.
Spring Hill Sports Live Update
BJ Harris, founder of Spring Hill Sports Live, shared a review of the district’s high school sports broadcasting partnership. Entering its seventh year, the program will continue providing free broadcasts of Spring Hill events. Harris noted increased efforts to expand coverage across girls’ and emerging sports, and requested board consideration for technology upgrades to enable streaming from the softball complex.
Spring Hill Education Foundation Events
Harris also provided updates on behalf of the Spring Hill Education Foundation (SHEF), highlighting increased scholarship funding and new fundraising events. The district awarded $30,000 in scholarships this year and raised $18,000 at the inaugural Spring Soirée. Upcoming events include a dunk tank fundraiser on Aug. 1 and a formal gala on March 7.
Proposal to Sanction Unified Bowling
Spring Hill High School staff presented a proposal to transition Unified Bowling from a club activity to a KSHSAA-sanctioned sport. The program pairs students with disabilities with peer partners in team-based competition. Approval will be placed on the consent agenda for the next board meeting.
AP, Dual Credit Curriculum Resources Approved
Director of Teaching and Learning Kristen Zuck presented instructional resources for newly approved Advanced Placement and dual credit courses. Teachers selected College Board–recommended materials to support AP Computer Science and Environmental Science. Additionally, the district’s “Teaching as a Career” course has been approved for dual credit through Johnson County Community College, with the college covering most textbook costs.
Website Transition and Communication Tools
Peavey also introduced the district’s new website, which was launched on July 1 via the Apptegy platform. Phase one involved a comprehensive migration of content, a redesigned navigation, and enhancements for accessibility and analytics. The platform now integrates calendar syncing, mass messaging through Thrillshare, and an AI-powered chatbot. Feedback from families and staff will continue shaping future enhancements.
Board members expressed appreciation for the updated website but raised concerns about the lack of direct email visibility and the absence of staff contact details. The board asked administration to explore the restoration of staff photos, phone extensions, and sender confirmation in the directory’s message system.
Bond Project Update from DLR Group and District Leadership
Marc Williams, Executive Director of Operations, along with representatives from DLR Group, provided an update on the district’s 2025 bond projects. The presentation included an overview of current timelines, site planning efforts, and coordination between design professionals and district leaders. Williams emphasized that preliminary work is progressing and future updates will feature renderings and construction timelines. Superintendent Dr. Link Luttrell noted that ongoing communication will be a key priority, with consistent messaging planned through the district website and school newsletters to keep families and stakeholders informed at each stage of implementation.
Board Discusses Policy Updates Prompted by State Statute Changes
Dr. Josh Robinson presented a slate of proposed board policy updates, emphasizing that the majority stemmed from statutory changes introduced by the Kansas Legislature earlier this summer. Approximately 20 policies were under immediate review, with broader updates expected for roughly 240 policies in the coming months. Dr. Robinson clarified that while the proposed revisions reflect new legal requirements, many changes aim to provide clarity and bring local policy into alignment with Kansas Open Meetings and Open Records Acts.
Key areas of discussion included how subcommittees of the board—such as negotiation teams—must now adhere to open meeting protocols, including public notice and the recording of minutes. Several board members raised concerns about the administrative impact of these requirements, particularly at the building level, with site councils identified as a potentially affected area.
The board also reviewed proposed updates related to federal grant management, whistleblower protections, investment disclosures, and emergency medical protocols in schools. Additional attention was given to policies affecting media relations, student activity participation for non-traditional students, and the presence of off-duty law enforcement on campus. Board members noted inconsistencies between the proposed policy language and district practice—such as potential restrictions on classroom video recording—and requested further clarification before taking any action.
Ultimately, the board agreed to hold a work session before voting on the proposed policies and requested that district legal counsel Greg Goheen attend to clarify statutory interpretations. Dr. Robinson noted that while statutory compliance technically supersedes board policy, timely alignment is necessary to avoid operational and legal confusion. Several statutes were already in effect as of July 1, underscoring the urgency to act while ensuring accuracy and maintaining community trust.
Action Items Approved
Election of Board President (Nicole Melius) and Vice President (Doug Hull)
Approval of organizational resolutions with amendments
Approval of consent agenda items
Approval of personnel recommendations