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Topeka Unified SD 501, KS

Topeka Unified SD 501 public meetings in 2020

18 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Thu Dec 17, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $308K in COVID-19 supplies, air purifiers, and adapters

The Topeka Board of Education met on December 17, 2020, and approved a consent agenda that included financial reports, purchases, personnel changes, and other routine items. The most significant actions were three purchases funded by the CARES SPARKS grant: $118,445.32 for personal protection supplies, $65,920.00 for Chromebook/iPad power adapters and cables, and $123,762.50 for air purifiers. The board also approved a resolution to terminate the contract of employee Rochelle King, effective December 17, 2020, after she did not request a hearing.

budgetpurchasingcovid-19personnelschools
Thu Dec 3, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $224,500 for facial recognition and temperature scanners

The Topeka Board of Education met on December 3, 2020, and approved a consent agenda that included several purchases, contracts, and personnel actions. The most significant item was the approval of $224,500 for Goodview facial recognition and thermal temperature scanners from CYTEK Media Systems, intended for building entry screening. Other approved items included postage, computer monitors, a special assessment payment, and a resolution to terminate a certified staff member.

school-boardtechnologybudgetpurchasespersonnelfacilities
Thu Nov 19, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board to vote on $1.05M Chromebook purchase for remote learning

The Topeka Board of Education is meeting to consider several consent agenda items, including a $1.05 million purchase of additional Lenovo Chromebooks to support remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The board will also vote on other purchases, such as sneeze guards and a used police vehicle, and will receive financial reports and an update on the Topeka Public Schools Foundation investments.

school-boardbudgettechnologycovid-19policepurchases
Thu Oct 15, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Topeka school board approves COVID-19 purchases, EAP renewal

The Topeka Board of Education met on October 15, 2020, and approved a consent agenda that included financial reports, purchases, personnel, and other routine items. The board also recessed into executive session to discuss individual employee contracts and performance. All motions carried unanimously.

school-boardbudgetpurchasingpersonnelcovid-19
Thu Sep 3, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $5.1M bus contract and remote learning tech purchases

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education approved a series of consent agenda items, including a $5.1 million renewal of the student transportation contract with Kansas Central School Bus LLC. The board also authorized purchases for remote learning equipment, such as webcams and iPad accessories, and approved a one-year exclusive beverage license with Pepsi. All motions were carried unanimously by the seven board members present.

educationbudgettransportationpurchasescontracts
Thu Aug 20, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board to hold public hearing on 2021 budget

The Topeka Board of Education will convene, enter executive session to discuss employee contracts and negotiations, and hold a public hearing on the proposed FY 2021 budget. The board will also consider consent agenda items including financial reports and several purchases for COVID-19 supplies and software.

Thu Aug 6, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $730K in PPE and sneeze guards for COVID-19 safety

The Topeka Board of Education met on August 6, 2020, and approved a consent agenda that included several purchases, notably $730,163.56 for personal protective equipment and sneeze guards funded by CARES grants. The board also approved renewals for workers' compensation reinsurance, underground utility locating services, and various educational software licenses. The meeting began with an executive session to discuss employee contracts and negotiations.

school-boardbudgetpurchasingcovid-19ppetechnologyeducation
Thu Jul 9, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board moves to executive session for negotiations

The Topeka Board of Education held a special meeting to move into an executive session. The purpose of the closed session was to discuss negotiation proposals regarding employer-employee negotiations.

negotiationslaborboard-meetingexecutive-session
Thu Jul 2, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $1.16 million for student Chromebook replacements

The Topeka Board of Education met to approve several district contracts and financial reports. Key decisions included funding for student technology, curriculum renewals, and facility maintenance.

educationtechnologybudgetpurchasesschool board
Thu Jun 25, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $1,000 COVID-19 volunteer grant for student food boxes

The Topeka Board of Education met on June 25, 2020, and approved a consent agenda that included a $1,000 grant from the Kansas Volunteer Commission to support COVID-19 volunteer efforts providing pantry staples to vulnerable students. The board also approved the claims listing and moved into executive session to discuss employee contracts and performance.

educationbudgetgrantscovid-19personnel
Thu Jun 4, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board to approve $507,620 laptop lease and other purchases

The Topeka Board of Education is meeting to handle routine business, including a consent agenda with several purchases and contracts. The most significant item is a $507,620.31 lease/purchase of Lenovo ThinkPad laptops for staff district-wide. Other notable items include a $131,938.29 renewal for Eureka Math materials, a $89,790.60 purchase of hand sanitizer funded by a COVID-19 grant, and a $38,906.00 contract to fix electrical deficiencies at Hope Street Academy.

school-boardpurchasestechnologycovid-19facilities
Thu May 7, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $185K in leases for buses and vans

The Topeka Board of Education is meeting to approve consent agenda items, including vehicle leases, software renewals, and personnel reports. The board will also recognize volunteers and students. All items were approved as presented.

school-boardtransportationbudgetsoftwarepersonnel
Thu Apr 16, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $29,584.84 camera upgrades at three elementary schools

The Topeka Board of Education is meeting virtually to approve routine financial reports, purchases, personnel changes, and a proclamation. Key actions include installing new security cameras at Jardine, Lowman Hill, and Stout Elementary Schools, renewing Blackboard software services, and replacing kitchen grease traps at Jardine Middle School.

school-boardtechnologysecuritybudgetfacilitieseducation
Thu Apr 2, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $37,500 Zoom upgrade for remote learning during Safer At Home order

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education met via Zoom and Facebook Live on April 2, 2020, and approved a consent agenda that included purchases for remote learning tools and HVAC upgrades. The board also recognized the Senior of the Month and approved proclamations for National School Library Month, National Autism Month, and Paraprofessional Appreciation Day. All consent items were approved unanimously.

school-boardeducationtechnologyremote-learninghvacbudgetproclamations
Thu Mar 19, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Topeka school board approves $3.2M food contract renewal, other purchases

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education met on March 19, 2020, at noon, with attendance limited to 10 people due to COVID-19 guidance and remote access via Zoom. The board approved a consent agenda including financial reports, personnel, and several purchases, notably a $3.2 million annual renewal of the prime vendor contract for Child Nutrition Services with US Foods, Inc. All consent items passed unanimously with a motion by John Williams, seconded by Richard Bonebrake.

school-boardbudgetpurchasingtechnologycovid-19
Thu Feb 20, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves January financial reports and personnel actions

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education held a routine meeting on February 20, 2020, to approve standard financial documents and personnel reports. The board voted to accept the agenda, approve January bank reconciliations, budget status summaries, and the treasurer's report. Additionally, the board approved the minutes from previous meetings and recognized student and staff awards.

budgetpersonneleducationfinancemeetings
Thu Jan 23, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves $277K in vehicle purchases and $120K custodial contract

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education held a routine meeting to approve financial reports and purchase orders. The board voted to buy two new trucks for facilities maintenance and food delivery, totaling approximately $157,000. They also renewed a one-year contract for custodial chemicals and services with Four State Maintenance Supply for $120,000. Additionally, the board elected new officers for the 2020-2021 term.

budgetpurchasingfacilitiespersonnelschool-board
Thu Jan 9, 2020

Imported Meetings: 2011- 2025

Board approves land sale to Laird Noller Ford and police car purchase

The Topeka Board of Education met on January 9, 2020, and approved a consent agenda that included the sale of about three acres of district land to Laird Noller Ford, the purchase of a used police car, and several contract renewals. The board also recognized a student award and heard an update on Topeka High School's 150th anniversary. The meeting included an executive session for personnel, student, and legal matters.

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