For many years, to enhance transparency, Parsons USD 503 has provided the public with access to live streams or online recordings of regular monthly Board of Education meetings.
The meetings are always open to the public to attend in person, but this provided patrons unable to attend regular meetings in person, the opportunity to still catch the meetings at a time and place convenient for them.
The state’s adoption of House Bill 2134, has brought that courtesy service to an end. Monday was the last USD 503 Board of Education meeting that will be live streamed or recorded and posted online.
School boards are not required by law to live stream or record board meetings and post them online. Those that do it, do it as a courtesy. Regardless, patrons of some school districts in the state took issue with their school boards not recording board meetings in their totality. Some boards were said to be recording the business portion of board meetings, but excluding public comment at the end.
House Bill 2134 was created to resolve the complaint, requiring all meetings attended by a school board member be conducted the same way. So, school districts live streaming or recording even one board meeting and posting it online, must now record all meetings in their entirety in which even a single board member elected to serve in any representative position is involved, Superintendent Lori Perkins said.
If the board is meeting for five minutes in the morning before school or at noon to approve a change order on a construction project, they are now required to record it. Parsons does not have a board room specifically dedicated to recording board meetings, and instead uses the high school’s Viking Media classroom and recording equipment once a month. Board access to the classroom and equipment during the school day would mean disruption to classes.
If a board member is elected by the board to serve as a representative on a building site council, a calendar committee, or the city’s recreation commission, districts are now required to live stream or record those meetings, regardless of the meeting not having a board quorum present and no board action being taken, Perkins explained. This would require transporting the equipment to every location, which is not logistically feasible, and paying extensive overtime to personnel to operate the equipment, which is not financially feasible, she said.
Board member Jeff Quirin said the board has made the effort to provide the streaming service to patrons of USD 503 for many years, but the bill’s requirements are “over the top” and inconsistent with the original intent of the board’s decision to provide the live streams and recordings of regular monthly meetings.
The alternative for school districts, according to the Kansas Association of School Boards, is to not record any meetings, so all meetings are being conducted the same way. Board member Kala Green said it is KASB’s recommendation to all school districts not to live stream any meetings as it opens them up to liability.
Given the issues HB2134 presents, the board voted to no longer provide live streams or recordings of board meetings.
As always, the public is invited to attend all open session portions of board meetings.
End of Year Data Review
Assistant Superintendent Jeff Pegues told the board Monday, “Overall, we’ve had a really good school year.”
Data collected shows the same.
Attendance has been a focus for the last three years and the district continues to see gains, with there being a 5% overall increase in attendance this year. With the mid-year hiring of Community Health Worker Jaran Dixon and Lincoln Sparkwheel coordinator Tanner Smith, the district believes next year’s data will be even more impressive.
Behavior data looks pretty good too, Pegues said. With the schools working to be more preventative rather than reactive, instances of flagrant misbehavior and horseplay were up slightly, but there was a 53% reduction in violent instances. Pegeus attributes those figures to staff being more present and observant, and stopping situations like rough horseplay before it can escalate to someone getting hurt and getting angry.
Social emotional areas showed improvement, especially in self efficacy, where there was a 20% gain.
Pegues said they have also seen a big reduction in skipping and elopement at the secondary level this year with having implemented the e-Hall pass system, and hiring a dedicated athletic director, allowing the assistant principal more time to dedicate to those duties.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board:
Heard Lincoln kindergarten teacher Brenda Winder received her 25 Year Certificate of Service in education from the University of Kansas. Winder has taught all 25 years here in Parsons. Tri-County employees working in Parsons were also honored. Special Ed teacher Jill Cleaver received her 25-year certificate and psychologist Jen Tavernaro received her 15-year certificate.
Heard Tri-County is discussing providing autism training and certification for paras.
Heard Perkins completed BOLD 2.0 (Building Operational Leadership Development). It is a year-long training.
Heard the District Office will be closed for Junteenth on June 19 and Independence Day July 4.
Congratulated the Parsons High School Boys Tennis Team who are the 2025 State Champions.
Voted to remain with EMC for the district’s property and liability, cyber liability and worker’s compensation insurance for the 2025-2026 year as there is no increase, versus with the Kansas Insurance Cooperative for Schools KICS, which would cost the district $27,188 more. David Ray said the policies are not comparable with KICS offering more coverage for its higher quote. Perkins said EMC offers enough coverage for the district at the lower rate. Quirin said perhaps next year they can discuss with KICS the possibility of dropping its coverage levels to become more competitive in pricing.
Discussed first readings of the Parent/Student Handbooks, Bus Driver Handbook, Parent/Student Transportation Handbook, and Social Media Guidelines.
Set a July organizational meeting for July 14 at 6 p.m. The regular board meeting will follow at 6:10 p.m.
Authorized the transfer of funds to close out the fiscal year.
Heard there is a 99% likelihood students will still eat for free next year under the Community Eligibility Program. The district will know for sure in July.
Increased adult meal prices to $5.25 for lunch and $3.10 for breakfast.
Approved participation in the Greenbush Energy Group and Hedging Authorization for the 2025-2026 year.
Approved the Food Service Standard of Conduct.
Approved the contract with CHC-SEK to provide one nurse at the high school, one assistant at the middle school, and one floater for the elementaries.
Approved job descriptions for business manager, principal, assistant principal, and district public relations.
Approved the procurement plan for the Child Nutrition Program.
Approved a change to the 2025-2026 calendar to have one less professional development day in accordance with the negotiated agreement. April 6 will now be a day off rather than a professional development day.
Discussed the first reading of KASB June policy updates.
Hired Erik Lyons as head girls basketball coach and Kathleen Pierce as Lincoln Title I aide. Accepted the resignation of high school guidance counselor Tabitha Routh.
Accepted $4,543 in donations to district schools.
Approved the cooperative agreement for St. Patrick Catholic School for specified middle school sports.