Technical Education Center to Feature Flexibility

Dec. 1, 2011 ~ Discussion of the district's future Technical Education Center was a highlight of the Olathe Board of Education's regular meeting held Dec.1. In addition to hearing more about the district's Career and Technical Education pathways, Board members were able to see a 3-D presentation of the building. Representatives from HTK Architects shared the building's unique design.

The center, which will be constructed near Kansas City and Nelson roads, near Olathe North High School, will house the auto technology, auto collision and welding programs currently taught on the campus of the former John P. St. John Memorial High School, 311 E. Park.

Senior Exit Survey
Representatives from the Teaching and Learning Division summarized the results of an approximately 40-question exit survey given to high school seniors in May. The electronic survey allowed students to share their thoughts about a variety of topics including educational programs, 21st Century High School Programs, their future plans, and their overall perception of high school in Olathe.

More than 1,300 responses were received. Survey results indicated:

95 percent strongly agreed or agreed that their school is well maintained most of the time
94 percent strongly agreed or agreed their school provided a safe learning environment
94 percent strongly agreed or agreed that they had the support needed to meet their learning goals in the 21st century programs
92 percent strongly agreed or agreed the 21st Century High School Programs challenged them
92 percent planned to attend a two or four-year college or university after graduation
90 percent strongly agreed or agreed the teachers cared about them
89 percent gave their teachers and their schools an A or B grade
Between 81 and 88 percent of respondents said public high school prepared them with computer skills, writing and reading comprehension, teamwork and collaboration, and leadership skills

Recognitions and Awards

Olathe Medical Center was honored for being an important community partner with the district.
The district's counseling program was recognized for a variety of awards received in the recent past. Sunnyside Elementary School received the Kansas State Department of Education Standard of Excellence Award in Counseling. Olathe Northwest High School received the Kansas State Department of Education Counseling Program of Excellence Award. Fairview Elementary School counselor Rita Hastings was named the district's nominee for the Kansas State Department of Education Counselor of the Year. A number of counselors organized the Eighth-Grade Career Expo.
Members of the district's United Way executive committee were thanked for their work on a campaign that raised $108,206.19. The committee included Nancy Cheatham, Lane Green, Randy Salisbury, Corbin Trimble and Becky Vrbas.

In other business, the board:

Approved a consent agenda containing meeting minutes, reports, amended JGF-Student Safety policy, Head Start performance standards, student trips, curriculum, construction change orders, and an additional banking institution.
Accepted bids for carpet and floor tile installation for various projects throughout the district, and the yearly bid for carpet.
Received information on future action items including replacement of aging computers, Head Start performance standards, and the process for student suspension/expulsion appeal hearings.
Received a report on attendance at this fall's parent-teacher conferences and learned that more than 23,000 students were represented by at least one parent at the conferences. Attendance at the elementary level averaged 98.5 percent. Middle schools averaged 75.8 percent and the high schools averaged 71.5 percent. This was the highest level of participation the high schools have ever experienced.
Received the monthly Head Start director's report.

The complete agenda and supporting documents are available online at http://www.boarddocs.com/ks/olathe/Board.nsf/Public.