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Topeka Public Schools Unified School District 501 board meeting, Oct 1, 2026

1 h 44 min · 0 public speakers

Phones in school ▶ 48:07Reading and test scores ▶ 56:17

This board doesn’t post agenda times. Click a board member to jump to where they first speak; we list only members whose voice our check named. Video length 1 h 44 min.

  1. Who spoke · first speaks at
  8. Lisa SchmittBoard President
What happened

What happened at this meeting

Topeka school board adopts new parent and family engagement policy 1:21:38

  • The board proclaimed October 2026 as National Principals Month and heard recognition of a Topeka High School teacher selected as the 2026 Wolf Teaching Excellence Award recipient. 5:16
  • The board also unanimously approved the consent agenda. 45:32
  • During the superintendent's report, two lead principals gave middle and high school updates, including the cell phone policy and principals' top facility priorities. 46:26
  • The board unanimously approved new policy 2510 and corresponding regulation 2510⁠-⁠01 regarding parents and family engagement. 1:21:38
Item by item (8)
  1. Opening and executive session 0:00
    • Lisa Schmitt called the Board of Education meeting to order for Thursday, October 1st, 2026. 0:00
    • A motion was read to recess into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss confidential personnel matters under the personnel exception in the Kansas Open Meetings Act. 1:00
    • Lisa Schmitt said the board was back from executive session at 6:02 and moved to the Pledge of Allegiance. 1:48
    • The motion to adopt the agenda carried unanimously. 2:56
  2. Recognitions and school highlights 3:22
    • A proclamation was read declaring October 2026 as National Principals Month. 4:09
    • A Topeka High School teacher was recognized as the 2026 Wolf Teaching Excellence Award recipient, an award that includes $3,000 for the recipient and $1,000 for the school. 9:15
    • French Middle School students presented on student council, Nest Builders and principal advisory, and Lisa Schmitt asked how Wellness Wednesday topics were chosen; a staff member said the topics came from student leaders and counselors. 26:23
  3. Public communication and consent agenda 45:04
    • Lisa Schmitt said no one had signed up for public communication. 45:19
    • Dr. C. Richard Bonebrake asked whether item 14.1 was the board's legislative liaison, and a speaker said yes. 45:49
    • The motion to approve the consent items carried unanimously. 45:32
  4. Middle school update 46:22
    • The middle school lead principal said middle schools had two new resources this year, Open Ed Science and Amplify for English language arts. 48:07
    • The lead principal said four schools had implemented a 20-minute intervention block during the day called WIN time. 50:09
    • The lead principal said middle schools would be without school resource officers at the end of this school year, ending a 20-plus year partnership. 50:09
  5. High school update and facility priorities 57:18
    • A staff member said the secondary principals' top facility priorities were restroom renovations, HVAC work, athletic fields and the gym at Robinson, and another staff member said all principals voted on the same four items. 1:08:06
    • Keith Tatum asked for an update on ParentSquare, and a staff member said it was going really well. 1:15:01
    • Lalo Muñoz asked what the restroom renovations were meant to achieve, and a speaker responded that, apart from some replaced fixtures, the restrooms at Topeka High are 100 years old and that some students leave to go home to use the restroom. 1:17:26
  6. Parent and family engagement policy 1:21:38
    • Lisa Schmitt introduced approval of proposed new policy 2510 and corresponding regulation 2510⁠-⁠01 regarding parents and family engagement. 1:21:38
    • The motion referred to the policy and regulation as discussed at the prior meeting of September 17th, 2026, and Dr. Randall Schumacher seconded it. 1:22:49
    • The motion carried unanimously. 1:23:12
  7. Board member comments 1:23:15
    • Sue Bolley said the federal government had held up E-Rate money for wireless access points at middle and high schools and that the plan has been shelved for now. 1:26:33
    • Keith Tatum said the policy committee began examining policies on student and parent privacy rights, accident prevention and safety, and active shooter safety. 1:33:48
    • Lalo Muñoz said the committee reviewed the records policy and did not expect material changes. 1:39:36
  8. Board retreat goals and adjournment 1:41:18
    • Lisa Schmitt said the board retreat produced short-term goals of reduced screen time, reading and student behaviors, and longer-term goals of quality instruction, absenteeism and staff retention. 1:41:18
    • Lisa Schmitt said another retreat with leadership was being considered for November 14th. 1:42:03
    • The motion to adjourn carried unanimously. ~1:43:33

Written by software from the meeting's transcript and checked sentence by sentence against it.

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Video: posted by the district as “TPS Board of Education Meeting 10-1-2026”