April 15, 2024
Following each board of education meeting, the Director of Communications recaps the board meeting in the Board Digest. To view the full agenda, click here.
Learning Without Limits
The board recognized Seaman High School Girls Basketball as the 5A State Champions, 33 years after the school's first Girls State Basketball Championship in 1991.
Team members from the 2024 team include:
Seniors: Elinore Stallbaumer & Taylin Stallbaumer
Juniors: Anna Becker, Ava Esser, Anna McLaughlin, Maggie Moulden, Jaida Stallbaumer, Ally Steiner & Kinley Wilhelm
Sophomores: Maddie Gragg & Ryin Miller
Freshman: Cara Beaton
Team managers: Beau Artzer, Ashton Meier, Jaydin Frickey, Phoebe Brodine
Assistant Coaches: Steve Alexander, Steve Darting, Dan Ruda & Aubree Taylor
Athletic Trainer: Mike Longhofer
Head Coach: Matt Tinsley
This dedicated group of ladies concluded their season with an outstanding 23-2 record that also included a second consecutive UKC conference title.
After defeating Basehor-Linwood in the Sub-State championship, the Lady Vikes advanced to 5A State Tournament in historic White Auditorium in Emporia. In the opening round, the Lady Vikes defeated UKC opponent, and #5 seed DeSoto, 51-38 to advance to the state semifinals. In the semifinals, Seaman defeated the top seed and undefeated Andover, 49-45 to advance to the championship game to face the #2 seed, Maize South. In the title game, the Lady Vikes were not to be denied as they led by as many as 25 points in the 3rd quarter, with a 54-41 victory over Maize South.
Congratulations to head coach Matt Tinsley, the assistant staff, and to this outstanding group of young ladies for capturing the second state basketball championship in school history!
Superintendent Remarks
Mr. Willson highlighted the district's principals and assistant principals for their building leadership. He spoke about their many responsibilities and the impact they have on student learning, staff development, and the overall learning environment in their buildings. "The district cannot function without our building principals," said Willson. "I am blessed to have such a strong team of building administrators." He thanked them for their commitment and dedication.
Brad Willson
Superintendent
President Remarks
In April, Michelle was joined by fellow board members Dianna Brodine, Braden Werner, Christy Weiler, and Superintendent Mr. Willson for the National School Board Association Conference. Michelle Caudill and other board members shared their takeaways from the conference.
Michelle highlighted keynote Ruby Bridges and her experiences as the first African American child to attend a formerly whites-only school in 1960. "We need to judge people by the content of their character," said Caudill. "Not by what they look like on the outside and I'm not just talking about skin color, I'm talking about the way they dress, or the way their hair looks, or what kind of car they drive, or what neighborhood they live in. What is their character?" Michelle also talked about how it's important as board members and administrators to work harder to make sure each and every child has equal education. "These kids are going to be our next leaders," said Caudill. She also talked about finding ways to help parents become more involved in their child's education.
Christy Weiler spoke about another keynote from the conference, Timothy Shriver. He is the co-creator of The Dignity Index, a tool designed to ease divisions, prevent violence, and solve problems. He is also Chairman of Special Olympics International, and a co-founder of UNITE, an initiative to promote national unity and solidarity across differences. Christy also mentioned the array of impressive student performers at the event.
Braden Werner highlighted a couple of the sessions, which included topics on food justice and free speech as it pertains to school boards. Braden talked about hearing perspectives from school board members across the nation, the challenges they're facing, and how they're handling it.
Dianna Brodine highlighted a session called "Nothing About Them, Without Them." It covered a school district implementing a youth development framework that they believed was successful until they surveyed their students. "They were rather shocked to find that their engagement was not anywhere near what they wanted it to be," said Brodine. Dianna explained the steps their superintendent took to increase student involvement in decision making by developing a student senate and a school based congress at each building.
Michelle thanked the board for the opportunity to learn from other districts and said that she hopes their experience can benefit the Seaman School District.
Michelle Caudill
President
Board of Education Consent Agenda
The consent agenda contains items packaged into one agenda item. They are often routine and garner very little discussion. A full list of consent items can be found by visiting the BoardDocs website.
Discussion Items
Action Item
- Consider Tentative Enrollment Capacity Numbers - APPROVED
- Consider AUA/Loan Agreement - APPROVED
- Consider Curriculum Adoption Approval - APPROVED
Next 345 Board of Education Meeting
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place on May 13. It is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm.
Regular board meetings are scheduled on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 pm, with the exception of February, March, and April, which will be held on the third Monday. Regular meetings may be adjourned to another time and place when necessary. Special meetings may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
Regular meetings typically take place at the Seaman Education Center. When meeting locations change, notice is sent out to the public and made available online. Board agendas go live on the Friday afternoon prior to the regular board meeting.
All regular meetings are streamed live and available on the district's YouTube Channel. A recap of the meeting is also made available through the Board Digest.
Both in-person and digital public comment are accepted at regular board meetings. The public comment agenda item may be found in the meeting agenda.
Remaining regular meetings for the 2023-24 school year:
May 13, 2024
June 10, 2024
July 8, 2024
Board of Education Agenda
To review previous board of education agendas, click here.
How Can I Watch a Previous Board of Education Meeting?
The video from the meeting will be available by the Tuesday at noon following the meeting. The video can be viewed by clicking here.
Seaman School District USD #345
901 NW Lyman Rd | Topeka, KS 66608