Balmer won a seat during the November election along with incumbents Chris Gratton and Evan Dean. Gratton begins another term as incumbent, while fellow incumbent Dean begins is first full term after being appointed to fill the unexpired term of Jim Bothwell in the fall of 2024.

Board OKs personnel

Tonganoxie school board members approved personnel recommendations at Monday’s regular board meeting.

Contract/work agreements were approved for Grizz McCloy, Tonganoxie Middle School wrestling assistant coach; Kimberly King, Tonganoxie Elementary School paraprofessional; Robert Vaughn, Tonganoxie High School girls wrestling assistant coach; Elizabeth Spurlin, TES special education teacher; and Breonna Lang, THS assistant girls soccer coach.

Resignations were approved for Jodie Smith, THS cross country assistant coach, and Kyle South, THS head volleyball coach.

A retirement also was approved for Andrea Putthoff, transportation driver, effective Jan. 30.

Board officers selected

Board officers approved election of officers for 2026. Justin Sturgeon and Chris Gratton were named president and vice president, respectively, for another year.

In other business, the board:

• Approved an additional warrant list

• Tabled an item deciding whether to approve the Kansas Association of School Boards policy updates.

• Tabled an item approving a settlement agreement between Michael Kelly and Tonganoxie USD 464.

Donations approved

Several donations came in since the board’s last regular meeting.

Here’s a list of those donations: Himpel Hardware, student lunch accounts, $2,100; Michael and Beth Schartz, Tonganoxie Middle School lunch accounts, $700; Gretchen Meitler, Tonganoxie Elementary School Food for Friends (Backpack Buddies), $100; VFW Post 9271, TES Food for Friends (Backpack Buddies)$100; First Baptist Church, student lunch accounts, $100; anonymous, student lunch accounts, $200; First Baptist Church, student lunch accounts, $100; Box Tops for Education, TMS, $55.30; Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas Foundation, TES Healthy Habits Program, $1,300; Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas Foundation, TMS Healthy Habits Program, $2,000; Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas Foundation, THS Healthy Habits Program, $2,000; the Blackbaud Giving Fund, THS, $1,000.

January is national Board of Education month

Tonganoxie Assistant Superintendent Tonya Phillips noted Monday that January is School Board Recognition Month.

Board members had gifts of appreciation at their places at the board table Monday in honor of the month.

Patron comments

Becky Nasalroad spoke during patron comments Monday. She voiced concerns about the process in selecting National Honor Society members.