USD 453 Leavenworth Board of Education Meeting: Monday, January 12, 2026

The Leavenworth USD 453 Board of Education held a meeting on January 12, 2026, focusing extensively on district facilities and budgetary planning. Key procurement-related discussions included capital outlay projects such as HVAC replacements, roofing repairs, parking lot expansions, and a high school culinary classroom remodel, with estimated costs exceeding $2 million for deferred maintenance and over $5.5 million for mechanical system replacements. The board reviewed bids for roofing projects at David Brewer Elementary and Richard Warren Middle School, approving contracts totaling approximately $600,000. The meeting also addressed strategic planning around potential school closures and repurposing of facilities to optimize operational costs, including discussions on moving fifth and sixth graders to different campuses and consolidating administrative functions. Budget challenges were highlighted, with a projected $3.3 million funding gap and considerations of personnel freezes and operational efficiencies. The board scheduled upcoming work sessions to further deliberate on these issues. No immediate decisions on school closures were made, but the board emphasized the importance of aligning facility investments with long-term district vitality and student outcomes.