By Hutchinson Public Schools
HUTCHINSON, KAN. — The USD 308 Board of Education met Monday, January 22, 2024. The board had a light agenda with no action items.
Superintendent Dr. Johnson began the meeting by thanking the board for their service. January is School Board Appreciation Month. Students, staff, and community members have expressed gratitude to the Board throughout the month.
During the Superintendent Update, Dr. Johnson presented information on the YMCA, legislative topics, facilities focus groups, and a review of the Accountability Report.
The YMCA has begun fundraising for a new facility to serve the greater Hutchinson community. The YMCA hopes to build at the current location with the additional space of the Technology Support Center (TSC).
Dr. Johnson spoke about a law passed in 2023 that may impact the sale of the TSC building and other school district-owned buildings across the state. In its current form, this law restricts the sale of school district-owned buildings by requiring a first right of refusal to be given to the state of Kansas. If amended in the current legislative session, proposed changes to the law could allow for more leniency that would better serve school districts across the state.
The Facilities Steering Committee, an ad hoc committee convened approximately one year ago, and community members were invited to participate in small focus groups over the past two weeks. Community members were nominated by the Facilities Steering Committee. Information presented to the focus groups included the work of the Steering Committee, early childhood education solutions, and middle school facility options. Exit survey information was gathered and will be presented to the Board when available.
The Accountability Report included current district-level data and longitudinal performance indicators from 2023 state assessments. The Board was provided with a general comparison of the past two years’ assessments.
Item 3C- Parent Teacher Conferences Update was tabled.
Board Member Kail Denison submitted her resignation effective immediately, citing board policy regarding nepotism.
The Superintendents’ Consent Agenda was unanimously approved. Those items were: Treasurer’s Report, Head Start 2023-2024 Semi-Annual Grant Report, Skyward Software as a Service (SaaS) Contract Renewal, Gifts to Schools.
Head Start Semi-Annual Grant Report- Head Start Federal Financial Report required by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start as part of the reporting requirements for receiving the grant.
Gifts to Schools- Nutrition Services at HMS 8 received $500 toward Student Meals. Graber received $200 for Student/ Family Needs.
The full agenda can be found here: https://go.boarddocs.com/ks/usd308/board.nsf/public
Regular meetings of the USD 308 Board are on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Administration Center, 1520 N. Plum. The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held February 12th, 2024.
