By Lucky Kidd
LARNED, Kan. — The Fort Larned USD 495 Board of Education Monday approved the Negotiated Agreement handbook with their teachers. The agreement calls for a $1,250 increase in the base salary plus step and column movement, along with supplemental increases for certified within the agreement, netting out to a 3.5 percent salary increase plus an increase in insurance benefit packages.
It also includes modification of liquidated damages for early termination of a contract and to parental leave and sick bank procedures, changes to special education supplemental pay, and an after-school program benefit for teacher’s children.
The board also approved a 3.5 percent raise for classified, director and administrator salaries along with continuation of staffing supplementals.
Superintendent Bryan Wachs provided the board an update on the bleachers at Larned Middle School. DCS had contracted multiple vendors for repair quotes, but only received two quotes, both in the area of 100 thousand dollars. Most vendors were hesitant to make repairs as the existing bleachers are close to 30 years old, and the two that did would not offer any warranty on years of functionality, only on new parts.
It’s estimated it will cost around 600 thousand dollars to replace both the north and south side bleachers.
The Board reviewed recommended revisions from the Kansas Association of School Boards covering changes to nonresident student enrollment policies adopted last year, along with food service guidelines, truancy guidance, and virtual school/student activities. It also received proposed revisions to the athletic and activity handbook covering senior eligibility, powerlifting lettering requirements, and dual sport athlete policies.
