By Hutchinson Public Schools
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 Board of Education held its meeting on October 23rd, 2023, at 6 p.m. On the agenda were board action items and presentations:
- Audit Presentation
- Resolution 2023-011- RHID and IRB Hutch Landmark Project
- Hutch Rec – Graber After School Program MOU
- List for Sale – HCTEA- Building Trades Home and Declaration of Surplus Property
- Sheila Berridge, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment, 2023 Star Awards from KSDE
- Amber Carithers, Hutchinson High School Teacher, Exploring Teaching as a Career
- Jordan Fee and Kari Mailloux, Facilities Steering Committee, committee update
- Acquisition of Real Property and Apply for Accelerator Grant
Board supports resolution for Landmark RHID and IRB grants
The Board heard a presentation regarding the downtown Landmark property at 501 N. Main. The Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) and Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) grant programs require all taxing entities to approve a resolution of support to apply for grant funds. The RHID program allows for the abatement of future property taxes through reimbursement to a developer for expenses incurred in creating new housing in upper-level spaces of downtown buildings over 50 years old. The item was approved.
Hutch Recreation Commission and Hutchinson Public Schools form partnership
The Hutchinson Recreation Commission will provide after-school programs for Graber Elementary students beginning in January 2024. Their programs will focus on academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character, and citizenship. The program will provide 15 after-school spots upon opening but will have room to grow. Services will be available on days school is in session. Graber Elementary School will provide the cafeteria, gym, restrooms, and playground for care from 3:10 until 6:00 p.m. Rates will be on par with after-school programs in the community at $40 a week.
“Our goal is to begin hiring soon for the new onsite Director position and some teachers or paraeducators that may come directly from Graber for the new counselor positions. This is a win-win for everybody, and we look forward to starting the program,” said Tony Finlay, Executive Director of the Hutchinson Recreation Commission. The item was approved.
HCTEA to sell recently built home
The Building Trades Home located at 2905 N. Morris was declared as surplus property and approved to list for sale. The nearly completed home, built by the Building Trades students, is a 1,700 sq foot, 3-bed, 2-bath house with an unfinished basement and a 3-car garage. It will be listed for sale at $279,000. The item was approved during Board Action Items.
KSDE Recognizes USD 308 with Star Awards
Sheila Berridge, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment informed the Board of the 2023 Star Awards from KSDE. USD 308 has earned the Silver Star Award in Social-Emotional Growth, improved from the Copper Award in 2022. The district also achieved the Bronze Star Award in Individual Plan of Study and Kindergarten Readiness for 2023. Read the full article here: www.usd308.com/article/1304787
Facilities Steering Committee
The board heard from Jordan Fee and Kari Mailloux during the agenda item, Reports. Fee and Mailloux co-chair the Facilities Steering Committee. They provided a general overview of the committee’s activities over the past 8 months. No Board action was required. The Facility Steering Committee meets monthly and consists of approximately 50 community members and District staff. The committee is tasked with providing guidance on the efficient and innovative use of facilities. The committee intends to complete its work and report final findings to the Board in the spring of 2024. For more in-depth coverage, visit the Hutchinson Tribune.
Acquisition of Real Property and Apply for Accelerator Grant
After an executive session, the Board voted to amend the agenda authorizing Dr. Johnson to partner with the community on the next childcare accelerator grant and negotiate to acquire real property.
The Board approved all business items. The full agenda can be found here.
