By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson USD 418 Board of Education Monday approved a 2023-24 budget and a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral rate for those funds subject to it. This includes the local option, capital outlay, and bond and interest funds. As part of this, a needs-analysis was prepared and presented to the Board earlier.
Multiple policy revisions recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards were approved by the Board, with one notable exception relating to a new policy mandated by the Kansas Legislature related to enrollment of non-resident students, commonly referred to as open enrollment.
While in McPherson County this largely exists now, this has been a huge issue in other places. For this particular policy, school districts are required to hold a public hearing before the policy is adopted. At this point, Superintendent Shiloh Vincent said the policy is currently being reviewed, and expectations are that a hearing would take place in November with action to accept in December.
Multiple donations were accepted. Over 13 thousand dollars in donations came from the McPherson Bullpup Booster Club that included various equipment donations for athletic programs and for the debate and cheer programs.
Other donations were accepted from Doretta Abshire for walkie-talkies for special education teachers, two boxes of colored pencils from MKC, and 100 dollars for purchase of books for the 5th grade class book club from State Representative Les Mason.
Board members also accepted professional development point recommendations and accepted a bid for just over $28,000 for purchase of 840 cartons of copy paper for this school year. This was the low bid of three submitted.
