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Voters Asked to Consider USD 418 Bond Issue in November

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By Lucky Kidd

 

McPHERSON, Kan. — For the second time this year, McPherson USD 418 voters will be asked to consider a bond issue in November. The USD 418 Board of Education Monday approved submission to voters in November of an $88.5 million, 30 year bond question, dollar amount and length identical to what voters turned down in May.

As last time, the major part of the bond issue is construction of a new academic area at McPherson High School, along with renovation of the Performing Arts wing, CTE areas and parts of the Roundhouse. Other projects in the bond include upgrades to mechanical systems and security and safety enhancements to McPherson Middle School and the four elementary schools.

Some athletic-related items were taken out of the bond issue along with some work at Eisenhower Elementary School in order to keep the cost the same as previously proposed.

During the meeting the board set a special meeting for September 7th to interview the five persons who applied to fill two vacant positions on the board. It was indicated the interviews, which have to be done in open session, would be streamed as are Board meetings. Selection of the new members to replace Brooke Kanitz and Brian Meek is expected to take place at the September 11th meeting.

The Board ratified a 2023-24 negotiated agreement with the McPherson Education Association. The contract increases the base salary for a beginning teacher to $41,000, with appropriate adjustments made to steps within the salary schedule. It also includes a $49 dollar in district contributions to health insurance. This also affects supplemental contracts for coaches and sponsors which are based on percentages of the base. The Board also approved a four percent salary increase for classified, administrative, and other employees in the district.

In other actions, the Board approved all but one of the policy updates recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards. One of those recommended policies was not acted upon, that dealing with enrollment of nonresident students, which will require additional stems by the board per a new state law on the subject.

The Board approved a food service agreement with St. Joseph School which is done on an annual basis, and an out of state travel request from the McPherson High School music department to Winter Park, Colorado in the spring of 2024. 

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