BUHLER, Kan. — Issues related to declining enrollment at Buhler Grade School were discussed during Monday’s USD 313 Board of Education meeting by Superintendent Cindy Couchman, who told the board a focus group plans to continue discussions on it at a Tuesday evening meeting.
At their last meeting the board reviewed operating costs of BGS, which are higher than for the district’s other two elementary schools, and options to bring costs there closer to that of Union Valley Elementary School. Among items being looked at are making adjustments to how staff is deployed at the school.
Couchman provided the Board data on the breakdown on where students come from and noted while there are some students in the BGS attendance center who attend either Plum Creek or Union Valley Elementary Schools, there are about as many students from those two school’s attendance areas going to Buhler.
One big factor in the enrollment decline is something the district can’t directly control, and that is the lack of available or affordable housing in Buhler. Of the 60 students who transferred out of Buhler Grade School in the past year, just over a third of them transferred to a school in Hutchinson USD 308.
Couchman also reviewed preliminary data on non-resident student enrollment capacity for the 2025-26 school year. The current data indicates there would be at least 24 seats available in each elementary grade except for 4th grade, where eight slots are projected to be available.
Only one slot would be available as of now for an out of district 6th grader at Prairie Hills Middle School, and at Buhler High School there would be no room for out of district juniors, a few slots for the sophomore class, and more for the freshman and senior classes.
Final decision on the number of new out-of-district students USD 313 will accept will be made at the April Board meeting, as Kansas school district have to have this information posted to their websites no later than May 1.
On another enrollment related matter, Couchman reported they are planning to open enrollment for the 2025-26 school year in April, much earlier than usual. Even with the advanced enrollment date fees would not have to be paid until August.
Director of Finance Shane Hecox reported on water damage that occurred when a water line broke at Ad Astra Academies. The line break in a non-insulated pipe occurred in a part of the one-time Masonic Lodge that was not renovated when it was converted to house the district’s virtual and alternative programs.
Because of how it broke, damage was done to sheetrock, ceilings, and to some cabinetry and counters. The estimated damage, outside of remediation work that was done after the break was discovered, will amount to around $35,000, and with remediation will likely not reach the $100,000 deductible for insurance.
Hecox also reported on surface peeling issues on the tennis courts at Prairie Hills Middle School, which is especially bad on one court in particular where the surface coating was not adhering to concrete as it should. Repair work on this will probably take place this summer.
Director of Secondary Curriculum Paul Erickson presented a report on chronic absenteeism, which is defined as being absent for more than 10 percent of scheduled school days. As of March 3rd, the district as a whole is averaging a12.2 percent chronic absenteeism rate,13 percent if you exclude the Ad Astra programs. While this was up from the prior data collection date and only slightly higher than for the 2023-24 school year, it was noted that for Buhler Grade School their rate is half of what it was a year ago.
In calculating chronic absenteeism, it was noted at the high school level any kind of absence, including that related to participation in school activities, counts towards this calculation. USD 313’s rate is lower than the state average, significantly lower in certain grades.
The Board approved the addition of Contemporary Math to the curriculum offerings at Buhler High School. BHS math team co-leader Brian Moler said this is connected to changes the Kansas Board of Regents is making in math pathways, of which the school currently offers two as a dual-credit class. This would let students take math classes that would pertain to a particular major in college. This pathway would eliminate an existing intermediate algebra class offered at the high school.
The board approved creation of a Unified Bowling program at Buhler High School starting in the 2025-26 school year. This is a program the Kansas State High School Activities Association is using to include Special Olympics events under the KSHSAA banner. In this program, now in 42 schools across Kansas, co-ed teams combined student-athletes with significant special needs with athletic participants in competition using the Baker Format System of Bowling. The Unified Bowling season comes after the regular bowling season which just concluded.
At the start of the meeting Buhler High’s boys and girls bowling teams were recognized for their state tournament performance as was the boys swim and dive team. On the swim team, it was noted Buhler’s 8th place showing out of 44 schools is notable because it was the highest placing for a school that is not heavily dominated by “club” swimmers that are often the case in urban districts.
In other actions:
- Couchman shared with the board the Accountability Report from the Kansas State Board of Education for the 2023-24 school year which will be used as part of a needs assessment to be used in developing the 2025-26 budget.
- The board approved a draft calendar for the 2025-26 school year, with classes to start Aug.12. The calendar is subject to the outcome of contract negotiations.
- The Board approved an out of state travel request for Buhler High School senior soccer boys and coach Josh Tafolla to travel to Estes Park, Colorado June 12-15. Transportation will be provided by the district.
- The 2025-26 Parents as Teachers Memorandum of Understanding and Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas program agreements were approved.
- The Board approved a local policy related to the use of stick EPI pens, which outlines protocol for their use under an existing policy related to supply of emergency medication.
