HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Last night, the USD 308 Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting at 6:00pm at the Administration Center. Board President Laura Corey and member Cheryl Thompson were absent. Board Vice President Darcie Canfield-Riggs presided over the meeting.
Deputy Superintendent Krystal Young and HNEA President Lynnette Krieger-Zook presented the preliminary 2025-2026 Academic Calendar, developed by the calendar committee over the past few months. This committee consists of five staff members, five HNEA members, and three parents. To gather input on how to utilize an additional non-contact day, the committee conducted a survey among parents and staff, which received over 1,400 responses. Based on the survey results, Monday, September 8th—coinciding with the State Fair—was chosen. The survey also addressed the potential for a late start, a topic discussed during the last board meeting.
During the Superintendent’s update, Dr. Johnson said she is following 57 bills in the state legislature as they have reached the half-way point of the session. The childcare center has been put out for bid.
Krystal Young provided an update from the Curriculum Department. Monday, February 24th was a no school day due to teacher professional development. Three locations around the district hosted Visible Learning presentations. Thursday, Allen STEM Magnet will host a Community Day for their Leader In Me training. This day-long event is not open to the community per se, but rather is an opportunity to host educators from around the state. Last year Wiley hosted. Young spoke about a possible plan for kindergarteners including additional support through a Kinder Coach, and additional days in the classroom. When ready, this plan will come to the board for approval. KSDE released their approved list of evidence-based curriculum for at-risk schools. USD 308 uses curriculum from the approved list.
Jason Reed, Technology Director, provided information on technology replacements. Reed requested to purchase of 1,200 Chrome Books for student use. This was approved. These devices will replace 4-year-old or older Chromebooks currently used by students. A second request was for 155 ClearTouch Interactive Display panels from Kansas City Audio-Visual, Inc. This purchase will be the first phase of replacing Cleartouch Interactive display panels across the district, which were purchased in 2018 and 2019, and have reached end of support. This request was approved. Reed’s final request was for approval to purchase 300 Apple MacBook laptops for district staff. These devices will replace 4-year-old or older Apple Macbook laptops currently used by staff. This request was approved.
Keith Schroeder, Director of Grounds and Maintenance, requested to purchase flooring for Faris. This was approved. Work will be completed this summer.
The full agenda can be found at www.usd308.com/boe The Superintendent’s consent agenda and personnel report were approved. The next meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2025 at 6:00pm at the USD 308 Administration Center, 1520 N. Plum.
