By Lucky Kidd
LARNED, Kan. — The Fort Larned USD 495 Board of Education discussed legal services again at Monday’s meeting. No bids were submitted to provide comprehensive legal services for the district, and following an in-depth discussion on this the Board formed a committee to explore options further and plan to revisit the topic after the first of the year.
The Board reviewed policy updates recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards, one of which is a new policy providing general guidelines for fundraisers held at school, on school property or during school-sponsored events.
Approval was given to the district’s legislative priorities for 2025. Those priorities focus on school funding, local control and home rule, staffing, and special education funding. The board also named Mike Myrick, Tyson Steffen and Brent Hemken to serve as representatives on the 2024-25 Negotiations team.
Superintendent Bryan Wachs gave the board an update on Visible Learning, the professional development initiative teachers in USD 496 have been actively implementing throughout the first semester.
A presentation was also given by Erin Tims and Clara Shaver from the Larned High School drama Department, and Myrick highlighted the outstanding work being done in the LHS JAG program and their rules and officiating class.