Clean up of the Union Pacific derailment is underway near 8th and Vine in South Hays. The Video and photo via Google Glass.

Mark Davis, a spokesperson with Union Pacific, told Hays Post that the Tuesday morning train derailment in Hays is still under investigation. The cause is still unknown.

“The focus of the investigation is on why did the train traveling from Salina to Denver wind up in the rail yard at Hays. It should have stayed on the main rail line,” Davis said.

The train from Salina ran into a standing train in Hays. Ten cars on the Salina train derailed. Four cars on the standing train derailed and four cars on an adjacent train derailed. Three locomotives also derailed and caught fire.

Three locomotives and 79 cars were part of the westbound train, which was carrying low-grade ethanol and general freight such as steel, wheat, beer and particle board. The 20 tankers carrying low-grade ethanol did not derail.

“There was very little damage to the tracks on the main line, Davis said. “One hundred twenty feet of track on one line and 120 feet on another track will need to be repaired.”

It was another long board meeting for the USD 489 Board of Education on Monday night. They approved the Management Consultant Contract with Randy

Gustafson. He had submitted a proposal to establish criteria that a new superintendent could use in establishing processes that would improve and enhance the efficiency and innovation.

Gustafson, who retired as Hays City Manager in 2007 told the board on Monday night he would review aspects of the districts operation on management issues. He said would not get involved in any personnel matters or negotiations, collective bargaining or any educations issues. “My expertise is in public management,” Gustafson explained. “This process will take from 3 to 6 months.”

Prior to the vote on the consultant contract, Board vice president Darren Schumacher asked that the issue be tabled until Marty Patterson was in attendance. Patterson was out of town.

Board president Greg Schwartz said he’d spoken with Patterson on Monday and hoped he might be able to attend the meeting on a conference call. That was not possible. Schwartz said Patterson also wanted the consultant contract tabled until he was able to attend the next board meeting. With a motion by Josh Waddell and a second by Lance Bickle already on the table, Schwartz called the question and the motion was approved 5-1. Darren Schmacher voted against the measure.

The board meeting also included two hours worth of executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and attorney-client privilege.

The board decided to table the approval of Multi-peril Insurance for the 2013-14 school year from Insurance Planning until the next scheduled meeting, depending on the policy grace period, a July 31 meeting or call a special meeting for consideration.

Voted to reject all wireless bids for updating the district’s wireless infrastructure network.

During the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Roth explained that Victory Road adjacent to Oloughlin Scholl will be closed for pick up and drop off of students. The disctrict is working on an alternative and if nothing is completed by the start of the school year, they are considering an option to temporarily shuttle students.

Board President Greg Schwartz nominated the following individuals to committees and boards.

Board member Danielle Robben to the ESEA Title 1 program committee.
Board member James Leiker to the Early Childhood Connections Council committee
Tammy Wellbrock and Curtis Braun to the USD 489 Foundation Board

Jeff Briggs to the Hays Recreation Commission Board
Darren Schumaher to replace Dr. Roth to the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development Board Committee.

Announced a standing District Technology Committee to include three teachers; one from elementary, middle and high school. Those nominated include teachers Jeanie Michaelis, Ted Foster, and Shannon Damel. Principals Marty Straub and Tom Meagher. District Technology Coordinator Todd Bryant and two community technology representatives including board member Lance Bickel and Brian Drennan of Nex-Tech.

Schwartz asked to wait to make appointments to the KSB convention and the Hiring Committee representatives.

-The board also approved the Superintendent’s retirement of October 1. 2013

-Approved the Authorization for Board President to the Sign Nutrition Documents:
 The 2013-14 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Agreement Addendum and the Attestation of Compliance with Meal Pattern Requirements

-Approved the student handbooks from Hays High, Hays Middle, and elementary schools; as well as the approval of the District Classified Handbook and Administrative Handbook

-Approved the soda proposal from Pepsi and low bid for copy paper.
Board President Greg Schwartz nominated the following individuals to committee and boards.

Danielle Robben to the ESEA Title 1 program
James Leiker to the Early Childhood Connections Council committee
Tammy Wellbrock and Curtis Braun to the USD 489 Foundation Board

Jeff Briggs to the Hays Recreation Commission Board
Darren Schumaher to replace Dr. Roth to the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development Board
Lance Bickle.

Announced a standing District Technology Committee to include three teachers; one from elementary, middle and high school. Those nominated include teachers Jeanie Michaelis, Ted Foster, and Shannon Damel. Principals Marty Straub and Tom Meagher. District Technology Coordinator Todd Bryant and two community technology representatives including board member Lance Bickel and Brian Drennan of Nex-Tech.

Schwartz asked to wait to make appointments to the KSB convention and the Hiring Committee representatives.

More pictures from the scene of a train derailment and subsequent fire in Hays early Tuesday morning.  These photos , courtesy Harrison Brent, were taken between 7:30 and 8a.m.

UPDATE 11:50am:  Residents evacuated from the the mobile home park just south of the train derailment have returned home.

Residents of the mobile home park located at 1000 East 8th Street were evacuated early this morning when 12 cars of a westbound Union Pacific train derailed just east of 8th and Vine Street.

According to Maureen Duffy, American Red Cross-Hays, the ARC shelter at Holy Family Elementary School’s gymnasium is housing 14 evacuees, including children.

HFE principal Rachel Wentling notified students’ parents this morning that the “HFE Activity Center is being used as a shelter for people evacuated due to the train derailment. The uniform sale has been moved to the gym.”

Traffic on the east side of Vine and 8th Streets remains closed as firefighters continue pouring water and foam on the burning train cars.  Some businesses are without electricity and gas.

 

Vine Street and 8th street west of Vine are now open following overnight train derailment.  Business along 8th street east of Vine will remain closed. A  core staff has been allowed to be at the The Hays Veterinary Hospital to be with the pets that are at the hospital.

 

Officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are on the scene of the Union Pacific train derailment and fire in south Hays.

KDHE, along with city of Hays officials, are working with firefighters to contain the water, chemical foam and diesel fuel mixture coming off the fire scene:

Firefighters remain on the scene of a train derailment just east of the Vine Street/8th Street junction.

Incident Media Spokesperson Kerry McCue, Ellis County EMS Director, talks about the fire caused by a train derailment about 1:15 this morning near 8th and Vine Streets: