About a dozen community members attended the first of two focus sessions involving the search for a new USD 489 superintendent.

Those participating in Monday night’s session, organized by consultants from the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB), gave their input to four questions about what a superintendent should know about the Hays school district:

The group also talked about the importance of maintaining neighborhood schools and need for a smaller student/teacher ratio at the elementary level.

A second session will be held tonight for school staff and site council members at 6p.m. in the Hays High School lecture hall.