By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The community will be introduced to the candidates who have applied for the empty school board seat at Monday’s USD 489 school board meeting.

The seat became vacant when board member Darren Schumacher moved to Manhattan due to a job relocation.

Luke Oborny, Jerald Braun, Mandy Fox, Patrick Scott, Kris Munsch, Sarah Rankin and Paul Adams have thrown their names in for consideration.

According to the agenda, each candidate will provide a brief introduction. The board will also interview the candidates separately and then nominate a new school board member.

The appointee will immediately take a seat at the table for the remainder of the meeting — a meeting that expected to culminate in what Superintendent Dean Katt has called “difficult” staff cuts.

According to the agenda, the board will consider resolutions for the non-renewal of non-tenured and tenured teachers.

District staff have already notified teachers their contract might not be renewed for the 2014-15 school year.

USD 489 is facing a $1.3 million dollar shortfall and considering several other options to make up for the lack of funds.

Changes in busing students is one option the board has discussed, therefore transportation fees is an item also listed on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.

The board has discussed charging a  $150 fee for bus transportation of students who live within 2.5 miles of the school they are attending or decreasing the number of bus routes. According to the agenda, Superintindent Dean Katt will give an update on various scenarios.

The agenda also calls for a possible policy revision regarding student activity fund management — a change suggested in the district’s most recent fiscal audit.

The meeting is scheduled for  6:30 p.m. Monday at Rockwell Administration Building.

USD 489’s website provides for a complete agenda.