By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The decision on whether to move students out of Washington Elementary and move Early Childhood Connections into the building is expected at Monday’s Hays USD 489 Board of Education meeting.

At last week’s BOE work session, several teachers, parents and community members expressed concern about moving the 117 students — many of them English language learners, minority students and migrant students they said are currently “thriving” at Washington.

Superintendent Dean Katt assured critics of the move all Hays elementary not only will welcome the Washington students, but also are prepared to teach students with all types of needs.

“All of our schools have what it takes to educate that population and, if that would change where they had to add a program or do something different, obviously the first thing they would consider is whatever it’s going to take to make our kids successful,” Katt said. “There is not one elementary school in the district that I don’t think does an excellent job and can work with all types of students.”

He added that a transition plan would be in place to make the move comfortable for both students and parents.

Katt also cited data showing the cost to operate Washington Elementary is twice as high than other schools in the district, a cost ECC director Donna Hudson-Hamilton thought could be offset by ECC grants.

Board President James Leiker invited those concerned with the re-purposing of Washington to attend Monday’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Rockwell Administration Center, 323 W. 12th.

Also on the agenda for Monday’s meeting is a discussion on summer school, driver’s education fees and  presentation of February’s Best of the Best awards.

A full agenda can be found HERE.