Video courtesy USD 489 News

By James Bell
Hays Post

The USD 489 Board of Education met Monday night to address several pressing issues, including the approval of the the HNEA negotiated teacher contract for the 2015-2106 school year.

The Board unanimously approved the contract that came out of mediation earlier this month.

“It was quite the journey,” said Lance Bickle, Board president, while thanking the HNEA for working through the process.

The Board also briefly discussed the $94 million bond issue resolution that would put the election in motion for June 7.

Hays City Commissioners will vote Thursday on the timing of a sales tax question that would help pay for the bond issue. Because the commission’s vote is pending the school board took no action Monday night, instead deciding to hold a special meeting at 7 a.m. Monday, March 28, after city commissioner have made their decision.

The Board’s March 28 meeting will decide the language for the bond ballot questions.

Summer school fees were also addressed by the Board Monday evening.

Anita Scheve, director of The Learning Center, asked the Board to consider a staggered fee schedule for the summer school program, that would make courses free for students eligible for the free school lunch program.

“I think there needs to be some skin in the game,” Bickle said, arguing that even a $10 fee would give students motivation to complete the courses.

In response, Board member Sarah Rankin said students have done the work to complete the course, but are now being held up by financial considerations. Course completions are not recorded on a student’s transcript until fees, if any, are paid.

She argued the $1,330 price to cover those students’ courses would be worth the investment.

“This is an at-risk intervention,” Scheve said, asking the board what would be accomplished in asking students to pay or solicit money for the course, noting that for many students summer school is required because of the need for more time with the subject matter.

The Board approved the motion 4-3 with Bickle, Josh Waddell and Paul Adams voting against.

The Board also discussed raising minimum pay for district supplemental staff.

“We’re simply paying too low,” said Mark Hauptman, assistant superintendent for special services. He said the measure is not about a classified staff pay increase, only a measure to help find and retain staff.

Across the board, staff would start at a rate of $9 per hour, with technical lab assistants starting at $10.

The raises, which would cost the district $21,840, was in the budget for this year, according to Tracy Kiser, executive director of finance and support services.

The raise will take effect on March 28, giving immediate raises to 170 full time staff and 70 subs, costing the district $3,700 this year.

The pay increase is an effort to retain staff within the district that can often find similar positions in the community at higher pay.

Hauptman said this raise should only be a start. “The 9 dollars is not where we should be; we should be higher than that,” he said.

The board passed the raises unanimously.

Other actions taken by the Board:

• The Board unanimously approved the draft calendar for the 2016-2017 school year.
• The Board approved administrative contracts for 12 positions.