By James Bell
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 Board of Education will meet tonight Monday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Toepfer Board Room, 323 W. 12th St. with an agenda that includes a discussion of a bond issue survey, board presidential appointments and a review of organizational charts with John Thissen.

Thissen assumed the superintendent role at the beginning of July. This meeting will be his second as superintendent.

Results from the staff bond issue questionnaire of 124 USD 489 staff members found the majority of respondents would support a bond over $80 million with the stipulation that a new school be constructed.

Only 25 percent responded they would only support a bond under $80 million, with a new building being constructed. Five percent said they would not support the bond at any amount.

The failed bond issue had two questions, totaling $94 million.

The survey also found 83 percent of respondents voted yes for the bond issue. Of the people voting no, an unfavorable economy, a tax increase, too much new construction in the plans, and the amount being too large were cited as reasons for the vote against.

As part of the board’s yearly re-organization, board presidential appointments are on Monday’s agenda. The board will consider appointments for the ESEA Title 1 Representative, Connections Policy Council, Technology Committee and the USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence.

The full meeting will be streamed live by USD 489 and can be viewed on Hays Post.