By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

After weeks of discussions, the Hays school board has finally received a copy of an agreement with Fort Hays State University on an assistance program for Ellis County teachers seeking master’s degrees.

The agreement is in the board’s packet for its Monday meeting.

Under the agreement, FHSU would pay $75 per credit hour toward students’ tuition, and USD 489 would pay another $75.

To qualify, teachers must be full-time, approved by the district and seeking a graduate degree through FHSU or up to 18 graduate credit hours in a high needs area, as designated by the district. Teachers must apply and be accepted to the FHSU Graduate School.

Students enrolled in the program are responsible for all fees not paid for through the program and must successfully complete the courses in which they are enrolled.

The program can’t be used in combination with other FHSU scholarship programs.

The agreement has already been signed by FHSU president Andy Tompkins. It will go into effect when it is signed by the school district.

In other business, the board will

• Hear a financial report

• Vote on a request to close the No Fund Warrant account and transfer the $22,400 balance to the Capital Outlay Fund.

• Hear a special education report

• Hear a report on changes to Classified Handbook