Hays USD 489 school board to review bond work

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will review work the board has done thus far on a potential bond election at its meeting at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administrative Center.

The district has had two failed bond elections in the last three years. A $78.5 million bond failed in November 2017, and a $94 million bond vote failed in June 2016.

The school board discussed moving forward with a third bond issue in 2018, but on a split vote in June decided to delay any more discussion on the bond until January.

Board member Greg Schwartz has advocated for hiring a firm to help the district develop a long-range plan for capital improvements.

Prior to bond discussions being suspended in June, the board had focused on the need for improvements at the elementary schools. They had discussed the possibility of eliminating at least one elementary school through new construction or renovation.

HaysMed donation

The school district recently purchased the former Oak Park Medical Complex, which it plans to renovate for use by Early Childhood Connections.

HaysMed had a majority interest in the complex and will be donating $500,000 of the $2 million purchase price back to the school district to be used for renovations. That check will be presented by HaysMed at the school board meeting tonight.

The district has also received a $1.47 million federal grant for renovations.

Superintendent search

Gary Sechrist, field specialist for the Kansas Association of School Boards, will provide the superintendent applicant information to the board during an executive session. Current Superintendent John Thissen has resigned. He will serve out his contract, which ends June 30.

The board also will review the administrative contracts for Shanna Dinkel, assistant superintendent, and Chris Hipp, director of special education, for the 2019-2020 school year.

Board appreciation

There will be a Board Member Appreciation Social at 5:30 p.m. in the Toepfer Board Room to celebrate School Board Member Appreciation Month. Food and refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend.