Hays Post

Facing staff reductions and increased fees, Hays USD 489 is seeking to increase its local option budget — and ballots should be arriving in the mail today.

The district is seeking to increase its LOB from 30 percent to 31 percent, a move that would generate an estimated $200,000 in the coming year. For months, the district has been grappling with a 2014-15 budget that was more than $1 million in the red.

The board increased a variety of enrollment and materials fees and also set the stage for a significant staff reduction. Sixteen teachers were notified this spring their positions would be cut in the coming year, although five of those teachers were recalled last week to fill vacancies left by retirements.

The cuts, however, are expected to result in an increase in class size, especially at the elementary school levels.

If the LOB is approved, the board has vowed its No. 1 priority would be the reduction of classroom size through rehiring of teachers.

As part of a school funding compromise crafted by the Legislature this session, a bill that actually led to few state dollars flowing into the Hays district, the board of education has the right to increase the LOB up to 33 percent should the mail-in referendum be approved.

Superintendent Dean Katt and other school officials have been on a talking tour recently, explaining the budget and the LOB question. Katt said he hopes patrons will vote “to support the future,” even those who don’t have children in school:

The next stop on that tour is a Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Chat, scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday at Rockwell Administration Center.

For a compilation of information regarding the LOB mail-in ballot, click HERE.