By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The $673,532 computer purchase of 820 Surface 3s for Hays High School students, 60 Surface Pro 3s for HHS staff and 108 Lenovo c50-30 Desktops for computer labs at the high school and middle school computer labs, is scheduled for a vote during tonight’s meeting of the Hays USD 489 school board.

Board members will also vote on financing for the Windows computers purchase recommended by the district Technology Committee. Administration is recommending the board approve financing of $375,000 with Bank of Hays, the low bidder with a 1.24% rate and no closing fee costs.

The remainder of the PC technology purchases would be paid with capital outlay funds.

Other agenda items include a vote on the 2015-2016 school fees, including a proposed $20 increase in the technology fee at Hays High School, which would increase the fee to $50 if approved.

Administration is also recommending approval of a five cent increase in the elementary lunch price and a 10 cent lunch increase price at the middle school and high school for 2015-2016. Due to federal price equity requirements, USD 489 is required to raise lunch prices a minimum of $.07 weighted average.

The board will consider voting to approve the three year Kansas State Department of Education Technology Plan so it can be submitted to the State of Kansas.

The board will also discuss renewing membership in the Kansas Association of
School Boards at a cost of $13,145 for membership and legal assistance fund fees.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, in the Toepfer Board Room at the USD 489 Administrative Building, 323 W. 12th.

See the entire agenda here.