By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
(The meeting was originally scheduled for 6:30 p.m., but due to weather concerns is now set for 5:30 p.m.)
The Hays USD 489 Board of Education is set to meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Toepfer Board Room in the Rockwell Administration Center, 323 W. 12th, for a work session.
Several topics are up for discussion, including project bidding procedures, Hays Middle School HVAC project funding and fees for the 2016-17 school year. The board is also set to continue discussions on the upcoming bond election as administrators begin organizing volunteers and preparing for a series of public town hall meetings to give the public opportunities to see what the bond would purchase and ask the administration questions.
In preparation for those meetings, the district has developed informational slides, which can be viewed here.
The board will also discuss project bidding procedures after concerns arose surrounding the bidding of HVAC systems at Hays Middle School at the last board meeting.
A notice during that process failed to be posted to the USD 489 website, causing board members to hear complaints about the process. The request for bidding procedures are now being reviewed by the board.
While the bidding process is under review, the HVAC project was passed by the board and now financing options and payment for architects to draw plans for the system are set to be discussed during the work session.
Fees for the 2016-17 school year are also set to be discussed by the board.
While most fees will remain the same or be lowered, some new fees will be discussed to offset the cost of expanded student access to technology and fees associated with summer school.
Other topics on the meeting’s agenda include:
- Hays Recreation Commission Resolution to Approve a Lease Agreement
- Representatives from the HRC will present information to the board regarding a lease agreement to improve land owned by the commission.
- Board Term Changes Due to Passed Legislation
- The administration will discuss recent changes in legislation that will require board members elected in 2013 to serve until Monday, January 8, 2018.
- Administrative Contracts
- The board will take action on the Superintendent’s contract and the Assistant Superintendent’s contract at the February 15, 2016, meeting.
- Physical Education Credit Requirement Proposal from Hays High School
- Hays High School Principal Marty Straub will make a recommendation to reduce a physical education class credit requirement to achieve the necessary credits to graduate.
A full agenda for the meeting, including the proposed fee schedule, can be found here.