Video courtesy USD 489 News
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
During Monday night’s work session, the Hays USD 489 Board of Education had a clear message concerning the search for the next district superintendent: It’s not public, but they are working on it.
After some recent criticism of the board’s apparent lack of action in the superintendent search, the board added the topic of the search onto Monday night’s work session agenda.
“We’ve done a very poor job in being transparent in this process,” said Lance Bickle, board president, suggesting talks have been held, but in executive session.
In recent meetings, the board has had executive sessions that have lasted hours, specifically dealing with personnel.
The board has so far treated the search as a personnel issue.
“That wasn’t really accessible to the pubic for confidentially,” as they discuss hiring internally or doing a search, board member Paul Adams said. “We’ve been doing something actively, but protecting the individual that may be looking at whatever decision that we decide to make.”
Even though the discussions so far have been confidential, board members said they have been working on how best to fill the position that will be vacated by Dean Katt at the end of the school year.
“We have been hard at work over the last three weeks,” said Sarah Rankin, board member. “When we have a firm decision, we will be sharing that with the public.”
During the meeting, the board continued discussing the current status of the proposed bond issue, discussing the work of the volunteer committees, hearing from Mike Morley, who serves on the speakers’ bureau.
He informed the board that another six town hall meetings have been scheduled. He also said the fundraising committee has been working actively to collect funding for the bond issue campaign, noting in-kind donations, such as radio advertising, have been donated by local businesses.
Even more importantly, he said the vitriol surrounding the bond issue seems to be subsiding.
“I think that’s encouraging,” Morley said.
“That’s from you guys,” Luke Oborny, board member said, commending the work of the volunteer committees.
The board also discussed doubling internet speeds across the district.
The district currently subscribes to a 200 megabyte per second connection through Eagle Communications, a connection that was increased from 125 mbps last July.
“There have been days we run 200 mbps a day,” said Scott Summers, director of technology.
That causes frustration in the classrooms, he said.
While answering questions from the board, Summers said usage statistics are provided by Eagle, with some internal metrics indicating during late mornings and prior to dismissal, the district often hits its 200 mbps limit at locations throughout the district.
“It’s all over the place,” Summers said where the data is being used.
If the board chooses to increase the speed, the cost per year would increase from $22,320 to $36,720, after rebates.
The board will discuss further the options at the next board meeting.
Disclosure: Eagle is the parent company of Hays Post.