Hays school board to hear revised agreement on master’s program for teachers

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will take up a revised agreement tonight that would create a program that would help teachers earn their master’s degrees.

Some board members at last week’s board meeting said they did not think the program was restrictive enough.

A revised agreement stipulates that applicants to the program would have to be approved by the building and district administration. They would also have to be applying for a program “in a high needs area based on anticipated openings and lack of qualified applicants, as designated by the district. ”

Under the agreement, one-third of participant’s tuition would be paid for by the district, one-third would be paid for by Fort Hays State University and one-third would be paid for by the participant.

Board member Greg Schwartz also suggested the program stipulate a participant would have to work for the district for a certain number of years or have to pay back the district’s contribution to the program. That was not included in the revisions.

At 6 p.m. before the board meeting at Rockwell Administration Center, there will be a reception for outgoing board members Josh Waddell and Danielle Lang. The regular board meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.