By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board approved an agreement Monday that would create a program that would help Hays teachers earn their master’s degrees at Fort Hays State University.

The board unanimously voted to approved a revised agreement after requesting more restrictions.

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

Related story: Board wants more focus for program that would help teachers earn master’s

A revised agreement stipulates applicants to the program would have to be approved by 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 last week 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.

After the vote, Schwartz asked Superintendent John Thissen to write a letter of memorandum specifically outlining which administrators would be approving requests to participate in the program. Thissen agreed to do this.

Audit

The board also heard a report on the district’s annual audit from Adams, Brown, Beran, and Ball. The company said there were was one significant deficiency found during the audit. A person who was not eligible to be paid through federal Head Start dollars had been paid with federal funds for a year incorrectly. Those dollars had to be returned to Head Start. The administration was made aware of the issue, and it was corrected.

There were no other significant issues in the audit.

However, the accounting firm did recommend the district create a system to reconcile its Hays Middle School gate receipts, update W-4s and K-4s for name and address changes and review activity fund policies and procedures in light of staff changes.

Financial report

Tracy Kaiser, director of finance, said the district is under budget to this point in the year. It has spent 29 percent of its allowable budget. It budgeted to spend up to 38.5 percent of its budget by this time of year.

Outgoing board members

Outgoing board members Josh Waddell and Danielle Lang were honored for their years of service. Both board members served one four-year term.

A reception was conducted prior to the board meeting Monday night.

Thissen said, “I really do appreciate very much your service. In this position, there are not a lot of thanks. In your service, you have been very, very helpful to Hays. It is really a difficult job and takes quite a bit of time.”

Board president Lance Bickle said, “Thank you for all your service. We’ve been through a heck of a lot. Thank you.”

New board members Sophia Young and Mike Walker will take their seats in January.

In other business, the district approved the Hays High Curriculum Guide changes and heard a report on board goals.