By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

At Monday’s meeting, the Hays USD 489 school board will hear an update on the renovation project at the former Oak Park Medical Complex.

The complex is being renovated for use by the Early Child Connections program. The school district purchased the property for $2 million.

The district received a $1.47 million federal grant for renovation of the complex, as well as a $500,000 donation from HaysMed, which was a primary complex property owner before it was sold. A developer has signed a $500,000 contract on Washington school building, where ECC is currently housed. The developer intends to renovate the school into low-income apartments.

In addition, the ECC program has applied for grants to pay for moving playground equipment and renovating space at the Oak Park Complex into a storm shelter. If the district receives that money, it could mean another couple hundred thousand dollars for the project. This money would be used for contingency for the project if it is received.

The renovation project is behind its initial timetable. The district is under a tight schedule to complete the project and has until June 30 to spend the federal grant money.

The district had hoped to have at least three buildings in the complex open when school starts in August.

In other business, the board is set to:

• Vote on the school calendar for 2019-20.
• Hear a report on Roosevelt Elementary School and Hays Middle School roof bids
• Hear an update on board goals
• Hear a review of board policies
• Hear an update on assessments and Kansas Education Systems Accreditation