6 takeaways from Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 school board meeting

District Enrollment Dips, High School Numbers See Largest Drop

Manhattan-Ogden schools have seen a preliminary decrease of about 100 students compared to the previous year, according to a report delivered to the Board of Education. As of August 20, total enrollment stood at 6,569 students. Manhattan High School saw the most significant decline, with enrollment down by approximately 60 students. Several elementary schools, including Amanda Arnold, Bluemont, and Ogden, were also down by about 20 students each. The shrinking enrollment led to a reduction of one teaching section at an Ogden elementary grade level, where a teacher was reassigned to a different role. District officials noted the numbers are still preliminary and will be finalized on September 20, but acknowledged a continuing trend where graduating classes are larger than incoming kindergarten classes.

New Student Cell Phone Policy Receives Praise in First Week

Early feedback on the district’s new, more restrictive student cell phone policy is overwhelmingly positive, according to comments from board members and staff. An NEA Manhattan-Ogden representative noted the policy has “really helped the classroom environment to staying on task,” citing a personal experience where 100% of students in their class turned in assignments during a substitute day, a rare occurrence. Board members shared similar stories from a parent’s perspective. One parent noted her high school son is now so conscientious about the rules that he keeps his phone in his backpack and has asked her to stop texting him during the school day, a significant change in behavior that has extended beyond school hours.

State Policy Change Could Impact School Funding from New Housing

A recent change by the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) could significantly alter the financial impact of future housing developments on the school district. Superintendent Eric Reid reported that under the new interpretation for Rural Housing Incentive Districts (RHID), the property value of new developments would immediately be included in the district’s total valuation. Previously, this valuation was excluded, which allowed the district to receive more state aid when new students from these developments enrolled. Under the new rule, if a development adds significant property value without adding enough students, it could decrease the district’s state aid, creating a potential budget hardship or necessitating a tax increase. The board will now have to more carefully scrutinize the number of students a proposed housing project might generate before lending its approval.

School Resource Officer Agreement Stalls After Rejection by Riley County Law Board

The agreement to place School Resource Officers (SROs) in district schools has hit an unexpected roadblock after the Riley County Law Board failed to approve the contract. The rejection was a surprise to both the school district and the Riley County Police Department. An attorney for the Law Board reportedly raised concerns, and district officials stated they may have to revisit the agreement. If substantial changes are required from the version the Board of Education already approved, the contract will have to be brought back for another vote.

Community Childcare Shortage Directly Affects Teacher Hiring

The ongoing shortage of local childcare is not just a family issue but a direct impediment to teacher recruitment, Superintendent Eric Reid stated. He revealed that the district has lost teacher candidates who were ready to sign contracts but could not find care for their own young children. The issue was underscored during discussion of the new Flint Hills Community Accelerator and Childcare Business Initiative (CBI), a facility designed to help launch new childcare businesses. Board members expressed hope that the accelerator, which is already nearly full with prospective providers, will help alleviate the shortage and, in turn, widen the pool of potential educators for the district.

Student ‘FIT Closet’ Overwhelmed by Donations, Seeks Volunteers

The district’s “FIT Closet,” a program providing free clothing to students, is experiencing the consequences of its own success, forcing a temporary pause on accepting new donations due to a lack of space and volunteers to sort the items. Board member Greg Hoyt, who volunteers for the program, reported that the closet is “insane” with donations and that a team of four volunteers working for three hours couldn’t empty a single large collection bin. The program has 18 large bins in total, with 12 currently in storage at a maintenance facility. An urgent call was made for volunteers to help sort clothing on Fridays so the program can clear its backlog and resume accepting community donations.

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