7 takeaways from Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 school board meeting

1. Board advances three-tier busing plan, flips proposed start times

2. Parents oppose early start for elementary students

3. Driver shortage forces maintenance staff behind the wheel

4. Transportation overhaul projected to save district over $200,000

5. Report highlights academic challenges for English learners

6. District navigates language barriers for hundreds of families

7. District celebrates multiple state championships

Board advances three-tier busing plan, flips proposed start times

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education voted 6-0 Wednesday to approve the first reading of a new three-tier busing schedule for the 2026-27 school year, but with a significant amendment to the administration's recommendation. While the initial proposal called for elementary schools to start earliest to align with sleep research, the board amended the motion to place high schools in the first time slot (7:30 a.m.), followed by middle schools (8:05 a.m.) and elementary schools (8:50 a.m.). Board members emphasized that this "status quo" ordering would be less disruptive to families while still achieving the necessary transportation efficiencies. The plan will return for a final vote on Dec. 17.

Parents oppose early start for elementary students

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Prior to the board's vote on transportation, eight community members spoke during public comment to oppose the administration's original recommendation of a 7:30 a.m. start time for elementary students. Parents expressed concerns regarding the safety of young children waiting for buses in the dark, the impact of sleep deprivation on behavior and the financial strain of securing after-school care for early releases. While most speakers acknowledged the need for a three-tier busing system to solve logistical issues, they urged the board to reject any schedule that placed the earliest start times on the district's youngest learners.

Driver shortage forces maintenance staff behind the wheel

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Assistant Superintendent Nathan Downs presented data highlighting a critical bus driver shortage that has forced the district’s maintenance staff to log nearly 1,900 hours driving buses in fiscal year 2025. Downs explained that the current two-tier system requires office staff, mechanics and administrators to drive routes daily, delaying maintenance work and forcing the cancellation of field trips and athletic travel. Moving to a three-tier schedule is expected to reduce the daily requirement for drivers by approximately 14 to 16 positions, allowing the district to operate reliable routes with its current staffing levels.

Transportation overhaul projected to save district over $200,000

MANHATTAN, Kan. - District officials projected that shifting to a three-tier transportation model will save USD 383 between $200,000 and $250,000 annually. The savings would result from reduced overtime payments for maintenance staff who currently cover bus routes, a reduction in the number of bus aides needed and lower insurance costs due to a smaller active fleet. While one board member noted that the primary goal is to solve the driver shortage rather than cut costs, the financial efficiency was presented as a significant secondary benefit of the operational change.

Report highlights academic challenges for English learners

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Emily Cherms, director of English for Speakers of Other Languages, presented an annual report indicating that while English learners in the district are progressing in listening and speaking skills, reading and writing proficiency remains a challenge. Cherms noted that the English learner subgroup is not yet demonstrating the expected growth on state assessments. To address this, the district is implementing targeted reading and writing goals and is researching co-teaching models to better integrate language support directly into core content instruction.

District navigates language barriers for hundreds of families

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The school district now serves a population representing 60 different languages, with Spanish, Dari, Pashto, French and American Sign Language being the most common requiring interpretation. Christina Martinez, English for Speakers of Other Languages family liaison, reported that 391 families have requested communication in a language other than English. To meet this need, the district translated over 300 pages of documents and facilitated more than 700 interpreter-supported meetings in the past year to ensure equitable access to education for multilingual families.

District celebrates multiple state championships

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The meeting began with recognition of athletic and academic excellence, honoring the Manhattan High School Girls Cross Country team and Girls Golf team for winning Class 6A state championships. This marked the third state title for the cross country program and back-to-back titles for the golf team. Additionally, the board recognized the MHS Floriculture team for placing second nationally at the Future Farmers of America convention, and Superintendent Eric Reid congratulated the MHS football team for their recent state championship victory, with a formal recognition planned for a future meeting.

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