8 Takeaways From Pittsburg USD 250 School Board Meeting

Enrollment drop prompts budget review

Free meal program saves families over $600,000

District faces staffing shortages in food service

Teacher sick leave pool nears depletion

Board approves $263,000 HVAC upgrade for Lakeside Elementary

Middle school construction targets Jan. 1 completion

Grant secured for student-run coffee shop

Students highlight teaching pathway experience

1. Enrollment drop prompts budget review

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Superintendent J.B. Elliott announced that the district is reviewing expenditures following a decline in student enrollment of approximately 100 students. Elliott noted that the administration is looking for ways to cut back on spending and explore revenue sources, such as the virtual school, to offset the loss of per-pupil state funding. The board will be presented with specific budget adjustment ideas over the next couple of months.

2. Free meal program saves families over $600,000

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Food Service Director Summer Warren presented a quarterly report highlighting that the district's participation in the Community Eligibility Provision has saved local families over $600,000 in meal fees during the first quarter of the school year. Under the program, the district served 90,000 breakfasts and 120,000 lunches in the first quarter. The food service department remains self-sustaining, covering all salaries, benefits and supplies through federal reimbursement claims without drawing from the district's general fund.

3. District faces staffing shortages in food service

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Despite financial successes, the food service department is struggling to find and retain quality applicants, citing a starting wage of $14.25 per hour. The food service director noted that for a standard contract, this equates to less than $20,000 annually, making recruitment difficult in the current labor market. Board members discussed the possibility of reviewing compensation, though administration noted that federal reimbursement rates limit flexibility in wage increases.

4. Teacher sick leave pool nears depletion

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Superintendent J.B. Elliott reported that the district's sick leave pool has dropped to 49 remaining days, while upcoming requests for the spring already total 120 days. The pool, which allows staff to donate and draw days for medical emergencies, is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Elliott indicated that the sustainability of the current system will likely need to be addressed during future negotiations with the teachers' association.

5. Board approves $263,000 HVAC upgrade for Lakeside Elementary

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Unified School District 250 Board of Education unanimously approved a bid of $263,007 from Building Controls and Services to replace the HVAC controller system at Lakeside Elementary. Chief Operations Officer Tom Stegman reported that the current 23-year-old system is at its end of life. The upgrade, which will be paid for through capital outlay funds rather than bond funds, is scheduled for installation during spring break to avoid disrupting classes.

6. Middle school construction targets Jan. 1 completion

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Renovations at Pittsburg Community Middle School are progressing, with the parking lot and gymnasium wall repairs nearing completion. Chief Operations Officer Tom Stegman reported that concrete curbs are being formed and light poles have been set, with a target to have the parking lot ready by Jan. 1. However, complex issues regarding a natural gas line, sprinkler systems and structural supports are delaying the finalization of specifications for the deck project.

7. Grant secured for student-run coffee shop

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Career and Technical Education department announced the receipt of a $25,000 Perkins Reserve Grant to establish a school-based business. The funds will be used to launch a student-run coffee shop, a project the district has been attempting to start for three years. The business is designed to provide practical experience for students in business finance and marketing pathways, as well as opportunities for special education students and students learning English as a second language.

8. Students highlight teaching pathway experience

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Two high school students presented to the board regarding their experiences in the district's redesigned teaching and training pathway. The program now utilizes a rotation system, allowing students to intern at various grade levels and schools, including classrooms for English as a second language and middle school blocks, to gain diverse classroom management experiences. The Career and Technical Education director noted that enrollment in the pathway has grown to 23 students, with plans to expand partnerships with Pittsburg State University.

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