District Moves Up School Boundary Decision by One Month

District accelerates timeline for new school boundaries

Board cuts cost of elementary boundary study, approves consultant

Audit reveals clean financial health and no findings

District accepts $10,700 in community donations

Negotiated agreement reached with teachers

USD 418 Board Honors Sherrie Sparks at Final Session

District accelerates timeline for new school boundaries

MCPHERSON, Kan. - Responding to parental concerns regarding the uncertainty of future school placements, the board adopted an accelerated timeline for finalizing elementary boundaries. Superintendent Shiloh Vincent presented a schedule that moves the final board vote to March 9, a month earlier than the originally proposed April date. The process will include two community input nights in February to allow the public to review potential boundary scenarios before a decision is made.

Board cuts cost of elementary boundary study, approves consultant

MCPHERSON, Kan. - The McPherson USD 418 Board of Education voted 7-0 to approve a contract with RSP & Associates to facilitate the district's elementary boundary process, but with a significant modification to save taxpayer money. Board members removed a $13,500 line item for a new enrollment analysis, arguing that the data commissioned by the district last year was sufficiently current. The amended contract, reduced to approximately $34,500, focuses on utilizing existing demographic data to restructure attendance zones.

Audit reveals clean financial health and no findings

MCPHERSON, Kan. - The district's external auditor presented the fiscal year 2024 audit report, delivering a clean opinion with no financial findings or violations of the cash basis law. The auditor noted that while the district received a standard "adverse" opinion regarding generally accepted accounting principles—a common technicality for Kansas school districts that operate under a state waiver—the financial statements were fairly stated in all material respects. The board unanimously approved the audit report.

District accepts $10,700 in community donations

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The board approved a consent agenda item accepting approximately $10,700 in donations from various community sources. The gifts included $2,500 from Williams Energy of Tulsa for career and technical education (CTE) programs , as well as $100 from Wise & Reber for the Debate program. Additional funding for student performance groups included $800 from Farmers Alliance for the Hi-Stepper Program and $1,000 from the Booster Club for Thespians. To support various student needs at the elementary level, First Presbyterian Church donated $200 each to Eisenhower, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Washington Elementary Schools.

Negotiated agreement reached with teachers

MCPHERSON, Kan. - District administration announced that the negotiations team has reached a tentative contract agreement with the local teachers bargaining unit. The agreement is currently open for a ratification vote by district staff until Dec. 18. To finalize the contract before the winter break, the board agreed to hold a special meeting to officially approve the terms once the staff vote is complete.

USD 418 Board Honors Sherrie Sparks at Final Session

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson USD 418 Board of Education recognized outgoing board member Sherrie Sparks for her service to the district and community during her final session Monday. Sparks finished just outside the three open seats in the recent November election. Both board members and administration took time to express their gratitude for her tenure. The board presented a card to Sparks, acknowledging the critical role she played in guiding the district through recent transitions. In her closing remarks, Sparks encouraged the board to remain steadfast in their current endeavors.

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