Architects unveil designs, timeline for district bond projects

Board approves contract for bond projects

District accepts nearly $57,000 in donations, including major special education gift

Board highlights financial strain from state special education underfunding

District implements procedures to comply with state cell phone ban

Board member details advocacy efforts at state education committee meeting

Teachers ratify 2026-27 negotiated agreement

Dozens of district employees honored for milestone years of service

Architects unveil designs, timeline for district bond projects

NEWTON, Kan. — Representatives from Schaefer Architecture presented design development drawings and tentative construction schedules for the district's upcoming facility bond projects. The plans outline the addition of storm shelters, secure entrances and restroom renovations across multiple elementary and middle schools, with construction at Cooper Early Education Center slated to begin in mid-November. Major renovations and additions at Newton High School — which will include a culinary arts expansion, new science labs, straight corridors and a pool overhaul — are expected to break ground in March 2027 and reach completion by August 2029.

Board approves contract for bond projects

NEWTON, Kan. — The board of education unanimously approved a Construction Manager at Risk contract with Simpson Construction to oversee the district's impending facility upgrades. The approval follows multiple review sessions among the district's legal counsel, Schaefer Architecture and Simpson Construction to finalize contract language and state requirements. Simpson Construction will now work closely with the architects to manage costs, establish hard bids and oversee construction timelines for the multi-year bond projects.

District accepts nearly $57,000 in donations, including major special education gift

NEWTON, Kan. — The board unanimously approved $56,933 in community gifts, highlighted by a $45,000 donation from Northview Developmental Services to the Harvey County Special Education Cooperative. The funds will be distributed directly to special education teachers, providing approximately $1,000 per educator for classroom support. Additional donations included more than $9,000 from a corporate donor for Newton High School Career and Technical Education equipment and scholarships and $2,500 from Newton Medical Center to provide scrubs and fund clinicals for Career and Technical Education students.

Board highlights financial strain from state special education underfunding

NEWTON, Kan. — Board members discussed the local financial impact of the state's continued shortfall in special education funding, noting that state contributions have dropped from approximately 92 percent of excess costs down to between 61 percent and 63 percent. District officials estimated the resulting shortfall increased local special education assessments by roughly $238,000, or 4 percent, this year alone. Board members stressed the importance of educating the public on how the district is increasingly forced to use local general funds to cover the state's mandated, yet unfunded, special education obligations.

District implements procedures to comply with state cell phone ban

NEWTON, Kan. — District administrators updated the board on new procedures designed to ensure compliance with House Bill 2299, a new state law mandating cell phone restrictions in schools. To meet the legislation's requirements, the district is standardizing approved communication platforms between teachers and students and disabling comments on district-managed social media accounts like Facebook and Instagram. Officials noted ongoing logistical challenges, such as determining compliant methods for coaches and sponsors to text students during out-of-town extracurricular trips, but emphasized that secondary schools will provide designated lock-up areas for student phones during the academic day.

Board member details advocacy efforts at state education committee meeting

NEWTON, Kan. — A board member reported on the inaugural meeting of a state education committee, hosted by a state legislator, which brought together representatives from local districts to discuss the downstream effects of legislative decisions. Topics included the unfunded mandate created by the recent cell phone bill and deep concerns over proposed school voucher programs. District officials noted that a potential voucher program could siphon an estimated $182 million from public schools statewide, according to the board member's characterization of the legislation, though proponents of voucher programs frequently dispute such estimates.

Teachers ratify 2026-27 negotiated agreement

NEWTON, Kan. — The board unanimously ratified the 2026-27 negotiated agreement following a successful vote by the district's teachers. The agreement passed unanimously among participating teachers, receiving 208 affirmative votes. This represented a 68.6 percent voter turnout among the district's eligible teaching staff. While board members acknowledged the turnout percentage was slightly lower than in previous years, they expressed optimism about the new contract and the district's forward momentum.

Dozens of district employees honored for milestone years of service

NEWTON, Kan. — More than 40 district employees were recognized for reaching milestone years of service during the board's employee service awards presentation. The board honored staff members celebrating five, 10, 15, 20 and 25-year anniversaries with the district. Board members took turns reading the extensive list of names, praising the dedicated educators and support staff for their longevity and commitment to the local community.

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