> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Takeaways from Hays USD 489 Education Board Meeting - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/takeaways-from-hays-usd-489-education-board-meeting-10/ - Published: 2026-08-18T13:07:02.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-18T13:07:02.000Z - Description: Week of August 18, 2026 - Author: Greg Loving - Tags: hays, #summary # Crews rush to finish bond projects before first day of school # New Hays Middle School exit drive completed # Early Childhood Center play area funded despite procedural error # Commerce Bank to sponsor classroom at Hays High School # District foundation sets date for annual fundraising auction --- ### 1\. Crews rush to finish bond projects before first day of school HAYS, Kan. — Construction crews are working frantically to finalize bond-funded renovations at O'Loughlin Elementary School and Felten Elementary School ahead of their start dates. Superintendent Ron Wilson provided a brief update to the Hays USD 489 Board of Education, noting that workers are pushing to complete the necessary improvements before students return to O'Loughlin Elementary School for their first day of classes on Thursday. --- ### 2\. New Hays Middle School exit drive completed HAYS, Kan. — Construction on a new exit drive connecting Hays Middle School to 13th Street is completely finished, Hays USD 489 officials announced. The final section of the project, located directly across from Golden Belt Drive, was recently finalized with the installation of sidewalks. The completion fully opens the exterior traffic flow for the middle school side ahead of the new academic year. --- ### 3\. Early Childhood Center play area funded despite procedural error HAYS, Kan. — A new green space play area for the Early Childhood Center was approved by the Hays USD 489 Board of Education, despite a procedural oversight that resulted in the project proceeding without standard prior approval. The project, funded entirely by federal Head Start money, went out to bid in May to add a play space north of the existing turf. A district official took responsibility for the missed step, explaining that projects exceeding $20,000 typically require prior board approval, and assured attendees that staff training has been updated following a recent staffing transition to prevent future mistakes. --- ### 4\. Commerce Bank to sponsor classroom at Hays High School HAYS, Kan. — The Hays USD 489 Board of Education is finalizing a three-year corporate classroom sponsorship agreement with Commerce Bank for a classroom at Hays High School. The contract, which follows parameters recently set by the Hays USD 489 marketing committee, will provide the bank with a plaque on the classroom door, a poster inside the room and the first right of refusal for renewal. A district official told the board during its meeting Monday that final contract details are being completed and will be presented for formal approval at the board's next meeting. --- ### 5\. District foundation sets date for annual fundraising auction HAYS, Kan. — The USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence's annual auction is officially scheduled for Oct. 24, Hays USD 489 officials confirmed during the meeting Monday. The event raises supplemental funds for district programs and initiatives through community bidding. Attendees briefly joked before the meeting about purchasing items — including a cake — signaling the start of promotional efforts for the fall fundraiser. --- Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below: [Contact Us](https://www.citizenjournal.us/contact/) --- [![Job Board](https://rosebud-ads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/JOB.png)](https://gregl72.github.io/job/?ref=citizenjournal.us)