District to pay $2.2 million in bond arbitrage to federal government

Unallocated bond funds earmarked for parking lot projects

Board approves intercom system upgrade in 5-1 vote

Surplus property liquidation sparks brief debate

First reading of administrative handbook highlights vacation discrepancies

Middle school test scores surpass state averages

Extracurricular participation high at Hays Middle School

District to pay $2.2 million in bond arbitrage to federal government

HAYS, Kan. — Hays USD 489 will return approximately $2.2 million to the federal government as part of an arbitrage requirement on its bond investments. District officials reported that while the district earned roughly $17.7 million in interest by investing the $143.5 million in bond funds, federal law requires government entities to return a portion of investment earnings that exceed a certain threshold. The remaining interest revenue has been absorbed into the district's bond project fund.

Unallocated bond funds earmarked for parking lot projects

HAYS, Kan. — Following updated interest earnings, the Hays USD 489 Board of Education has approximately $374,000 in unallocated bond funds available. District administrators proposed using a portion of these funds for a mill and overlay of the O'Loughlin Elementary School parking lot and the construction of an additional parking lot at Hays High School, located south of the gymnasium. Final designs for both projects are being completed, and the district will soon issue requests for bids.

Board approves intercom system upgrade in 5-1 vote

HAYS, Kan. — The Hays USD 489 Board of Education approved a $41,754 bid from Nex-Tech to upgrade the intercom and public address systems at O'Loughlin and Felten Elementary School. The project will add Internet Protocol-based speakers to building interiors and exterior playgrounds to improve safety, allowing the district to isolate announcements to specific zones during emergencies. The measure passed 5-1, with one unidentified board member voting against the expenditure after expressing frustration that Nex-Tech was the sole bidder, despite the project being posted on a national bidding platform.

Surplus property liquidation sparks brief debate

HAYS, Kan. — A vote to approve the sale of surplus Hays USD 489 property via the auction site Purple Wave prompted a brief debate before passing unanimously. An unidentified board member pulled the item from the consent agenda to question why previous vehicle sales were not brought before the board for approval. District officials clarified that the previous sales were part of a previously approved enterprise fleet liquidation agreement, and the current items — including a school bus and a box truck — represent the final remaining legacy fleet vehicles.

First reading of administrative handbook highlights vacation discrepancies

HAYS, Kan. — During a first reading of the updated administrative handbook, Hays USD 489 Board of Education members discussed the discrepancy between administrator and teacher time off. The handbook outlines 22 paid vacation days for administrators, who work year-round on 12-month contracts, while teachers, who are on shorter nine- or 10-month contracts, receive a base of four paid time off days. While no action was taken on the first read, an unidentified board member requested that the Kansas Association of School Boards review the handbook to ensure legal compliance before the board votes on final approval.

Middle school test scores surpass state averages

HAYS, Kan. — Hays USD 489 officials highlighted recent academic achievements at Hays Middle School, noting that student assessment scores significantly outpaced state averages. Last year, seventh-grade reading scores were 10 points above the state average, eighth-grade math was 16 points higher and eighth-grade science exceeded the state average by five points. Administrators credited the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports and targeted, data-driven teacher discussions for the academic growth.

Extracurricular participation high at Hays Middle School

HAYS, Kan. — Roughly 40 percent of seventh and eighth graders at Hays Middle School are participating in fall extracurricular activities, Hays USD 489 officials reported. To accommodate the high number of student-athletes and ensure playing time, local coaches are organizing "fifth quarter" games. The initiative allows younger or less experienced players who did not get field time during regular games to play against each other in organized, localized scrimmages.

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