Board votes 6-1 to add restroom vandalism to meeting agenda

Board clashes over high school restroom vandalism and closures

Board rejects initial personnel roster, approves amended list

District honors long-serving staff retirements and key transfer

District braces for mental health funding cuts amid legislative wrap-up

New state mandates require civics and physical fitness testing

Special work session scheduled to review Felten property housing proposals

JAG-K program celebrates expansion and new micro-credential system

Hays educator named middle school coach of the year

Board votes 6-1 to add restroom vandalism to meeting agenda

HAYS, Kan. — In a 6-1 split vote at the start of the meeting, the board approved a motion to amend the evening's agenda to include a discussion on Unified School District 489 restrooms. The addition was requested to gather taxpayer-relevant data on vandalism reports, maintenance costs and repair frequencies. The item's inclusion ultimately sparked the meeting's most extensive debate regarding student discipline and facility management.

Board clashes over high school restroom vandalism and closures

HAYS, Kan. — The Unified School District 489 Board of Education engaged in a lengthy, contentious debate regarding vandalism and the closure of group restrooms at Hays High School. Principal Shawn Henderson confirmed that group restrooms have been restricted to activity-use only since August after students damaged sinks and sensors, requiring students to use the 37 individual stalls instead. Detailed metrics on repair costs and disciplinary actions were demanded, amid frustration that well-behaved students are losing access due to the actions of a few. Administrators stressed the difficulty of monitoring the spaces without invading privacy, urged parents to take responsibility for student behavior and said the district will begin cleaning the bathrooms twice a day to help deter issues.

Board rejects initial personnel roster, approves amended list

HAYS, Kan. — In a rare move following a closed executive session, the board initially voted 3-4 to reject the administration's proposed personnel transactions. Following the failed vote, the board successfully approved the personnel roster only after a separate motion was made to defer the appointment of a high school staff member for further review. The name and position of the appointee were deliberately withheld pending this review. The amended personnel list passed with a split vote, resolving the evening's final action item.

District honors long-serving staff retirements and key transfer

HAYS, Kan. — The board recognized several long-serving staff members retiring from the district, whose names were not publicly released, including a 25-year educator and a 21-year veteran staff member. Also retiring are an in-school suspension supervisor, a custodian and two bus drivers. Additionally, administrators announced that Wilson Elementary Principal Anita Scheve will transfer to the district office to serve as the new special education director, filling the vacancy left by Kyle Carlin.

District braces for mental health funding cuts amid legislative wrap-up

HAYS, Kan. — Superintendent Ron Wilson warned the board that recent state legislative decisions will negatively impact the district's Mental Health Intervention Team program. Wilson reported a significant funding cut to the program at the state level, which will require the district to incur additional local costs to keep the services running. Wilson also noted the passage of a new bill requiring cell phones to be inaccessible during the school day, prompting the district to evaluate logistical changes to enforce the policy for the upcoming school year.

New state mandates require civics and physical fitness testing

HAYS, Kan. — Upcoming state legislation will require Unified School District 489 students to pass a 20-question civics test aligned with the U.S. citizenship exam to graduate. In addition to the civics requirement, the state is mandating 30 minutes of daily recess and the implementation of a standardized physical fitness test. Superintendent Ron Wilson assured the board that high school students will have multiple opportunities to pass the civics exam and that the district already meets the mandatory recess time requirement.

Special work session scheduled to review Felten property housing proposals

HAYS, Kan. — The board will schedule a special work session in May to review four housing development proposals for the Felten property. A need was expressed for further discussion on potential property tax revenue, overall district benefits and how the sale proceeds would be utilized in the capital outlay fund. It was noted the district has an opportunity to collaborate with the city to address local housing shortages while maximizing the financial benefit to the school system.

JAG-K program celebrates expansion and new micro-credential system

HAYS, Kan. — Instructors from the Jobs for America's Graduates-Kansas program highlighted the initiative's rapid district growth, which now serves more than 180 students across three programs at Hays Middle School and Hays High School. The program focuses on job readiness and trauma-informed care. Instructors announced that next year, the program will transition to a self-paced micro-credential program, allowing students to earn verifiable workforce certifications in areas like resume writing and software proficiency.

Hays educator named middle school coach of the year

HAYS, Kan. — Hays Middle School educator Cade Scott was recognized as a middle school coach of the year. Scott has served as a head basketball coach for nine years, amassing a 137-11 overall record, logging four undefeated seasons and winning seven league championships. District officials praised Scott for his teams' behavior, academic focus and extensive involvement in youth sports programs throughout the community.

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