Takeaways from Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 School Board Meeting
Week of July 16, 2026
Board approves resolution to terminate principal's contract
Teacher contract negotiations set to resume
District to exceed revenue-neutral property tax rate
Board switches health insurance providers to curb costs
District allocates at-risk funds to subsidize local after-school program
Capital outlay funds approved for HVAC and maintenance vehicles
Summer facility projects face minor delays and adjustments
Board revises emergency drill policy due to state mandates
Online enrollment opens ahead of 'Stuff the Bus' event
Board approves resolution to terminate principal's contract
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383 Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday indicating its intent to terminate the employment contract of Marlatt Elementary School Principal Sheila Henke. According to the resolution, the board cited an alleged violation of board policy related to a failure to perform contractual duties. Henke was suspended with pay effective July 9, pending a potential hearing. The 7-0 vote followed an executive session and multiple public comments concerning district leadership, accountability and the handling of school personnel matters.
Teacher contract negotiations set to resume
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Contract negotiations between the school district and NEA Manhattan-Ogden will resume on July 27, according to an update provided by union president Lisa Heller. The announcement comes as the district finalizes its budget authority and navigates increased operational costs for the upcoming school year. Union leadership also announced that Kelly Carmody, an educator at Eisenhower Middle School, was recently recognized as the Outstanding Intermediate Teacher by the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers and Engineers Foundation.
District to exceed revenue-neutral property tax rate
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The board unanimously approved a resolution of intent to exceed the revenue-neutral property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. While the district's proposed mill levy of 58 mills represents a slight decrease from last year's rate of 59.184 mills, rising property valuations mean the district will collect more overall tax revenue. District officials noted that adhering strictly to the state-defined revenue-neutral rate would force a $2.26 million budget shortfall before accounting for inflation and increased operating costs.
Board switches health insurance providers to curb costs
MANHATTAN, Kan. — In a move aimed at mitigating rising healthcare costs, the board approved a switch to a new health insurance provider for the district's employee health insurance plan. The change comes after Blue Cross Blue Shield proposed a 23 percent rate increase. The new plan represents an 11 percent increase, saving the district approximately $400,000 compared to the BCBS proposal. District administrators also announced long-term plans to use intergovernmental support funds from Fort Riley to eventually build a self-funded insurance pool to stabilize future healthcare costs.
District allocates at-risk funds to subsidize local after-school program
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The board unanimously approved a $924,177 memorandum of understanding with the Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan to provide after-school homework assistance for students. The funding, sourced entirely from state at-risk funds, aims to offset the organization's recent loss of federal 21st Century Learning Grants. The district's financial intervention will keep monthly parent fees for the after-school program at $50, avoiding a potential spike to $175 per month for local families.
Capital outlay funds approved for HVAC and maintenance vehicles
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The board approved two major capital outlay expenditures, including $45,000 to LST Consulting Engineers, PA for the Bluemont Elementary School heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacement project. Additionally, the board approved the $56,000 purchase of a new maintenance pickup truck. District officials emphasized that maintaining capital outlay funding is critical to preventing costly deferred maintenance across the district's aging facilities, some of which are nearly a century old.
Summer facility projects face minor delays and adjustments
MANHATTAN, Kan. — District administrators provided an update on ongoing summer maintenance and capital improvement projects across multiple schools. Crews working on the Lee Elementary School playground encountered dense bedrock, requiring the district to invoke a "rock clause" that will marginally increase project costs and delay completion. Meanwhile, crews also had to alter flooring plans at Amanda Arnold Elementary School after a chemical reaction in the subfloor prevented a planned epoxy installation in the kitchen.
Board revises emergency drill policy due to state mandates
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Board members unanimously approved the first reading of revisions to the district's emergency drills policy to comply with new state mandates. During the discussion, frustration was expressed regarding state lawmakers, with arguments asserting that the legislative changes are overly prescriptive and complicate local control. Administrators noted the new state rules inadvertently create legal loopholes that hinder the district's ability to conduct standard summer safety drills with community partners like the fire and police departments.
Online enrollment opens ahead of 'Stuff the Bus' event
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Superintendent Eric Reid announced that online student registration for the upcoming school year opens this week, with central, in-person registration scheduled for July 24 at Manhattan High School. The July 24 event will also feature the annual "Stuff the Bus" backpack and school supply distribution, coordinated by the FIT Closet. Officials noted that volunteers are still needed to help pack and distribute an estimated 1,000 backpacks to local students in need.
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