Takeaways from Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 School Board Meeting
Week of March 5, 2026
USD 383 explores bond refinancing to save taxpayer dollars
District accepts over $22,000 in community donations
Board advances 2026–2027 academic calendar
Alternative Learning Environment pilot program reports strong first-year success
JAG-K program sees rapid growth and student success
MHS career and technical students dominate state competitions
Manhattan High wrestler secures rare fourth state title
Board president criticizes state legislation
USD 383 explores bond refinancing to save taxpayer dollars
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383 Board of Education unanimously approved a re-engagement letter with financial advisers Piper Sandler to explore refinancing existing district bonds. Superintendent Eric Reid noted that favorable market conditions could allow the district to refinance debt from previous bond issues, potentially saving taxpayers millions of dollars. The board emphasized that this refinancing is entirely separate from current construction projects, functioning similarly to a homeowner refinancing a mortgage to secure a lower interest rate. Piper Sandler representatives are scheduled to present a deeper financial analysis at the board's March 25 meeting.
District accepts over $22,000 in community donations
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383 Board of Education unanimously approved a consent agenda that included $22,388.90 in local grants and donations to support district programs. Notable contributions included a $16,818.90 cash donation from the Manhattan High Booster Club for athletic and activity equipment and a combined $4,500 from the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Marysville to support student activities and child nutrition. An additional $500 donation from a community donor was earmarked to help clear negative student meal accounts.
Board advances 2026–2027 academic calendar
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383 Board of Education unanimously approved the first reading of the proposed 2026–2027 academic calendar, setting an opening day of Aug. 11, 2026, and a closing day of May 21, 2027. While some board members noted the mid-August start date feels early compared to local university schedules, the proposed calendar closely mirrors the current year's structure regarding major holiday breaks. The calendar is subject to final approval following ongoing teacher negotiations.
Alternative Learning Environment pilot program reports strong first-year success
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383 administrators presented a positive update on the Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) pilot program, which currently serves 50 in-person and 22 online students. [FLAG: Name TK], an ALE specialist, reported a 94% program acceptance rate and noted that eight students have already graduated at the midterm. The hybrid learning model, housed at a district alternative learning site, provides personalized academic and social-emotional support, resulting in improved in-person class pass rates across all participating grade levels and keeping at-risk students engaged in their education.
JAG-K program sees rapid growth and student success
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Jobs for America's Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) program is expanding rapidly within the Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383, with Susan B. Anthony Middle School doubling its student roster in just its third year. Program specialists and student leaders [FLAG: Names TK] shared testimonials highlighting how the competency-based curriculum has improved their employability, confidence and leadership skills. Serving approximately 150 students across multiple middle and high school programs, JAG-K utilizes at-risk funds and district matching dollars to prepare students for the future workforce through mock interviews, job shadowing and civic engagement projects.
MHS career and technical students dominate state competitions
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Manhattan High School students delivered top-tier performances at recent state vocational competitions, with 13 health occupation students qualifying for the International Leadership Conference this summer. The Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) human anatomy team secured its third consecutive state championship, while [FLAG: Name TK], a junior, was elected as a state officer. At the SkillsUSA state competition in Hutchinson, MHS students took first place in the Teamworks building structure category, and [FLAG: Name TK] was named the SkillsUSA Educator of the Year.
Manhattan High wrestler secures rare fourth state title
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Manhattan High School senior Caeleb Hutchinson made Kansas sports history by winning his fourth consecutive individual state wrestling championship, becoming one of only 44 wrestlers to achieve the feat in the state's 51-year wrestling history. Hutchinson's victory highlighted a dominant weekend for Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383 athletics, which saw the boys' team finish second overall and the girls' team place fourth. The district also celebrated two other individual state champions: senior Alayna Slifer at 135 pounds and junior Sophia Hoeme at 140 pounds, as well as junior Max Evans-Pryor, who took third place at 175 pounds.
Board president criticizes state legislation
MANHATTAN, Kan. — During board comments, Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383 board president Jayme Morris-Hardeman criticized Kansas Senate Bill 244, a measure that took effect Feb. 26, 2026, and restricts transgender Kansans' ability to maintain state-issued identity documents reflecting their gender identity. Morris-Hardeman expressed direct support for the local transgender community, stating, "I am disgusted by both the content of Senate Bill 244 and the process used to move this bill forward without public comment," and adding that transgender members of the community "deserve to be treated with dignity and respect." District officials also expressed concern over a separate Senate budget proposal that would add $6 million to special education but eliminate the Mental Health Initiative grant.
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