District navigates new state law banning cell phones on students

Board reviews policy prohibiting staff-student social media contact

Special education co-op faces $1 million assessment increase

Hailstorm damage prompts capital improvement plan amendments

Substitute teacher fill rates see 30 percent improvement

Central High journalism team wins fourth consecutive state title

District navigates new state law banning cell phones on students

SALINA, Kan. — The Salina Public Schools Board of Education is grappling with the logistics of enforcing a new state law that requires students' cell phones to be inaccessible and stored off their person during the school day. At Tuesday's meeting, administrators noted the mandate, tied to House Bill 2299, presents significant logistical challenges because many district buildings lack student lockers. The district has a grace period until Sept. 1 to finalize storage procedures and disciplinary measures, and officials will spend the summer determining how to manage device storage without having to purchase safes for thousands of student phones.

Board reviews policy prohibiting staff-student social media contact

SALINA, Kan. — In response to new Kansas legislation, the Salina Public Schools Board of Education reviewed a policy that prohibits school employees from engaging in private, two-way communication with students via social media platforms. The policy, drafted in accordance with Kansas Association of School Boards guidelines, only permits communication through platforms officially designated by the district for school purposes. District administrators will spend the summer developing specific procedures to implement the restriction before the upcoming school year.

Special education co-op faces $1 million assessment increase

SALINA, Kan. — Salina Public Schools expects a 15 percent increase — amounting to approximately $1 million — in its assessment transfer from the general fund to the special education cooperative. The transfer increase was reported as necessary to cover continuing funding shortfalls from both the state and federal governments. Although the final figures are not yet official, the general fund will absorb the costs that external funding mandates have failed to cover for local special education services.

Hailstorm damage prompts capital improvement plan amendments

SALINA, Kan. — Recent hailstorms forced emergency amendments to the Salina Public Schools capital improvement plan, including significant roof repairs at Coronado Elementary School. Facilities staff reported that roofing crews were deployed to Coronado Elementary over the weekend to install a vapor barrier, a project that pushed the district past its property insurance deductible. The board unanimously approved the amended plan, which also included funding for new kitchen equipment at South Middle School and updated security camera rotations.

Substitute teacher fill rates see 30 percent improvement

SALINA, Kan. — The Salina Public Schools partnership with Kelly Education has resulted in a 30 percent increase in substitute teacher fill rates compared with this time last year. Superintendent Heath Hogan reported the district is currently averaging a 73 percent to 74 percent fill rate for absent teachers. While the current numbers represent significant progress and a solid return on the board's investment, Hogan said Kelly Education is still striving to reach a 90 percent fill rate goal.

Central High journalism team wins fourth consecutive state title

SALINA, Kan. — The Salina Central High School journalism team was recognized by the Salina Public Schools Board of Education for securing the Kansas Scholastic Press Association's Class 5A state championship. The victory marks the fourth consecutive year the Central High School team has taken the top state prize. The South High School journalism team also was recognized at the meeting for earning an eighth-place overall finish in the state contest.

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