9 takeaways from Moundridge USD 423 school board meeting

1. Board Divided on Girls' Basketball Coaching Hire

In a rare break from unanimous decision-making, the Board of Education approved the hiring of Kimbra Den Hartog as the High School Girls’ Basketball Assistant Coach by a narrow 4-3 margin. The motion, introduced by board member Craig Galle and seconded by Dwight Goering, sparked a split vote among the seven members present.

2. Drafting Students Propose New Bus Shelter

Moundridge High School drafting students moved from the classroom to the boardroom Monday night, presenting a proposal for a new bus stop shelter . The presentation involved members of the MHS Drafting Class outlined plans to construct a shelter to protect students from the elements . The board reviewed the student-led design and potential costs associated with the project, weighing the infrastructure improvement against the district’s capital outlay budget.

3. Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Added to Agenda

The board took steps toward addressing local housing and development by adding a "Neighborhood Revitalization Plan" to the meeting agenda at the last minute . The item was not listed on the original published agenda but was amended into the schedule via a motion by Craig Galle . Neighborhood Revitalization Plans are typically critical for taxpayers as they often involve tax rebates or incentives designed to encourage new construction and home improvements within the district, directly impacting the local tax base.

4. Partnership with Prairie View School Program

Alongside the revitalization plan, the board amended the agenda to include a discussion and approval regarding the "Prairie View School Program" . This addition suggests a new or renewed collaboration with Prairie View, a regional provider of mental health and behavioral services. For parents and taxpayers, this signals the district's continued focus on allocating resources toward specialized student support services and external educational partnerships.

5. Riley Koehn Named Boys’ Basketball Assistant

The board unanimously approved the hiring of Riley Koehn as the High School Boys’ Basketball Assistant Coach for the upcoming winter season . Unlike the contention surrounding the girls' program assistant, Koehn’s appointment received full support from the table, passing with a 7-0 vote . This move solidifies the coaching staff for the boys' team as they prepare for the 2025-2026 season.

6. Executive Session for Non-Elected Personnel

The board retreated into executive session for 25 minutes to discuss matters related to non-elected personnel, citing the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) protection for privacy . The private session began at 7:59 p.m. and reconvened at 8:24 p.m., just prior to adjournment . While no specific action was taken immediately following the session, such discussions often involve sensitive evaluations, contract negotiations, or specific employee conduct issues that can precipitate future staffing changes.

7. Staffing Shuffle: Para Resignation and New Hires

The district saw movement in its support staff roster Monday, accepting the resignation of Morgan Carter, a Paraprofessional . To fill the gaps in classroom support, the board moved quickly to approve two new hires: Erica Schrag and Karis Friesen as Paraprofessionals. These positions are essential for maintaining compliance with student support requirements and ensuring adequate teacher assistance in the classroom.

8. High School Government Students Observe Proceedings

The board meeting served as a live civics lesson, as members of Mr. Lange’s Government Class were in attendance . The students observed the governance process firsthand, witnessing the split vote on hiring and the presentations by their peers in the drafting class. Their presence highlights the district's effort to integrate real-world local government functions into the high school social studies curriculum.

9. Superintendent Evaluation

While the minutes focus on the personnel hiring, the agenda indicated that the executive session was also slated to cover the "Superintendent Evaluation" . The evaluation of Superintendent Cody Rierson is the board's primary method for oversight of the district's top administrator. This annual or semi-annual process is vital for setting district goals, assessing leadership performance, and determining the future administrative direction of USD 423.

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