The USD 253 Board of Education has approved the formation of a new task force during their Wednesday board meeting.
Discussions for the need of an Early Learning Facility Task Force began during the board’s May 24 meeting. During the district facility needs assessment, it was mentioned the district could either choose to upgrade Maynard Early Childhood Center — as is the plan for other district buildings — or construct a new center.
This led to the May 24, discussions on the formation of the task force whose responsibility it would be to research and provide recommendations to the board. This process will include examining the viability of the existing facility, benefits to building a new facility, possible locations of a new facility and other information regarding the needs of the district’s three to four-year-old students.
The recommended course of action is for the task force to be comprised of 10 to 12 district stakeholders. The board unanimously voted to approve the formation of the task force Wednesday. Over the past few weeks, board members have submitted the names of individuals to serve on the task force. The district will now contact those individuals with plans to have task force up and running as soon as possible. The board’s hopes are to have the task force present their final recommendations at the board’s first meeting in August.
In other business, board members approved the purchase of new textbooks for AP World History courses. The current textbooks have become outdated due to changes in the College Board curriculum and the advancement of history over the past 20 years. District teachers decided the best option would be the McGraw Hill Traditions and Encounters, “A Global Perspective on the Past.” Additionally, the board approved the purchase of textbooks for the new Forensic Science program at the high school.
Two insurance items also gained board approval. The first was a request to increase student accident insurance coverage offered by KASB. Total cost would be $27,800, which is a $23,600 increase over the district’s previously purchased plan. Secondly, the board approved the renewal of the district’s property and casualty insurance through CBIZ Insurance Services of Kansas City, Missouri.
Other action items included approval of the Republished Bilingual Fund in the 2018-19 budget, the fee schedule for 2019-2020 and a KSDE Safe and Secure Grant.
The Board of Education will next meet on June 26, at 7 pm inside the Mary Herbert Education Center.
