Less than two weeks remain before USD 251 North Lyon County begins classes.
One of the key focal points for the year is brand-new to the district: an early childhood development center near North Lyon County Elementary. Superintendent Bob Blair says the construction and renovation process is, for all intents and purposes, done. Board members took a tour of the facility right before the regular board meeting earlier this week.
Blair says the district planned on having 20-25 students in the early childhood center, and it’s possible the remaining slots may be filled in the next few weeks.
Also from the district’s board meeting this week, the district adopted an updated pandemic response plan so it can apply for grant funding through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The district had a “Test to Stay and Play” program last year. The same basic plan is in place for this year. Blair says they are opt-in programs for parents. A holdover from the spring semester earlier this year has school nurses and administrators not doing contact tracing. That responsibility is on the students and their parents.
On top of those steps, the board approved an increase in substitute teacher pay from $95 to $120 per day. Blair says this will make USD 251 competitive with other nearby districts, including USD 253 Emporia. There is currently one unfilled teacher position at Northern Heights, but there is a “Plan B” to make sure that class is taught.
