HARTFORD — The USD 252 Southern Lyon County Board of Education covered a lot of ground during its regular meeting this week.
In a meeting that lasted well over three hours, the board discussed numerous topics, including facility improvements, food service contracts, enrollment trends, technology rotation, transportation and strategic planning. Superintendent Mike Argabright tells KVOE News planned improvements at Olpe will have to be re-bid because some areas did not receive bids, others received only one bid and certain bid amounts came in higher than desired. Argabright says a big list of summer construction projects areawide, combined with a tight labor picture, didn’t help matters for the district.
Some work could begin this summer, but Argabright says the main work could begin in September. While the Olpe renovations are tentatively on hold, Argabright says work is humming along at both Hartford and Neosho Rapids. All three schools are receiving significant building upgrades as part of a bond approved last year.
In other business, Argabright says the board spent a fair amount of time discussing the strategic plan, especially in light of Hartford and Neosho Rapids being approved as part of the Gemini II wave of education redesign through the Kansas State Department of Education.
Enrollment numbers were also discussed, with total student headcount projected to be down 13 students between this year and next.
Also, the board:
*Approved districtwide baseball and softball programs for the 2018-19 school year.
*Approved OPAA Food Management’s bid to handle the district’s food services.
*Approved technology purchases worth nearly $60,000 as part of the district’s seven-year rotation plan.
*Discussed a dual credit program involving Flint Hills Technical College.
