By Gaille Pike Special to the Hays Daily News On June 24, 2025, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced plans to temporarily close lanes… Login to continue reading Login…
By Gaille Pike Special to the Hays Daily News Over the past year, Ellis County Commissioners and Public Works (PW) Director Brendan Mackay have suggested… Login to continue reading Login…
Youngsters may be enjoying the lazy, hazy days of summer. But the staff at First Call for Help of Ellis County is busy collecting supplies for backpacks.
On June 16, 2025, the USD489 Board of Education unanimously approved Master Negotiated Bargaining Agreements with a $1800 salary increase for certified teachers and approved (4-3) a 2.5% wage increase for Classified employees, Directors, Administrators, and other licensed personnel. For certified teachers employed next year, $1000 will be added to each base of the District’s Standard Salary Schedule and an additional $800 will also be added in exchange for changes expected to be negotiated next year in the Medical Insurance and Fringe Benefit Plan for teachers.
The USD489 Board of Education approved (4-3) three of the four Change Orders for the new Hays High School Bond Construction project, presented by Nabholz Construction's Senior Project Superintendent Brett Stevens and Project Manager Dylan Weddle. Stevens' presentation included the addition of a welding booth ($26,448), cooling tower check valves ($9,176), relocation of the track and field layouts ($37,064) and interior school murals ($38,374).
On June 16, 2025, the USD489 Board of Education (BOE) approved 6-1 a motion to hold an election in July 2025 for BOE president and vice president; then the elections going forward will take place in January 2026 for a 12-month term to run from January to December. BOE Member Ken Brooks voted against the measure.
Nabholz Construction’s Project Manager Dylan Weddle reported significant progress for both the O’Loughlin Elementary and Hays High School (HHS) Bond Construction Projects in his update to the USD489 Board of Education (BOE) on June 16, 2025.
Although last month a motion to approve a Copier Lease Agreement renewal with SumnerOne failed, on June 16, 2025 the USD489 Board of Education (BOE) on June 16, 2025 unanimously approved the same proposal for a $63,049/per year, five year Copier Lease Agreement Renewal with SumnerOne for print management, copy machines, support and maintenance for District copier equipment, with the service provided under the Kansas Board of Regents Contract #17010701. During the May 12, 2025 BOE Meeting, BOE Vice President Jayme Goetz and fellow BOE Members Ken Brooks and Ruth Ruder voted in favor of the Summer One lease renewal.
How many deliveries were made across America today?