On June 16, USD489 Superintendent Ron Wilson reported to the Board of Education (BOE) that Columbia Insurance (representing Commercial Signs) has agreed to honor the district’s request that a $28,541 replacement scoreboard will be provided for the scoreboard destroyed by high winds this spring. He stated that the total package includes an adjustment on the installation piece for the re-installation of the scoreboard.
The Heartland Community Foundation recently awarded $134,675 to local organizations in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego County during our spring grant cycle. In total, the community foundation helped fund 33 projects -- including 14 that were fully funded and 19 that were partially funded.
The Kansas Exporter of the Year award is being presented, and the Governor of Kansas has made the trip to present the award in person.
The City of Hays Fire and Police Departments are urging residents to follow safety guidelines carefully as they prepare to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks.
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).
Dear Eric: The president of my religious institution is, in my view, a fine leader and a rotten speaker. I have participated in a number of meetings he has led and am driven crazy by the number of instances of "you know," "kind of" and asking "right?" in the middle of a statement.
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.