By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Trump administration has frozen $172,000 in federal title funds for the Hays USD 489 school district.
The funds for the district and others across the country were supposed to be distributed as of July 1.
Superintendent Ron Wilson said the funds have already been allocated. Unless Congress votes to claw back the funds, the money will be automatically distributed after 45 days.
Title funds help pay for extra support for reading and math instruction, support for migrant students and professional development.
Wilson said the state has already eliminated funding for professional development.
If the federal funds are clawed back, the district would be forced to fund the programs through its general fund, Wilson said.
Computer purchase
The school board also approved $183,454 for the purchase of 180 Dell computers for Hays High School and other staff.
Some of the computers will be assinged to special education staff. The cost of those computers will be reimbursed by the special education co-op.
The cost of the co-op computers will be spread across the participating districts, including Ellis, Victoria, Russell, Hays and LaCrosse.
The purchase is part of the district's scheduled technology replacement program.
Board reorganization
During its annual reorganization meeting, the board re-elected Curt Vajnar as president of the board. The board members elected Ken Brooks as vice president.
Handbooks
On Monday, the school board returned the Hays High School handbook to administrators for further review and revision.
The elementary, middle and virtual school handbooks were approved as presented.
Board member Jayme Goetz said she wanted the high school handbook to include specific consequences for violations. She argued these examples would result in consistent discipline.
However, at the previous meeting, Principal Shawn Henderson said some of the verbiage in the handbook had been eliminated to allow for more flexibility in dealing with students based on individual circumstances.
The board also approved changes to policy recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards.