By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 superintendent updated the school board on district construction projects at the board's meeting on Monday.
Work is progressing on the bond projects at Roosevelt Elementary School and Hays High School, Superintendent Ron Wilson said.
The board members will tour the construction sites at their August retreat.
The Wilson Elementary School parking lot was reconstructed this summer. Morgan Brothers did that project, along with reconstructing the street in front of the school. The city paid for the street.
HVAC work is still being completed at O'Loughlin Elementary School. Asbestos remediation work was also completed at the school this summer.
A new freezer was purchased for Hays Middle School. The old freezer was removed from inside the building, and the new freezer was installed outside, freeing up more space in the HMS kitchen.
Crews also have been working on floors and asbestos abatement at HMS.
The district has been notified it received a Safe and Secure Schools grant. It will use those funds to renew its subscription to the Raptor notification system, which helps reunite students with their guardians in an emergency.
School board leadership
The school board elected a new president and vice president at its meeting on Monday as part of its annual reorganization.
Curt Vajnar was elected president, and Jayme Goetz was elected vice president.
The board approved policy changes recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards. One policy aligns the district with a state law that will allow virtual students to participate in extracurricular activities. They will no longer be required to be enrolled in a class in the district.
The district had first a reading on student handbooks for the upcoming school year. Wilson said one of the most significant changes is that guardians will need to notify the school each day a child will be absent.
Hays High School is also creating a 10-minute passing period to allow more time for second breakfast.