By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays school board approved contracts for two HVAC projects at
its meeting Monday night.
Both of the projects were bid through the Greenbush Education Service Center Purchasing Cooperative, a state program that guarantees preferential pricing to schools.
The cost of the O'Loughlin Elementary School project is about $1.28 million.
The Wilson Elementary School HVAC replacement was approved in October. However, school officials are requesting a change order so the system will be better suited to meet the needs of the building when it becomes the district administrative office.
Although the contracts were awarded to BCS, that company contracts with local companies, including Glassman for the work, Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent, said.
Work on both projects will begin this summer.
Computer funds
The district has received $320,000 in Emergency Connectivity Funds toward the purchase of 800 computers for Hays Middle School students.
Those computers have already been purchased.
Since 2021 the district has received $1 million in E-rate and Emergency Connectivity Funds to upgrade technology, Superintendent Ron Wilson said.
That has included 960 laptops for Hays High School students, the middle school devices, 200 staff laptops and a full replacement of the wired and wireless network in the district, Wilson said.
The district received a separate $90,000 grant through nutrition services that will pay for a new walk-in freezer and two new ovens.
USD 489 Foundation
The Hays USD 489 Foundation for Education Excellence gave a report to the board. The foundation raised almost $51,000 through its auction and dinner in October. Those funds will be awarded to school projects through grants.
The foundation has raised $231,000 for school needs to date.
Special education raises
The board approved a $1 increase in pay for paraeducators for the functional life skills and Westisde programs.
The district has struggled to fill these positions and currently has five openings. These students generally need more assistance than other students in the special education program.
This proposal will raise the starting wage of paraeducators in these programs to $13.06 per hour.
The special education co-op has 61 employees who would be covered by the proposal. The change will cost the co-op about $35,000 for the rest of the school year.
The board had a first reading on a policy that would make it easier for students to earn credit toward graduation for non-school activities, such as internships.
The board also appointed board members Craig Palliser, Ken Brooks and Tammy Wellbrock to the teacher negotiations team with Allen Park to serve as an alternate.