By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Work is continuing on the Hays USD 489 bond projects, with construction on 13th Street to start this spring.
Dirt work has slowed on the Hays High construction project because of recent rain and snow, but work has continued on fire and domestic water lines and footings.
Work at the Roosevelt Elementary School has included installing ceiling tile, framing, setting bathroom fixtures, and installing wall covers and epoxy flooring.
Wilson shared a photo with the board of Roosevelt students standing at the library window and looking at the construction project.
"What this picture sums up perfectly is what school bonds are about and why they are necessary," Wilson said. "... Mrs. Callahan, the librarian, said this is the highlight of coming to the library. It's not necessarily checking out books. It's getting a view of the construction.
"What you have there is a bunch of kids who someday will talk about, 'Hey, I remember when that was built."
Some of them, hopefully, will have kids, and they will go to this school, Wilson said. The parents will talk to their kids about watching the school being built, Wilson said.
13th Street
The district is also working with the city of Hays to improve 13th Street.
The bond project includes the construction of a new high school at the 13th Street site. The current high school will be remodeled into a middle school, which means the area will have more traffic.
The street will be widened from Harvest to Commerce Parkway. This will include turning lanes.
Crosswalks and pedestrian islands will also be added. The traffic lights at 13th and Canterbury will be improved.
The city and school district will share the cost of the improvements. Bids will go out on this project by the beginning of March.
Work is slated to start this spring.
Food program
Thanks to donations from Women Who Lead and the Community Assistance Center, the district is relaunching its Food For Kids program. Food packs will be sent home over the weekend with children who are in need. Students at Westside School will help pack the food.
Administrator contracts
After an executive session, the board also approved building-level administrator contracts.