By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board at its meeting Monday night approved the addition of three teachers at the Hays High School next year.
One teacher each will be added to the science, math and social studies departments. The additions were needed because of growing enrollment.
The district was expecting about 220 freshmen this year, but the class was actually 257 students. Another 40 additional students are anticipated at HHS next year with another additional 20 students projected the following year.
In social science, required American history has already ballooned to 25 to 30 students per class, Fred Winter, HHS assistant principal, said.
The addition of the social sciences teacher will allow HHS to decrease class sizes and increase electives.
This school year, the high school already has two science teachers who are teaching during their planning periods.
The addition of a science teacher will allow HHS to maintain science class sizes, as well as launch its health sciences career pathway next year, Becky Hickert, HHS assistant principal, said.
School officials are also hoping to eventually add law enforcement and STEM career pathways.
HHS Principal Shawn Henderson said space is already at a premium at the high school, but teachers in these departments said they are willing to share classrooms to accommodate new teachers.
Shanna Dinkel, assistant superintendent and director of curriculum, said the high school's proposal was the result of negotiation and compromise and is reflective of what school officials felt they could accomplish with the budget that is available.
Board member Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp asked if adding three teachers was enough.
"We're trying to squeeze everything out of what we have," Superintendent Ron Wilson said.
Additional HHS parking
The board also approved a $34,500 contract with M&D Excavating to construct additional parking at HHS.
Henderson said more freshman have started driving to school the second semester and the parking lot is not large enough to accommodate the additional vehicles.
The school has had to use a grassy area, which is about 200 by 250 feet, for additional parking. The school plans to add an asphalt overlay in this grassy area.
The school lost about 30 t0 35 parking spaces when it converted to its current diagonal parking configuration at the beginning of the school year. However, parents have commented that the new configuration is safer and has resulted in fewer fender benders in the lot.
Teacher negotiations
The board approved Tammy Wellbrock, Ken Brooks and Craig Pallister as the members of negotiating team for teacher negotiations. Allen Park will serve as the alternate for the team.