By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays school board will hear a preliminary report on the tax levy for the coming year at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwell Administration Center.
Total mills for school district funds with tax levies will include 11.25 mills for the bond and interest fund; however, the levy for the supplemental general fund is being reduced.
The total mill increase will be 10.161 despite the addition of 11.25 mills for the bond and interest fund, according to the school board packet.
State law changed beginning July 1. Prior to July 1, the first $20,000 of home valuation was exempted from the general fund mill levy. After July 1, that exemption was increased to $40,000, according to the board packet.
The school board will also have its annual reorganization meeting on Monday. This will include the election of a new president and vice-president of the board.
The board will consider the purchase of 800 iPads for Hays Middle School students. The school district applied for a federal grant to help pay for the devices.
The school board also will:
• Hear an update on Kansas State School board activities from District 5 State School Board Member Jean Clifford
• Hear an update on teaching and learning from Assistant Superintendent Shanna Dinkel.
• Hear a report on board committee appointments
• Consider the issue of bonds for the USD 489 bond project
• Hear a report on Westside school changes
• Review the USD 489 strategic plan
• Review student handbooks
• Consider approval of the concrete bid for the transportation bus lot. The low bid was for $165,258 from Commercial Builders.
• Discuss district property boundaries at O'Loughlin Elementary School