By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board on March 28 honored several individuals and groups within the district.
The Lincoln Elementary School was recognized by the school board for earning the Kansas Department of Education Challenge Award.
The school had been on improvement under the Department of Education because of low test scores among special populations of students.
The award is presented to schools that are making a difference in academic achievement despite significant challenges based on Kansas state assessment results.
The school has used multi-tiered systems of support, school redesign and the Kansas Learning Network to achieve increased test scores.
"This showcases all of the positive academic achievements that are taking place at Lincoln every day," Superintendent Ron Wilson said.
Donna Hudson-Hamilton, Early Childhood Connections director, presented Kansas Head Start Association Awards to Jessica Molnar and Jessica Brown.
Jessica Molnar was named KHSA Support Staff of the Year and Jessica Brown was named KHSA Family Advocate of the Year.
The school board also recognized the Hays High Special Olympics basketball team who recently competed and took first place at the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament in Hays.