One of the key topics of Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth Kansas USD 327 Board of Education was an extension of a discussion that took place at their May meeting on student handbook sections pertaining to cell phones.

While the board approved the EBBD, JBH, EE, GARIA, GARID, JDDAA, JGFGBA and GCIA sections, they chose to seek more information through a K-12 survey for JCBB.

“Ultimately, we decided to do a survey with staff to see what they thought,” Superintendent Deena Hilbig said.

The results came from 39 staff out of 66 who could weigh in. A vast majority said that they were in support of a cell phone policy.

“The number that said no was so small, it didn’t even calculate,” Hilbig said.

A couple of issues crept with the wording. A number were in favor of the policy being in place not just for the higher grades, but all of K-12. In addition, they did not want the decision to be at the teachers’ discretion.

“Regardless of my feelings on this, the survey speaks for itself,” board member Jake Svaty said In addition, the board discussed that the rules should be the same for everyone — not just students, but teachers and staff.

“If we’re going to do this and you’re going to get me to vote on this, we need to lead by example,” Svaty said. “We need to lead by example, put our phones away and get to work.”

The addition to student handbooks was voted into effect, 5-1, with the following wording: “Personal cell phones/electronic devices/wireless devices and their usage will not be permitted during a student’s school day. These devices need to be silenced and securely placed in a book bag and locker. Fewer distractions during the academic day creates an environment for optimal learning. “If parents need to reach your student during the academic day, please contact the school and we will relay your message.”

“If we want to do what’s best for teachers and students, we need to do this,” Board Member Gina McGowan said.

The vote was not unanimous, as Svaty was not in support of the addition without it being a written school policy for teachers as well.

“I want it all or none,” he said In addition, Career Technical Education Coordinator Karl Dawn Stover presented the board with information on CTE.

“I just came to share a little about what we’ve been doing, especially since my position was new last year,” Stover said.

She explained that CTE pathways expanded last school year and have expanded again for the 2024-25 school year to include fashion apparel and interior design, introduction to health care and restaurant and business management.

“I’m excited to have these high-quality classes that students are interested in and I’m excited to see the work we have put in continue to grow into next year, Stover said.

“What you are doing is just fantastic,” Svaty said. Board members and administrators were privy to information provided by Instructional Technology, Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator Dan Magie, exploring the data provided by FastBridge on state assessments. This was also an extension of last month’s meeting as the state assessment data wasn’t available during previous discussions.

“Kansas Assessment Program results came in at the end of the school year, but I’m here to talk about strengths and some recommendations,” Magie said.

The district performed well in fourth grade reading. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade all tested well in writing. The eighth and 10th grades tested well in writing, while third and sixth did well in math.

When it came to areas of improvement, third through 10th grade assessments showed a need in English and language arts, specifically reading skill. Grade seven also needs improvement in ELA, specifically reading and writing. Grades seven through 10 need improvement in math, specifically skills and concepts and thinking and reasoning.

Recommendations for improvement include professional development training for staff that aligns to standards at the appropriate depth of knowledge using high-impact practices and strategies training for newly- adopted curriculum, as well as resource allocation that funds for high-quality instructional materials, ongoing professional development and technology support.

“We have good teachers and passionate teachers, but we aren’t always teaching the right thing,” Magie said.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted donations, including a Summer Reading Grant from the Dane Hansen Foundation for $1,732 and $40 from Meredith Vargo to be used at the Ellsworth Elementary School library.

• Hilbig briefed the board on the strategic plan and the six strategic themes that have been developed and will be utilized during decision-making in the future by the board. In addition, the board approved the utilization of the Kansas Association of School Boards during the first quarter of the school year. Hilbig will contact KASB, who will assist the district in identifying board goals and anticipated outcomes.

“I’d like to ask them what some good goals are for our board to keep us in line and clarifying our district’s vision,” Hilbig said.

The cost for this would be $200 per hour, as well as mileage, and will take place in early fall 2024.

• Approved disposal of various excess items like furniture and toys through sale or trash.

• Approved the updating of board policy JBCC to reflect the changes to follow the new bill as it relates to open enrollment/nonresident transfer of students. Now the policy will state from January 1-June 15.

“I don’t believe our district has ever been opposed to out-of-district students. This just keeps us in line with current laws, Hilbig said.

The policy was also updated to require students to have maintained a 95 percent attendance rate and be in good standing at previous schools.

The next regular board meeting will be at 7 p.m. June 24 in order to end the fiscal year.