Murmurs of excitement rippled through spectators during Monday night’s Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 board of education meeting as updates to Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School were discussed.

“The stucco on there is decorative in nature. It has all those little stones. It’s breaking off in chunks and breaking off and cutting holes in our roof,” Superintendent Deena Hilbig explained to students who attended the meeting for class credit. “The roofer told me if we don’t fix the bump outs, it will void our warranty. As homeowners, sometimes you have to spend money to keep things looking nice. We had to decide if we want to redo the stucco or remove them. We asked an architect to help us make that decision.”

Renderings of the improvements were shown, and students said, “It looks awesome.”

Maria Kutina from HTK Architects discussed the bids.

Vogts Construction Company from Newton was the low bid for the base and alternates at $389,780.

The biggest difference between Vogts and Doubrava Woodworking was timeframe Kutina said. Vogts could complete the project within 90 days of awarding the bid. Doubrava would be able to complete the project by September 2024.

The bump outs will be removed and replaced with metal sheeting. The project also calls for the same metal on the exterior of portions of the gym, as well as painting and other improvements.

Improvements for Ellsworth Elementary School and Kanopolis Middle School were discussed.

Hilbig presented options for security cameras at both attendance centers.

“We have a DVR that is not functioning,” she said. “It only shows us what is happening live. We would not be able to go back and watch it.”

Replacing the equipment would be $2,300, but wouldn’t coordinate with the district’s INA Alert camera system.

“I think it’s a good idea all under one (company) to monitor everything,” Board Member Steve Shepherd said.

The cost is about $11,000 to upgrade EES and $12,300 to upgrade KMS.

“This would be able to allow me to be able to see cameras from the district office,” Hilbig said. “If there were a crisis situation, law enforcement could look at camera feeds.”

The board unanimously approved both upgrades.

In other action:

• Laura Kyler, physical education teacher at Ellsworth Elementary School and Kanopolis Middle School, discussed the possibility of paving a walking path near the middle school.

Hilbig said a 5-foot wide paved path could cost about $38,000.

“It’s quite a bit of money. If you consider it’s something our students could use every day of the year, it might be worth exploring if we could find the grant funding,” Hilbig said. “I think it could be advantageous to the community of Kanopolis as well.”

Kyler said she hopes to apply for grants in the fall, so the project would not be complete this school year.

Additionally, she discussed the idea with Kanopolis residents.

“I talked to other community members who would like to support with a bench or shade,” she said. “I think I could get a lot of support from the community.”

The grants she wants to apply for could cover 80 percent of the cost, but are reimbursement grants. With those stipulations, Kyler would need board approval for the up-front cost, with the understanding the money would be reimbursed.

The request was unanimously approved.

• Discussed capital improvements for the schools.

Hilbig said the turf on the elementary playground needs to be replaced. Initial estimates ran close to $100,000, but the bids she has received so far are closer to $50,000.

The district applied for a grant for multimedia equipment for the Performing Arts Center, but did not get it. They will continue to collect data about current and potential future use of the equipment and apply for the grant again next year.

The district is also exploring the purchase of an additional vehicle.

• Approved updates to the JBCC policy. This policy relates to out-of-district students attending school in USD 327. The update allows students of “affiliate employers” to be considered in-district students. This could apply to transportation, special education or food service employees who live out of county but work for USD 327.

• Approved a 5-year interlocal agreement with the Smoky Hill Education Service Center. The organization provides support for teachers, as well as ongoing education.

• Discussed the Nov. 9 Legislative Luncheon which was hosted by the Smoky Hill Education Center.

“They spent a lot of time talking about special education funding,” Hilbig said. “It doesn’t appear we will get any support federally. If we get any, it will have to be through the state.”

• Discussed the Kansas Association of School Boards Convention in Wichita.

Edgerle said a priority for her is decreasing absenteeism.

• Following a 15-minute executive session, the board approved staffing changes.

Resignations: Janelle Robson as assistant volleyball coach and Nancy Bolton as junior high Scholar’s Bowl sponsor.

Hires: Sarah Klein, third grade effective Jan. 3; Jenny Freeman, EJSHS Biology/AP effective Jan. 3; Cursstyn Browning, assistant Student Council and junior high Student Council sponsor; Dana Webb-Lewis, substitute para; Michelle Kinsley, substitute; Christine Slechta, junior high Scholars Bowl sponsor; Brad Hansen, EJSHS assistant track coach.

Transfer: Kirsten Meier from part-time to full-time Dec. 6.

• The board went into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss the superintendent’s evaluation. No action was taken.

• Hilbig will hold a Superintendent’s Chat with district patrons from 7:30-9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the district office.

• A board work session will be at 5:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at the district office.

• The next regular board meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the district office. The board will meet at 6 p.m. at Kanopolis Middle School for a tour prior to the meeting.

Editor’s note: grants/gifts and student achievement will be published in the Nov. 23 I-R.