The USD 327 Ellsworth Kanopolis-Geneseo board of education addressed several aspects of transportation during Monday night’s meeting.

“The insulation needs to be replaced,” Transportation Diretor P.J. Weinhold said of the district’s bus barn.

Unanimously, the board approved moving forward to solicit bids to replace the insulation in the bus barn.

Taylor Durr from DCS Services discussed options with the board, and estimated insulation replacement could run about $28,000. His firm will assist the district with the bid process.

The board opted to move forward with the insulation and continue discussion about options for the bus barn.

“If this is going to be a phased project, it’s wise to get it started so we can talk through it,” Durr said.

The insulation would be the first phase. Durr said a new 12 x 24 foot structure extending the existing barn is a feasible option.

“Looking at our existing site, considering an addition onto it is something Taylor and his team thinks would be a good option int he short term,” Superintendent Deena Hilbig said. “The 12 x 24 is to allow P.J. the length of a bus so he could repair it. If it isn’t finished by the end of the day, it is clean and safe from outside elements.”

Durr said an extension is more involved, including new footings and foundations. The rough estimate he presented to the board was about $114,000 for the addition to the current barn.

In addition to a structure, the board also discussed a grant for electric school buses.

“There is a new grant program for 2023,” Hilbig said. “EPA is sponsoring this, and we anticipate them awarding $400 million throughout the nation.

“Considering that, we feel like we are a strong contender in being a suitable district that could meet high need local education criteria they set forward.”

Weinhold said the electric buses have a 120-mile range, and eight hours are required to fully charge a depleted battery.

“I feel we will be pushed later to go electric,” Weinhold said. “My thoughts were we need to explore it now while funding is available rather than be pushed into it and have to come with all funding.” Board president Cynthia Edgerle asked about a charging station.

Maintenance Director Tony Aspiranti dedicated transformer would be required for the charging station, but it could charge two vehicles.

“I think we have to explore it, but I think we have a lot of questions,” Edgerle said.

In other action, the board:

• Approved several gifts and grants: $1,027.77 worth of detergent donated from Ellsworth Correctional Facility; a $4,954 Oneok grant for science lab equipment; $118.96 to EES from the elementary school PTO for yearbooks; an additional $27,047.00 in grant funding from KDHE, Covid Relief ELC Funds and three Coleman coolers for Kanopolis Middle School.

• Approved transporting children from the elementary school to The Early Childcare Center after school.

The center will pay the district $2,000.

• Discussed a travel opportunity for students for summer 2025 through EF Tours.

EJSHS principal John Cannon presented information about a two-week trip which would travel to London, Paris and Rome. The all-inclusive trip would be eligible for students attending EJSHS or graduating in 2025 and would cost $4,409 per traveler.

“They also offer scholarships,” school psychologist Erica Howard said. “We might have some eligibility. We have enough time to plan ahead; we could help with fundraisers.”

• Approved adopting a new math curriculum for grades K-5. The program, Math Expressions 3, costs $49,001. A second program, 6-Algebra 1, costs $21,528. ESSER funds were used for the purchase.

• Approved changes to the school handbooks.

• Board member Brian Rush requested the junior/senior high school consider the ineligibility for some events.

“We get pounded mental health into our heads,” he said. “Is that F in geometry ‘No, you’re not worth going to prom?’ I think we can avoid an angry parent if a student has had a few bad weeks and that twice in a lifetime opportunity is gone. I get KSHSAA, but if they’re ineligible in football, they still get to go to the football game.”

• Approved the food service contract.

The district did not have a fee increase for the 2022-23 school year, and the contract for the 2023-24 year reflects an 8.4 percent increase, which is 32 cents per meal, bringing the contract rate to $4.0975. The increase will result in about $2,460 additional cost per month, but Hilbig said the school has money available from the supply chain assistance funds. The district has not yet set meal prices for the 2023-24 school year.

USD 327’s current contract with OPAA! expires in spring 2025.

• Approved renewing the district’s annual membership with the Kansas Association of School Boards for $13,196.07, which is a 7 percent increase.

• Approved combining fees. Instead of paying separate textbook and technology fees, the amount will be combined and provide a graduated fee schedule for families who qualify for free and reduced lunches.

The new fees are $30 for those on free meals with a $60 family maximum. Reduced meal students would have a $60 fee with a $120 per family maximum.

Other students would have a $90 per student fee with a $180 per family maximum.

• Approved continued discussion with the Greater Salina Community Foundation/Smoky Hills Charitable Foundation to establish a scholarship for future teachers in Ellsworth.

• Approved non-resident transfers to USD 327 for 41 students.

Additionally, students of teachers who live out-of-district would be considered as resident students.

“We have a teacher who will have a student who applied for non-resident transfer,” Hilbig said. “It would be a new employee for us.”

• Approved bids to replace carpet in two classrooms at each attendance center from Floor Perfect for $27,170.

• Approved the purchase of a 2022 GMC Terrain SLT from Long McArthur Ford for $33,949.95 for the district’s vehicle fleet.

• Discussed applying for a KDHE grant for the junior/senior high school exterior door.

The deadline is July 31, and the board asked Hilbig to ask for additional information from the two lowest bidders.

Next regular board meetings will be Monday, June 12, at 7 p.m. and Monday, June 26, at 7 p.m.