Superintendent Deena Hilbig briefed the school board on listening sessions that are being implemented at the schools during the 327 Board of Education meeting Monday night at the district office.

These sessions are an opportunity for parents, community members, staff and students to be heard and give their opinions.

“(They are) really an opportunity to listen,” Hilbig said.

Five questions will be discussed at the listening sessions:

• What are the characteristics of a successful high school graduate?

• What is USD 327 doing really well?

• What are some areas where USD 327 can continue to grow?

• What do we want to be known for?

• What is the best way to communicate with you?

This is the first step in a larger strategic planning plan and Hilbig challenged board members to invite five people each to the listening sessions. For questions or concerns call (785) 472-5561.

The listening sessions will be held as follows: Oct. 24 2 p.m. Ellsworth Elementary School 7 p.m. Kanopolis Middle School Nov. 1 7 p.m. Ellsworth Junior/ Senior High School Recognition and gifts

Teacher of the Year nominees Tracy Wacker and Karl Dawn Stover were recognized by the board. Sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education and recognizes excellent teaching in elementary and secondary classrooms. Fellow teachers nominated their colleagues.

“We had individuals from each of the buildings nominate these teachers,” Hilbig said. “This is two of many excellent educators in our district.”

Stover is the Ellsworth Junior/Senior High School Agriculture Teacher and FFA Sponsor.

Wacker is a fifth grade teacher at Kanopolis Middle School.

The board also voted unanimously to accept three gifts:

• $50 from First United Methodist Church for the Honor & Glory Fellowship

• $1,000 from an anonymous donor for student needs

• Sonic supplied the Ellsworth Junior/Senior High School with complimentary drinks on Sept. 15 USD 327 has been notified that it received a number of awards from the Kansas State Board of Education Kansas Can Star Recognition Program. The program recognizes district success in the outcome measures the state values. These outcomes, categorized as either quantitative or qualitative measures, serve as the roadmap for Kansas to reach its vision for education. The program recognizes exceptional work Kansas districts are doing to reach state vision for education.

The district received the following: Copper — Academically prepared for graduation Copper — Graduation Bronze — Postsecondary effectiveness Public Forum

Jerry Marsh appealed to the school board to make the Board of Education meetings available in a streaming format. He pointed out that a number of other aspects of the district are available via online platforms including sporting events and even classroom instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This board supports transparency and patron engagement,” Jerry Marsh said.

The board had no response at the time of the meeting, but said they would discuss it in the future.

Facilities

A local resident who owns property in the 1100 block of Elizabeth Drive is requesting the school district allow him to build a four-foot, black, chain link fence. City ordinance requires that neighbors give their consent to the building of such a fence and the district owns approximately 72 feet of property to the north. In addition, he requested that if the property were to ever be sold, he be considered for the purchase.

The lot was part of land donated for school use. At the time it was thought to possibly be used for a baseball diamond, but it was too small. The lot is likely unbuildable as there is a sewer line that runs underneath.

“I would think only the people that live there would want it,” Board President Cynthia Edgerle said.

The board will check into making sure the lot was sellable. It also approved the chain link fence 7-0.

OPAA! Regional Director Aaron Romero briefed the board on school food services within the district. Last month approximately 2,300 breakfasts and 8,200 lunches were served.

“Overall comments are that the program is getting better, kids seem to be happy and eating more,” Romero said.

In the past, meals were made at the Junior/Senior High School and transported to the other schools. This year meals are being made fresh at EES. The change has been lauded as largely positive.

“I like hearing about improvement, that is a plus,” Edgerle said.

Since 1992, Kansas statute has required every school seeking accreditation to have a building site council. They serve as an advisory council for schools and are made up of parents, community members and staff. Site councils for each of the schools in the district have met to discuss such topics as building progress and themes and student behavior expectations, support and discipline. A joint site council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Ellsworth Elementary School conference room.

Procedures

Two policies were brought forth for a first read among the board. While there are 26 policies under review, most are just small wording changes. The two discussed had more in-depth changes. The policy review committee does include two board members to include Gina McGowan.

“The board has the final decision but know that there has been a lot of discussion, for me it makes sense to listen to what they are saying,” McGowan said.

Under the Family Expansion Program of district policies in the Memorials, Funerals and Naming of Memorials section, the current policy states that in order for a facility to be named in honor of someone, that person has to have been deceased for at least 10 years. The new policy would remove that stipulation in favor of a requirement of significance and outstanding contribution to the district.

“We have three amazing teachers from each building that sit on that,” McGowan said. “They’ve looked into these things with other districts and have good discussions.”

Under the Instructional Program in the Textbooks, Instructional Materials & Media Centers section, specifically in Challenges of Materials, the current policy states that anyone can file a complaint and meet in person with the principal about materials and a response be issued within 30 days. The new policy proposes that any student, parent, or legal guardian of a current student in the district can file a complaint and a committee will be created and a response to the complaint will be delivered within 40 days.

Both of the current policies are available for viewing on the USD 327 website and the new proposed policies are being submitted to the Kansas Association of School Boards.

The district is working through reviewing their crisis planning, safety and security policies. These have not seen a major overhaul since 2007. The committee is involved with other entities, including outside agencies. Subjects being discussed include upgrading locks for consistency, secure entry and video camera networking.

“Times change and we as a school district need to as well,” Hilbig said.

Personnel The board accepted the resignation of Jordan Seitz as the assistant tennis coach. They also accepted the conditional hiring of Barbara Lee and Dillon Bunch as substitute teachers and Randy Peschka as a groundskeeper.

The next regular board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the USD 327 District Office, 145 W. 15th St. in Ellsworth with a tour at EES beginning at 6:15 p.m.