HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Voters in Hutchinson USD 308 will consider a $109.5 million bond issue at the November general election. The USD 308 Board of Education last night adopted a resolution to call the election, which since it will take place at the same time as the scheduled city/school/community college elections will not have any cost to the district.
The major component of the Bond Issue would be construction of a 6-8th grade attendance center on the site of the current Salthawk Sports Complex at 23rd and Severance. It would repurpose the current Hutchinson Middle School-8 as an early learning center and student service facility and make improvements to district elementary facilities.
It would also provide for a new baseball/soccer facility.
The Board approved purchase of three 15 ton rooftop units for the gym at Hutchinson Middle School-8. One of the four units had been replaced after a heat exchanger failed, and this purchase, made off state contract at a price of nearly $85,000, will complete the change out of those units, which had been originally planned for this year.
It also approved a just over $29,500 contract with Restoration and WaterProofing Contractors of Wichita to remove and replace masonry control points at HMS-8, which are cracked and letting moisture into the building, especially on the east south sides of the multi-story area of the school. Joints on the lower areas are still in good shape, and they can be done much easier.
Several renewals of contracts were approved, including that for the Leader in Me program, the Skyward program utilized for various student record keeping and data tracking, and of the Mystery Science online subscriptions for grade K-5 students and teachers, which will take them through the next science adoption for those grades. It also approved renewal of the contact with Cindy Flores for interpreting and translation services for the 2025-26 school year.
The Board set the number of new non-resident student slots for the 2025-26 school year. The only grade that will not have any non-resident capacity is the 3rd grade, with just two slots open for first Grade, seven for 5th grade and nine for 6th grade. 8th and 9th grades will have the most available student slots at 39 each.
The Board voted to eliminate a dental hygienist position in the district at the end of the school year, with the person now in that position to be notified in writing of non-renewal of their contract based on reduction in force. The Board in other personnel matters approved an amendment to the contract of superintendent Dawn Johnson setting her salary for the 2025-26 school year at $188,000 a year, which amends a 2023 amendment to her original contract entered into in 2022.
Athletic Director Steve Kappenman gave an update from athletics and the booster club. During his presentation, he highlighted the success of the recent We Are Salthawks fundraiser, the upcoming golf fundraiser, Professional Development Opportunities for Physical Education teachers, and summer projects within the Athletics Department. Information about summer camps and workouts will be released soon.
The Board approved the creation of a full-time assistant activities director position, both of whom would be based at Hutchinson High School and oversee all grade 7-12 activities, with assistance from assistant principals at the middle school level. It effectively converts a current part time position to full time.
Board member Lance Patterson gave a report that included information from the recent Cell Phone Task Force meeting. Staff and Parents have been surveyed separately, and the results of those surveys are being used to consider the need for policy changes around the use of electronic devices.
