HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 Board of Education held its Reorganization meeting Monday, July 14, at 6:00 pm.
The meeting began with the election of the President and Vice President. Lance Patterson was elected Board President while Gleysha Mendez-Rosario became Vice President. During the Superintendent’s remarks, Dr. Johnson introduced Julie Schrum as the District’s Human Resources Director. Schrum started on July 1; she spoke briefly about her extensive experience in education.
The out-of-district enrollment period has expired. There were ten applications received, and nine were accepted. One student was turned away because the grade level was at capacity.
The Board was reminded of the Convocation on August 6 and the KASB fall conference, scheduled for November. Abby Stockebrand, Director of Finance, presented a budget timeline to the Board.
During the Board Committee Reports, Mendez-Rosario spoke of the bond campaign. She noted her excitement as work began to educate the community on the content and the purpose of the bond. District Handbooks were approved, with the recently read “cell phone ban” included.
There are currently 15 paraeducator positions available. Maintenance and Food Service are fully staffed, and Custodial has only a few openings right now. The District is seeking to hire three to seven additional elementary teachers, in addition to the three newly approved elementary art teachers. Dr. Young noted the wage increases approved by the Board over the past two years, as well as the work of the HR staff to put the District in a strong staffing position heading into the 2025-2026 academic year. Interested parties can apply at www.usd308.com/hiring
The Superintendent’s Consent Agenda was passed unanimously.
During Board Discussion, Board Member Tad Dower discussed an idea he brought up at the last meeting to consider a year-round academic schedule. The Board took no action on a formal item for consideration but engaged in a thoughtful discussion about the capabilities of students, including the roles that facilities and parental engagement play in student achievement.
The personnel report was passed as presented. The full agenda can be found at www.usd308.com/boe. The next regularly scheduled meeting is July 28, 2025, at 6:00 pm, located at the USD 308 Administration Center at 1520 N. Plum.
