The 89.5 million dollars in bonds McPherson USD 418 voters approved in March were sold Monday, and Clayton Kelly from Piper Sandler told the Board of Education last night those bonds brought an average interest rate of 4.80 percent, on the low end of what was projected last month.
Kelly said despite market volatility over the past couple of months, there was a lot of interest on this issue, which in addition to facility improvements will pay off a 2019 bond in August and all existing capital leases by 2031. The Board approved a resolution directing the sale of those bonds, with closing currently expected to take place May 28th.
Duane Cash from Incite Design Studio reviewed for the board where things stand on the projects. A request for quotes from construction managers at-risk was issued May 8th, and from that firms will be selected to move forward to a short list that will be asked to submit formal proposals. The Board is expected to select the construction manager for the projects June 29th.
There was extensive discussion on the Career and Technical Education facilities at McPherson High School, which are proposed to be relocated as part of drainage work to eliminate any flooding threat for the Roundhouse after last summer’s heavy rain event that destroyed its floor.
Up to now, the district has been looking at a temporary relocation of three programs now housed on the north side of the roundhouse to a temporary location on West Woodside while construction was done on new facilities.
Costs related to that led to a new idea, which would move those new programs to a new side on the south side of the campus south of the performing arts wing. Under this arrangement, the existing automotive building could remain in place for other uses. This idea has the added advantage of only having to move equipment once.
Cash also reviewed plans for the conversion of Eisenhower Elementary School to house McPherson Middle School. This included presentation of the current design, which would have specific areas for each grade within the current building. There was discussion regarding parking areas, and how they would connect into the west side of the building.
The Board tabled until a future date a proposed job description for a District Strategic Communications Coordinator. This position would replace an existing position, which has not been filled for a number of years, with these duties handled by other staff. Superintendent Shiloh Vincent said the revised job description would reflect growing responsibilities, including strategic planning, stakeholder involvement, and district-wide communication leadership.
Board members Chelsea Busch and Rebecca Pankratz voiced concerns about the proposed position, Busch saying input on the proposal should be provided by incoming Superintendent Cody Rierson prior to it being approved. During the discussion, the board went into a brief executive session as it relates to current employees.
The board gave final approval to the policy implementing a “bell-to-bell” ban on student use of electronic devices, as mandated by a law passed during the 2026 legislative session. The board had discussed this earlier in the year before this was taken up in Topeka. The policy adopted was one drafted by the Kansas Association of School Boards. Each district is required to have this policy in place by September.
Vincent provided an update to the board on employee health insurance, which as of now is projected to see an average increase of 6.5 percent. USD 418 is part of the Edvantage Benefits Group coordinated through ESSDACK, and the plan under consideration would change the number of tiers within the plan from the current two to four, adding two options to the present single and family plans that would address such things as single parent families and couples having no children in the home.
Originally the group was looking at a 15 percent increase, and Vincent noted nationally health insurance premiums for similar groups have seen a 20-25 percent increase. An insurance pool based in southeast Kansas is looking at an eight percent hike.
In his report, Vincent told the Board the district received its state assessment reports earlier in the day. He indicated a very initial look at the data seems to be positive. The Board will be reviewing data in more depth during a workshop meeting June 29th
Among routine reports, the board approved memorandums of understanding with ESSDACK relaed to adult virtual and alternative school programs, local education agency assurances tied to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding, and expenses for extended school year and summer McPherson County Special Education Cooperative programs.
