Last night, the McPherson USD 418 Board of Education approved a resolution to authorize the sale of $89.5 million in bonds, which voters approved last month in a two-part election.
Dustin Avey from Piper Sandler (the bond firm the district is working with), reviewed some of the preliminary financial data. The data indicated interest rates at the moment may potentially be lower than estimated during the bond campaign. While there is some volatility in the bond markets right now, Avey indicated based on what is known now that the bonds are expected to carry at 4.75 to 5.25 percent interest rate.
The current schedule has the bonds being marketed to investors in the first full week of May, with closing of the bond issue now projected to be May 28th. As part of this approval, the board president would have authority to sign a bond purchase agreement prior to the May 11th meeting should it be necessary to secure a better interest rate.
Related to building projects, Superintendent Shiloh Vincent said there will not be any construction from the bond issue. However, Vincet has been told by architect Duane Cash that some dirt work could possibly take place this summer connected with McPherson High School’s new academic wing. Cash noted that if things fall just right, actual contraction at MHS could start as early as February 2027.
An update to the transition from four to three elementary schools was given by Vincent, who said there will be a meeting Friday to discuss logistics related to the change, as Eisenhower Elementary School is being repurposed to be the district’s middle school. Vincent said additional information on the transition will be sent out to parents shortly.
Connected with the transition, USD 418 elementary students will get a half-day-earlier start to their summer. The Board voted to eliminate a half day of classes May 15th, which means for those students their last day will be Thursday, May 14th. Elementary principals and teachers asked May 15th to be made a full-day teacher workday, as the packing up process for classrooms will be a little more complex as the district transitions from four to three elementary schools for the 2026-27 school year. Board member Chelsea Busch voted against the change, citing a lack of parental input.
During the meeting, the board also approved a calendar for 2026-27. For most students the first day of class will be August 18th, and the final day will be May 19, 2027. Assistant Ty Rhodes told the Board one change being made this year is that there will not be a teacher workday on Good Friday as there was for this year. Spring break in 2027 will be May 15-19, with students off the Thursday and Friday before, as has been the custom in recent years due to state basketball tournaments.
A presentation was given on Professional Learning Communities, through which district educators work on things such as how and when various subjects are taught in the district and issues identified.
Two Curriculum Council recommendations were adopted by the McPherson USD 418 Board of Education on Monday. One recommendation is to add extended elementary math classes to provide additional help for students as needed. The second recommendation is to add a half credit for a current issues class at McPherson High School. The Board approved an early graduation plan for a McPherson High School student, who will have completed all requirements by the end of what would be her junior year in May 2027.
Vincent also gave an update on cell phone policies, which were discussed earlier this year, in the wake of passage of legislation imposing a “bell to bell” ban on student use of personal electronic devices (including phones) during the school day. The Kansas Association of School Boards is developing a recommended policy to implement that law, but Vincent reviewed a summary of the bill that was provided for the Legislature as it approved the bill signed by Governor Laura Kelly.
The board heard a donation report, which listed nearly $29,000 in donations, including an $8,000 donation from the Booster Club for various programs, and a $5,000 anonymous donations to be split between vocal, band, debate and theatre programs at McPherson High School, along with a $5,182 gift from Nobel Edward for a window project, student needs and an Amazon wish list for teachers at Lincoln Elementary School. There were additional gifts made to Lincoln and Washington Elementary Schools, McPherson Middle School, and the district as a whole.
The 4th and final round of grants from The McPherson Education Foundation was approved. A $440 grant was approved for Social Emotional Intervention support materials and resources, and due to a surplus of funds at the end of this cycle the board approved allocations of $260 to each building for their discretion, and $400 is being allocated to Washington Elementary School to purchase a Swamp White Oak Tree as a cumulative event for finishing its One School, One Book initiative “The Wishing Tree.” The Foundation will also be awarding up to $5,000 in scholarships to five McPherson High School seniors; this item did not need to be approved by the Board but was reported as an information item.
Following an executive session, the Board approved on a 6-1 vote, renewal of administrator and director contracts for the 2026-27 school year. Member Blaine Janssen cast the dissenting vote.
