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 </figure>Release from Hutchinson USD 308HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Oct. 12, 2020) approved updated gating criteria that allows spectators at district sporting events even when schools are in the orange and red zones.Currently, the district is in the orange area of the gating criteria because of the number of cases of COVID-19 in the county and the percent of positive test results. The data, however, is on the high side of the orange currently, nearing the red zone.In the orange area, classes are held in a hybrid fashion with half the students coming for in-person classes each day Monday through Thursday with the other half learning remotely on those days. All students learning remotely on Fridays.If the district gets into the red zone, the current criteria would call for all classes to occur remotely.The motion does allow two spectators per participant at games in both the red and orange zone. The original gating criteria did not allow for spectators in either the orange or red zones.Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:Reviewed first-of-the-year reading and math diagnostic data.Approved minutes of the Sept. 28, 2020, Board meeting.Approved iPad purchases for Early Head Start.Approved the purchase of computer backpacks, iPads and Chromebooks to augment equipment the district currently has.Approved the purchase of Swivl technology to help with hybrid classes.Approved three new computer assisted instruction classes for Hutchinson High School – communications, art History and ACT test prep. Each is worth a half credit.Approved a broadband partnership adoption grant that should bring internet to some district families currently lacking it.Approved the accounts payable report for September 2020.Held executive sessions for personnel and negotiations.Personnel ReportThe Board approved the following personnel changes.HiredJeremy Gonsalves, Substitute teacher, District, effective October 1, 2020Cristina Vazquaz, Lunch Aide, Hutcherson Center, effective October 12, 2020Raymond Barry, BSS Para, McCandless Elementary, effective October 7, 2020Quinn Dilbeck, Custodian, Wiley Elementary, effective October 14, 2020Jacob Miller, Substitute Teacher, District, effective October 12, 2020Cindy Grumbein, Custodian, McCandless Elementary, effective October 15, 2020Melissa Seibert, RR Para, Hutchinson High School, effective October 12, 2020ResignationsJulie McAllister, BSS Para, McCandless Elementary, effective September 6, 2020Lorna Pauls, PAT Parent Educator, Avenue A School, effective October 16, 2020Aaron Bell, Custodian, Avenue A School, effective October 9, 2020Janna Foss, Nurse, Hutchinson Middle School 8, effective October 16, 2020RetirementsDesiree Ross, Lead cook/server, Lincoln Elementary, effective November 20, 2020Pat Hill, Custodian, Hutchinson Middle School 8, effective October 2, 2020Gifts to SchoolsThe Board formally accepted the following gifts and thanked donors.$2,000 from Randy Hamilton to McCandless Elementary for teacher supplies/student needs$200 from Wiley PTO to Wiley Elementary for Books for students$1,628 from Wiley PTO to Wiley for Headphones for All Classrooms$300 Donation from Jenny Ricker to Wiley for student needsGoodie bags from Eastwood Church to Wiley to brighten Staff's start$100 from Wayne’s Printing to HHS for Athletics$100 from Sheila Metzger to HHS for Athletics$825 from Advance Termite &amp; Pest Control to HHS for Athletics$675 from Peoples Bank &amp; Trust to HHS for Athletics$175 from R &amp; B Drive Inn to HHS for Athletics$100 from Jonathan &amp; Michele Lane to HHS for Drama$100 from Ronn &amp; Annie Roehm to HHS for Drama$200 from Anthony and Amanda Jackson to HHS for Drama$200 from Doris Sutton to HHS for Drama$100 from Herchel Crainer Insurance Agency to HHS for Athletics$525 from Conklin Cars to HHS for Athletics$100 from Sheila Metzger Agency to HHS for Athletics$175 from R-B Drive Inn to HHS for Athletics$100 from All That Jazz to HHS for Volleyball$100 from Joe McGuire to HHS for Cross Country$605 from Jason &amp; Christy West to HHS for Cross Country$100 from KaAnn Graham to HHS for Volleyball$100 from Jeff &amp; Cindy Rehlander to HHS for Volleyball18 books from Deborah Minner to HMS-7 for Library books3 books from Marcia Hudson to McCandless for Library booksNext meetingThe next regular meeting of the Board will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 26.

USD 308 board approves limited fans at games even if in red zone