HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday approved the negotiated agreement with NEA-Hutchinson during its regular meeting.
The agreement calls for a 2.51 percent increase to be added to the salary schedule. A teacher new to the district with a bachelor’s degree receives $40,305 annually.
At the other end of the schedule, a teacher with 15 years of experience and a master’s degree plus 60 additional hours of college credit would make $64,940.
District licensed staff, represented by NEA-Hutchinson, approved the contract Friday.
Also during the meeting, the Board gave middle schools permission to play sports even in the orange and red zones but without spectators at this point. The previous gating criteria did not allow middle school activities in the red zone.
Other schools in the county and the Wichita Suburban League are allowing middle school activities to continue, even in the red zone of the gating criteria. District middle school students have been practicing for winter sports, which began two weeks ago, but have not been able to compete in games.
The change also allows for freshman and junior varsity teams to play with a limited number of spectators at Hutchinson High School, even when the district is in the red zone.
Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:
Did not approve a proposal to drop temperature screenings but possibly expand the checks to other activities as needed. Of the 41 confirmed cases in district staff and students since August through last week, only 21.9 percent had a fever during their illness. Of those 21.9 percent, none of the fevers were detected at a school facility. The Board, however, decided to stay with the temperature checks because other entities in the community, including day care and medical facilities, continue to do the checks.
Approved the purchase of 21 rooftop heating/air conditioning units for Hutchinson High School as part of a five-year replacement plan. The units are beyond their normal life expectancy.
Approved minutes of the Nov. 9, 2020, Board meeting.
Approved purchase of classroom door closures. The door closures are actually designed to keep doors open and improve air flow throughout buildings and aid in reducing COVID-19 transmission. The closures, however, are easy to close in the case of an emergency lockdown and meet fire marshal regulations on hold-open devices.
Approved the purchase of outdoor classroom tables.
Approved the purchase of milk coolers as well as a refrigerator and freezers. The cooling devices are needed for the additional quantities of food needed for food distribution to families during remote and hybrid learning models.
Approved van purchases for Early Head Start.
Approved the purchase of additional Chromebooks for student use.
Approved the purchase of Cisco network switches to increase broadband capacity within the district for the additional computer devices being used.
Approve the purchase of Apple MacBooks for staff use.
Approved the purchase of HooverCam document cameras.
Approved the annual YMCA contract for swimming.
Approved outdoor classroom shade structures.
Approved Operational Expectations No. 4 – Treatment of Employees and Personnel Administration.
Approved Head Start program governance and training calendar.
Approved additional video equipment for special education to assist with training and other needs.
Approved the Accounts Payable Report for October 2020.
Appointed Board Members Tad Dower and Kail Denison to the district’s new COVID-19 Advisory Board.
Selected Kail Denison as the Board’s representative to the Kansas Association of School Boards Delegate Assembly.
Personnel Report
The Board approved the following changes in personnel.
Hired
Brianna Buller, Substitute Teacher, District, effective October 30, 2020
Bradley Johnson, Technology Systems Specialist, ESC, effective November 16, 2020
Ashika Bhakta, Substitute Teacher, District, effective November 2, 2020
Melissa Crafton, Substitute Teacher, District, effective November 2, 2020
Olivia Kite, Wellness Coordinator, District, effective 2020-21 School Year
Claire Schreiner, Assistant Wellness Coordinator, District, effective 2020-21 School Year
Sean Goodwin, Assistant Coach Boys' Basketball, Hutchinson High School, effective November 10, 2020
Position Changes
Xeiver Jordan, from FT Custodial Sub for the District, to Night Custodian at HMS 7, effective October 28, 2020
Barb Legates, from Head Custodian at HHS, to Lead Custodian at HHS, effective November 2, 2020
Gifts to Schools
The Board formally accepted and thanked donors of the following gifts.
100 Tote Bags valued at $250 from Hubco to Hutchinson STEM Magnet for students exchange materials during remote learning
Mask for whole school from Hutchinson STEM Magnet PTA to Hutchinson STEM Magnet for staff and student protection from COVID-19
$348 from memorial for Tricia Kirkland to Hutchinson STEM Magnet for books for library
School Supplies from Walmart to Lincoln for student use
Snacks from Eastwood Church of Christ to Lincoln for teacher appreciation
Backpacks/supplies from Midwest Ford to Lincoln for student/teacher use
Lunch from KFC to Lincoln for staff
Hand sanitizer and sandwich size bags from Faith Chapel Women’s Mission to Lincoln for students
$200 from American Legion Riders Post 68 to Lincoln for 6th grade Scholastic Books
$100 from Toni Loewen to HHS for drama
$1,000 from Allen & from Kristen Fee to HHS for football
$1,000 from Martha Fee to HHS for football
$100 from Kim & from Eric Steinle to HHS for drama
$200 from Jonathan & Tonya from Wenger to HHS for drama
$100 James & from Janice Wood to HHS for drama
$100 Trish Lewton to HHS for volleyball
$100 from Gary & Ruth Meier to HHS for volleyball
$100 from P.A. Alonzo to HHS for volleyball
$100 from Marne Guthmiller to HHS for volleyball
$100 from Debra Campbell to HHS for volleyball
$250 from Elite Pro Services to HHS for volleyball
$100 from Vicki Steinle to HHS for drama
$100 from Jeff Pelischek to HHS for volleyball
$100 from Joan Thompson to HHS for volleyball
Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 23.