HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 Board of Education recognized Amber Carithers, English teacher at Hutchinson High School during its regular meeting Monday (April 12, 2021). Carithers is a regional winner in the Kansas Teacher of the Year competition. The state Teacher of the Year will be announced in September.
Carithers began her career at HHS in the 2013-14 school year. She was the Davis Teacher of the Year for HHS in 2017-18. She’s also received The Hutchinson News Amazing Teacher Award and had been nominated for the state Horizon Award for new educators and the KTOY.
Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:
- Held an annual Head Start training prior to the start of the formal Board meeting.
- Received a report from Greenbush on an audit of district curriculum.
- Learned more about the district’s summer learning opportunities for students from kindergarten through high school. Signup for summer programs is being taken now.
- Approved minutes of the March 18 regular Board meeting and the March 15 and April 5 special meetings.
- Were briefed on cleaning and hygiene plans for the district for the remainder of the year.
- Approved the Accounts Payable Report for March 2021.
- Approved the Treasurer’s Reports for February 2021 and March 2021.
- Approved Pads for Pupils, a new organization at Hutchinson High School.
- Approved the Jobs for America’s Graduates partnership agreement for 2021-22.
- Approved the Schools for Fair Funding membership dues for 2021-22.
- Approved a resolution to implement SB 40.
- Approved OE-3 – Treatment of Stakeholders.
- Approved the annual Microsoft Licensing agreement.
- Approved the annual Skyward business software renewal for 2021-22.
- Approved a bid for HHS kitchen rooftop HVAC replacement via a state bid through Greenbush.
- Approved submitted grant applications.
- Approved an interpreting contract with Cindy Flores for translation services.
- Approved the Infant-Toddler Part C 2022 grant with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
- Approved the annual memorandum of understanding with Parents as Teachers for 2021-22.
- Approved the federally required cost of living adjustment for Head Start.
- Approved Head Start’s request for a federal waiver for community participation. Because of the pandemic, it has been difficult to meet the parent involvement needed for Head Start’s grant.
- Approved the annual Kansas Association of School Boards membership and legal fund.
- Held executive sessions for negotiations and non-elected personnel.
Personnel Report
The Board approved the following personnel changes.
Hired
- Andrea Lantz, Social Worker, HMS-7, effective start of the 2021-22 School Year
- Dane Edwards, Head Coach Wrestling, HHS, effective start of the 2021-22 School Year
- Sarah Mariassov, Teacher Grade TBD, HMS at Allen, effective start of the 2021-22 School Year
- Sydney Hoover, Home/School Liaison, HMS at Allen, effective start of the 2021-22 School Year
Resignation
- Julie Stucky, Director of Finance, Administration Center, effective June 30, 2021
- Audrey Fox, Grade 1, Morgan, effective May 27, 2021
Position Changes
- Nicole McClellan, from Grade 6 at Wiley to Grade 6 at Lincoln, effective start of the 2021-22 School Year
- Ashlynn Embers, from Grade 4 at McCandless to Grade 3 at Faris, effective start of the 2021-22 School Year
- Christine Gable, from Grade 2 at Faris to Grade TBD at McCandless, effective start of the 2021-22 School Year
- Karen Johnson, from Grade 3 at McCandless to Grade 4 at Wiley, effective start of the 2021-22 School Year
- Lachelle Spann, from Grade 1 at McCandless to Grade 1 at Wiley, effective start of the 2021-22 School Year
- Richard Bromwell, from F/T Custodial Sub for the District to Head Custodian at Morgan Elementary, effective June 1, 2021
- Catherine Marlow, from Instructional Aide at McCandless to Night Custodian at Hutchinson Middle School – 8, effective June 1, 2021
Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Board will be April 26.