MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education reviewed a potential long-term strategy to address district facility needs during its meeting Monday evening.
Finance Director Abby Stockebrand presented a concept that would combine bond financing and annual capital outlay funding to complete approximately $60 million in facility improvements over the next 10 years. The discussion comes as district leaders consider whether to pursue another bond election after voters rejected a facilities proposal in 2025.
Under the concept, roughly half of the improvements would be funded through a voter-approved bond issue, while the remaining projects would be completed through annual capital outlay expenditures approved by the school board.
Stockebrand said capital outlay funds would likely be used for projects that can be planned in advance and carry lower costs, while bond proceeds would be reserved for larger and more urgent projects.
Board member Tad Dower noted that a smaller bond issue with a 10-year repayment schedule, rather than the traditional 20-year term, could significantly reduce interest costs for taxpayers.
When asked by board member Gleysha Mendez-Rosario how the proposal would affect property taxes, Stockebrand said homeowners would generally see little change in their tax bills if property valuations remain stable.
Unlike the bond proposal rejected by voters in 2025, the concept would not include construction of a new sixth- through eighth-grade school to replace Hutchinson Middle School 7 and Hutchinson Middle School 8. Instead, the plan focuses on improvements to existing buildings, including HVAC and roof replacements, security upgrades, and other maintenance projects.
High School Schedule Review Continues
The board also received an update from Hutchinson High School Principal Ryan Ewy regarding the committee studying whether the school should continue using trimesters or return to a semester-based schedule.
Ewy said the committee has narrowed its review to four scheduling models:
- The current trimester schedule with five class periods per day
- A trimester schedule with six periods per day
- A traditional semester schedule with seven periods per day
- A hybrid semester and quarter system with five periods per day
According to Ewy, the committee determined that none of the options would require changes in staffing levels.
"We do not need any more or any less staff," Ewy told board members.
Board member Cheryl Thompson said students have consistently expressed support for the current trimester system, citing longer 77-minute class periods that provide opportunities to complete assignments during class time.
While Ewy acknowledged students often prefer familiar systems, survey results showed approximately 80 percent of students favor keeping the trimester schedule.
Board member Darcie Canfield-Riggs asked whether all proposed scheduling models would continue to meet requirements for the school's International Baccalaureate and Career and Technical Education Academy programs. Ewy said the committee verified that each option meets instructional time requirements.
He emphasized that Monday's report was only a preliminary update and that a final recommendation is not expected until September.
"This is a very, very important decision, and I don't envy you," Ewy said.
Board Approves Meal Price Changes
The board approved a 20-cent increase in student lunch prices for the 2026-27 school year while also making breakfast free for all students.
Beginning next school year, lunch prices will increase to:
- $2.95 for elementary students
- $3.10 for middle school students
- $3.30 for high school students
Adult meal prices will also rise by 25 cents, bringing breakfast to $3.25 and lunch to $5.25.
At the same time, the district will eliminate student breakfast charges. Previously, full-price breakfasts cost $1.80, while reduced-price breakfasts were 30 cents.
Nutrition Services Director Jennifer Tatro said the lunch price increase is expected to generate about $20,000 in additional revenue annually, helping offset approximately $109,000 in increased food costs since the district's last price adjustment before the 2024-25 school year.
Tatro said districts that have implemented free breakfast programs have experienced significant participation increases. She cited examples from Hays, Haysville, Wichita, Garden City and Bonner Springs, where participation increased between 40 and 50 percent.
She also noted research showing students who eat breakfast experience better health outcomes, improved academic performance and fewer behavioral or health office referrals.
For the 2025-26 school year, approximately 71.6 percent of USD 308 students qualified for free or reduced-price meals. Tatro said universal free breakfast could help reduce stigma associated with meal assistance programs while providing greater flexibility in how meals are served.
Even with the approved increase, USD 308 lunch prices remain lower than those in several nearby districts, including Goddard, Emporia, Salina, Newton, Derby and McPherson. Prices remain slightly higher than those in Haysville, while comparisons with Buhler and Nickerson-South Hutchinson vary by grade level.