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 </figure>To ensure a healthier environment, the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Feb. 22, 2021) approved the purchase of air purifiers that will better cleanse the air in district facilities for all students and staff.The Board voted to purchase 513 I-wave air purifiers for all the district’s rooftop units, air handler units and VRF cassettes. The I-wave units use ionization to reduce pathogens, COVID-19, allergens, particles, smoke and odors when air passes over the units up to 99 percent. The I-wave units do not produce ozone.Funding for the project is coming from federal CARES money. CARES funds are to be used to help with student learning during the pandemic, help staff and create a safer learning environment.The Board also heard from the Elementary Art Department. March is Youth Art Month and the district’s elementary schools did a presentation on art in the classroom. The presentation will be posted on the district’s website.Also during the meeting, the Board:Tabled the Leader in Me curriculum and staff development until a curriculum and assessment audit by Greenbush is completed this spring. Leader in Me is based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Franklin Covey.Approved minutes of the Feb. 8, 2021, Board meeting.Approved the Head Start annual grant application.Approved a submitted grant application for Graber Elementary School.Approved the liability, property, automobile, and errors and omissions insurance renewal with Fee Insurance Group.Approved the purchase of 75 HP desktop computers for labs at the Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy.Approved the Skyward Software as a Service contract with Skyward. The district uses Skyward for its business and student information systems.Approved the CISCO Smartnet renewal.Approved the Aruba licensing/support renewal.Approved the Treasurer’s Report for January 2021.Held executive sessions for personnel and negotiations.Approved contracts for district-level administrators.Held a study session on Coherent Governance, the strategic plan and iReady data.Personnel ReportThe Board approved the following personnel changes.HiredAbigail Wilson, Substitute Teacher, District, effective February 15, 2021Kaylie Brown, Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center, effective February 18, 2021Tommie Westfall, Substitute Teacher, District, effective February 15, 2021Felecia Grund, Substitute Teacher, District, effective February 22, 2021Mason Campbell, Custodian, Hutchinson High School, effective February 23, 2021Alexadra (Rachael) East, Substitute Teacher, District, effective February 22, 2021Desiree Ross, Cook/Server, Lincoln Elementary, effective March 1, 2021Tate Webster, CSS Para, Graber Elementary, effective February 23, 2021Preston Campbell, Custodian, Hutchinson Middle School – 8, effective March 1, 2021Mace Krol, Head Varsity Assistant Softball Coach, Hutchinson High School, effective February 15, 2021Dawn Johnson, Executive Director of Human Resources, Administration Center, effective July 1, 2021ResignationsAshley Garcia, Custodian Substitute, District, effective January 12,2021Melissah Sutton, Custodian, Hutchinson Middle School – 7, effective March 6, 2021Jodi Bachand, Music Teacher, McCandless/Faris, effective May 27, 2021RetirementJanet Davis, Math/Algebra Teacher, Hutchinson High School, effective June 1, 2021TerminationBrandon Adelhardt, Custodian, Hutchinson High School, effective February 5, 2021Gifts to SchoolsThe Board formally accepted and thanked donors of the following gifts to schools.$775 from the Rimmer Fund at the Hutchinson Community Foundation to Morgan Elementary School for student needs.$9,500 from the Rohlfsen Family Foundation to the district for general scholarship support.Next MeetingThe next regular meeting of the Board will be March 8.

USD 308 school board approves air purifier purchase Monday