HOISINGTON — As a part of his report, USD 431 Superintendent Patrick Crowdis began discussion concerning the daycare issue in Hoisington at the June meeting of the USD 431 school board.
“I have had some preliminary discussions with Mrs.(Roosevelt Principal Shelby) Walker about the possibility of moving forward, with your permission, to see about the possibility that USD 431 actually opens a daycare,” Crowdis noted.
Crowdis and Walker have reached out to a few schools, such as Plainville, that have such programs. Board member Don Fisher stated, “I am a little concerned at this point, but I am open to what is available. I just want us to be careful. I am just worried about some of our smaller daycare people in town.”
Board member Dean Stoskopf recommended, “You might reach out to Stafford County as they are going through the same issues. They evolved off of what Edwards County did.” Having attended a statewide school conference session about this issue, Walker added, “One of the questions that I had was how did they work with their daycare providers? They met with them. They went through the process with them. They included them in the decision-making process. It was really a team effort.”
New business
Changes to the district’s handbook were approved, as well as a nickel increase for all school lunches. The superintendent reminded the Board that the district would return to a pay for lunch format in the Fall. The board also agreed to the list of items for district disposal, including surplus food service equipment to be sold and old files to be shredded. The last of the new business was to approve a district health policy to treat absence protocol for COVID the same as for influenza.
Old business
The board agreed to the purchase of a food service box truck from Ehler Chevrolet, Hoisington, for $26,000. A change in the District’s accounting program dating from the 1990s was discussed. “Less and less support was provided for the old program,” Crowdis noted.
The board approved the contract and transition for the web-based Skyward program. A new science curriculum from Houghton Mifflin that includes six years of digital access and hard-covered textbooks for all students was approved
Administration reports
Activities Director Faron Kraft gave a year review of the student activities of USD 431, noting 12 high school teams qualified for state among the sports activities. “I roughly counted up a little over 80 students in total competed at state this year,” he said.
The principals followed with reports of student progress tests which showed positive growth throughout the school year. A special thanks from the board was given to Pat Reinhardt as she gave her last report before starting her retirement.
Summer food service
USD 431 will provide free lunch for all children ages 1-18. Adult lunch will be provided at a cost of $4.05. The program starts June 6 and runs to Aug. 12. Serving time runs from 11: a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No meals will be available July 1 and July 4. Meals must be eaten in the Hoisington Middle School cafeteria.
The meeting concluded after two executive sessions, one concerning non-elected personnel and other concerning Real Estate. No action followed either session.
