The Eureka USD 389 Board of Education held a routine monthly business meeting last Monday, March 10.
The majority of the meeting (an hour and fifteen minutes) was held in executive session as the board reviewed administrative contracts, staff evaluation and employments. The board held two executive sessions for personneladministrative contracts. The first was for 20 minutes with Superintendent Scott Hoyt and the second was for five minutes with the board only. The board met with Superintendent Hoyt, Marshall Elementary (ME) Principal Stacy Coulter, Eureka Junior/Senior High School (EJSHS) Principal Angie Lowe and EJSHS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Joe Thornburg for a total of 45 minutes for staff evaluations. The final executive session was for five minutes with Superintendent Hoyt to discuss employment. After returning to open session, the board approved the administrative contracts as presented and to hire Courtney Metzen as a district-wide Special Education teacher. The board also accepted the resignation of Kaylee Jordaan, paraprofessional for the district.
To begin the meeting, the board heard from ME sixth graders Braxtyn Evenson, Jessn Ogden, Mia Ptacek and Bronwyn Hall who presented on the clubs and families ME currently has. They shared information on eight of the 22 clubs/families. The students noted that “Families” are for students in grade Pre-Kindergarten to second grade and “Clubs” are for students in third-sixth grade. It was shared that many of the groups have community sponsors. Those interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2025-26 school year should contact ME staff.
The board approved the 2025-26 school year as presented. Enrollment will be held on Aug. 7, with the first day of school being Thursday, Aug. 21. The last day for the first semester will be Friday, Dec. 19, with students returning for the second semester on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Spring break will be March 16-20, 2026. Graduation will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with the last day for school for students being Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
During the central office report, Superintendent Hoyt noted that the Eureka Safe Night After Prom organization had reached out regarding the need for transportation to Wichita for their annual event. Superintendent Hoyt stated that they had one bus driver volunteer to assist the after prom group, but were still looking for a second volunteer. The board approved providing transportation (two buses) for the annual event, as in past years.
Administrative reports were also given by Coulter, Lowe and Thornburg, where they shared on various happenings, including special presentations that were presented to students in the past month. Sixth graders in attendance discussed items from both the Kansas Corn and Think Before You Post presentations. It was also shared that Erie/Galesburg will be leaving the Tri-Valley League next school year as they are joining the Three Rivers League. A replacement for the TVL hasn’t yet been announced.
To conclude the reports, EJSHS Principal Lowe noted the recent sub-state event. She shared that pep buses were taken to semifinal and final match-ups for the Lady Tornadoes. She also noted the great amount of community members who also attended to support the student-athletes. “It is awesome to see our town support our kids like that,” she stated.
The next Eureka USD 389 Board of Education meeting is slated for Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. at the district office.
