Four members of the Marshall Elementary (ME) School’s Lighthouse T e a m p r e s e n t e d Superintendent Scott Hoyt with a variety of goodies following a short video they shared during the routine meeting of the Eureka USD 389 Board of Education on Monday, May 11.
Students Carter Ring, Hank Dehlinger, Maggie Mitchell and Brystle Osborne shared a video thanking Superintendent Hoyt for his time at USD 389 and then each shared a treat with a special saying in appreciation.
On Friday, May 15, the student body at ME echoed the sentiments in a special morning message, where Hoyt was greeted by special guests, whom Hoyt had previously dressed up on Halloween during his tenure at USD 389.
Transportation Secretary Jennifer Gardner updated the board on the Kansas Clean Vehicles Program through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Volkswagen mitigation initiative. Gardner explained the district has applied for funding to replace three aging diesel buses with two diesel buses and one smaller gas-powered bus.
The total project cost is estimated at $390,000, with the district applying for 75% reimbursement funding totaling approximately $292,000. If approved, the district’s share would be about $98,000.
Gardner noted the district would need to initially purchase the buses out of pocket before reimbursement is received. She also explained two current buses are nearing the end of their usable life and would need to be decommissioned under program requirements.
Board members also reviewed the district’s annual needs assessment, with administrators noting many of the same challenges identified two years ago continue today, particularly student attendance concerns at the high school and high atrisk levels LSES (high numbers in low social economical status) at the elementary school.
The board discussed revisions to student handbooks, focusing heavily on updated cell phone and personal technology policies designed to align with new state law limiting student access to phones during the school day. Starting with the 20262027 school year, Kansas public and accredited private schools must prohibit student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices. The bill, HB2299, requires devices to be powered off and securely stored during the day to enhance learning and mental health. Governor Laura Kelly signed the bill on March 19.
Under the proposed high school policy, students would be strongly encouraged to leave phones at home or in vehicles. If brought to school, devices would be stored in designated cabinets during the school day. Repeated violations could lead to in-school suspension and mandatory office check-in of devices for the remainder of the school year. ME students will be asked to secure their devices in their lockers during the school day.
Administrators also discussed that with the majority of classwork for seventh- and eighthgrade students not needing a Chromebook, students in those grade levels wouldn’t gather their computers in the morning for throughout the day, but primarily have them available during their eighth-hour classes.
Board discussion also included improving school communication systems so parents are not required to rely on social media for district information. Administrators discussed the possibility of expanded communication tools through ParentSquare. Administrators planned to gather additional details and share with the board at a later meeting.
Administrative reports were shared by ME Principal Stacy Coulter and Eureka Junior/Senior High School Principal Angie Lowe.
Following a 15-minute executive session for personnel-evaluations, the board accepted a resignation from Gardner as transportation secretary and bus driver. The board also voted to ratify teacher negotiations and approved contracted salaries as presented.
The agenda and consent agenda were approved as presented.
Eureka USD 389 Board of Education will hold its next monthly meeting on Monday, June 8, at 6 p.m., at the district office.
