Impact Ulysses Addresses School Board

THE USD 214 school board meeting met on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. All seven board members were present. The consent agenda and the approval of Bills was approved unanimously. For non-action public forum, Impact Ulysses presented their outdoor fitness center project. The members who were present for Impact Ulysses were Troy Unruh, Shayla Jaquez, Kristi Anderson, and Margaret Obholz. They shared that they received a $50,000 grant and a $10,000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways. The total amount needed for the project is over $155,000. They are hoping to raise the remaining funds to open the facility in August. The intended outdoor fitness center will go near the current indoor gym owned by Grant County Recreation. The goal is to improve quality of life here in Ulysses. The fitness center is open to all ages and walks of life. Anderson shared that the Grant County Recreation will maintain the outdoor fitness center.

Darrel Manis, Ulysses high school art teacher presented to the board his successes over the last eight years as the art teacher. This year, his students won 71 regional awards whereas, in previous years his record was 43 awards. In his eight years as the art teacher, the students have won over 300 awards for their outstanding art. Jose Mendoza brought home over 30 awards this year from the art shows the school attended. Manis is pursuing his Masters degree in Art. Manis was the president of the Scholastic Art for the last two years and resigned. Rachel Harmon will take his place as president this next year. The board inquired as to what Manis had planned with all the ceiling tiles the students had designed and created. Manis said that it was a farewell memento for all the seniors and has now become a tradition. Manis thanked the board for their support of high quality art supplies.

The Tiger Drones group shared with the board what they do after class every week. Susan Anthony, the teacher, shared that the students have put in 65 hours building the drones which equates to nine days of school. Susan has eight drones in her classroom for students to use. The students meet after school to practice flying the drones.

For reports, the board shared that a thank you letter was given to the board on behalf of a book donated to Grant County Public Library.

American Implement donated $600.00 to FFA. The board moved to designate those funds to FFA. The motion passed 7-0.

Kevin Warner, Director of Student Services, shared that the school will go before the accreditation board next year. He shared that the Outside Visitation Team visited to give a review of what the school does. Warner shared that the data the school is using to improve student learning and outcomes is still a work in progress. The goal is to have growth in parent teacher conferences, to lower the absent percentage and improve the graduation percentage.

Nikki Garcia, Sullivan School Principal, shared that Genesis and Compass are partnering with the school to bring emotional and social support.

Marcia Raines, the Hickok Elementary Principal, shared that the school is using ASQ (Ages & Stages Questionnaire) to better understand how students learn and engage.

For the Superintendent report, Dave Younger shared that there will be a meeting with KSD in July or August. Younger shared that the KSD Audit report enrollment estimate from September of last year was 1,459. The actual number was 1,466. The district lost 60 students this year which cost the school a loss of over $200,000. Younger shared that the schools cannot keep the same amount of teachers with the decrease in attending students.

Younger shared that the legislative coffee will be held at the fire station Saturday, May 21at 1:00pm. The Grant County Recreation has a board position open, all letters are due by June 6.

The HAVC project will begin sometime this year at the high school and at Sullivan Elementary school. Younger shared his concerns about the crosswalk at Kepley Middle School. KDOT said they would donate a quarter million dollars to put in a stop light at the cross walk. The city said they would donate $56,000 and if the city follows through. Younger shared that the board could possibly pay half of the $56,000 to get the project up and going. The project is probably two years from completion.

In New business, the board members will be taking a self evaluation assessment.

In old business, the Field house is on schedule to be completed by September 8, 2022. The contractors will start the roof framing and brick veneer in June.

For Action Items, the Board president Clay Scott shared that there are a few calendar changes for the new school year. The board moved and passed the motion 7-0.

Younger shared that the Opaa! Contract is up for renewal this next year. The company food costs have increased by six percent. He encouraged the board to vote so that the report can be sent to KSD. The board moved and passed the renewal of the Opaa! Contract.

The Board of education approved the resignations of: Rocky Castro, teaching and coaching; Tami Boekhaus, teaching; Barton Keeler, men’s tennis; and Jennifer Castro, softball.

The board approved the contracts for: Audrey Marshall, head women’s basketball coach; Sabrina Hughbanks, head softball and head women’s tennis coach; and Chase Rietcheck, Dean of Students.