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The USD214 Board of Education met in regular session July 14, the first under new superintendent Dr. Joel Applegate, who began his duties July 1. Applegate said he was excited to be in Ulysses during the Superintendent’s Report section of the board meeting.
Applegate did not verbalize his report during the meeting, but the report is available on the school district’s Website for public consumption as part of Applegate’s attempt to streamline meetings.
“I’m getting acclimated and figuring out how things are done,” the new superintendent said in his report. “Everyone has been very welcoming to me. Thank you!”
Applegate said construction projects at Hickok and Sullivan elementary schools are progressing and the remodeled kitchens and cafeterias should be ready when students return to class.
“The major project of the remodeling of Hickok and Sullivan kitchens, cafeterias and childcare are coming along nicely,” he said. “The hard work of the concrete and plumbing in the floor is complete. The electrical, plumbing and drywall are being completed at this time.
“When the drywall is being installed, the project really starts to take shape on what it will look like at the end. I’ve had the opportunity to walk through the buildings and the custodians are doing a nice job of getting the buildings ready for schools.”
He said the Maintenance Department will be putting in the concrete pad at Sullivan for handicap swings.
The idea of streamlining board meetings and making information available to the public is a joint effort with Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kevin Warner.
“Dr. Warner and I sat in on a meeting for a product to streamline our board meetings and make it a better communication tool for the school and public,” Applegate added. “The product is called Diligent. At the August board meeting, Dr. Warner and I would like to have Diligent provide a demonstration of this product as a possibility for us in the future.”
During the consent agenda, the district made the following designations:
νOfficial District Newspaper: The Ulysses News
νOfficial Bank Depository: a. Grant County Bank for all standing accounts b. Investments of Proceeds to be determined by straight bid process between Grant County Bank, Bank of Ulysses, and Dream First Bank
νFederal Program Representative: Joel Applegate, Superintendent •District A.H.E.R.A (Asbestos) Coordinator: Andrew Cole, Director of Facilities
νDistrict KPERS Representative: Stacy Figgins, Business Manager
νDistrict Attendance Officer pursuant to K.S.A. 72-1113: Building Principals
νCompliance Coordinator for Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, and Section 504: Joel Applegate, Superintendent.
Also, in the consent agenda – which was not verbalized during the meeting, but is also now available on the district Website, the board made the following appointments:
νBoard Clerk: Kevin Warner, Assistant Superintendent; Alternate: Cynthia Dino
νTreasurer: Stacy Figgins, Business Manager
νBoard Attorney: Paul Kitzke of Hugoton
νAuditor: Dirks, Anthony and Duncan, LLC
νBoard Representative and Two Alternates for High Plains Educational Cooperative: Board Representative: Diana Nunez; Alternate #1: Daron Cowan; Alternate #2: Stacey Gee
νDistrict Benefits Committee: Board Representative: Daron Cowan, Administrator: Joel Applegate, Teacher (GCTA member): Kim Sandoval, Teacher (non GCTA – jointly appointed by GCTA and Board): Jennifer Burns, Non-certified: Stacy Figgins
νFood Service Representative: Shandra Meile, Director of Child Nutrition
νHearing Officer for Free & Reduced Meal Application Appeals: Joel Applegate, Superintendent
νFreedom of Information Officer: Joel Applegate, Superintendent
νKASB Governmental Relations Network (GRN) Designee: Mike Meyer
νKASB Delegate Designee: Mike Meyer
Applegate discussed the loss of Federal funding in a July 8, press release that was initially not made available to The Ulysses News, but is now available on the district’s Website.
In Applegate’s press release, he says, “Due to a federal funding freeze, the State of Kansas is projected to lose $49.9 million in education support. This will affect districts across the state, including USD 214.”
The district will lose $269,876 in federal funding across several programs, including Migrant Education (Title IX): $91,750; Teacher Quality and Professional Development (Title IIA): $55,459; English Language Acquisition (Title III): $35,309; Student Support and Academic Enrichment (Title IVA): $28,995; After-School Programs (21st Century Title IVB): $58,363.
“These funds support our migrant students, English language learners, after-school program and resources for teacher training and student support,” Applegate said.
What does it mean for Ulysses School District?
“While the reduction in funding is significant, we are still hoping to provide a beneficial educational experience for our students,” Applegate said. “Some programs may need to be scaled back and, in some cases, discontinued due to the loss of funds
“Every decision will be made with thoughtfulness and will be presented to the Board of Education for approval.”
Applegate said the district values the community’s diversity and recognizes the importance of those programs.
“We will continue to collaborate with our staff, administration, and Board to prioritize needs and maintain a high-quality education for our students,” Applegate said. “We will continue to update our families and community members as more information becomes available.”
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