planning
The Chanute Public Schools Board of Education discussed beginning a long-range facility planning project with Gravity:: Works during their recent regular meeting.
This process would begin with a four-month process, including the review of previous facility planning and conversations with local stakeholders.
Board member Jennifer May Zywietz asked how these longrange plans would impact student success, and other board members informed her that this process focuses on facility planning, and that directed actions to direct student success measures take place in other types of planning.
According to the timeline of the proposed planning process, the first steps are to assemble an ad hoc committee consisting of both internal and external stakeholders and review the 2021 facility assessment. Gravity::Works will then analyze and map occupancy patterns to identify inefficiencies. Proposed changes will be discussed with the committee, and a timeline for implementing those changes will be presented to the board to inform their future decision-making, including potential budget challenges and phasing options.
This planning process is expected to be complete by the December Board of Education meeting.
Superintendent Matt Koester said this facility planning will help determine how to prioritize and plan for maintenance of major systems.
“We don’t want to defer maintenance,” Koester said.
He also said that the community should not consider this planning a precursor to a bond issue.
“There really is not a predetermined outcome,” Koester said.
Board President Cassie Cleaver said planning with community stakeholders is a great system of checks and balances between the admin team and the community, both having the opportunity to voice their opinions on what is important to them.
This long-range planning measure was approved.
In other business, Nick Northern was recognized for his recent admission into the Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame.
A revenue neutral rate hearing and a budget hearing were set for Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. at Chanute Elementary School, in the tech room. Koester noted that the district would be very close to revenue neutral this year.
A new day rate for on-call substitute teachers was approved. The rates are as follows: days 1-10, $115; days 11-20, $125; days 21-30, $135; and all days over 30, $145.
A Child Nutrition and Wellness Kansas State Department of Education Program agreement addendum was approved for participation in the fresh fruit and vegetable program.
A memorandum of understanding was approved with Pittsburg State University to provide education practice field experience to PSU education students.
In his superintendent’s report, Koester noted that three major capital outlay projects include concrete repairs throughout the district, carpeting at Chanute Middle School, and HVAC unit replacement at CMS. In other updates, Koester said staff have been working on the website and that they are rolling out a new app for Chanute Public Schools athletics teams through Ballfrog, which will provide streamlined coach communication, calendars, and other activities.
Of the new website, Koester said, “It is much more user-friendly than it probably has ever been.”
The 2025-’26 student handbooks
were approved with
minor changes, including changes to recognize honor graduates at graduation.
Board policy updates were adopted, which were due to legislative changes, according to Koester.
Federal projects representative Heather Burris noted that the district should plan not to receive Title 2 or Title 3 funds in future years, which will impact English as a Second Language programs and professional development funds.
A purchase of $8,290 for network controllers and access points using E-Rate funds was approved. In other purchases, a quote from Four State Maintenance Supply to sand and refinish the gym floor at Chanute Middle School was approved for $27,957, which should be completed by Sept. 1.
The next Board of Education meeting will take place at Community Elementary School instead of the District board office. It will begin at 6 p.m. Meeting agendas and documents can be viewed online through the website at https:// meetings.boardbook.org/Public/
Organization/2345.
