Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 board approves Head Start scope change, $328,715 video board donation and several contracts; adopts policy revisions

The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education on Jan. 20 unanimously approved a package of items including a federal Head Start change in scope that converts two Early Head Start slots into preschool classrooms, acceptance of a privately funded video board and associated equipment at Bishop Stadium, three contracts for electric gate openers and multiple policy revisions, including changes to the district's foreign-exchange placement policy.

The board's votes came at the end of a meeting that also included updates on snow-related school operations and other routine business. President Jamie Morris Hardman, presiding, said the motions carried, and the board recorded no opposing votes on the items described below.

Why it matters: The Head Start conversion shifts federal-funded slots to center-based preschool classrooms, increasing classroom capacity; the video board project is privately funded but will be installed on district property and is expected to produce revenue opportunities and expanded instructional possibilities for students; the infrastructure contracts address safety and access at district facilities; the policy revisions implement state-required and KASB-recommended updates with practical effects for admissions and operations.

Head Start change in scope The board granted final approval to a Head Start Early Head Start change-in-scope application that converts two planned Early Head Start (birth–3) home-based slots into two center-based preschool classrooms. District staff said the conversion will increase capacity by 32 preschool slots and that the change is aligned with the district’s waiting list and operational readiness. Policy council members voted unanimously in favor before the board's action.

“As we looked at budget, capacity and the regulations surrounding birth-to-3 care, opening two preschool classrooms will actually increase capacity by 32 students,” a district staff presenter said during the discussion, summarizing the rationale behind the federal application. The board approved the conversion unanimously, 6–0.

Video board donation at Bishop Stadium The board accepted a donation and approved a Daktronics proposal for a new video board and audiovisual upgrades at Bishop Stadium. Mitch, who identified himself as chair of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and also as a donor, described the project as privately funded and emphasized an academic component: “the academic side of it and the ability to have classes to teach students how to do this,” he told the board, noting partnerships with K-State and other organizations to provide student learning and employment opportunities.

Mitch said the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation is arranging the financial mechanism and that a supporting foundation has committed to back the project so there is no financial risk for the district; the board packet listed a Daktronics proposal in the amount of $328,715. The motion to accept the donation and approve the Daktronics installation passed 6–0.

Transportation and Child Nutrition: electric gate openers The board approved proposals for electric gate opener work to improve access at transportation and child nutrition facilities. The board approved contracts as presented in the agenda with these amounts and firms: DH Pace Company Inc. (Wichita) — $98,151; CVS Door and Hardware LLC (Manhattan) — $23,412; Guardian Electric (St. Marys) — $21,995. Board members described the work as meaningful for staff safety and operational efficiency. The motions passed 6–0.

KASB policy updates and other board policies The board approved a series of board-policy revisions recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) and other policy updates. The motion covered several policy changes and deletions (examples cited in the packet included BDA; CC; CG; CAN; IDACA; a new policy on prod prevention investigation; and deletions of CD and CGI). Diane (district staff) and policy committee members reviewed the language and the board approved the revisions 6–0.

Foreign-exchange student policy (JQKA) The board revised policy JQKA (foreign-exchange placements/fees) to align with changes in Kansas open-enrollment law. District staff explained the statutory change requires the district to designate open slots before May 1 and that out-of-district applicants — including many foreign-exchange students — cannot be admitted unless slots exist under the new timeline and lottery provisions in state law. Board members discussed the policy’s unintended consequences for exchange programs and noted interest in communicating concerns to state legislators. The board approved the revised language 6–0.

Votes at a glance - Approve meeting agenda — motion carried, 6–0. - Approve consent agenda (minutes, bills, HR report, donations totaling $9,806) — motion carried, 6–0. Donations listed in the packet included: $500 from Porsche United Methodist Church to the Fifth Closet; $540 from various donors for summer-fun camp supplies; $750 from Kansas State Credit Union to Manhattan High School; $500 from Witt Eye Care Centers to Manhattan High School; $7,016 from fundraising for Manhattan High School boys' basketball; $500 from Hazel Hedges for student support. (Donor details as listed in packet.) - Head Start Early Head Start scope-change conversion (final approval) — motion by Board member Kurt, second by Greg; vote 6–0; outcome: approved. Note: implementation tied to federal grant timeline; district staff will implement changes in the new grant year if federal approval is received. - Accept video board donation and approve Daktronics proposal for Bishop Stadium ($328,715) — motion by board member Carla, second by Kristen; vote 6–0; outcome: approved. Donor/funding mechanism coordinated through Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and a supporting foundation, per presentation. - Approve electric gate opener proposals: DH Pace Co. ($98,151); CVS Door and Hardware ($23,412); Guardian Electric ($21,995) — motion by board member [mover recorded], second [recorded]; vote 6–0; outcome: approved. - Approve KASB-recommended policy revisions (multiple policy codes) — motion by Carla, second by Katie; vote 6–0; outcome: approved. - Revise policy JQKA (foreign-exchange placements/fees) to reflect state open-enrollment statute — motion carried 6–0.

What the board voted not to do: No motion to adopt changes that would obligate the district financially for the video board; the donation and installation were presented as privately funded with fundraising/financial arrangements handled by local foundations.

Next steps and implementation notes - Head Start conversion: staff will submit the federal application and, if approved, implement the classroom openings in the new grant year (district officials said changes would not take immediate effect until federal and grant timelines are met). - Video board: donors and the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation will continue fundraising and finalize commitments; installation timelines aim for spring/track season testing. - Policies: revised policies will be posted and (if the district chooses) housed on any new policy-management platform selected by the district for public access.

Sources: Board meeting discussion and motions recorded Jan. 20, 2025. Meeting packet and staff presentations.