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Board approves lighting upgrade, consent agenda and policy updates; votes are unanimous
Summary
At its Oct. 1 meeting, the Manhattan‑Ogden USD 383 Board of Education approved a $1.0959 million lighting upgrade, accepted a consent agenda with retirements and donations, and approved first readings of two policies; all recorded motions passed unanimously, 7‑0.
The Manhattan‑Ogden USD 383 Board of Education on Oct. 1 approved a series of business items by unanimous votes, including a $1,095,938 contract for multi‑location lighting upgrades, acceptance of the consent agenda, and first‑reading approvals of two policy revisions.
Key outcomes at a glance: - Lighting upgrades: The board approved a final proposal from ROI Energy of Eudora, Kan., for $1,095,938. Board discussion said the project was offered through an Evergy program at roughly a 30% discount and is expected to pay back district costs in about 9½ years; the motion passed 7‑0 (mover: Carla; second: Greg).
- Consent agenda: The board accepted the consent agenda, which included the Sept. 17 meeting minutes, the consideration of bills, a human resources report with several retirements, and multiple donations and grants. The consent agenda passed 7‑0 (mover: Carla; second: Kurt). Notable consent items: • Retirements: Joel Giddle (longtime Manhattan High School band director) announced a retirement effective June 1 (year not specified in the meeting record). Two other retirements were listed in the HR report (Shannon Keller and Margaret Rouse); the meeting packet did not specify clear effective years for those two items. • Donations and grants: The board recorded roughly $27,189 in cash and in‑kind donations in the consent items, including a $15,089 donation earmarked to Manhattan High School for volleyball and tennis equipment, a $2,000 donation from the Credit Union of America for the period‑poverty program, and several smaller community gifts. • Revised memorandum of agreement for school resource officers (SROs) with the Riley County Police Department was listed on the consent agenda for approval.
- Facilities and fees: On first reading the board accepted proposed increases to facility‑use fees for fiscal year 2026; motion passed 7‑0 (mover: Kurt; second: Greg).
- Policy updates: The board approved on first reading revisions to policy IIBGA (Children’s Internet Protection Act), language the administration said is required for E‑Rate federal reimbursement; motion passed 7‑0 (mover: Christine; second: Jamie). The board also approved on first reading a new policy JGCD (health screenings); motion passed 7‑0 (mover: Christine; second: Jamie).
- Executive session scheduling: Early in the meeting the board voted 7‑0 to amend the agenda to add an executive session for personnel at the end of the meeting (mover: Carla; second: Greg). Later the board formally moved into a 10‑minute executive session to discuss individual employee performance under the Kansas Open Meetings Act and returned to open session; the motion to enter executive session passed 7‑0 (mover: Carla; second: Jamie). The board president said no action would be taken following that closed session.
Why it matters: The lighting upgrade represents a capital investment intended to reduce ongoing energy costs; the policy change on IIBGA is tied to federal E‑Rate reimbursement and internet‑safety compliance. The consent agenda moves routine personnel and financial items through the district without separate debate, and the board signaled it will manage ongoing public comment on board member conduct while continuing regular business.
Votes and formal motions recorded in the meeting packet matched board roll calls and are recorded as unanimous where indicated.
