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Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 board approves major curriculum purchases, HR software and facility contracts
Summary
At its April 2 meeting, the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education approved a $1.67 million ELA curriculum adoption, a Skyward human-resources software contract and several facility and technology purchases, all by unanimous votes. Board members also approved hotspot funding that will be partly offset by federal E‑Rate discounts.
The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education on April 2 approved a set of large purchases and contracts, including a districtwide English-language arts instructional-adoption package, a human-resources and business-operations software contract, facility planning work and classroom-technology purchases.
The board voted unanimously to approve the Curriculum Associates high-quality instructional materials adoption for ELA and associated professional development (total listed at $1,666,143), to finalize a Skyward human-resources and business-operations software agreement (annual license $58,628 plus a one‑time implementation fee of $507,000), and to accept several other curriculum, technology and facilities bids.
Why it matters: The ELA adoption is the largest single purchase announced at the meeting and will change classroom materials for multiple grade levels; the HR software is a multi-year operational change intended to migrate district HR and payroll information to a new vendor platform. Together, those decisions represent multi-year budget commitments and implementation work the district and its staff will need to manage.
Board members and staff described the curricular adoption as teacher-driven and pilot-tested. Lucas Shivers, identified in the meeting as the district director of elementary education, said the district is "very excited to offer a seven-year contract" and called the process "truly teacher driven and very student centered." Pilot teachers told the board the new ELA materials increased students' written responses and engagement. Fifth-grade teacher Angie Motley said, "they got so much writing instruction this year," and third-grade teacher Soumya said the materials made cross-curricular planning easier and were "very relatable" for students.
On technology and operations, Andy and Nate (district staff identified during the agenda item) briefed the board on the Skyward proposal. Board members discussed the implementation costs and training; one staff presenter said the implementation services cover migrating existing data into the new system. Trustee Kurt moved approval of the Skyward contract; Trustee Greg seconded, and the motion passed 6–0.
Board discussion also touched on the district's capital planning and facility needs. During the capital outlay budget discussion, a staff member identified as Matt explained the groundskeeping line was increased to $300,000 in the draft 2025–26 plan "to make sure we have enough to cover it." The board approved an architectural-services contract to produce a facility master plan and assessment study for $135,960.
Other approvals included: - High-quality instructional materials and professional development for ELA (Curriculum Associates) — $1,666,143 (motion passed 6–0). - Skyward HR and business-operations software from Skyward (Stevens Point, Wis.) — $58,628 per year plus $507,000 one-time implementation (motion passed 6–0). - High school math resource adoption — $215,635 (six-year materials contract; motion passed 6–0). - Secondary health resource adoption (Goodheart-Willcox or similar vendor as presented) — $72,417 (motion passed 6–0). The staff noted part of that purchase will be paid from the district's Jewel settlement funds. - Facility master-planning and assessment study with BG Consultants — $135,960 (motion passed 6–0). - Network wiring and phone work at Amanda Arnold Elementary (Parsons Communications $54,340; Phone Connection $9,345) — total $63,685 (motion passed 6–0). - Purchase of cellular "hotspots" from ByteSpeed (Morehead, Minn.) for $38,100; district staff explained the district expects a 60% E‑Rate discount and estimated the net cost to USD 383 at about $15,240 after the federal discount (motion passed 6–0).
The board also accepted a $500 donation from College Avenue United Methodist Church’s youth group for Fit Closet supplies as part of the consent agenda (motion passed 6–0).
What the approvals require next: Several items are multi-year commitments that will require vendor implementation work, staff training and future budget allocations for recurring costs. Board members asked for and received assurances that the district's staff teams will coordinate implementation plans, professional development and follow-up reporting to the board.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (including $500 donation): approved, 6–0. - 9.1 Skyward HR/business-operations software: motion to give final approval passed, 6–0. Mover: Kurt. Second: Greg. Amount: $58,628/year + $507,000 one‑time implementation. - 9.2 Curriculum Associates HQIM (ELA) adoption and professional development: motion on first reading passed, 6–0. Mover: Greg. Second: Jamie. Total shown in packet: $1,666,143; board discussed this as a seven‑year purchase and staff reported an estimated per‑student cost of about $75 per year when amortized. - 9.3 High-school math resource adoption: motion passed, 6–0. Amount: $215,635 (six-year). Mover: Carla. Second: Kurt. - 9.4 Secondary health resource adoption (Goodheart‑Willcox or equivalent): motion on first reading passed, 6–0. Amount: $72,417. Mover: Kurt. Second: Carla. Funding noted from Jewel settlement funds. - 9.5 Facility master plan (BG Consultants): final approval passed, 6–0. Amount: $135,960. Mover: Carla. Second: Jamie. - 9.6 Amanda Arnold Elementary network wiring and phone work (Parsons Communications / Phone Connection): final approval passed, 6–0. Total $63,685. Mover: Kurt. Second: Greg. - 9.7 Cellular hotspots (ByteSpeed): final approval passed, 6–0. Total vendor price $38,100; district anticipates approximately a 60% E‑Rate discount reducing net district cost (estimated $15,240). Mover: Carla. Second: Kurt.
Meeting context and next steps Board members and staff emphasized that several of the approved items will require multi-step implementation (data migration for HR software, multi‑year rollouts for curriculum and professional development, scheduling of facility assessments). Staff said they will return with implementation details and timelines as work progresses. The board adjourned into an executive session to discuss ongoing negotiations under the Kansas Open Meetings Act and stated no board action would occur immediately on that matter.
