The McPherson Board of Education voted to move forward with a contract with RSP Associates to conduct a comprehensive boundary study, but removed an optional $13,500 enrollment update from the contract.

Board discussion on the scope and timing of the study centered on community input and cost. A presenter outlined a multi-step process that would return the district demographer, hold administrative meetings and public engagement nights, and produce scenarios for board consideration. The contract as presented included an optional $6,000 ‘‘battery’’/enrollment analysis and facilitation fees that the presenter listed as $28,500 for the facilitation piece; with updated enrollment inputs the presenter estimated a total of about $48,000.

Several board members questioned whether the district could rely on last year’s enrollment data to avoid the additional $13,500 study, saying the earlier analysis had been close to actual enrollment. One board member moved to proceed with the RSP contract excluding the $13,500 enrollment study, keeping the shorter timeline and two community meetings; the motion was seconded and read back by staff. The motion passed unanimously as recorded by the board.

Board members also discussed logistics for community engagement, asking the administration to schedule meeting times to maximize family participation (suggestions included one daytime and one evening session and starting evenings at 6 p.m. or later). The presenter said the schedule and exact meeting formats would be finalized with RSP and adjusted to align with board meeting dates.

The board’s direction establishes the process and funds to begin boundary work that district leaders said has not been done comprehensively for roughly 30 years; the administration will finalize dates and contract language in follow-up.

The board recorded the motion as approved and encouraged the public to watch for community meeting dates and additional details.