Hastings board approves 3.5% pay increases, instrument purchases, new middle‑school computer science course and student trip to Costa Rica

Becky Sullivan, board president, called the Hastings Public Schools regular board meeting to order on Feb. 16, 2026, and the board unanimously approved a slate of personnel, policy and purchasing items.

The board adopted the revised second half of the district's 4000-series policies after Superintendent Dr. Christopher Prososki reviewed the changes and confirmed that Policy 4032 (Professional growth) and Policy 4041 (Staff dress and appearance) remained tabled for further review. The board approved the resolution adopting the revised policies and made Policy 4040 retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026.

Dr. Prososki and Vice President Jodi Graves reviewed compensation updates that the board approved across district employee groups. The board approved a 3.5% increase for certificated, classified and administrative staff. The certificated base salary for 2026–27 was approved at $40,600. The board also approved Policy 4029, which allows newly hired certificated staff to receive credit for all prior years of experience when placed on the certified salary schedule (removing the previous 10‑year cap).

Dr. Tom Szlanda recommended raising substitute teacher pay from $170 to $175 per day for 2026–27; the board approved the $175 daily rate. The board also approved classified staff increases (3.5% or $1.00 per hour, whichever is greater) and Appendix A reflecting a $0.50 per hour starting salary increase effective Aug. 8, 2026. The board approved a 3.5% increase to the administrative salary schedule and approved revised 215‑ and 225‑day principal contract language to align personal days with certificated teaching staff. The board approved the superintendent's 2026–27 salary and contract consistent with the approved package.

On procurement and program items, Director Kristen Slechta and others presented several recommendations. The board approved purchase of string instruments from Dietze Music ($46,073.00) and wind instruments from West Music ($47,843.81) as part of the "Play it Forward" campaign; HPS Foundation Director Chris Schukei reported $143,000 of the $250,000 campaign goal has been raised and the foundation approved their portion of the purchase. The board approved upgraded computer workstations for the high school business classroom (Computer Hardware, $30,675.00) to be paid from Perkins grant funds, and approved a paper bid from ESUCC not to exceed $30,383.04.

The board approved the addition of a Middle School Intro to Computer Science course that will meet a high‑school graduation requirement and approved a 2027 student foreign travel request to Costa Rica as presented by Director Slechta and trip sponsor Jean Davis. The board also approved disposal of 13 nonworking Middle School sewing machines and the consent agenda, which included personnel items noting 14 certificated, 9 classified and 11 extra‑standard vacancies.

Motions throughout the meeting were moved and seconded by board members and carried unanimously (Yea: 6, Nay: 0) where votes were recorded. President Sullivan designated Sharon Brooks as the month's media spokesperson, and the board adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

The board's next meetings were announced: work session Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., and regular meeting Monday, March 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.