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USD 237 elects officers, approves meal-price hike and insurance change
Summary
At its July 14 meeting in Smith Center, the USD 237 Board of Education elected Marty Hanson as board president, approved a $0.10 per-meal increase for student and adult meals, adopted a 90% coinsurance option for property insurance projected to save about $39,987 annually, and scheduled a revenue-neutral rate and budget hearing for Sept. 8, 2025.
President Theron Haresnape called the USD 237 Board of Education to order at 7 p.m. July 14 at the Smith Center Board of Education meeting room. The board reorganized its leadership for 2025–26, elected Marty Hanson as board president and named Sara Pruden vice president.
The reorganization votes were unanimous. Sara Pruden moved to nominate Marty Hanson for board president, Adam Rentschler seconded and the motion carried 6-0. Rentschler was the mover for the vice-presidential nomination, seconded by Steve Overmiller, and that motion also passed 6-0.
Why it matters: The board approved a set of budget and administrative items that frame district operations for the coming year, including personnel appointments, the official newspaper and bank depositories, the 1,116-hour school calendar and designated inclement-weather make-up days.
On consent the board approved minutes from June 9 and June 18, donations, and a slate of administrative appointments and designations. The appointments list includes Susan Panter as clerk of the board and Kimberly Kuhlmann as district treasurer; Kyle Allen and Tabitha Owen were named board attorneys; Dustin McEwen was listed as Freedom of Information Officer and Title IX Coordinator. The board also adopted the new Board Policy Manual and set petty-cash limits for school buildings and the district.
Students and teacher Monica Wagner presented a request from FFA officers for district use of one suburban and a fuel card for an officer retreat Aug. 1–3 in Nevada, Missouri. The board approved the vehicle and fuel card request on a motion by President Theron Haresnape, seconded by Adam Rentschler; the vote was 6-0.
Superintendent Dustin McEwen reviewed local and state meal-price averages and cited rising food costs. On a motion by Steve Overmiller, seconded by Libby McDonald, the board approved increases of $0.10 per meal for elementary and jr./sr. high student breakfasts and lunches and for adult meals; the motion passed 6-0.
The board awarded the district milk contract to F&A, which will deliver to both buildings, after McEwen presented competing bids from F&A and Cash-Wa. The milk bid approval was moved by Libby McDonald, seconded by Sara Pruden, and approved 6-0.
Policy and safety approvals included second readings and adoption of the Classified Handbook and Crisis Handbook for 2025–26 and acceptance of KASB June 2025 policy updates with the exception of DFH (Fundraising). The board also reviewed a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan prepared in consultation with Smith County Health Department nurses and adopted the plan on the superintendent’s recommendation.
Budget and insurance decisions: McEwen told the board he recommends exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate for the 2025–26 budget; the district will file the information with the Smith County Clerk by July 18. The board scheduled the RNR and budget hearings for Sept. 8, 2025 at 6:45 p.m. and 6:50 p.m., respectively.
The board considered a quote from EMC on property insurance and approved switching to a 90% coinsurance option after staff reported the change would reduce premiums and yield an estimated annual savings of $39,987. The coinsurance motion was made by Adam Rentschler, seconded by Steve Overmiller, and approved 6-0.
The superintendent’s report touched on the July 18 budget review, federal Title funds, the Roger Barta memorial, plans to protect new wrestling mats from moisture, LED upgrades for gym and football-field lights, an estimated $12,000 repair for the elementary A/C unit rather than replacement, and roofing matters.
Personnel and contracts: The board held multiple short executive sessions under the Kansas Open Meetings Act for negotiations and non-elected personnel matters as recorded in the minutes. The board approved the contract for Chad Wagenblast as Director of Transportation on a motion by Adam Rentschler, seconded by Theron Haresnape; vote 6-0.
The meeting packet included the board’s Code of Ethics language; the packet quotes the code in part as saying, "it shall be my constant endeavor to devote time, thought and study to the duties and responsibilities of a school board member so that I may render effective and credible service." The board signed thank-you cards and adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
What’s next: The board will hold the Revenue Neutral Rate and Budget Hearing Sept. 8, 2025; several facility and budget items discussed (roof payment to Roofmasters due Aug. 15; LED and A/C work) will proceed under staff direction.
