Ellsworth USD #327 board approves HVAC repairs, eliminates most CTE and science fees and OKs personnel hires

Board President Gina McGowan called the Ellsworth USD #327 Board of Education to order at 7 p.m. April 7 at the district office in Ellsworth. The board unanimously approved the agenda and consent items, including bills totaling $236,783.49.

The board accepted a $400 National FFA grant to Ellsworth FFA and approved capital HVAC work at Ellsworth Junior‑Senior High School and Kennedy Middle School. The board approved a $109,400 bid to C & C Group to repair the EJSHS HVAC in the Silverwood wing and a $31,972 bid to Waterworks to address HVAC needs at KMS; both motions passed 5‑0. Dan Magie, curriculum and instruction director, presented the business agenda items to the board.

The board voted 5‑0 to eliminate all career and technical education (CTE) and science class fees except fees tied to technology and textbooks. David Hand moved the fee elimination motion and Brian Rush seconded.

On policy, the board adopted a package of revised and new policies on second reading, including BDA, CC, CD, CGI, CG, CNA, DE, DFAC, EGGB, GAE, ICA, IDACA, JGFGAA, JGFGBA and KN; that motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Hilbig presented KASB membership figures and the board approved the district’s annual Kansas Association of School Boards membership and legal services for a total of $13,338 (membership $10,588; legal services $2,750), 5‑0.

The board approved the 2025‑26 school calendar and gave tentative approval to the 2026‑27 calendar, again on a 5‑0 vote. Board minutes note upcoming events and deadlines including kindergarten round‑up on April 22, candidate filing by June 2 for board districts 1 and 3, and graduation on May 18, 2025.

Following multiple executive sessions held under the Kansas Open Meetings Act’s non‑elected personnel exception, the board approved a slate of personnel actions. Ashley Bohl moved and Brian Rush seconded the motion to approve coaches and classified staff hirings and transfers for 2025‑26; the motion passed 5‑0. Approved hires and changes included Cody Bird (assistant EJSHS tennis coach), Sydney Bacon (K‑6 music teacher), Nick Rodriguez (junior high assistant girls basketball coach), Kyra Sillmon (substitute teacher), Savannah Hellebust (EJSHS assistant high school volleyball coach), and Kristy Rodriguez (EJSHS head volleyball coach); transfers included Laura Barta to Interventionist and Amy Westerman from assistant to head junior high volleyball coach. The board also recorded resignations for Bobby Crnkovic (custodian) and Terrah Martin (accounts payable/payroll clerk).

The board also approved a change to inclement weather pay for classified staff: beginning with the 2025‑26 school year (retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025), classified instructional staff who stay home on district closure days may use personal days and then sick leave; essential staff (maintenance and operations, transportation director, custodians) who work on closure days will receive time‑and‑a‑half. The motion passed 5‑0.

The board discussed open enrollment and the possibility of offering transportation to Wilson if there is sufficient interest; USD #327 is accepting open enrollment applications through June 15. The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Board votes reported in the minutes were all unanimous 5‑0. Motions approved included: adoption of the agenda; consent agenda including $236,783.49 in bills; acceptance of a $400 FFA grant; EJSHS HVAC repairs ($109,400); KMS HVAC repairs ($31,972); elimination of most CTE and science fees; adoption of multiple policies on second reading; KASB membership and legal services ($13,338); approval of the 2025‑26 calendar; personnel hires, transfers and resignations; and the inclement weather pay adjustments.