USD 217 board holds extended executive sessions, approves coach hire and policy items

HAYS, Kan. — The USD 217 Board of Education spent a sizable portion of its Oct. 14 meeting in executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and financial affairs, and in open session approved several personnel and policy actions.

The board repeatedly entered and exited executive session under the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) to discuss non-elected personnel and the superintendent evaluation. Motions to enter executive session were made by Board President Jason LaRue and carried on recorded votes; the transcript records entries beginning at 7:41 p.m. and multiple reentries through about 8:39 p.m., followed by a 45-minute BOE-only executive session beginning at 8:44 p.m. The board later entered a brief executive session on financial affairs at 9:44 p.m. and exited at 9:47 p.m. The minutes do not disclose the contents of those confidential sessions.

In open session the board took several formal actions. Jason LaRue moved to accept the application of Tyler Wasmuth for junior high boys head basketball coach and junior high girls assistant coach; Courtney Reza seconded, and the motion carried 7-0, approving Wasmuth’s hiring. The minutes record no debate about terms or salary in open session.

Courtney Reza moved to approve the KSDE Employee reprimand form; Reyna Delgado seconded and the motion carried 7-0. The board also approved changes to the 2024-25 Parent/Student Handbook on a motion from Reza, seconded by Troy Cooper, carried 7-0. Other routine approvals earlier in the meeting included the agenda, minutes, and fund activity reports, all carried by unanimous votes.

The meeting record lists multiple entries to executive session but provides no public details about decisions made there; KOMA allows boards to discuss personnel and certain financial matters confidentially. The board adjourned at 10:00 p.m.