The USD 503 Board of Education renewed proposals for property liability, cyber liability and worker’s compensation insurance for the 2024-25 school year.
While some relief was seen in cyber liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance costs decreased slightly. The district faced a 26% increase in property and liability insurance. This equates to an additional $65,017.
Bob Wood with the Wood Insurance Center said EMC, which provides the insurance, continues to struggle with property insurance in Kansas, and for schools in general across the state.
Wood said they continue to have claims with more severity and that are more costly each year given inflation and costs of building materials.
“They are doing what they can to keep this program viable for school districts in Kansas,” Wood said. “It is the only insured program in the state right now for schools. I work with these guys really closely on a day-to-day basis, and they truly are doing what they can to make this a good viable option for districts. We are seeing increases again in the renewal on both building valuation and rate. What EMC is doing is getting the insurance value to the level they can replace the building if it blows down or burns down.”
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board:
Heard enrollment is open.
Received facilities update.
Heard high school and middle school principals and secretaries return July 18.
Heard elementary school principals return July 25.
Heard all students will eat for free again this year through the community eligibility program.
Heard families need to fill out the Home Economic Survey during the enrollment process to help the district receive its at-risk funding.
Heard in person enrollment is Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at each of the buildings.
Heard Aug. 8 is new teacher orientation.
Heard Aug. 19, 20, and 21 is staff professional development.
Heard Aug. 22 is the first full day of school for all students.
Heard USD 503 will face a 13% increase in cost for Tri-County Special Education Cooperative Services.
Tabled action of staff social media guidelines. Discussed the addition of language regarding any communication with students, and the legality of the language and feasibility of monitoring it.
Heard a 5-person task force will be formed to work on the design of the Douglass School monument. Lou Martino and Olivia Lyons will serve on the task force as board representatives and make recommendations concerning other members.
Approved parent/bus driver and parent/student transportation handbooks.
Completed first reading of the classified staff handbook.
Tabled approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Parsons to provide a second School Resource Officer who will be stationed at Parsons Middle School once they complete SRO training. The MOU was not received.
Approved participation in Greenbush Parents as Teachers at a total cost of $22,000.
Approved a contract with St. Patrick Catholic School to provide lunches.
Approved the Accountability Report to document progress on the new 5-year Strategic Plan.
Approved Kansas Association of School Boards recommended policy updates with the exception of any portion of the Title IX regulations not becoming effective in Kansas.
Approved a Corporate Resolution with TCM Bank, N.A. regarding district credit cards.
Approved a bid by Hinman Tree Trimming for $10,700 to trim trees at Parsons Middle School
Approved a bid from WeatherProofing Technologies, Inc. for façade and flashing work at Parsons High School on the auditorium at a cost of $74,434.11.
Approved Square D by Schneider Electric to replace the main electrical switch at Parsons Middle School at a cost of $51,950.
Approved a bid by weather proofing technologies to repair the wet roof at Parsons High School at a cost of $31,606.90.
Approved an MOU with SparkWheel to add a program at the elementary level with the assistance of a grant.
Accepted the resignation of Breanna Rush, Garfield Title I Aide.
Approved Supplemental Assignments as listed in the agenda.