Methodist women's donation erases student lunch debt

Reporting by Kayla McGrew, Board Clerk

MOUND CITY – The Jayhawk USD 346 Board of Education on Monday voted to accept, with appreciation, a $2,800 from the Blue Mound United Methodist Women as well as a $1,500 from an anonymous donor.

The money from the Methodist group included $1,000 to pay off outstanding lunch balances in the district and $1,800 for teacher supplies at Jayhawk Elementary School (JES).

Board Clerk Kayla McGrew said in an email on Tuesday that the donation to the lunch fund completely covered all existing debt with enough reserve to cover future debt this school year.

The $1,500 donation from the anonymous donor is earmarked for the Jayhawk-Linn High School (JLHS) football program.

The board also approved budget hearings beginning on 5:40 p.m. on Sept. 11 before the regular board meeting at 6 p.m. The first hearing will be on the district’s decision to exceed the revenue-neutral amount. That will be followed by the regular budget hearing at 5:50 p.m.

Superintendent Shawn Thomas told the board on the status of several projects in the district.

He said the resurfacing of the track has been rescheduled to begin next week, and that the construction on the new wrestling space was coming along well. Work on the auditorium in the high school is nearing an end, and an upgrade in lighting and the purchase of additional microphones is scheduled this year.

Thomas also thanked thanked Wes Cole and the maintenance crew for work on the library and technology office over the summer. He also noted that the crew completed a new sidewalk path to the playground, did additional work on the car line, and completed numerous other projects.

He also complimented the custodian staff for their work in getting the schools ready for the Aug. 16 start date

In other business, the board:

• Approved staff handbooks.

• Approved sell old windows from the JLHS foyer that were replaced during remodeling.

• Hired Brittany Prattis as JES custodian.

• Approved the requests from out-of-district students to attend district schools.