USD 489 approves Russell schools admission to special education co-op

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson recaps this week's Board of Education meeting.

 

Transcript:

EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.

 

James Bell 

The Hays Board of Education voted this week to allow Russell to join their Special Education Cooperative superintendent Ron Wilson chats with us about that. And more as we recap, this week's Board of Education meeting on this episode of the Post Podcast.

 

Ron Wilson 

Hays is the host district for a special edcooperative, which is a combination of school districts of LaCrosse, Ellis, Victoria and Hays. And we we provide special ed services for all kids in this area. And provide services at all those all those other districts as well as Hays. I think we've we've entered we have we've started this conversation probably, I would say over two years ago with the Russell School District, their unique to the in the state of Kansas is that they are a kind of a standalone Special Ed service in their own just district. And that's pretty rare in the state of Kansas. Usually, there's cooperatives that are established in different regions. And so they reached out to us we've had conversation for two years, of course, there's lots of things that you have to consider, you know, when when inviting someone into a cooperative, because, of course, there's additional costs that will come with that. But also, we felt like it also gives us some additional stability, Russell would be the second largest other than Hayes in that cooperative once they join ours. So it does give us some stability in terms of just kind of spreading the cost out across to everybody, and maybe reducing some risk for some of our smaller districts. So through those conversations, that's where we have proceeded we now have finalized all the districts have agreed for Russell to enter the cooperative. And now it's just kind of a in a sense of three year plan to finally get full implementation. We'll start adding pieces in every year. different pieces we've we've been working with them in the from providing gifted services for the last few years. So we've already kind of started that those steps, but we'll continue to add pieces each year. So we're excited about the possibility of adding Russell on I think it's good for the cooperative, it's good for our district in terms of, of just not just being the big guy on the block and taking on all the risks sometimes.

 

James Bell 

Sure. You know, and I was actually because I do cover the Ellis Board of Education meeting and I was there when they voted on on this measure as well. And one of the things the the big concerns that I heard there was was exactly that is the cost what if Russell has a particularly as a student in and particularly that that requires a lot of funding? And exactly that they came to the conclusion that yes, maybe that would hurt them in a short term, but the long term, everybody will kind of benefit from this partnership.

 

Ron Wilson 

Sure. And I think it's also just being able to provide those kinds of services that sometimes we don't necessarily need that that one service in a particular district all the time we can, we can spread those services across all districts and with some travel, and those kinds of things. And the location is close enough, it gives us those abilities to do that.

 

James Bell 

Yeah, I was gonna say historically, this this program has been or this coop has been relatively enjoyed by the districts. I don't know that there's been any real concerns in the years that I've been covering the school board. And I

 

Ron Wilson 

think our history is we've had a very strong Special Ed cooperative, who have provided some great service to our kids who have some disabilities. And so I think we can be proud of that. I think Kyle Carlin the director has done a really good job and in continuing that tradition. So what we're we feel very fortunate, and we're really excited to have Russell be joining us here and in full, full implementation here in a few years.

 

James Bell 

Good. And I look forward to hearing some more updates is that partnership comes to fruition. Moving on here, the we did talk or they did speak about some other things last night, one of the things that I thought everybody would like to know about is they are adding in some security cameras. I think this is maybe the last piece of upgrading those security at some of the entrances at our schools here, right.

 

Ron Wilson 

Yeah, this is and this you know, that's the world we live in, we just expect to have video of almost everything that that happens. And I think that's important. And so we started an upgrade last year, we did three buildings last year we did the high school, the middle school, and Roosevelt Elementary. This is the last piece we will be adding in all the remaining schools in our in our district to have cameras. That would be Wilson, a Laughlin Lincoln and west side. And so of course, you know, we have cameras currently in all those locations but they're are approximately and we don't really know. But they're, they're pushing upwards to 20 years old, forever when he asked about something like, yeah, technology has really improved. And so we found that out just this year with putting in the new cameras that haze high haze, middle and Roosevelt, just the improvements that have been made. So this is just the last piece. And we think it'll always it's always helpful to have cameras to, it's not necessarily always to protect against crime, sometimes it just helps us be aware of where everyone's at, and what's needed at certain times. So

 

James Bell 

yeah, and that was I thought it was really interesting from the the tech director for the district, he was there speaking about these cameras, and was talking about that resolution, that clarity. And I was just imagining situations where, you know, not necessarily thinking about worrying about people coming in. But that situation where it's two kids and they're picking on each other, or whatever it might be having that resource there, I just, I imagine is super helpful to help clarify the situation and address it correctly.

 

Ron Wilson 

It really is. It's kind of it's, it's really amazing how we've been able to sometimes we might get reports about something happening. Many times, we're able to look at cameras, and we can say a lot of times we can verify that it has happened. But then sometimes we can say, well, this is what we're seeing. And we're not seeing that. And sometimes that also clears up so it sort of works both ways. Definitely. And like you mentioned, the clarity is just unbelievable. With some of this new technology that they've put into surveillance cameras. Very cool.

 

James Bell 

There was something else last night that I thought was kind of interesting. And there was a the board kind of talked about and clarified their position on therapy dogs in the district. I imagine that's probably not an everyday occurrence that we were having to deal with something like that. But I thought it was pretty cool that they were able to clarify that situation and talk a little bit about that. You bet.

 

Ron Wilson 

That is something that I think, you know, it's not necessarily new, I think we've had animals in our schools for various reasons. But what we're seeing is more requests for actual therapy animals that provide a lot, not necessarily in terms of they of course, they provide comfort for an individual, but they also provide some stability in terms of when the maybe they become dysregulated, and things like that. And so we've had some requests here in the district recently, and then it seems to be increasing. And as we looked into our board policy, in terms of how to handle therapy, animals, we didn't really have a distinct policy that really kind of clarified some of the things that are important in terms of making sure an animal who comes into our building is vaccinated and, and has some training and things of that nature. So last night, we just visited with the board about putting in a policy that will just help us kind of guide us through how we how we can handle and administer the use of therapy dogs in our school setting.

 

James Bell 

Very cool. Then I think the last thing we want to talk about today you are the board brother voted to re up into the Kansas Association of School Boards, they they went through with our annual membership. And then they also that provides legal services to the district. And I thought this was kind of a part of a bigger conversation during the meeting about the the lawyer for the district and how that all works. I thought maybe you wanted to clarify because one of the comments that was made, I think last night, but maybe even by a community member was Why pay for a lawyer if you're going to join this legal membership group? And I don't know, I maybe want to clarify all that.

 

Ron Wilson 

Well, I think yeah, that was that was a public comment. But on the on the Kansas Association for school board, we we do pay a fee $2,300 for the Legal Assistance Fund. And that's, you'd be surprised how many times we did call them specifically just on school related matters. Now, when we call them we're not getting in depth lawyer work. It's not they're not reviewing contracts and things of that nature. And sometimes, that's where, you know, having our own school lawyer and with what the district has had in place for many years. Were a lot of times we're utilizing those more for contract language, working on specific personnel issues that our district may deal with from time to time that sometimes need some legal assistance. So there is the need for both. And I think that's important to understand. It's it's worked well for the district. I think it's kept us out of legal issues that have cost the district in the long term. So I think it's something that I'm happy that the Board approve the KSP and we do appreciate what Mr. Jeter who works has worked for the day st for many years and what he does his service to the district. Very good.

 

James Bell 

You know, I thought about I frequently get into a conversation. My wife, she's an educator and I college educator. So I always tease her about well, you know, you're really only on campus three hours a day. And that was kind of the same tone that was was discussed with Mr. Jeter was, well, you really only at the meetings a couple hours a month, but really the work, the time invested. That's happening behind the scenes, right. It's not just going to the meetings.

 

Ron Wilson 

No, absolutely not. He we, as as a district administrator, I'm visiting with him many times on issues throughout the app the month and, of course, many times I've sent him documents that I've asked him to weigh in on and he's helped us in numerous times to just help us navigate through some things and our world has become very legal. And so we it's definitely a benefit to our district. Very good.

 

James Bell 

Oh, well, sir. We've got just a few seconds left. Any other last thoughts or anything you want to hit on before we go?

 

Ron Wilson 

No, just early voting started yesterday and then we continue to ask people to get out vote, bond issue. Final bond, election day is May 10. Looking forward to the results that come from