USD 315 Welcomes New Superintendent, Reviews Major Projects at Final Meeting of School Year
June 29, 2026
The Colby USD 315 Board of Education closed out the 2025-26 school year during its June 29 meeting, welcoming new Superintendent Dr. Kevin Warner while approving budget updates, reviewing major district projects, discussing new student cell phone policies and taking care of routine business before the new fiscal year begins. A public hearing on the district's republished budget preceded the meeting and closed without public comment.
Making his first report as superintendent, Warner said his first steps were to listen and learn about the district. Since arriving in Colby, he has been meeting with faculty and staff, touring all district facilities and asking administrators one question: "What do they need from me as a superintendent?"
He said the district has started a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats while he attempts to build a "30,000-foot view" of district operations. Warner also discussed plans to meet with local community leaders and organizations while spending much of July reviewing district finances and preparing next year's budget.
Warner also reported storm damage from recent storms, including hail damage to the Administration Building roof and destruction of the fabric playground awning on the playground. Insurance claims are being pursued for both.
Facilities Director Collin Morrison updated the board on the Dennen Field track renovation. Integrity Sports Solutions has been selected to oversee the project and has completed aerial surveying, LIDAR mapping and geotechnical testing.
Administrators determined that the current track is too narrow for a regulation eight-lane layout, prompting administrators to move forward with widening the design. Without the adjustment, Colby would be out of consideration of hosting regional track meets. Morrison said engineers are also exploring ways to reuse existing asphalt to reduce project costs.
Business Manager Kaylin Wiens reported the district currently has approximately $993,000 committed toward the project through fundraising, donations and anticipated revenue, with additional commitments expected.
The board also received an update on the Play 315 playground project. Most of the equipment has been installed with irrigation complete, leaving planting seed in the green space and pouring the surface on the play area and finally installing the chain-link fence. Weather has delayed completion, but the Play 315 committee plans to inspect the project on July 8.
Board members approved the district's republished 2025-26 budget after additional state special education funding required adjustments to the general fund. They also approved the 2026-27 Child Nutrition and Wellness Agreement and adopted the state's recommended 15-cent increase for student breakfast and lunch prices.
Wiens also presented year-end transfers, explaining the district experienced an unusually expensive year. Approximately $500,000 in unexpected costs included more than $120,000 to furnish and equip the Ag building after construction, and over $100,000 toward the district's portion of the Play 315 playground project. Board members discussed the importance of better accounting for furnishing and technology costs in future construction projects.
One of the evening's longest discussions involved proposed student and staff handbook changes required under recent state legislation governing personal electronic devices.
The proposed student policy would require phones and other smart devices to remain at home, in a student's vehicle or secured in district-provided locked storage during the school day. Board members discussed enforcement, security and medical exemptions, but took no action since the policy received only its required first reading.
Related staff handbook revisions prohibit faculty and staff from communicating with students through social media, requiring communication to occur through Rooms and other district mediums. The changes will also lead to the consolidation of school activity Facebook and Instagram pages into the district's one official communication channels. Both handbook revisions will return for approval in July.
The board also approved the district's annual property insurance renewal, accepted staff resignations, approved new hires and supplemental coaching assignments, adopted the 2026-27 school calendar and approved a 1.71% wage increase for administrative licensed staff, excluding newly hired administrators, and classified employees. An executive session concerning an employee contract concluded with no action taken.
The board will meet again July 20 for its annual reorganization meeting, when members are expected to revisit the proposed handbook changes and other first-reading policy updates.