USD 315 holds tax rate steady, narrows Dennen Field project to seven-lane plan

The USD 315 Board of Education approved preparations for the upcoming school year, moved forward with new cellphone policies and reviewed the latest plans for Dennen Field during its July 20 meeting at the district administration building.

The board also approved its intent to exceed the district’s revenue-neutral rate while keeping the overall property tax rate nearly unchanged.

USD 315 plans to publish a total tax rate of 45.634 mills for the 2026-27 school year, including 20 mills for the general fund, eight mills for capital outlay and 17.634 mills for the local option budget. The district levied 45.683 mills last year.

Because property valuations increased, the proposed rate would exceed the district’s revenue-neutral rate of 44.287 mills and generate an estimated $70,000 in additional revenue. The board scheduled its revenue-neutral-rate hearing, budget hearing and final budget approval for 7:30 a.m. Sept. 18.

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Warner introduced Jeremy Hawks, the district’s new Director of Teaching and Learning. Hawks previously worked in Garden City and Norton, where he served in a similar curriculum role while also teaching.

Hawks said he is reviewing district assessment data, records and program information as he becomes familiar with his new position.

Warner also updated the board on the Dennen Field track reconstruction project. An initial estimate for a complete eight-lane track was approximately $1.9 million. A revised seven-lane plan reduced the preliminary estimate to about $1.686 million, and the district is continuing to look for ways to bring the project below its $1.5 million ceiling.

Recent soil testing found that stabilization will be required beneath portions of the track. However, the soil may be treated and recompacted on site rather than excavated and hauled away, which could reduce costs.

Board members discussed whether the district should pursue an eight-lane track, which would allow Colby to host regional competition. Adding the eighth lane was estimated to cost another $300,000 to $500,000 and could delay construction long enough to leave the district without a track next season.

The current plan calls for a seven-lane track capable of hosting regular meets. The area outside the seventh lane may still receive a rubber surface, but it would not be marked as a competition lane.

The board accepted $83,948 in donations, grants and gifts, including $80,000 for Dennen Field. Contributions included $25,000 each from the Pete Henry Foundation and Triple R Insurance Agency, $25,000 through the Thomas County Community Foundation and $5,000 from The Bank.

The board approved updated student and staff handbook policies addressing cellphones and social media. The student policy implements new state restrictions on cellphone use during the school day.

District officials have developed information for families explaining the policy and the possible use of supervised cellphone lock boxes. Students using the boxes would receive assigned storage locations and retrieve their phones after school.

Board members also discussed expectations for staff cellphone use, noting that employees should model the behavior expected from students while still being able to use devices for instructional and professional purposes.

Facebook and Hudl were approved as the district’s official social-media platforms. Hudl was added because users can comment on videos and other posted content.

Warner reported that pour and play surfacing for the Play315 playground is scheduled to begin July 27. Grass has also been seeded around the new playground, and the board approved an additional pizza-sale fundraiser for the project.

The district is awaiting an inspection of the Colby Middle School elevator after learning it is no longer covered by previous grandfather provisions. Administrators are considering options that could include limiting the elevator to freight use and installing stair lifts. A complete elevator replacement has a preliminary estimated cost of approximately $2 million.

The district is also preparing to restart its after-school program, initially serving kindergarten through second grade. Administrators said staffing remains the main obstacle to expanding the program into additional grades.

The board delayed a final decision on facility rental fees after members questioned inconsistencies between rates for Dennen Field and the high school gym. Administrators will review how the district charges community organizations, youth programs and groups that collect admission or generate revenue.

Warner also reported that the district is researching student screen time, preparing a required at-risk education plan, working to recruit a woods instructor and anticipating a possible 6% increase in energy costs.

The board selected Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 as possible dates for a special workshop to establish goals for Warner and outline the evaluation process for the district’s new superintendent.