USD 315 Board of Education Reorganizes, Reviews Audit, Approves Custodial Services Contract
January 26, 2026
The USD 315 Board of Education met Monday evening, January 26, for its regular meeting at the district administration building, handling a full agenda that included board reorganization, a detailed financial audit review, major operational decisions, and updates from administrators across the district.
The meeting opened with routine business, as the board approved both the agenda and consent agenda without changes.
As part of annual organizational business, the board elected new officers. Shelby Barnett was approved as board president, while Missy Siruta was selected to serve as vice president. The board also adopted a resolution establishing regular meeting dates under K.S.A. 72-1138.
Committee appointments were approved with Siruta appointed as the district’s representative to the Service Center, with Dan Kuhlman named as alternate. Kris Lemman (former board president) was approved to serve on the Northwest Tech board, while Barnett and Trish Carney were appointed to negotiations, with Mike Hamilton designated as alternate.
A representative from Adams Brown presented the district’s 2024-25 financial audit, noting that the district ended the fiscal year with just over $4 million in cash balances. The representative explained that two audit opinions were issued: an adverse opinion under generally accepted accounting principles, which the district formally waives, and an unmodified opinion under the regulatory basis of accounting used by Kansas school districts.
Three statutory violations were identified in the audit, but without major concern from the auditor, and the district had already taken measures to prevent future occurances.
Additional findings included unreported encumbrances totaling roughly $470,000, bank reconciliation variances of $202,000 that affected beginning cash balances, payroll misstatements tied to journal entry errors, and multiple entries that were recorded incorrectly and required reversal. Bull offered several recommendations aimed at improving internal controls, reconciliation practices, and journal entry oversight.
Board members asked questions regarding budgeting variances, particularly within the vocational education fund, and district administration explained that budgeting reflects legal spending authority rather than an intent to spend all allocated funds. The board later formally accepted the 2024-25 audit.
Jada Tubbs of the Thomas County Community Foundation provided an extensive update highlighting the foundation’s 25th anniversary and its ongoing support of local schools. Tubbs outlined how managed funds, Match Day contributions, and donor initiatives have benefited the district, including more than $72,000 awarded to USD 315 in 2025 alone for projects such as fine arts equipment, unpaid lunch balances, afterschool programming, auditorium improvements, and the Dennen Field project.
Tubbs also discussed efforts focused on long-term wealth transfer, encouraging planned giving to support future community needs.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on custodial staffing challenges. Representatives from ATS Custodial Services, a Nebraska-based firm serving school districts across multiple states, presented a hybrid staffing model designed to supplement the district’s existing workforce.
District administrators explained that ongoing vacancies have forced maintenance staff to cover custodial duties, straining operations. After extensive discussion, the board approved a contract with ATS to provide 5.5 full-time equivalent custodial positions at a monthly cost of $23,408. Services were approved to begin immediately, with a 30-day transition period built into the agreement.
The board received a presentation on the Emergent 3 safety application, a crisis communication tool designed to provide real-time coordination during emergencies. The system integrates with district rosters and campus maps, allowing staff and emergency responders to identify safe and unsafe areas and account for students quickly.
Building principals and activity directors provided reports covering enrollment trends, academic initiatives, student programs, and winter activities. Highlights included collaborative curriculum efforts between buildings, peer tutoring programs, student-led conferences, and strong participation in athletics, scholars bowl, wrestling, and fine arts.
The director of teaching and learning reported on professional development efforts, grant activity, curriculum alignment, and the relaunch of the afterschool program, which is currently operating on a limited scale.
The board approved acceptance of donations and authorized the transfer of $71,671 in wind energy funds to complete playground surfacing, with the remaining $164,074 designated for the Dennen Field project. Playground installation services were also approved.
Additional actions included approval of the 2026-27 district calendar, first readings of policy updates and non-resident enrollment capacity levels, and multiple personnel recommendations and resignations related to teaching, coaching, and afterschool positions.
The board set its next regular meeting for February 23 and adjourned at 10:15 p.m., concluding a meeting that emphasized financial accountability, operational support, and continued investment in student safety and programming.